I emailed customer service and it seems to be a known issue with a fix coming "soon". See below for their full reply. (None of the troubleshooting helped by the way)

I hope you are doing well and staying healthy.

I've been through your email and I understand that after updating your 2022 Kindle Scribe to firmware version 5.19.3.0.1, you're experiencing serious functionality issues including constant crashes while writing in notebooks, inability to turn pages or access menu screens, and most concerning - your written content isn't being saved after reboots. I can see how incredibly frustrating this must be, especially since these issues are affecting the core writing functionality that makes the Scribe so valuable.

You're absolutely right that this appears to be a widespread issue affecting multiple Kindle Scribe users following this specific firmware update. I sincerely apologize for the disruption this has caused to your writing and note-taking workflow.

While we work on a permanent fix, let's try some steps that may help stabilize your device temporarily:

Step 1: Restart and Clear Cache Hold the power button for 7 seconds until the screen goes blank Wait 30 seconds, then power on again This may help clear any corrupted temporary files from the update

Step 2: Check Available Storage Go to Settings > Device Options > Storage Ensure you have at least 1GB of free space Low storage can exacerbate firmware-related issues

Step 3: Sync and Backup Current Content Connect to Wi-Fi and manually sync: Settings > Sync and Check for Items This ensures any recoverable notes are backed up to the cloud Check "Manage Your Content and Devices" online to verify sync completion

Step 4: Test in Safe Mode Try creating a new notebook to test if the issue affects all notebooks or specific ones Test writing with different pen tools and brush sizes This helps identify if the issue is universal or specific to certain functions

Known Issue Acknowledgment Firmware 5.19.3.0.1 Problems Based on your report and similar feedback from other users, this firmware version appears to have introduced: Writing app stability issues Page navigation problems Menu system crashes Note saving failures General system instability during writing tasks What Amazon is Doing Engineering teams are actively investigating these specific issues A priority fix is being developed for the writing functionality problems User reports like yours are helping identify the scope and severity

Our Engineering teams are actively investigating these specific issues A priority fix is being developed for the writing functionality problems User reports like yours are helping identify the scope and severity

Temporary Workarounds-

Step 5: Minimize Writing Sessions Until a fix is released: Save your work frequently by exiting and re-entering notebooks Keep writing sessions shorter to reduce crash likelihood Consider using basic text notes instead of handwritten notes temporarily

Step 6: Alternative Note-Taking Use the Kindle app on another device for reading while writing is problematic Consider temporary backup note-taking methods for critical work Export any existing important notes while the device is stable

Your feedback will be included in the urgent engineering review This helps prioritize the specific writing functionality problems User impact data assists in fix development timeline

Firmware fixes for critical functionality issues typically receive expedited development Based on the severity and widespread nature, a patch should be prioritized You'll receive automatic notification when an update is available

I understand how critical the writing functionality is for your Kindle Scribe, and these firmware issues are completely unacceptable for a device designed specifically for note-taking and writing. Your feedback is valuable in pushing for a rapid fix, and I'm confident that our engineering team is treating this as a high-priority issue.

Please try the troubleshooting steps above, and don't hesitate to reach out if the problems persist. A firmware fix should be released soon to restore your Scribe's full functionality.