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KDP Formatting

KDP Rejection Reasons: The 15 Most Common, Fixed (Interactive Tool)


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KDP Rejection Reasons: The 15 Most Common, Fixed (Interactive Tool)
KDP Formatting · publishing.co.uk

Every KDP rejection traces to one of about fifteen reasons. Pick yours below and get the exact, step-by-step fix — or search by keyword.

If you are holding the raw error message Amazon emailed you and want it translated, use the KDP error decoder instead.

Prevention Checklist

Before submitting to KDP, run through these checks to avoid the most common rejections:

  1. Margins — Use our Margin Calculator to verify gutter and outside margins
  2. Cover dimensions — Use our Cover Formatting Guide for exact dimensions
  3. Page count — Ensure an even number of pages (add a blank page if odd)
  4. Fonts — Embed all fonts in your PDF
  5. Images — 300 DPI minimum, no upscaled low-resolution images
  6. ISBN — If using your own ISBN, ensure it matches exactly in metadata and copyright page
  7. Content — No placeholder text, no “lorem ipsum”, no blank chapters
  8. File format — PDF for paperback interior, EPUB for Kindle eBook
  9. Bleed — If enabled, content must extend 0.125" beyond trim on all edges
  10. Preview — Always check the KDP online previewer before submitting

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Frequently asked questions

Why was my KDP book rejected?

The most common rejection reasons are: margins too small, content quality issues, cover dimensions incorrect, ISBN mismatch, and copyright/trademark concerns. Use our troubleshooting tool above to find your specific issue and fix.

How long does KDP review take after resubmission?

After fixing and resubmitting, KDP review typically takes 24-72 hours. If your book was flagged for manual review, it may take up to 2 weeks.

Can I appeal a KDP rejection?

Yes, you can contact KDP support through your dashboard to appeal a rejection. Provide specific details about what you have changed and why you believe the rejection was in error.

How many times can I resubmit to KDP?

There is no limit on resubmissions. You can fix issues and resubmit as many times as needed. However, repeated rejections for the same issue may trigger a manual review.

Robert Prime — Founder of publishing.co.uk

About the Author

Robert Prime

Robert Prime is a best-selling self-published author, veteran eCommerce strategist, and the founder of publishing.co.uk. With over 25 years of experience in digital business he brings a battle-tested perspective to the publishing industry. After experiencing firsthand the archaic, headache-inducing process of formatting a KDP-compliant book for his own best-seller, Google. Panic. Repeat., Robert built publishing.co.uk to solve the problem for other authors. He is also a co-owner of the LoveReading.co.uk network (the UK’s leading book discovery platforms), founder of the Amazon growth agency MrPrime.com, and a member of the Forbes Business Council.