First off, I LOVE the Kindle Fire - an absolutely tremendous device (I also have a Kindle Paperwhite which is quite possibly the best device I've ever owned).
However...
My Kindle is second-hand (my son wasn't interested in it so I've grabbed it!) and I've set it up just the way I want it. There are two PROBLEMS... One is that the power button doesn't work (an over-eager son hammering it no doubt) so I have to use the magnetic cover to turn it on/off (although this doesn't do a hard-reset - the only way to do that is to open up the back and disconnect and reconnect the battery and then try to get some sort of connection on the power button connector - just don't ask!).
The other problem is this darned headphone left-channel silence and occasional full silence on the whole device. Having been through several days of diagnosis and experiments I'm convinced there is a software or firmware issue that causes this. It may be a hardware issue for some people (those who can use the tin foil trick) but my problem is DEFINITELY a software or firmware issue.
Right now I have both headphone channels up and running and I'm a happy bunny - but occasionally (and I think it's after waking the display by opening the magnetic jacket/cover) the sound will either go completely or the left channel will drop out. I tried all manner of different 3.5 mm jacks and cables - none made a difference.
I'm running the latest software update and, since my Fire is one of the original ones (is that 3rd generation?), then I can only assume Amazon have given up trying to resolve this issue - which is a BIG MISTAKE because there must be MANY people in my situation with fluctuating headphone sound and the longer the issue persists the more damaging it is to Amazon's brand and their efforts to get market share in this field.
Amazon - please listen - we love your products (Kindle is pure genius and "just works") but PLEASE look at this issue across ALL your Kindle Fire models and help put us out of our misery! Either tell us that it's a firmware issue that can't be resolved or a software issue that you're working on - but one way or other please put us out of our misery.
And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, since I've read above that someone is having this issue on a brand new Kindle Fire 8.9 then please make it CRYSTAL CLEAR whether this is a design fault and whether you're going to fix it. Because I am considering upgrading my Kindle Fire (because of the broken power button) but I simply won't if there's any doubt that I'll be stuck with the same headphone sound issue.
Thanks for listening Amazon!