Nook Glowlight Issue: "Error opening book. This book has been returned."

Report · Feb 21, 2020

I'm having an issue reading library books on my Nook Glowlight 3. I bought the Nook last year and have had ADE 4.5.10 the whole time. I've read tons of library books and haven't had any issues. All of a sudden I am unable to open the epub files on my nook because they are saying they're returned. I can open the files in ADE on my computer and in the Libby Library app so I know they haven't been returned accidentally. The only information I can find on this error is from 2015 so I'm hesitant to download an earlier version of ADE since the 4.5 version has been working for over a year without any problems. The issue is occuring for ebooks I've had on hold and ebooks I've borrowed immediately (I've tested a few). Anyone have some newer information on how to deal with this error? Or contact information for Adobe DE? I tried calling the regular Adobe Customer Service number and they had no idea what DE even is. -_-

Report · Oct 28, 2021

Thank you to the two of you that posted the update on 10/26/21 to this forum! My Nook Glowlight 3 has been updated with the new software, and I was able to open the book I just downloaded from Overdrive too!

Report · Oct 28, 2021

Did those that successfully updated do anything else to get rid of the error message? I installed the new update yesterday (10/27), checked out and downloaded new books, and am still getting the error message saying "Error opening book. This book has been returned." when I try to open them on my Nook Glowlight. Has anyone done anything else other than just the update?

Report · Oct 28, 2021

Never mind, looks like the update hadn't gone through the first time. Tried again and all is well now!

Report · Nov 01, 2021

For future reference, I had a similar situation to your - error opening book that had already been returned. I decided to totally erase and deregister my glowlight so that it would clean up my library but not destroy the updated os patch. This seemed to fix the error. Glad yours fixed with just a second update.

Report · Dec 22, 2021

Honestly, I just gave in and bought a Kindle. It's so much more user friendly. I'm the original poster and literally had this issue on and off for like a full year and I could not stand it. Each time I would uninstall/install the Adobe software, wipe my nook and start fresh but it kept happening. On the kindle you just click a button and the library book automatically is available on your device.

Report · Dec 23, 2021

Thank you sammag1030. I appreciate your advice. I have spent another two hours with this and nothing is working. I will need to look into a Kindle. I really liked the Glow Light because of the back light, so I could read a book without any additional lighting. Hopefully Kindle has something similar. I will need to bring a hard copy book with a book light now for my travels, which was the whole reason I was trying to use the Nook again now. Once holidays are over, I will look into another ereader

Report · Dec 23, 2021

The kindle Paperwhite is almost exactly the same as the glow light. I have been very happy with my purchase. You might even see some after Christmas sales. Good luck! I wish I didn't have to change from Nook but they make things very difficult.

Report · Dec 25, 2021

Yay, it now works! Thanks to those who alerted BN to this issue.

Report · Nov 01, 2021

Thank you so much for posting about this issue! I was getting very frustrated, but after updated my software version on my Nook Glowlight 3, I can now open my downloaded library books! Thanks to this community for sharing their info and knowledge!!

Report · Dec 22, 2021

Hi all,

I was able to use my Nook Glow Light 3 in October just fine. Now I cannot get the book I just borrowed to show in my library on the Nook. I downloaded EPUB via Overdrive to DE3.0 ( I used to have 4.5 but due to these issues previously with the software update, I deleted that and reinstalled 3.0 as advised). I copied the book to my Nook as usual (tried twice) but it is nowhere on the Nook! Any new help / advice would be much appriciated!

Report · Jul 06, 2022

I have a Mac laptop. First I returned a book by mistake and then I couldn't open a new book I borrowed because it gave me an error code saying that the book has been returned. I bored a different book and I got the same error. I deauthorized and reauthorized both my laptop and nook and then the error message changed to cannot find the "sof token". Didn't help to remove and reload the Adobe Digital Editions App. Also I couldn't find version 3 which some people in the thread of replies claim to work. What solved the problem for me is reborrowing a book I returned a couple days ago. I was able to open that one on my Nook and the subsequent books I borrowed.

Report · Dec 19, 2022

I am feel your pain. I too am disgusted with either overdrive, adobe digital, windows, or B&N. I never had a problem downloading books from overdrive to adobe & then to my Nook. Now I sometimes get "error book has been returned' and cannot deal with this off again and on again.

I cannot find any current correct info on this matter. I may not be a brain, but I know computers and really believe that this is a programing problem that one of the big 4 cannot fix. I have tried every meathod listed included going to the register and using different computers. I was going to purchase a new Nook, but why bother. Nothing you will find here or on-line will solve this problem...which seems to go back to 2010.

I have owned several nooks and never had a problem. All I can say is it may be in B&N's best interest to solve this issue since I also have also tested downloand a book from them with problems.

If you should find a working solution, please post.

Report · Dec 19, 2022

Yes! I have since moved on to a Kindle and have been much happier. It’s so
much more user friendly and I haven’t had any issues over the last 2 years.
It’s a shame because I want to support Barnes and Noble and keep them in
business but I just couldn’t take it anymore. The issues were repetitive
and there is absolutely no support.

Report · Dec 20, 2022

Thank you for your contact. I have owned a nook since they first came out 2009. I have owned several and never had a problem until a couple of months ago when Microsoft (11) downloaded a large update. However, when you are old and have nothing else to do it becomes a puzzle to solve. If I find out more info I will post it. I have a Kindle too but prefer the Nook.

Well, I just found out that OverDrive is going to bit the dust and Libby is going to take over. I don't know if my Nook is compatible.
I found this on the internet...
"In early 2023, the OverDrive app will be discontinued. We encourage you to make the switch to Libby, our newer reading app. Libby is made by the same people, with the same goal of connecting you to your library and to your favorite books, audiobooks, and magazines."