Bob@ebookconversion.com

Publishing on Amazon is exciting – until you receive that dreaded message:

“Your eBook file contains formatting issues and cannot be published.”

If you’re uploading your book to Amazon KDP, formatting mistakes can delay approval, hurt readability, and even damage your reviews.

In this guide, we’ll walk through:

  • The most common eBook formatting mistakes
  • Why Amazon rejects books
  • How to fix them
  • How to avoid rejection entirely

Let’s protect your book before you hit publish.

Why Does Amazon KDP Reject eBooks?

Amazon KDP reviews your file to ensure:

  • Proper formatting
  • Functional navigation
  • Device compatibility
  • Clean HTML structure
  • No broken links

Even small technical errors can trigger rejection.

10 eBook Formatting Mistakes That Get Your Book Rejected on Amazon KDP

1. Improper Table of Contents (TOC)

One of the most common rejection reasons.

Problems include:

  • Missing clickable TOC
  • Broken chapter links
  • Incorrect heading structure
  • No NCX navigation file

Amazon requires a functional, clickable TOC for proper navigation.

Fix:
Use proper Word heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) before conversion.

2. Manual Spacing and Tabs Instead of Styles

Many authors format visually instead of structurally.

Examples:

  • Using spacebar to center text
  • Using multiple “Enter” keys for spacing
  • Using tabs for indentation

This creates messy HTML during conversion.

Fix:
Always use Word Styles and paragraph formatting instead of manual spacing.

3. Inconsistent Fonts and Font Sizes

Amazon prefers consistent, clean formatting.

Common mistakes:

  • Random font changes
  • Multiple font families
  • Decorative fonts inside body text

Kindle devices override many fonts anyway.

Fix:
Stick to simple, readable fonts and consistent sizing.

4. Large or Unoptimized Images

Images that are:

  • Too large
  • Low resolution
  • Incorrect alignment
  • Not compressed

Can cause upload failures or device display problems.

Fix:
Optimize images to proper resolution and size before uploading.

If your book includes many images, consider professional help through
https://ebookconversion.com/ebook-conversion-services/

5. Fixed Layout Used for a Reflowable Book

Many authors misunderstand layout types.

Reflowable eBooks

Best for novels and standard text books.

Fixed Layout eBooks

Used for children’s books, cookbooks, and heavily designed content.

Uploading the wrong layout type can lead to display issues.

Learn about layout support through InDesign book designing services.

6. Broken Hyperlinks

Amazon checks:

  • External links
  • Internal links
  • Footnote links
  • TOC links

Broken links can trigger rejection or warnings.

Fix:
Test every link before uploading.

7. Improper HTML or Automated Conversion Errors

Free conversion tools often generate messy code.

Problems include:

  • Unclosed tags
  • Inline styling conflicts
  • Invalid HTML structure

Amazon’s validation system detects these errors.

Professional conversion ensures clean HTML and CSS formatting.

8. Missing Metadata

Metadata includes:

  • Book title
  • Author name
  • Language
  • ISBN (if applicable)

Incorrect metadata causes publishing delays.

9. Accessibility Issues

If your book includes:

  • Images without alt text
  • Poor heading structure
  • Improper semantic tagging

It may not meet accessibility standards.

10. Uploading a Print PDF as an eBook

This is one of the biggest mistakes.

Print PDFs:

  • Do not reflow
  • Break on smaller screens
  • Create poor Kindle experience

Kindle requires EPUB/KDP-compatible formatting, not static PDFs.

Quick Checklist Before Uploading to Amazon KDP

Before clicking publish, confirm:

  • Clickable Table of Contents
  • Proper heading styles
  • Consistent fonts
  • Optimized images
  • No broken links
  • Clean file format (EPUB or KPF)
  • Tested in Kindle Previewer

How to Avoid KDP Rejection Completely

The safest approach is professional formatting.

Professional services include:

  • Clean HTML coding
  • Multi-device testing
  • Proper TOC structure
  • Accessibility tagging
  • Amazon validation checks

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does KDP take to review an eBook?

Usually 24–72 hours, but formatting errors can delay approval.

Will Amazon reject my book for small formatting mistakes?

Yes. Even minor navigation or structure issues can trigger rejection.

Can I fix formatting after upload?

Yes, but it may temporarily remove your book from sale.