Nook Sideloading Not Working — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

Nook supports sideloaded EPUB files but not Kindle MOBI or AZW files. Connect the Nook via USB, open it as a drive, and drag EPUB files into the My Documents folder. Books appear in My Library under My Files after safely disconnecting.

Affected Models

Nook GlowLight 4
Nook GlowLight 4e
Nook GlowLight Plus
Nook GlowLight 3

Common Causes

File is in an unsupported format (MOBI, AZW3, KFX)
File dragged to the wrong folder on the device
USB connection in charge-only mode instead of file transfer
DRM-protected file from a non-Nook store
File name contains special characters

How to Fix It

Confirm the file is in EPUB format.

Nook supports EPUB and PDF only. MOBI, AZW, KFX, and other Kindle formats are not supported. Convert files to EPUB using Calibre (a free ebook management app) before sideloading.
Connect the Nook via USB and select File Transfer mode.

When you plug in the Nook, a prompt may appear asking for the connection type. Select File Transfer (MTP), not Charging Only.
Drag EPUB files to the My Documents folder on the Nook drive.

The Nook appears as a removable drive named NOOK. Open it and place EPUB files directly inside the My Documents folder.
Safely eject the Nook before disconnecting.

Use the operating system's Safely Remove Hardware option before unplugging. Disconnecting without ejecting can cause files to not be indexed.
On the Nook, go to My Library → My Files to find the book.

Sideloaded books appear under My Files — not in the main library section. If the file is not there, check that it is in the correct folder and format.

When to Call a Professional

If the Nook is not appearing as a drive on the computer at all, try a different USB cable. If it still does not appear, the USB port may be faulty — contact Barnes & Noble support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put Kindle books on a Nook?

Not directly. Kindle books purchased from Amazon have DRM and cannot be transferred. Free Kindle books (public domain) can sometimes be converted from MOBI to EPUB using Calibre and then sideloaded.

Where do sideloaded books appear on the Nook?

Sideloaded EPUB files appear in My Library → My Files — not in the main library section that shows Barnes & Noble purchases.