Why won't my e-reader sync my library books and how do I resolve it

Verify device date and time are accurate. Ensure you have free storage and remove large downloads if nearly full. Toggle Airplane mode on then off and then use the app sync or refresh action. Sign out of the library app and your device account, restart, then sign back in. Remove and re add your library card or library account in the app, then refresh Loans. Borrow a different title to test; if that works, return and re borrow the problem book. Turn off VPN or private DNS if enabled and test on a different Wi Fi or a phone hotspot. In app settings clear cache or storage, then open the app and sync again. If the app uses DRM reauthorize your ID by deauthorizing then authorizing again. Update device software and the app, reboot, then sync. Check profile filters such as Kids or maturity settings and disable them temporarily. Deregister the device from your account, then register it again and sync. Confirm the checkout shows on your library web account; if missing redo the checkout. If still failing download the book on a phone with the same account; if it works there but not on the e reader the device setup is at fault; if it fails on both the library service or your account is the cause and you should contact your library.

Hey Victoria. I have been burned by this exact thing and it turned out not to be the device and check in a browser that the new title appears in your current loans and that your card is active with no blocks... If it is missing redo the checkout and if the card shows expired or blocked fix that first. Make sure the device date time and time zone are set correctly and set to automatic. Wrong clock breaks secure sync. Easy miss.

Open the app and turn off any content filters or kids mode and refresh. If the downloads list shows a stuck item cancel it then try borrowing any other book as a test but then if you have your account on several devices you might have hit the device limit so remove an old device from your account page. Then sign out on the reader restart it sign back in re add your library card and refresh loans. That sequence clears most sync stalls for me.

I totally get how annoying this can be and relying on it for your reading routine and suddenly it's not cooperating. Last year I ran into the exact same problem right when I was in the middle of a series, and after trying all the basics like restarts and Wi-Fi checks, I figured out it was tied to my account authorization. So I went into the app settings and deauthorized the device, then reauthorized it, and that reset things nicely.

Also, double-check if the book shows up properly on the library's website under your account; sometimes the borrow doesn't register correctly on their end. If it's there but not syncing, borrowing a different book to test can help narrow it down, you know, see if it's specific to that title or a broader issue. And if you're using any VPN, turn it off temporarily, that interfered for me once and switching to a mobile hotspot confirmed it. Anyway, after all that my sync started working again without a hitch, so hopefully something similar works for you too.

Reinstalling sometimes restores the same bad state. Do a full sign out inside the app then force stop it clear its storage not cache power the reader off completely for a minute then boot and sign in clean. Works great.

If the app has a way to reauthorize your reading credentials do that so the license files get renewed., Borrow a different title to test and if that downloads return the stuck one and borrow it again.

If it still refuses to sync try a long power hold until the screen goes fully dark wait a bit then res and tart. If another device on your account can download the same loan the reader setup is the culprit. If neither can download ask the library to check your card status and reset your device slots since sometimes the service side needs a nudge.

Hey and I've dealt with sync issues a bunch of times, and it's often something sneaky like the date and time being off so yeah make sure your device's clock is set correctly, automatically if possible, because that can throw everything out of whack with the library servers.

And yeah, if you're low on storage, clear some space by deleting old downloads or whatever's taking up room.

Another thing, try toggling your Wi-Fi off and on, or even switch to a different network to test.

I remember one time I had to clear the app's cache in the settings, and boom, it synced perfectly after that.

Works great.

If none of that helps, reaching out to the library support might be your next move, they usually have good tips tailored to their system.

Sign out of the app and restart and then sign back in to clear account glitches. If that still fails, check for and install updates for the app and your device.

When sync suddenly dies after working for months I look at the network first :) A captive portal or a parental control wall on the router can silently block the servers even though Wi Fi shows connected which and yeah try a different network such as a phone hotspot or a work network to see if it completes. If it works elsewhere the reader is fine and the home network needs an adjustment.

Switch your router to standard DNS and turn off private DNS or any VPN on the reader for a quick test. I chased this for an hour switched to a hotspot and it synced instantly went back home and still nothing until I changed DNS then it all worked. Worth a try.

On the device disable battery saver or data saver and allow the app to use background data. Keep the screen awake while you hit refresh and give it a full minute. If your router offers both bands try 2.4 instead of 5 since some readers drop the higher band through walls. A small change that often stabilizes sync.