Learn how to reset or restart iPod following a freeze. Tip: Check out this helpful movie too.
If you have an iPod shuffle, click here for reset steps.
Important: If your iPod is frozen or won't turn on, it may be because iPod is paused or the Hold switch is in the locked position. If so, a lock symbol appears on the screen. Slide the Hold switch to the unlocked position and check the screen.
If you are using your iPod as a hard drive (disk mode), it is normal for "do not disconnect" to remain on the screen until you are ready to eject the iPod in iTunes or from the Mac OS. To avoid having the iPod freeze learn how to eject and disconnect iPod from your computer.
If your iPod is frozen or won't turn on, the steps to reset it vary by model. You can easily tell which iPod model you have if you're not sure.
To reset an iPod with a Click Wheel, including:
- Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video)
- iPod nano (Second Generation)
- iPod nano
- iPod with color display (iPod photo)
- iPod (Click Wheel)
- iPod mini
- iPod mini (Second Generation)
- Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
- Press and hold the Menu and Center (Select) buttons simultaneously 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.To reset iPod, iPod (scroll wheel), iPod (touch wheel), and iPod (dock connector)
- 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 simultaneously 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, 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.
If you are still unable to reset your iPod, use only one finger from one hand to press the Center (Select) button, and one finger from the other hand to press the Menu button.
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.
iPod not responding
If your iPod does not respond to these steps, see additional steps in the "iPod troubleshooting basics and service FAQ".
Additional Information
Apple releases new versions of the iPod Software Update application from time to time. These later versions may include new functions or improvements to existing features. Learn about updating iPod's software.
To return iPod to its original factory settings, use the iPod Software Updater utility to restore iPod.
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61003: iPod shows a folder icon with exclamation point when you turn it on
93736: iPod mini shows a folder icon with exclamation point after disconnecting from a Windows PC
61771: iPod does not appear in iTunes or on the desktop, an exclamation point or sad iPod icon appears on screen
60950: iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or on my Mac desktop
61135: Disconnecting iPod from your computer
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