How do I fix my Apple iPod: It's busted?

Do any of the following describe a problem you're having with your iPod? My iPod nano won't power on! My iPod mini won't shut down or is frozen! I can't get songs to transfer from iTunes to my iPod! My iPod doesn't show up in iTunes at all? My Apple earbuds or headphones don't work with my iPod shuffle? Or is something else wrong and you just figure it's time to send your baby, your formerly favorite gadget, in to service?

Dave's Answer:

Apple just released a very useful troubleshooting guide to the iPod (called iPod Troubleshooting Basics) and I thought it would be a useful reference to also make excerpts of this article available here at AskDaveTaylor too:

Having trouble with your iPod? Simply updating your iTunes and iPod software often resolves the issue [especially if you're trying to sync your iPod-capable cell phone to iTunes --DT].

My iPod doesn't respond, won't power on, or the display remains blank

If your iPod doesn't respond, is "frozen", won't turn on, or nothing appears on the LCD screen check for these possible causes:

•The Hold switch may be on. Check the Hold switch to make sure it's not in the locked position. Unlock it, and try using iPod again.
Tip: Even if the Hold switch is already in the unlocked position, it's sometimes helpful to toggle it so it's locked and back again.

• Your iPod may need to be reset. Here are the steps needed. Resetting your iPod does not affect your music or data files.

• Your iPod's battery may not be charged. Plug your iPod in, wait for a moment, press a button to turn it on, and check the screen. Here are some easy steps to get the most out of your battery. Note: In a fully discharged state, some iPod models may not be recognized by the computer. Click here for information.

Songs do not transfer to my iPod

Following an iTunes download songs do not copy to your iPod. Your iPod requires a specific or later version of iPod software. Use iTunes 7 or whatever other version of iTunes you have to determine if an update is required.

My iPod has a folder icon with an exclamation point

Some iPod models require a specific or later version of iPod software. Try updating or restoring iPod. If you still see the exclamation point, try these additional troubleshooting tips. If you see a sad iPod icon with an exclamation point, see this article.

My iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or on the desktop

Several things could keep iPod from appearing in iTunes or on the desktop when you connect it to your computer. For Mac, find an answer here. For Windows PC customers, try these solutions.

My iPod says "Do not disconnect" on the screen

The "Do not disconnect" screen is normal. Learn more about the disconnect screens.

My headphones don't work

If your iPod's headphones don't work or have static or garbled audio, try connecting them to any other 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack, like the one on your computer. If the issue with the headphones persists, replace them. For an iPod under warranty, get them here. Otherwise, check out the cool headphones at the Apple Store. If the issue appears to be with the iPod, try a reset. If that doesn't work, then restore iPod with the latest iPod software using iTunes 7 or later.

How can I get my iPod serviced

It's easy! Complete the iPod service request form to receive service for your iPod or accessory. If your iPod requires warranty service, Apple will send you a prepaid shipping box you should use to send your iPod to Apple's repair center.

What happens when an iPod is serviced?

iPod equipment sent in for service is replaced with functionally equivalent new, used, or refurbished iPod equipment. Service is processed through AppleCare's direct mail-in system. You will not receive the same iPod that was sent in for service. If your original iPod was personalized by Apple, your replacement iPod will be automatically personalized with the same text.

How much will my in-warranty service be?

Warranty service for eligible repairs is available at no charge for twelve months from the date of original retail purchase (date of purchase). If you have purchased the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, there will be no shipping and handling fee. A $29.95 shipping and handling fee will apply to all warranty repairs performed six months after date of purchase.

What about out-of-warranty service?

If service for your iPod is not covered by Apple's warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan for iPod, Apple offers other options. If your iPod requires service because the battery's ability to hold an electrical charge has diminished, in the United States, Apple will replace your iPod for a service fee of $59, plus $6.95 shipping. If your iPod requires service for other issues (except accidental or misuse damage), in the United States, Apple will replace it for a service fee of $249, plus $6.95 shipping.

Will the data on my iPod be preserved?

No. Songs and files will not be transferred to your replacement iPod. Make sure to back up important files, and to remove all data from your iPod before sending it to Apple. Apple is not responsible for any data sent to it in connection with service.

Information like this and more can be found in the iPod service FAQ and iPod out-of-warranty Battery Replacement Program FAQ.

More Useful iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help Articles:

✔ Deleted iTunes library but still have tracks on iPod...

Hi Dave, I have been following your newsletter for awhile now. Most of your topics are way over my head but very interesting....

✔ How do I fix the time / date on my Apple iPod Touch?

I pulled my iTouch [ed note: "iPod Touch", actually] out of the drawer and when it was fully charged I realized that the...

✔ Can I remove songs from an unsync'd iPod Touch?

My son has just come home from his uncle's house with a new iPod. Very nice. Full of a wide variety of music,...

✔ Get started with iTunes Match!

I have a huge library of music, Dave, and want to be able to enjoy it on all my Apple devices, but am...

✔ Can I pre-order a music CD from the Apple iTunes Store?

I have a bunch of bands and musicians I follow faithfully and when I see that there's a new CD coming out from...

Let's stay in touch!

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Categorized: iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help (Article 6921, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: apple ipod, apple itunes, ipod mini, ipod nano, ipod shuffle
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Reader Comments To Date: 313

heids said, on March 28, 2007 3:50 PM:

I love you Dave Taylor

Phil said, on May 30, 2007 4:26 PM:

I have had an iPod Nano for nearly a year. Four days ago, the screen went blank; everything works (i.e., it charges normally, the click is audible when you touch the wheel, the music plays, the unit shows up at the right time in iTunes, and the backlight comes on when it is supposed to come on), but the display is completely blank. So, it's impossible to see a menu or anything.

Any suggestions on how I might be able to fix this short of sending it off to Apple for service (and paying their fee)?

kameron said, on June 5, 2007 1:21 PM:

every time i try to listen to music on my ipod it just skips through all the songs really quickly n it doesnt play anything... how do i fix it

Chelsea said, on June 26, 2007 1:11 PM:

My Ipod Is Locked And Whenever I Try And Put Songs Into My Songs In My Libray I Cant As It Is Locked.

HelP!

James Thomas said, on July 23, 2007 12:16 PM:

I had to replace my hard drive and now I am unable to get my iPod shuffle to work. I have run the cd but when I click on the iTunes icon it states "The file iTunes Library .iTl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes". I would appreciate any assistance you could provide to correct this problem. Thanking you inadvance. Jim Thomas

Anthony said, on August 2, 2007 9:33 PM:

I have had an iPod Nano for nearly a year. Four days ago, the screen went blank; everything works (i.e., it charges normally, the click is audible when you touch the wheel, the music plays, the unit shows up at the right time in iTunes, and the backlight comes on when it is supposed to come on), but the display is completely blank. So, it's impossible to see a menu or anything.

Any suggestions on how I might be able to fix this short of sending it off to Apple for service (and paying their fee)?

roxana said, on August 14, 2007 10:26 PM:

my ipod shows lines on the screen and it isnt working help

LESLEY said, on August 19, 2007 7:14 PM:

MY IPOD NANO IS SAYING ITS LOCKED AND IT ISINT WHAT CAN I DO?

Saugata said, on September 1, 2007 1:36 PM:

Umm, hi. My iPod Nano was put in the wash with a pair of jeans by my mom. My Nano hasn't been the same since then. It works and everything, but the top of the Nano comes off and stuff. It won't get back in. I bought it less then a year ago, do you think I can send it for servicing?
Also, the menu button and the center button have to be pressed really hard to get to work.

It's really annoying. I would appreciate a response.

Thanks!

Crystal said, on October 15, 2007 8:48 AM:

Hi. My husband washed my ipod and now it doesnt work. it wont hold a charge, and it rarely ever connects to the computer. The screen goes blank, and sometimes the music wont play. how do i fix this?

tyler said, on November 7, 2007 7:38 PM:

i got water on my ipod and its still works fine but it wont charge, can you tell me if it is unfixable, my warenty has ran out

chazz said, on December 6, 2007 3:51 PM:

my ipod turns on and it shows your main menu screen but when you try to pick something out of the list nothing seems to work, i mean nothing , no clicking sound or movement can you please help me,all i get is a picture of the main menu

Janie said, on December 8, 2007 9:47 AM:

I have a Apple Ipod Nano first genration. When I go to plug it in, it wont power on at all the switch is not on hold or anything. Any ideas as to why?

marcus said, on December 20, 2007 9:27 PM:

Hi my son's 30G video ipod wont work it was flashing some sort of symbol, I think it was saying very low battery, my son said it looked like the icon was a man with glasses on. Does this make any sense?

Thanks for your help,
Marcus

Brian said, on December 25, 2007 11:28 AM:

My Ipod just skips through every thing and won't play anything. this happened after being plugged into a kensingto speaker dock. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B.P.

Davi Westcott said, on December 28, 2007 7:35 PM:

My ipod shuffle was washed. It is recognized by Itunes, but isn't holding a charge.

kayla said, on January 4, 2008 7:17 AM:

i had my ipod nano for a year it has been working fine yesturday but today when i played a song it didnt play and i tried another song and it still didnt play how can i get the songs to play!!!
please help!!

Elizabeth said, on February 10, 2008 8:11 PM:

I got my ipod touch slightly wet and now every time i type in my code it puts in too many numbers and i keep getting locked out. How do i fix this?

Loz said, on February 22, 2008 1:28 PM:

hey! i've had my ipod nano for just over a year amd my screen doesn't work. all i get is a white light but i can still listen to music. it's really annoying as sometimes i can't see what i'm listening to or what playlist i'm on. HELP!

Shanice. said, on February 23, 2008 1:04 PM:

please help me!...
i have a blue ipod nano & love it, dont want anything to happen to it & when it eventually dies i am refusing to ever get rid of it..
but yesterday it slipped out of my hands & fell, the top bit of the ipod came off, where the hold button is. i dont think its actually affected the ipod in any way but i dont want it to stay like this because i also have a problem with dust which the screen is covered with inside & although i can still see it, i think more dust will get in through the top now which is not covered. what can i do? please help!!

Paul said, on March 1, 2008 12:04 PM:

My IPOD Nano was washed in the washing machine. At First it worked perfectly. Last night I turned it off with a fully charged battery. The next morning when I tried turning it on it wouldn't respond. Its not on hold and I can charge it when I try. Why did it suddenly break? Can it be fixed or do I need a new one? Please Help!

lauren said, on March 2, 2008 3:44 PM:

I have had an iPod Nano for nearly a year. Four days ago, the screen went blank; everything works (i.e., it charges normally, the click is audible when you touch the wheel, the music plays, the unit shows up at the right time in iTunes, and the backlight comes on when it is supposed to come on), but the display is completely blank. So, it's impossible to see a menu or anything.

Any suggestions on how I might be able to fix this short of sending it off to Apple for service (and paying their fee)?
-lauren

Beth Rawson said, on March 9, 2008 11:48 AM:

Hi

I have a brand new ipod nano and a new windows vista laptop. I have downloaded songs on to my ipod with no problems but when it comes to disconnecting the ipod the screen goes blank and the ipod dies. The battery states that its fully charged! Any advice?

Thanks

Brittany said, on March 24, 2008 6:36 PM:

When I try to select a song that I want to listen to, it selects it but then immediately skips through my playlist.
I can't play ANY of the music that I want to hear.

PLEASSSEE HELP!!

sanmigan said, on April 3, 2008 9:44 PM:

my ipod just recently stopped working. i was listening to music and doing work..it works and all, adds music, and charges.. less then an hour ago it stopped playing. WHAT DO I DO????????

jake said, on May 17, 2008 7:24 AM:

hi
my ipod nano is relativily new and yesterday i was listening to it and then i turned it off.
This morning however it wouldn't turn back on. I have tried everything, resetting it twice and putting it into the computer but still no response. It was full battery before i turned it off.
If you have any ideas could you please e-mail me and tell me what to do.
Thanks

saba said, on May 24, 2008 10:12 PM:

i have had my ipod 5 th gen for over an year ,then suddenly now the audio doesnt work well i can only hear the dound from one earbud...i have replaced the earbud but the probelm still continues ,i tried it with the computer and it works perfectly fine but not the ipod
please tell me what to do

Amber Roach said, on June 9, 2008 12:15 PM:

I need help. I don't know what happened because my ipod has never had a problem, but this morning when I took it out of my purse the screen was frozen. It was on the menu and it won't move. I checked to see if it was on my hold but it wasn't. I know the battery was fully charged. But the battery sign on the upper right hand corner of the screen shows the sign that the ipod is currently charging, although it is not plugged in. I have tried fixing it, but nothing is working. I can't even turn it off. Please help.

cdy said, on June 19, 2008 9:09 AM:

I was "pwning" my ipod touch everything was going fine then it went black for like 10 minutes and now nothing works cannot connect to itunes cannot hard restart NOTHING WORKS HELP!!!!1

adam said, on July 7, 2008 5:01 AM:

thank you very much for all the links on your web site so i could fix my ipod.

Logan said, on July 11, 2008 9:20 PM:

Omg my ipod nano 3rd generation i got from a friend the screen is blank but it charges i can listen to music but i cant see any thing help i need the ipod

ana said, on July 12, 2008 9:01 PM:

i have apple ipod(midrex).and i not used more than 2monts ,and now i c't remember the cod,what i must to make.plz help me

michelle said, on August 22, 2008 3:44 PM:

i accidently droped my ipod in water, and the top of it were the hold button is missing since the longest, at first it did work but then it went dead and i cant seem 2 get it 2 charge it wont even turn on, and when i connect it to itunes i doesnt even seem to connect to itunes, could i fix it? if so how??
please help

ray said, on August 24, 2008 8:13 PM:

When I try to select a song that I want to listen to, it selects it but then immediately skips through my playlist.
I can't play ANY of the music that I want to hear.

Sara said, on September 1, 2008 11:00 AM:

If anyone can help me with anything, please do. I have had this Ipod about a year and 3 months.

This isn't a major problem, but it does bug me. Sometimes, the ipod won't turn off when I am done listening to it. Also, when this happens, I have to click the menu button twice to get to the main menu. Has an Ipod ever done that to you before?

The main problem now for me is I let my brother borrow my 30GB Ipod classic, and he let it get to the point to where it died. I thought, hey, I could just let it charge all night on my dock, and it will work in the morning. But it didn't. All it does is say 'Please wait, very low battery' and then just occasionally keeps flashing and has a little sad face and says www.apple.com/support/ipod. I have been there a couple of times, and it doesn't help at all. If there is anything you can help me with, I will worship the keyboard you type with!!!! I have absolutely no idea what is going on.

-Sara

Cindy said, on September 4, 2008 9:49 PM:

My ipod nano 3rd generation is a week old, and bought brand new, and it just started having problems yesterday and today, i can scroll through things but whenever i click on a song it freezes, and it wont play any of my songs. i don't know what is wrong with it so please help me.

herlinda said, on September 27, 2008 11:06 PM:

i have a 30gb ipod classic and the screen has a ipod with a sad face a battery with a cirle with a slach in it help and does not appear itune help

Emily said, on September 28, 2008 8:06 PM:

my ipod nano isn't frozen.
I can scroll up and down but thats it.
I can't press any buttons or anything.
Can you please help me?

Fred Dalby said, on September 29, 2008 10:51 PM:

Hi I have a 30gb ipod with a faulty earphone socket how can i get it apart so i can resolder the socket.Iam an electronics tech in the tv hi-fi field.

regards
Fred.

youlldoshell said, on October 16, 2008 1:38 PM:

Help neded 8gb 3rd gen nano, got wet dried out in bag of rice everything working can see screen but no back light tried reset nothing backlight menu is on just no back light can you advise thankyou

Aggie said, on October 25, 2008 4:56 PM:

My IPod just shut down while I was listening to it, and it won't start back up no matter what I try.
It was not low on batteries, and it couldn't have been from inactivity, because I had just changed songs recently.
It does not restart and it doesn't do anything when I plug it into my computer.

catie said, on November 4, 2008 2:18 PM:

A friend of mine has an old 2003 model iPod...and it keeps showing him a file with an exclamation mark on it...his iPod won't respond to anything...is it fixable?

habib said, on November 18, 2008 11:32 AM:

i have an ipod mp3 player, it has mp3 files, but it is not playing, I suspect that the software has been deleted. plz help me.

Carrie said, on November 26, 2008 10:59 AM:

I washed my duaghters Ipod and now it is full of water. What can I do to dry it out? And will it work again?

kenneth montain said, on November 27, 2008 2:26 PM:

dave,my ipod fell and its not working ...it displaying X...how can i fix that

Ayanna said, on November 30, 2008 9:43 AM:

I have a ipod touch and i found it actually well it was fully charged when i found it and i toyed ariund with it for awhile and now the battery has died! when i press the power button on the ipod touch it just says that it needs to be charged and i dont have a charger because i found it the screen looked a little dirty so i took a wet peice of tissue and i wiped the screen maybe four or five times and a few minutes later when i press the power button again nothing shows up not even the screen that says it need to be charged i dont know if its completly dead to the point where nothing will ever show up or if i damaged the screen by wiping it down three or four times with that wet peice of tissue SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP I WAS HOPING TO KEEP THE IPOD TOUCH!!!!!...and get a charger for it! does anyone know what's wrong???

cherrie said, on December 11, 2008 6:17 PM:

theres no volume when viewing a video but theres volume when listening to music

.... said, on December 22, 2008 12:01 AM:

my ipod nano doesn't turn on or show anything on the screen ever, and doesn'tshow up computers when i plug it in, and when it is in the charger it just makes a funny noise nad doesn't do anything besides make the annoying noise.

prescott goodman said, on December 30, 2008 9:13 PM:

hi. my ipod nano was charging and when i took it off the charger the screen said connected. i dont know what to do i just got it for christmas

Canya said, on January 5, 2009 2:05 PM:

I have a problem too, i have an ipod that got in water and isent it to apple but they dont cover so what do i do now?

Ps:when i droped it in water i took it out fast and it was still playing, but then it started freezing and stuff like black screen!

Hillary said, on January 5, 2009 8:02 PM:

Hey! So I recently got my iPod Nano for Christmas a week ago. I've been told it was bought off of Amazon.com and they bought it refurbished. It worked fine for a week and one day I touched it and it didn't even turn on. I plugged it in to the computer and when I took it out, the screen went completely blank. Everything works (it plays music, it clicks when you touch the wheel, ect.) the only problem is the screen...

Any help?

Jenal Patel said, on January 26, 2009 5:56 PM:

So i turned my ipod on and the screen was white with tiny little scattered colored bars. then the top of the screen had a black area and looked like it had little cracks on it. My ipod was not cracked because right after i found that out i checked it. my music still plays and everything. just the screen got screwed up. There was no water damage done to it or anything so i don't know what happened!

luke said, on February 6, 2009 4:07 PM:

my bottons on my ipod wont work

kevin said, on February 8, 2009 11:46 AM:

My 125 gb ipod classic, wont turn on, i tried the hold center and menu thing.
and i tried restoring my ipod, but all it does is says error, and i tried disk mode and every thing, Help Please i just want it fixed.

Helen said, on March 8, 2009 3:59 PM:

hi there, my daughter 80gb ipod wont work, she went to put it on my pc to recharge it, and nothing, the screen is blank! i tried leaving it for a couple days to let the battery drain right out then connecting to my pc to recharge, which i left for almost 12hrs, but still nothing. Tried resetting, and still nothing, can u please help?

Jon Brouwer said, on March 9, 2009 7:59 AM:

ok well my ipod was working fine and then it just turned white screened. it still plays music fine but i cant see what im playing. if i tilt it at a certain angle i can barely make out what is playing. how do i fix this? i have try to reset it and to restore it on the computer but it still isnt working.

Kendall Nichole said, on March 11, 2009 4:54 PM:

Uhm ok. I have a silver ipod, and i love it.
But this morning when my friend was over my alram on it went of so i pressed dissmiss and it cut off and ever since then it hasnt worked rigth like it wont cut on, ive charged it and charged it. and ive plugged it up to the computer and it still wont work. and i cant figure out whats wrong with it!

Lauren said, on March 13, 2009 6:49 PM:

I was listening to my ipod and i went to my games folder to play some solitare while hangin out, i opened solitarie, the ipod said "loading..." and then the screen went play with the words: erroe, this cam can't be launched, this may be the result of a full ipod, for more info go to http://apple.com/support/ipod.
well i went there and there was nothing that helped my problem. It won't let me open anything else, it won't even make the clicks sounds when i press buttons. my ipod is fairly new and nothing has happened to it that would harm it, it's never been dropped, exposed to water, anything! I also know that there is no possible way it is full. I have an 80 GB classic and i only have less then 20GBs of storage taken up. please please help!

pamela Tartt said, on March 17, 2009 5:44 PM:

my apple Ipod ls locked on a song with the pause signals showing and Now Playing is showing on the left corner but there is no song playing I can not unlock it at all It will not even bulge

Pili Bardales said, on March 22, 2009 12:35 PM:

Hello, my ipod is not working it says "Accesorize Test", "please plug FW. I didn't do anything so I don't know if is broken for ever or I can fix it. Can you please help me??
thanks

Paddy said, on March 22, 2009 6:28 PM:

i recently got my ipod wet and stupidly tried to get it to work straight away but obviously it didnt. i looked down the headphones port nd its pink. is there anyway i can fix it without sending it away?????

brett said, on March 31, 2009 6:30 PM:

my ipod had water spilled on it. I let it dry for a month, and now when i plug it in the screen doesn't work. It still is recognized on my computer, i can upload it and sync it. I just cant get my screen to turn on

Gus said, on March 31, 2009 7:44 PM:

my ipod wont turn on, when i try to reset it it stays on the black screen with the ipod sign on it. Sometimes when i try to do that it shows that the battery is dead. My ipod has been hooked up to the computer and it wont charge, it wont even show that its connected at all neither on my computer or the ipod, i have a 30gig ipod video help please =D

allen said, on April 4, 2009 2:30 PM:

how do i get my ipod classic apart.my headphone jack is lose and i need to adjust the contacts?

cheryl said, on April 8, 2009 4:44 PM:

My Apple ipod fell from about 25ft high and its not responding or charging. what should I do. Thanks cheryl

Paige said, on April 13, 2009 6:01 PM:

hi, my ipod went through the washing machine by accident, i took it out and let it dry for 4 day and i went to plug it in and it would take forever to connect but it does, i can put songs and videos on it but when i disconnect it from my computer and unplug the cord from it, the screen goes black as if it was dead! but it is completely charged! what do i do??

Tyler said, on April 20, 2009 11:59 AM:

on my ipod touch the button wont take me to the home screen when i press it, also the button u hold in so that the slide for power off thing wont come up. it only locks.

joshua stagnitto said, on April 23, 2009 8:21 PM:

i have a 5th gen 30 gb ipod. i droped it in the toilette when it fell out of my hoodie. it worked for a while, now it does nothing. i plug it in and it says please wait, very low battery, and that's it. that's all it does. i've tried wall chargers, usb, stereo dock, ipod bays, random docks in the stores. it does nothing. once in a while it says to go to www.apple.com/support/ipod. i went there. no help. is it junk? i already took it apart so the warranty is void. i'm pretty nifty with electronics and it's pissing me off that i can't fix this. what the hell do i do???????????????????????????????????

Trina said, on May 5, 2009 7:31 AM:

I washed and dryed my son's 4th gen ipod and it still works but it won't charge.

Deon Ellison said, on May 7, 2009 12:39 PM:

Hello, i just recently got an ipod touch, and its been working fine, but all of a sudden my apps on my ipod you know the games stop work and i tried everything.PLEASE HELP!!

nelson said, on May 15, 2009 5:58 PM:

Hey. i found my ipod in my washing machine, apperentl i had washed it, so i dried it of and i tried to turn it on, i tried reseting it, i tried toggoling with the hold button, but nothing works and it wont register on my computer. i left it for a couple of hours connected to my computer with my computer compleltly on but it still wont turn on or register on the computer

do i need a new one or is there hope?

michelle said, on May 22, 2009 9:39 PM:

I have owned my I-pod for over a year now, but I have not used it at all. I just got started and now the keys don't work at all and it skips around out of nowhere!! I'm soooo frustated!! Please help!! where can i take this to fix it?? I'm in Hollywood CA. Thanks for all the help!!

Caroline Turney said, on May 25, 2009 6:29 AM:

My husband left his ipod in the rain. I don't see any water in the screen, but the screen won't light up. I can hear the music playing and the click. The music will play for a short period and then stop. Can you tell me if this can be fixed or if it is a lost cause?

Dave Taylor said, on May 25, 2009 6:52 AM:

I'd give the folk at TechRestore.com a quick query: they have a range of iPod diagnostic and repair capabilities and are fast with turnaround too. Generally, though, electronics + water = not good. :-(

orla onell said, on June 5, 2009 4:51 PM:

dear dave taylor,
my ipod is having serious problems!
i woke up one morning and my ipod was frozen! i tried to reset it but it froze on the apple sign and every now and then it decides to have a break and it completly goes blank! it is an ipod classic and has 80gb memoery!! it was very dear but not that i would know because i got it from santey!! i really want to fix it but i aint got no money!! what shall i do????
yours truly
orla oneill

xo xo gg

shanky said, on June 9, 2009 11:39 PM:

i have 80gb ipod but i cannot play the music in it even after synco the songs in it.Can u please help me?

Hariz said, on June 14, 2009 7:26 PM:

ok,i have an iPod nano,i just bought that i iPod last 2days,but it cannot turn on..
how can??
last night i lock the iPod but today i cannot work
so,pls help me

hariz said, on June 14, 2009 7:31 PM:

Dave pls HELP ME!!
i know u can do it

shamin said, on June 24, 2009 11:07 AM:

i washed my ipod and i dont know what to do i put it o n the charger and iit turns on but when i take it off it just shuts offf what do i do

Kaitlin said, on June 29, 2009 6:13 PM:

I have had my ipod classic for a about 8 months. Up until a month ago, it didn't give me any problems. At first, a screen with an apple in the middle and a blue colored background would pop up and i wouldn't be able to use the ipod for alittle while and then it would go back to normal, but yesterday, I was trying to access a game and a black screen popped up and said that I can't open the game. Ever since I have not been able to turn it off, listen to any music. Even when I plugged it into my computer to reformat it, the computer said that it was corrupt and it wasn't able to perform the task of reformatting it. What is wrong with it?

tony said, on June 30, 2009 12:28 PM:

I have had an iPod Nano for nearly 2 year. days ago, the screen went blank; everything works ,it charges normally, the click is audible when you touch the wheel, the music plays, the unit shows up at the right time in iTunes, and the backlight comes on when it is supposed to come on), but the display is completely blank. So, it's impossible to see a menu or anything.

Any suggestions on how I might be able to fix this

Julian said, on July 1, 2009 2:18 AM:

hey my ipod turns on and everything but when i play songs the songs dont play at all they just stay at zero or it'll play but i wont hear anything

stacey said, on July 1, 2009 3:04 PM:

my ipod has a plaid screen.... help.. how do i fix it?

Howard said, on July 13, 2009 5:30 PM:

Hi Dave!
My iPod suddenly stopped lighting up.
it got in a place of moisture but trust me it never got wet to an extent where damage can be caused.
It works quite alright, the music plays, the sound of the click is there and everything is okay. But its just the fact that it can't lighten up and I have checked the brightness and everything to do with light and its all okay.
I can barely see a thing. Help me!
Thanks in advance :)
Take care!

emma said, on July 19, 2009 11:26 AM:

Hi my mum put my ipod in the wash and the screen wont work but the music plays fine its just the screen . do you think i could take it back to the place i boght it and c if they can exgange it . i have tryed everything even putting it in a bowl of rice .that didnt work . Please Help .......

reply soon

Thanks

Sam said, on July 22, 2009 9:28 AM:

Hey Dave,

I restored my iPod to factory settings a few days back and began to sync my library again; however, my iPod stopped syncing and I had to unplug it. After this, my iPod went into "recovery mode" and I had to restore it. Now, every time I plug my iPod in, I get a "restore your iPod" message. After I restore it, I get exactly the same message. I have restored my iPod multiply times to no avail, can you please help me?

Thanks a lot.

joel edmond said, on July 24, 2009 3:08 PM:

the screen of my ipod apple is broken Can you tell me what to get it repair.

Alia said, on July 28, 2009 8:26 PM:

I have an Ipod nano and it won't turn on, when you try it say "very low battery please wait" it won't charge and we even tried replacing the battery. Also when we plug it into the computer it says that it's in "disk mode" and says "do not disconnect"

wynter said, on August 2, 2009 3:45 PM:

hey ive got a 5t generation ipod classic and ive had it for a year and a half and its worked fine ever sense 3 months ago it started off not holding a charge till i reset it then in went to were it would only hold about 300 songs and this ipod holds 30,000 and it wont hold videos picturesor the games i bought and now it wont hold a charge again wont appear on itunes and just gives me an exclamation point sign with a batterie ad when i take it off the ubs cord it shows no charge?? what do i do cus im getting super pistd and would love for some one to help me please??

kim said, on August 5, 2009 6:02 PM:

ok, so i have a really old ipod. its 5 years old and its not a color screen, but i have treated it very well. one day i hooked it up to my friends laptop to put some of his music on it, and now it wont hold a carge for more than 15 minutes, half my songs wont play, and some song freeze it completely. can i fix it, or is it too far gone and needs to be replaced?

tommy v said, on August 23, 2009 2:34 PM:

my 30 gb ipod says very low battery and has a sad face,how can i fix this,please help me

morgan said, on August 26, 2009 2:20 PM:

my brother drop his ipod shuffle in soda and do any oe no how to fix it

ty

SonniK said, on September 1, 2009 4:25 PM:

hey my Ipod touch quit playing out loud, we we're listening to it one min, and the next it just quit, it wasn't being held when it quit either. It still plays with headphones, but not out loud help plz

Leah said, on September 19, 2009 10:37 AM:

hi. i got my 4th generation ipod (8 GB) in June, 2009. for some reason, my ipod screen is completely blank. i can still listen to music if i shuffle it by shaking it, but the screen turns both white and gray. when i listen to music, it turns white, and when i try reseting it, it turns gray. its really strange, i didnt do anything to make it like this. i can still hear the click, but i cant see a thing. please help !
thank youu (:

Leah said, on September 19, 2009 10:39 AM:

its me again. also, when i reset it, it makes this beeping noise, just letting you know.

alexis said, on September 22, 2009 4:52 PM:

i need help! my ipod is messed up. i turn it on and it shows the apple logo then the reagular menu you know music,videos,setting,ect...then i lock it and then it turns off then i unlock it and turn it on and it shows the apple logo over again what do i do. please help

isis said, on September 27, 2009 6:19 PM:

ok help me i borrowed my friends ipod which is blue 4gb,and i charged it (all good still.)then it started to die one day and it frooze so i plugged it into my computer and it didn't show up.so then i did that middle circle with the play button,nothing. then i plugged it into the computer and did the hold down button thing and the sceam on my ipod showed a apple,then i shut my laptop and it stoped charging .and then my computer didnt show it was conected ever again,and it wont charge or turn on ...what do i do? please help

Bharadwaj said, on September 30, 2009 12:48 AM:

My Ipod has been damaged by contact with water(In the Rain).Its 512mb basic model bought 2 yrs ago.How do I fix it?
Its purchased in USA and being used in INDIA so I cant even opt for apple services.Do I get a clear online service provision????

unagaa said, on October 9, 2009 5:48 PM:

Hey ,tnx Dave, i appreciate that, my Ipod was stuck in some case, and tnk u again, i got apple suggestion

s.o said, on October 10, 2009 9:15 AM:

two straight,short lines appear on my ipod screen after days without using.lines was shown only when backlight was on.tried restarting,but lines was still there.music and video was still able to play.so is it spoil?can it be repair?will it be expensive?

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

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How do I fix my Apple iPod: It's busted?

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