Have an
iPod that won't charge? There are several different things that can
prevent your iPod from getting, or holding a charge. Let's go through
each possible problem one by one...
USE
THE RIGHT CABLE
First
off, connect your iPod to your computer with the FireWire or
USB 2.0 cable that came with your iPod. Don't use that $2 cable you bought off the street vender by your local subway stop. That cheap cable may be the problem. Not all cables are created equal.
Do you have an older iPod? 3G iPods and younger require the official iPod FireWire 6-pin cable (NOT USB). An iPod USB cable will allow you to connect your iPod to your computer but it wont charge an older iPod.
You should always use the
official iPod USB or FireWire cable when troubleshooting issues
with your iPod.
For detailed instructions
on how to reboot a frozen iPod please read this article: Restart
A Frozen iPod
LOW POWERED PORTS
Are you trying to
use a low power USB port? USB ports in your keyboard or a USB
hub that doesn't have a power supply will NOT have enough power
to charge your iPod. These ports only have enough juice for
low power peripherals like computer mice. iPods that connect
to USB ports, require a high-power USB 2.0 port. Connect your
iPod directly into a USB 2.0 port usually located in the back
of your computer.
NERD
NOTE: The front USB port on most computers
is USB 1.1 but your iPod needs a high-power USB 2.0
port so try the port in the back of your PC. Low-power
ports such as the USB port on your keyboard or bus-powered
USB hub don't have enough juice to mount your iPod.
The
FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports on some Windows-compatible computers
may not be powered, and consequently won't charge iPod when you
plug it in. A port that only accepts a 4-pin cable is not powered.
Most digital video cameras have the smaller 4-pin ports. Larger
6-pin ports are used for devices that require more power like
external hard drives and iPods.
If your computer doesn't have a 6-pin FireWire cable or a
USB 2.0 port, then you should probably consider purchasing an
Apple iPod Power Adapter
Maybe
the USB or FireWire port you are using to connect your iPod
to your computer is the problem. Try
plugging your iPod into another port. If
you are using a USB or FireWire card, make sure it's Windows
Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified (PC only).
Also check with the manufacturer. There may be Firmware updates
available for the card(s) that can solve this iPod connection
problem.
DEVICE
CONFLICTS
Try unplugging
all extra devices (cameras, scanners, Palm Pilots, etc) from
your computer. Sometimes when chained together, these devices
can drain all the power from your USB/FireWire ports and prevent
other devices from functioning properly. Apple's iSight
camera is one such problematic device.
NERD
NOTE: iSight is a webcam developed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iSight was sold retail for US$149 as an external unit which connects to a computer via FireWire cable and comes with a set of mounts to place it atop any current Apple display, laptop computer, or all-in-one desktop computer. As of December 16, 2006, the iSight was no longer for sale in the Apple online store or in retail locations. You can still purchase the iSight on eBay or Amazon as a used item.
TRY
ANOTHER COMPUTER
If you have
access to another computer, try plugging your iPod into a different
computer. This can help you narrow down if the issue is with
your iPod or your computer.
TRY ANOTHER CABLE
Has your pet recently
chewed up your cable? If something is wrong with the FireWire
or USB cable that came with iPod, it may not supply any power
to charge the battery. Try another cable if you have one,
or borrow one from a friend.
IS YOUR SOFTWARE
UP TO DATE?
Is
your operating system up to date? Mac users should run Software
Update (Applications > System Preferences) and PC users
should check windowsupdate.com.
Also remember that iTunes only works with Windows 2000 or higher
and Mac OS X.
You should also
check to see if iTunes is up to date at http://www.apple.com/itunes/.
While your iPod is plugged into your computer, open iTunes. iTunes
may automatically detect a software update necessary for your
iPod. If not, try updating your version of iTunes and
the iPod's firmware with
the latest version from Apple's website. DO NOT REINSTALL FROM
THE CD THAT CAME WITH YOUR iPOD. The software on that CD is old
and out of date.
LOOSE CABLE
Is your cable
not plugged in all the way? Make sure the
cable is completely plugged in.
NOTHING WORKED?!
Oh
no, none of the above worked? If none of
these suggestions helped, you may have a hardware problem. You
might even have a bad battery. Check out our VIP
Repair Service for more information and how to
get it fixed.
You may also
want to read this article if your iPod is having problems mounting
or connecting to your computer: My iPod Won't Mount/Update
Copy
Music Off Your iPod Has a virus or hard drive crash wiped out your entire music
collection on your computer? No problem. Here's how to copy music off
your iPod and back onto your computer.
Erase
Your iPod Is your iPod acting funny? There are a number of things that
can be wrong with it, but this super fixsolution will
cure most problems.
Do
Not Disconnect Won't Go Away Are
you trying to eject your iPod from your computer but the "Do Not
Disconnect" won't go away? Don't worry, this is a common problem
with a fairly easy solution.
VIP
iPod Repair & Mod Service If
you need some TLC for your iPod ASAP, contact us for our special
VIP repair service. We offer general or complex repair services as
well as many customization options.
Email or 
feed.
USE
THE RIGHT CABLE
IS YOUR iPOD FROZEN?
The
FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports on some Windows-compatible computers
may not be powered, and consequently won't charge iPod when you
plug it in. A port that only accepts a 4-pin cable is not powered.
Most digital video cameras have the smaller 4-pin ports. Larger
6-pin ports are used for devices that require more power like
external hard drives and iPods.
Maybe
the USB or FireWire port you are using to connect your iPod
to your computer is the problem. Try
plugging your iPod into another port. If
you are using a USB or FireWire card, make sure it's 
DEVICE
CONFLICTS
TRY
ANOTHER COMPUTER
TRY ANOTHER CABLE
You should also
check to see if iTunes is up to date at 
Has a virus or hard drive crash wiped out your entire music
collection on your computer? No problem. Here's how to copy music off
your iPod and back onto your computer. 
Is your iPod acting funny? There are a number of things that
can be wrong with it, but this super fix solution will
cure most problems.
Are
you trying to eject your iPod from your computer but the "Do Not
Disconnect" won't go away? Don't worry, this is a common problem
with a fairly easy solution.
If
you need some TLC for your iPod ASAP, contact us for our special
VIP repair service. We offer general or complex repair services as
well as many customization options.
