Kobo Missing Books After Update? 9 Fixes for Kobo 6.0

If books went missing after you accepted the Kobo 6.0 beta on your Libra Colour, Clara Colour or Clara BW, leave your Kobo on its current software and stay signed in. Kobo has released two fixes that can bring back sideloaded books, reading stats and My Words entries. If your library loans disappeared, reconnecting your Libby card can bring them back.

It’s tempting to undo the update when your library looks empty. But rolling back or running a factory reset can permanently erase content Kobo could otherwise recover. Signing out can erase data stored on your reader, too. Check your software version first so you know which fix to install.

What Kobo 6.0 Owners Should Do First

Start at Home > More > Settings > Device information and find Software version. The number there tells you whether to look for the first recovery update or go straight to the second.

If you see 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403, install Kobo OS 6.0.2, build 6.0.276679, when your reader offers it. Once you’re on that build, install 6.0.279225 when it becomes available. Keep your Kobo account signed in throughout both updates.

After updating, reconnect your library card in Libby and sync over Wi-Fi. Then check My Books, your reading stats and My Words. If your sideloaded books return with their highlights and annotations still missing, those markings are still awaiting a fix.

Which Kobo Models and Software Versions Are Affected

Kobo identified the Libra Colour, Clara Colour and Clara BW as the three models eligible for the 6.0 beta. Older readers such as the Clara 2E, Libra 2, Sage and Elipsa never received it. On an eligible model, the full build number tells you whether you’re on an affected release or one of the fixes.

Software version	Status	What it means for you
4.46.23836	Last 4.x release, August 2026	Outside the affected builds
5.18.270971	Affected beta	Books, annotations, reading stats or My Words entries may be missing
6.0.274403	Affected 6.0 beta	The same content can disappear after the update
6.0.276679	Kobo OS 6.0.2 fix, released in phases	Restores reading stats, My Words entries and sideloaded books. Recovery of sideloaded highlights and annotations is still pending
6.0.279225	Follow-up fix offered after 6.0.276679	Fixes the Optimizing Content hang and addresses Libby and Adobe DRM issues. Can recover reading stats and My Words if you’ve kept the reader signed in and skipped a reset

Why Your Books and Notes Went Missing

An empty spot in My Books can mean a few different things after 6.0. A missing Libby loan points to your library card connection, while a sideloaded book can disappear because of where you copied it or which format it uses. Some content that vanished during the update may still be on your reader.

The 6.0 Platform Overhaul Did Not Carry Everything Across

Kobo rebuilt the software platform in 6.0, so the first update takes longer and uses more storage. On the affected builds, sideloaded books, highlights, reading stats and My Words entries could disappear from view. Kobo said the missing data was still on the reader and could be recovered by a later update.

Your reader stores some of that data locally, including sideloaded books, their reading progress and annotations, reading stats and My Words entries. Notebooks can also be stored only on the reader if notebook sync is off. That’s why keeping your current installation and staying signed in matters while you wait for a fix.

Libby Lost Its Link to Your Library Card

Kobo 6.0 lets you borrow, renew and return books or place holds using more than one library card. The update requires you to sign in to Libby again, so a loan can disappear from My Books even if it still shows up in the Libby app.

Earlier builds could also fail when you tried to use Libby until you reconnected your card. Build 6.0.279225 addresses that failure. If you borrowed a book in the app, use the same card on your Kobo so the reader can pick up the loan when it syncs.

Sideloaded Files in the Wrong Folder or Format

If you copied a book into the hidden .kobo folder after updating to 6.0, the reader skips it during import. Put the file at the top level of the Kobo drive so it can appear in My Books.

The file type matters, too. Kobo dropped support for sideloaded RTF and HTML files in 6.0, and some MOBI files may fail to open. Convert those books to EPUB before you copy them back.

Some Things Are Gone on Purpose

Kobo removed reading awards and activity tracking from the Activity section in 6.0. For tracking what you read, Kobo points to its StoryGraph integration. If your reading stats went missing during the update, the recovery builds can still bring those back.

The update also removed pinch-to-zoom for changing font size, fast page turning by holding a button or screen corner, and earlier beta features such as Sketchpad and games. You can still change the font size from the reading menu. Kobo is exploring whether to bring back pinch-to-zoom and fast page turning.

How to Fix Missing Kobo Books and Notes After 6.0

Start with the software version, then install the recovery build your Kobo offers. Once you’ve updated, the type of book that’s still missing tells you what to try next. A Kobo Store purchase, a Libby loan and a book you copied over USB each have a different fix.

Fix 1 Check Your Kobo Software Version

From Home, open More > Settings > Device information. Find Software version and read the number before the build code and date.

If it shows 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403, look for Kobo OS 6.0.2. If it already shows 6.0.276679, you can check for 6.0.279225. If you’re already on 6.0.279225, move on to syncing and checking the books that are still missing.

Fix 2 Install Kobo OS 6.0.2 (6.0.276679)

Fully charge your Kobo, then go to More > Settings > Device Information > Check for updates. Install Kobo OS 6.0.2 when it appears. Kobo is offering this optional beta in phases, so you may need to check again later.

This build can bring back sideloaded books, reading stats and My Words entries. It also fixes some Libby and Kobo Plus sync problems, helps Adobe DRM books open again and addresses freezing during updates on readers with large libraries. Highlights and annotations on sideloaded books are still awaiting recovery.

Fix 3 Update Again to 6.0.279225

Once your Kobo is on 6.0.276679, check for updates again and install 6.0.279225 when it’s offered. This build fixes the hang at Optimizing Content and does a better job of keeping sideloaded books in your library. If you’ve stayed signed in and kept the reader from being reset, the update can recover missing reading stats and My Words entries.

If you use a stylus, look in the margins for small thumbnails where you wrote by hand. Tap the icon in the margin to preview your original handwriting. Your markups are also available in the Annotations list.

Fix 4 Run a Manual Sync Over Wi-Fi

Go to Home, tap the Sync icon at the top of the screen and choose Sync now. Your Kobo connects over Wi-Fi and checks for books and software updates. If you’ve already reconnected your Libby card, this is also how you pull in compatible loans from the app.

Give the sync time to finish if you have a large library. Then open My Books and search for a title you expected to see. If a Libby loan is still missing, check which library card is linked before you sync again.

If you also read on a Kindle, our fix for a Kindle book that is queued but not downloading works the same way.

Fix 5 Re-Link Your Library Card to Get Libby Working

Open More > Settings > Libby and follow the sign-in prompts. When the QR code appears, scan it with your phone and sign in with your library card number and PIN. Kobo recommends the QR code because the Sign in on this device option can cause login problems.

Use the same card you borrowed the book with in Libby. Sync over Wi-Fi, then go to My Books > Filter > OverDrive/Libby App to check your loans. Kobo supports compatible Libby ebooks, while Libby audiobooks and magazines stay in the app.

Fix 6 Repair Your Kobo Account Instead of Signing Out

If a Kobo Store purchase is still missing, connect to Wi-Fi and go to Home > More > Settings > Device information. Next to Repair your Kobo account, tap Repair, then choose Repair now.

Give the repair time to finish, especially if you own a lot of books. Then search for the title or look in My Books again. Stay signed in during the repair, since signing out can erase locally stored content that a Kobo update could still recover.

Fix 7 Move Sideloaded Books to the Top Level of Storage

Connect your Kobo to your computer over USB and open the Kobo drive. Copy your ebook files to the top level of the drive, outside the hidden .kobo folder and any other system folders. Disconnect the reader and wait for the books to finish importing.

Check My Books for the titles you just copied. Some owners report that their collections went missing after the update, so you may need to recreate a collection even after its books show up again.

Fix 8 Convert RTF, HTML and MOBI Files to EPUB

If your book is an RTF or HTML file, open it in Calibre on your computer and convert it to EPUB. Do the same for a MOBI book if your Kobo won’t open it after the update.

Keep the original file on your computer and copy the EPUB to the top level of the Kobo drive over USB. Let the reader import it, then open the EPUB from My Books to check that it loads.

Fix 9 Restart a Kobo Stuck on Loading or Optimizing Content

Some owners report repeated Loading screens after updating, and Kobo says the first time you open each book can take longer on 6.0. If your Kobo has stopped responding, charge it for at least an hour and try turning it off and back on. If the power button doesn’t respond to a normal press, hold it for at least 10 seconds until the indicator light goes out.

Turn the Kobo back on and leave any restore or factory reset option untouched. Once you can reach Home again, check for 6.0.279225 if you’re already on 6.0.276679. That follow-up build fixes the Optimizing Content hang.

Three Things You Should Not Do

If your library still looks empty after the update, give Kobo’s recovery builds a chance to bring your content back. Rolling back, resetting your reader or signing out can erase data that an update could otherwise recover. Start by keeping your current software and Kobo account in place.

Rolling Back to Older Firmware

Leave your Kobo on its current build, even if an older version worked well for you. Kobo says reinstalling older firmware permanently deletes the content that went missing. Once that happens, a later update can’t recover it.

If you’re still on 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403, check for Kobo OS 6.0.2 in More > Settings > Device Information > Check for updates. Once you’ve installed 6.0.276679, look for 6.0.279225.

Running a Factory Reset

A factory reset can permanently erase the missing content Kobo is trying to recover. It can also clear bookmarks, annotations and notebooks stored on your reader.

If your Kobo is stuck, try restarting it with the power button. If a recovery screen comes up, leave any restore or factory reset option untouched.

Signing Out of Your Kobo Account

Signing out can remove data that lives only on your reader. That includes reading stats, My Words entries and sideloaded books along with their annotations and reading progress. You can also lose saved Wi-Fi connections, Adobe authorization and the link to your Libby account.

If a Kobo Store purchase is missing, keep your account signed in and use the repair option over Wi-Fi. Go to More > Settings > Device information > Repair your Kobo account, then tap Repair and choose Repair now.

Model and Version Notes

The Libra Colour, Clara Colour and Clara BW follow the same update sequence. Your model determines which features you’ll have to check afterward, while your software version tells you which fix you can install.

Libra Colour and Clara Colour Owners

On either color model, check for Kobo OS 6.0.2 if you’re on 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403. After installing 6.0.276679, check again for 6.0.279225.

On a Libra Colour, your handwritten annotations may appear as small thumbnails in the margins after the update. Tap the icon beside one to preview the original handwriting. You can also find the markups in the Annotations list.

Clara BW Owners

Your Clara BW uses the same two recovery builds as the color models. Check your full software version before you update so you know whether to look for 6.0.276679 or 6.0.279225.

Some owners have reported losing their Libby sign-in after the beta, including a Clara BW owner. If your loans are missing, reconnect the card you used to borrow them through More > Settings > Libby, then sync over Wi-Fi.

Older Kobo Readers

If you use a Clara 2E, Libra 2, Sage, Elipsa or another older Kobo, your model wasn’t eligible for the 6.0 beta. The missing-content bug tied to these builds affects only the Libra Colour, Clara Colour and Clara BW.

If books are missing on your older Kobo, start with a Wi-Fi sync to check for available titles. For a Kobo Store purchase that’s still missing afterward, use the account repair option.

Battery trouble after an update looks similar across e-readers, and our Kindle battery draining fast guide shows what to check.

When Content Is Still Missing After 6.0.279225

Your books can reappear in My Books while the highlights you made in them are still missing. Check whether you’re missing the book itself or the annotations you made in a sideloaded copy. That distinction helps you decide whether to wait for another update or contact Kobo.

Highlights on Sideloaded Books Are Still Pending

Kobo’s October 28 update says recovery of highlights and annotations on sideloaded books is still pending. You may be able to open a recovered book and read it again while the passages you highlighted are still missing.

Keep your reader signed in and leave it on its current software. Avoid resetting it while you wait for a later build that can recover the annotations.

Contact Kobo Support Through Chat

If a book or other content is still missing after you’ve installed 6.0.279225 and synced, open Chat With Us on help.kobo.com. Give Kobo your reader model, the full software version and a description of what’s missing.

Say whether the missing book was a Kobo Store purchase, a Libby loan or a file you copied over USB. If the book itself came back, tell Kobo which parts are still missing, such as its annotations or your reading progress.

How to Protect Your Kobo Library Before the Next Update

Your Kobo can hold books, annotations and reading data that exist only on the reader. Before another update, give yourself a way to get to the files and passages you’d miss most. Start with a copy of what you can access over USB.

Back Up Your Kobo Over USB First

Connect your Kobo to your computer over USB before you update. Open the Kobo drive and copy its contents to a folder on your computer. Include the hidden .kobo folder in that copy.

Keep the backup on your computer so you can find your sideloaded files again if they disappear from My Books. When you copy those books back to a Kobo running 6.0, place them at the top level of the drive so the reader can import them.

If your reader stops charging during a backup, see what to do when a Kindle won’t charge, since the basic checks carry over.

Wait Before Accepting a Beta Pop-Up

The 6.0 beta is optional. When your Kobo offers it, you can tap Skip and keep using your current build.

If you’re considering a beta, check which features change and which problems owners are reporting before you tap Download. If you’re already on an affected build, use Kobo’s recovery updates as they become available and keep your account signed in.

Export Highlights You Care About

Before updating, save a separate copy of any highlights or annotations you’d want to keep, especially those in books you copied over USB. Those annotations can live only on your Kobo.

If you can still open a passage on your reader, copy it into a document on your computer along with any annotation you added. Include the book title so you can find the passage again even if it disappears from the reader.

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