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Fix your iPod - the first step
No matter which iPod model you're using, if you're having unknown problems the 5 steps we outline will often return your iPod to working condition.
The Five R's. as Apple refers to them are: Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall and Restore. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.
We'll start with iPod Reset - the simplest and then go through the other steps if needed.
- Note: When you reset iPod all your music and files are saved, but some customized settings may be lost. Date and time is preserved (unless the iPod reset itself because it had no power and then was reconnected to power). Other customized settings, such as Bookmarks, On-The-Go Playlists, Shuffle, Backlight timer, and so forth are preserved from the last time the hard drive turned on.
How to reset an iPod Nano.
- Make sure your iPod is fully charged.
- Move the Hold switch to the on and off positions. (Slide it to Hold, then slide it back, do that a couple of times to make sure)
- Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step a few times.
Tip: Make sure the finger pressing the Select button is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center. If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface - this will make it easier to touch the correct part of Menu and Select.
If the above steps did not appear to work, connect your iPod to the charger and plug the charger into a wall outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. If you plug it into your computer make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep. Won't Reset
How to reset an iPod Shuffle 1st generation
Here is Apple's reset utility for iPod Shuffle 1st generation
- Make sure your iPod is fully charged.
- Eject your iPod Shuffle from iTunes or your desktop, if connected. Tip: For Windows users only
- In the Notifications area of the Taskbar, left-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon.
Note: If you don't see the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Taskbar, you can remove iPod shuffle (Second Generation) from the dock.
- Choose Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device from the shortcut menu. If you have other USB drives attached, you may need to repeat this if you're not sure which drive letter corresponds to your iPod.
- Remove iPod shuffle from the USB port.
- Move the switch on the back of iPod Shuffle to the off position. Tip: When iPod shuffle is off, the green stripe by the switch is not visible.
- Wait 5 seconds.
- Move the switch on the back to the play. The green stripe will be visible.
Your iPod shuffle is now reset. If after resetting iPod shuffle you are going to attach it to your computer, be sure to place the switch in the off position. If you were resetting as part of some troubleshooting steps, continue with those steps now. For general troubleshooting steps see the iPod shuffle troubleshooting and service FAQ. Won't Reset
How to reset an iPod Shuffle 2nd generation or try Apple's reset utility for Shuffle 2G
- Make sure your iPod is fully charged.
- Eject your iPod Shuffle from iTunes or your desktop, if connected. Tip: For Windows users only
- In the Notifications area of the Taskbar, left-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon.
Note: If you don't see the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Taskbar, you can remove iPod shuffle (Second Generation) from the dock.
- Choose Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device from the shortcut menu. If you have other USB drives attached, you may need to repeat this if you're not sure which drive letter corresponds to your iPod.
- Remove iPod shuffle from the dock.
- Move the power switch on the bottom to the off position.
- Wait 5 seconds.
- Move the power switch on the back to on. The green stripe will be visible.
Your iPod shuffle is now reset. If after resetting iPod shuffle you are going to attach it to your computer, be sure to place the switch in the off position. If you were resetting as part of some troubleshooting steps, continue with those steps now. For general troubleshooting steps see the iPod shuffle troubleshooting and service FAQ. Won't Reset
How to reset an iPod Video 5th generation.
- Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
- Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
- Tip: If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface. Make sure the finger pressing the Select button is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center.
If the above steps did not appear to work, connect your iPod to the charger and plug the charger into a wall outlet, or connect the iPod to your computer. If you plug it into your computer make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep. Won't Reset
How to reset an iPod Mini.
- Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then back again.)
- Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
- Tip: If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface. Make sure the finger pressing the Select button is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center.
If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep. Won't Reset
How to reset an iPod Click Wheel, 1st Gen, iPod Photo.
- Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
- Press and hold the Play/Pause and Menu buttons until the Apple/iPod logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
If the above steps did not work, plug your iPod into a power charger and wall socket, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn't set to go to sleep. Won't Reset
iPod won't reset
- Retry with your iPod connected to different USB or FireWire port on your computer.
- Restart your computer, and make sure that you have the latest software updates installed.
- Reinstall and update your iPod software, first download the latest iTunes software.
- Apple Restore Note: Because Restore erases all of the songs and files on iPod, make sure to back up any files you've saved on the iPod disk. All of your songs, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, and games can be loaded back to your iPod provided that you have them stored in your iTunes Library.
If you think your iPod needs repair or Run iPod Diagnostics
Apple iPod Support - Main Page - try here, Apple provides plenty of help. Make sure you make use of the search functions to drill down to the information you need.
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Not finding the help you need, try iPod Errors, iPod FAQs, iPod Problems (solving), iPod Help (general), iPod How tos, iTunes Help, Apple Help (all related docs), iPod Icons Help (sad face, folder etc), Frozen iPod Help
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The iPod Authority
