Why does my IPod shuffle stop after a few hours playing on shuffle when it should go for days?

Question

Why does my IPod stop playing after a few hours on shuffle when it should play for days?

Answer 1

A few possibilities...  (Each numbered item is a separate thing to check or try.)
(1) What does the shuffle's light do when you connect it to USB?
(2) If the docking cable plug is not fully inserted, it may not have a good connection for charging.  Make sure the docking cable plug is fully inserted into the shuffle's headphones jack, as shown in this document
iPod shuffle (4th generation): Not seen in iTunes
(3) If there are other USB devices connected to your computer at the same time, try disconnecting other devices (including USB hub) so that the shuffle is the only device connected to a direct USB port, to see if that makes a difference (you can leave standard USB keyboard/mouse connected if used).
(4) If you have a USB power adapter (such as from an iPhone, iPad, or other device), that plugs into the wall outlet, as a test, connect the shuffle's docking cable to the adapter and connect the shuffle.  Does it change from a power adapter?
(5) Some newer Windows PCs (if you use Windows and not a Mac) may have a "feature" that shuts off full power to the USB port when a connected storage device is no longer mounted by the system.  An iPod is a storage device, and after syncing, iTunes unmounts the iPod's disk (if you are using automatic syncing).  If Windows shuts off full power to the USB port, the battery cannot charge.  To see if this is the problem, does the iPod appear in iTunes when it is connected, even though the battery is not charging?  If it does, select the iPod in iTunes so that you see its Summary screen.  There is an option (checkbox) there for Enable disk use.  If it's not already checked, check that box and Apply.  Enabling disk use keeps the iPod's disk mounted continuously, so Windows will keep the USB port at full power (and the battery will charge).  If the iPod now charges, there may be a way to disable this "energy saver" feature in Control Panels, so that you can turn OFF Enable disk use.  NOTE:  When Enable disk use is turned ON, you need to Eject the iPod in iTunes before physically disconnecting it.