Chosen Solution
The button that power on and lock/unlock the device doesn’t work. This can be fixed?
There seems to be an answer here…. http://www.powerbookmedic.com/manual.php… looks like a de-assemble does the the trick.
On the off chance anyone else still has one of these in 2018, I had this same problem with a non-working power button. I verified the Kindle worked fine by removing and replacing the battery (it rebooted as expected). I then had to fully disassemble it to start playing around with the power button. I noticed it worked, but only if I squeezed on the right side (screen facing up) of the USB micro input. I tried screwing down as hard as I felt comfortable on the two screws either side of the home button. Still, the power button only worked intermittently. I deduced it needed more pressure for whatever contact is between the switch and motherboard. So, I added the nearest spacer I could find: I peeled off one of the rubber pads from the inside of the back cover, cut it in half, then placed both halves just below the screw on the right side. I reassembled everything and voila, this old clunky e-reader is still chugging along. I didn’t investigate the actual cause of the problem since I was too lazy to remove the motherboard. But I’m okay with a little mystery.
Connected the cord to my Mac, Kindle showed up and screen lit up and said to eject device if want to continue reading. I ejected and the screen and all the books came on. Power switch still would not work. Could not reset because power button did not work. After reading about disassembling, that idea was not for me, so I smacked it near the bottom bezel and the power button is working fine now. Sometimes the old fashioned remedies are the best.
Both buttons on my Kindle touch weren’t working any more. Slamming didn’t help. So I disassembled it following the guide on powerbookmedic, to the point where I could remove the frame. Not difficult at all to get to that point. Them some wd40 contact spray on both buttons, reasssembled it and now everything works like new, ready for the next decade ;-)
I have the same problem, took it apart… but I was to harsh with the button, now only can make it work with a piece of metal, the button won´t click, any idea how to replace the button?