After installing the itunes 12 update the play count

Question

After installing the itunes update my Ipod Classic has difficulty syncing, It will update recently downloaded songs after a lengthy struggle, but no longer updates the Play count & Last played columns with information read from my ipod. It all updates fine when played through itunes, is there a quick fix for this or does the ipod need resetting as the memory is practically full?

Answer 1

Check to see if the iPod is currently set to Manually manage music and videos.  This setting is on the iPod's Summary settings screen (in iTunes), which is what you see when you select the iPod in iTunes (click the device button in iTunes 12).  If that setting is enabled (checked), the iPod does not automatically "sync" when connected; it is being managed manually.  iTunes is not responsible for keeping the iPod's library "in sync" with the computer's iTunes library (those two libraries are independent), so supporting data (such as play count and ratings) do not automatically sync either.
If your iPod is currently using the manual setting (not automatic syncing), and all of your songs are in your current iTunes library on the computer, you can set it to automatic syncing.  Select the iPod in iTunes.  In the iPod's sidebar, under Settings, click Music.  To the right, check the box for Sync Music.  NOTE:  If that box was not checked already, checking it enables automatic syncing.  Any songs on the iPod that are not in your computer's iTunes library will be lost.
Below the Sync Music setting, if your entire iTunes music library fits on the iPod, choose the option to sync Entire music library.  Then click Apply.  Going forward, updates to your iTunes music library will sync automatically to the iPod without any "lengthy struggle."  Supporting data on the iPod such as play count and ratings should also sync back to the computer's iTunes library.