Is Your iPod Misbehaving?...
Here Are iPod Tips-Tricks And Troubleshooting Solutions

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The Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting in this section will guide you to solve common iPod problems. If you have an iPod touch, click here for iPod touch troubleshooting tips.

Follow the advice in this guide for solving most problems with your iPod quickly.

There are two ways that you can locate what you're looking for quickly and easily... Select the appropriate link in the Table of Contents and go directly to the category you want. Do a "find on the page" for a specific term -- Control+F (Command+F for Mac users) and then enter your search term.

iPod Tips Tricks and Troubleshooting Table of Contents:

• How to reset your iPod
• How to restore your iPod
• iPod is not responding
• iPod isn't playing music
• Nothing happens when iPod is connected to your computer
• A folder with an exclamation point on your iPod display
• Uploading photos on iPod using iTunes and downloading photos directly from your camera to your iPod
• Using your iPod with a Mac and a Windows PC
• iPod screen cannot be unlocked
• Updating and Restoring iPod Software
• How to update iPod manually using iTunes
• How to delete songs manually from your iPod
• iPod doesn’t turn on
• iPod click wheel does not respond
• iPod screen lock does not work
• Setting a Screen Lock Combination
• Locking Your iPod using the Screen Lock
• Unlocking your iPod
• Frozen iPod
• iPod fails to charge

Remember to charge your iPod before following the steps outlined below.

Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #1

How to reset your iPod

Personally, when I encounter a problem with my iPod, by Resetting it solves the problem.

• Toggle the 'Hold' switch on and off (set it to Hold, and then turn it off again).
• Press and hold the 'Center' and Menu buttons for at least 6 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.

If you reset your iPod and it doesn't help then follow the advice below to solve your particular problem you encounter with your iPod.

Retry

Retry by connecting your iPod to a different USB port or FireWire port on your computer.

Restart

Restart your computer, and make sure that you have the latest software updates installed.

Reinstall

Reinstall the latest iTunes software http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ and connect your iPod to your computer.

If your iPod needs updated, iTunes will notify you automatically and the update will be performed for you.

Restore

Warning... By restoring your iPod all files will be erased so make sure to back up by saving your files and songs on your computer or to the iTunes library.

How to restore your iPod

• Make sure you've reinstalled the latest version of iTunes
• Connect your iPod to your computer and open iTunes
• After a few moments, it will appear in the Source list in iTunes
• Select your iPod in the Source list and you will see information about it appear in the Settings tab of the main iTunes windows
• Click the Restore button.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #2

iPod is not responding

• Turn the Hold Switch to off.
• Connect iPod to your computer’s USB or FireWire port if that doesn’t work. This might be due to your iPod battery needed to be charged.
• Reset your iPod if the above does not work.
• Finally, restore iPod software if iPod is still not responding.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #3

iPod isn't playing music

• Turn the Hold Switch to off.
• Push the headphones connector all the way in.
• Adjust volume properly. A lock to the right of the volume bar means a maximum volume limit has been set for your iPod. Change or remove it by using Settings > Volume Limit.
• Press the Play/Pause button. Your iPod might be paused.
• Use iTunes 8 or later (opens in new window). Songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store using earlier versions of iTunes won't play on your iPod until you upgrade iTunes and download the songs.
• Place the iPod firmly in the Dock if you are using the iPod Dock and make sure all cables are connected properly.
• Turn on external speakers or stereo if you are using the Dock Line Out port and make sure they are working properly.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #4

Nothing happens when iPod is connected to your computer

• Download and install iTunes 7 or later http://www.apple.com/itunes/download --opens in new window.
• After installation, open iTunes and connect your iPod to your computer.
• Press and hold the 'Select' and 'Menu' buttons simultaneously for 6-10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
• This will reset your iPod.

If resetting does not work...

• Connect your iPod to a different USB port on your computer. Remember to use a USB 2.0 port to connect your iPod because USB 1.1 is slower than USB 2.0 . You can purchase a USB 2.0 card for Windows PC that doesn’t have a USB 2.0 port. For more information, go to.
• Charge the battery by connecting your iPod to a high-power USB 2.0 or FireWire port on your computer. Do not connect your iPod to the USB port on your keyboard as this will not charge the battery.
• Restart your computer if resetting your iPod does not work.
• And finally, restore iPod using iTunes 7 or later if all of the above does not work.

Related Documents

iPod missing in "My Computer" or in iTunes for Windows -- opens in new window

iPod missing in iTunes and Mac desktop -- opens in new window

iPod touch: Appears in iTunes but not in Finder or Windows Desktop -- opens in new window

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #5

A folder with an exclamation point on my iPod display

• Reset your iPod by holding down the 'Select' and 'Menu' buttons simultaneously for 6-10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
• Recharge the battery if resetting doesn’t work by connecting your iPod to your computer.
• Reset iPod again if you still see the folder.
• Update or restore iPod with the latest iTunes software --opens in new window-- if that doesn’t work.

Learn More--Folder with exclamation point

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #6

Uploading photos on iPod using iTunes and downloading photos directly from your camera to your iPod

• Download and install the latest version of iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/download Connect your iPod to your computer and open iTunes. From iTunes user interface, click on 'Users iPod' under 'Devices'. Click on the 'Photos' tab and check the box that says 'Sync photos from'. Locate the folder with your photos stored on your computer. Go to file and click 'Sync iPod'.

Downloading photos directly from your camera to your iPod

• You will need the iPod Camera Connector and a USB digital camera .
• Turn the camera on and set it to the correct mode for importing your photos. Connect the cable firmly to your camera and the connector. I recommend you see the instructions provided with your camera for exporting images.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #7

Using your iPod with a Mac and a Windows PC

• Use iPod updater to restore the iPod software if you are using a Mac and want to use it with a Windows PC or vice versa and restore the iPod software for use with the other computer.
• Without erasing all data on your iPod, you cannot switch from using iPod with a Mac to using it with a Windows PC (or vice versa), so restoring the iPod software will erase all data from your iPod.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #8

iPod screen cannot be unlocked

• Connect your iPod to the computer that’s authorized to work with it and will automatically unlock it.
• Connect your iPod to another computer and use iPod Updater to restore your iPod software if the computer authorized to work with your iPod is not available.
• Restore the iPod software and set a new combination if you change the screen lock and cannot remember the current combination.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #9

Updating and Restoring iPod Software

Use iTunes 8 or later to update or restore your iPod. Apple periodically updates iPod software to improve performance or add features.

It is recommended that you update your iPod to use the latest software.

• If you choose to update, the software is updated, but your settings and songs are not affected.
• If you choose to restore, all data is erased from your iPod, including songs, files, contacts, photos, calendar information, and any other data. All iPod settings are restored to their original state.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #10

To update or restore iPod with the latest software

• Go to http://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/download/ and download the latest iTunes software
• Open up iTunes when its installed. Click on users iPod under devices. You'll see information about your iPod. Click on the 'Restore' button.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #11

How to update your iPod manually using iTunes

If you have an extensive iTunes library you may want to update your iPod manually. Connect your iPod to your computer. Open iTunes and click on 'Users iPod' under devices on the left hand side of iTunes.

Click on 'Summary' and you will see the details of your iPod, its 'Version' and 'Options'.

Under 'Options' check the box that says 'Manually manage music' A dialog box will appear saying that are you sure you want to manually manage music on your iPod in which you should click 'OK'.

Note: You will need to manually eject your iPod before it can be disconnected safely if you choose to manage your songs manually.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #12

How to delete songs manually from your iPod

Connect your iPod to your computer and make sure iTunes is open on your computer. Click on your iPod's name under devices on the left hand side of the iTunes interface.

Click on the 'Summary' tab. Under 'Options' make sure you've checked the 'Manually manage music' check box.

Under devices on the left hand side of the iTunes interface, select 'Music' and select a song you want to delete and press the 'delete' key on your keyboard.

To delete all songs, go to 'Edit > Select All' and hit the 'delete' key on your keyboard.

Note: When you delete a song or other item manually from your iPod, the song is not deleted from your iTunes library. To delete a song from the iTunes music library, click on 'Music' under 'Library', select a song and hit the delete key on your keyboard.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #13

iPod doesn't turn on

• Make sure that your iPod isn't on "Hold". Check the Hold switch and make sure that it isn't set to the Hold position (if you see any colour, your Hold switch is engaged). You might also try toggling the switch to the Hold position, switch it back off, and then test your iPod.
• Drained battery iPod won't turn on if the battery is depleted. Instead, a low battery screen may appear for about 3 seconds when you try to turn on your iPod. To charge your iPod, connect it to a high-power USB 2.0 or FireWire port on your computer, or to an iPod Power Adapter that's connected to an electrical outlet, using the cable that came with your iPod.

  Note: iPod models without a Click Wheel cannot be charged over USB. iPod shuffle and iPod nano require a high-power USB 2.0 port to charge. All other models can use either USB or Firewire to charge the battery. Once it's got some charge, try turning on your iPod again.

• USB Power Adpator for iPod Reset iPod If your iPod still won't turn on, reset it by holding the ‘Menu’ and ‘Select’ button for six seconds. When you reset an iPod, all of your songs and files are preserved, however, you may need to reset some customized settings.
USB Power Adpator for iPod Let your iPod battery drain In rare cases, your iPod might get into a state where by the battery needs to be drained completely before you can reset your iPod.

If you reset your iPod but it still won't turn on, follow these steps:

• Disconnect your iPod from all power sources and leave it disconnected for about 24 hours
• Connect your iPod to a high-power USB 2.0 or FireWire port on your computer, or to an iPod Power Adapter, and reset your iPod
• Update your iPod software. If your iPod turns on after you reset it, download the latest version of iTunes 8 or later

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #14

iPod click wheel does not respond

Sometimes debris gets stuck under the click wheel so what I recommend you do is to get something thin like a foil (edge of a blister foil pack of pills) and carefully go round the outer and inner edges of the click wheel.

After that switch to hold and wait for a couple of minutes and then switch the hold off.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #15

iPod screen lock does not work

Set a new combination for your iPod but before you do that restore your iPod to factory setting.

Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #16

Setting a Screen Lock Combination

To use Screen Lock, first set a combination for your iPod...

• From the Screen Lock menu, select Set Combination
• In the 'Set Code' screen, start entering a combination by scrolling the Click Wheel to dial-up the first number. You can also press the Previous/Rewind or Next/Fast-forward button to scroll through numbers
• When you get the desired number, press the Center button to confirm your choice; the second number will then be highlighted
• Use the same method to set the remaining three digits of your code
• After entering the last digit, you'll be returned to the Screen Lock menu

Note: Your iPod will continue to use the same combination until you change it. You will be requested to enter the old combination before you can set a new one.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #17

Locking Your iPod using the Screen Lock

After you've committed your combination to memory, you can lock your iPod by...

• Selecting 'Extras > Screen Lock > Turn Screen Lock On'... if you haven't set a combination, the 'Set Code' screen appears for you to set your combination
• iPod displays a "Please remember it!" message in the 'Screen Lock' menu; select 'Lock' to lock your iPod
• Once locked, iPod displays an ‘Enter Code’ screen. You'll also see a key icon in the upper-right corner that tells you your iPod is locked.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #18

Unlocking your iPod

You can unlock iPod in one of two ways...

• Enter the combination on iPod using the same controls you used to set the combination. If you do not enter the correct combination, the digits onscreen flash red. When you enter the combination correctly, iPod will unlock and return you to the last viewed screen
• Connect iPod to the primary computer you use it with (the first one iPod synced with), and open iTunes. When you disconnect iPod from the computer, it will no longer be locked.

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Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #19

Frozen iPod

If your iPod isn't responding to key presses or it won't switch off, it's most like that it has suffered a crash. This happens if you improperly eject your iPod from your computer.

This cause your iPod to freeze and the 'Do not disconnect' screen will remain.

Always disconnect your iPod properly by clicking the 'Eject' icon in iTunes and wait for your iPod's main menu to reappear.

To resolve this, you will need to reset your iPod. To do this slide the 'Hold' button on and then off. Press and hold the 'Menu' and 'Select' (centre button) at the same time for about 6-10 seconds until the Apple loag appears.

Your iPod will then re-boot, just as if it was being switched on for the first time. The menu screen will reappear and your iPod will be useable again with all its files intact.

Tips-Tricks and Troubleshooting #20

iPod fails to charge

• Make sure your iPod is not connected to a computer on standby
• A frozen iPod won't charge. Reset your iPod with the instructions given under 'Frozen iPod'
• A dead battery... lithium-ion batteries are good for 300 to 500 full charges. When you’ve exhausted those charges your iPod needs a new battery. Click here to learn about iPod battery replacement

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See Also...

• Folder with exclamation on iPod
• iPod Displays a Sad Face
• iPod Fails to Charge
• iPod Does not Turn On
• Songs on my iPod Skip
• Setting Maximum Volume Limit for iPod
• Unlocking Volume Limit for iPod
• Changing Maximum Volume Limit for iPod
• iPod Video Tips and Tricks
• How to easily convert videos and watch on your iPod FREE
• How to Care for Your iPod video
• How to Delete Songs Manually from your iPod
• How to get google videos on your video iPod
• Tips for New iPod Users
• iPod Battery Replacement
• Tips for New Users
• Tips for Experienced Users
• How to create iPod photo slideshows
• How to transfer iPod songs into iTunes music library
• How to remove videos from your iPod
• How to use your iPod as hard drive
• How to backup your iPod

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