My kindle is about 5 years old. It is not holding a charge for very long any more, and when I charge it, the charging light does not stay lit. Do I need a new charger or what?

need to test charger --port and battery

Hello

Just follow these steps to fix this issue:

1. Plug the device into the Kindle A/C adapter (not your computer) and let it charge for a few hours. Be sure the charging light is lit -- sometimes a drained Kindle will stop charging a few seconds after you plug it in. Unplug and replug until the light stays on steadily, then leave it alone. Most of the time you'll come back to a restored kindle. If not, go on to step 2.
2. If you still see the same Critical Battery screen after charging, unplug the USB cord, then hold the power slide to the right for at least 20 seconds.
3. Release the power slide, then immediately press and hold the Home key for another 30 - 45 seconds.
4. Once the Kindle's screen begins to flash, release the Home key. The eReader will boot to recovery mode. To continue, press and hold the R key until the screen flashes again.
5. After the device is finished rebooting, you may see the Critical Battery screen once more. If so, plug in the USB cord and wait for the Kindle to return to the Home screen.

For any help or query visit us: www Kindle Com Support

Try this suggestion rom Amazon:

Restart your Kindle Paperwhite
Many issues with your Kindle, such as a frozen screen or issues with downloading content, can be solved by restarting your device. Help for Kindle Paperwhite (5th Generation).

Press and hold the Power button for seven seconds until the Power dialog box appears, and then tap Restart.

Note: If the Power dialog box doesn't appear, press and hold the Power button for a full 40 seconds until your device restarts.

Contact amazon and say it is faulty and that you need to return it, they should replace / repair as it is less than 1 year old.

If the battery isn't too far gone, here's how to revive it: Plug the device into the Kindle A/C adapter (not your computer) and let it charge for a few hours. Be sure the charging light is lit -- sometimes a drained Kindle will stop charging a few seconds after you plug it in. Unplug and replug until the light stays on steadily, then leave it alone. Most of the time you'll come back to a restored Kindle. If not, go on to step 2. If you still see the same Critical Battery screen after charging, unplug the USB cord, then hold the power slide to the right for at least 20 seconds. Release the power slide, then immediately press and hold the Home key for another 30 - 45 seconds. Once the Kindle's screen begins to flash, release the Home key. The eReader will boot to recovery mode. To continue, press and hold the R key until the screen flashes again. After the device is finished rebooting, you may see the Critical Battery screen once more. If so, plug in the USB cord and wait for the Kindle to return to the Home screen. - See more at: http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/kindle-critical-battery-error#sthash.Rtxwp4El.dpuf

How To Restore Your Kindle If It Experiences Critical Battery Error

f you can't get past step 3, the battery might be too far gone. Contact Kindle customer service via phone (866-321-8851) to walk through extra troubleshooting steps. If they can't revive it, Amazon will usually replace the eReader for free. - See more at: http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/kindle-critical-battery-error#sthash.Rtxwp4El.dpuf
How To Restore Your Kindle If It Experiences Critical Battery Error

Dead battery. If you haven't charged it for several years it dies.
Unreparable although if you call kindle customer support they may give you a discounted price on a new or refurbished current model Kindle. They'll want your old one for parts.

Hi!

You can try these steps to solve this problem:

1. Connect Kindle to a different USB.
2. Verify the charge light at the base of the Kindle is on.
3. Restart Kindle by pressing Home > Menu > Settings > Menu and select "Restart."
4. Leave the unit charging for 30 minutes

If the problem persist, contact Kindle for repair options.

eBookBoy

Make sure that the kindle is fully charged. Plug your kindle into the wall charger, a yellow light will light up. When the yellow light turns green, your kindle is fully charged. Then try turning on your device. If the device still doesn't respond, do a hard reset by holding the power switch for 15 seconds

Make sure that the kindle is fully charged. Plug your kindle into the wall charger, a yellow light will light up. When the yellow light turns green, your kindle is fully charged. Then try turning on your device. If the device still does not turn on, hold the power switch for 15 seconds, this will reboot the device.

http://uk.lgmobile.com/web/web.support.retrieveSoftwareUpdate.laf

Try here
Have a nice Christmas