Click Wheel Totally Unresponsive

My friend gave me his iPod in the hopes that I'd fix it again. This time, the problem was not the normal freeze, reset and restore process. He said it froze, but when the iPod is connected to a power outlet or my computer, the backlight still functions and the Do Not Disconnect screen came up. As soon as I safely ejected the iPod, I tried scrolling, like I did when it "froze." Still no response. Is there anything else I can do with it? I don't know if a restoration will work, and I'm about to try that now. It seems as if the click wheel on his U2 Special Edition 40GB iPod "photo" has gone totally unresponsive.
5G 60GB Video iPod, 4G 20GB iPod, 1G 4GB iPod mini, and Tunes 6!! YAY!! Windows XP Music library: 2505 items, 7:18:28:38 total time, 12.64 GB

If you're having trouble, try these steps at different levels one at a time until the issue is resolved. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.
Make sure you do all the following “TRYs”
A. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
B. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
C. Try another FireWire or USB port on your computer .
D. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
E. Try to download and install the latest version of iPod software and iTunes
http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
F. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
G. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it fails to appear on the desktop
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651
If none of these steps address the issue, you may need to go to Intermediate level listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the lists to see if that is what keeping iPod from appearing on your computer in order for doing the Restore.
Intermediate Level
A. Try to connect your iPod with another computer with the iPod updater pre-installed.
B. Still can’t see your iPod, put it in Disk Mode and connect with a computer, instead of doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and format the iPod instead.
For Mac computer
1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
6. Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
For Window computer
Go to folder “My Computer”
Hope you can see your iPod there and right click on the iPod
Choose “Format”. Ensure the settings are at “Default” and that “Quick Format” is not checked
Now select “Format”
Eject your iPod and do a Reset
Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
In case you do not manage to do a “Format” on a window computer, try to use some 3rd party disk utility software, e.g.“Partition Magic”.
C. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. In many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.
Tips
a. It does not matter whether the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted firmware files on the Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be recognized as an fresh external hard drive, it will show up on the iPod updater.
b. It is not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find a window base computer, for a PC user, if they can’t find any Mac user, they can go to a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.
c. You may need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to do several attempts between “Format” and “Restore”
Advance Level
A. Diagnostic mode solution
If you have tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail after all the steps above, chances are your iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.
You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to be safe.
Press and hold the following combination of buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Menu" and "Select"
The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold the following sequence of buttons:
iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Back" and "Select"
You will hear an audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) and the Apple logo should appear backwards. You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The scroll wheel will not function while in diagnostic mode. For further details on Diagnostic mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/
Try to do the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some successful cases have been reported after the running the few tests under the Diagnostic mode. In case it does not work in your case, and the scan tests reports show some errors then it proves your iPod has a hardware problem and it needs a repairing service.
B. Format your iPod with a start disk
I have not tried this solution myself, I heard that there were few successful cases that the users managed to get their iPod (you must put your iPod in disk mode before connecting with a computer) mounted by the computer, which was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS system disk), for PC user, you can use the window OS system disk. Try to find a way to reformat your iPod, again it does not matter which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you choose, the key is to erase the corrupted system files on the iPod. Then eject your iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear there for the Restore.
If none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired.
Consider setting up a mail-in repair for your iPod http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
Or visit your local Apple Retail Store http://www.apple.com/retail/
In case your iPod is no longer covered by the warranty and you want to find a second repairing company, you can try iPodResQ at your own risk
http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php
Just in case that you are at the following situation
Your iPod warranty is expired
You don’t want to pay any service charges
You are prepared to buy a new one
You can’t accept the re-sell value of your broken iPod
Rather than leave your iPod as paper-weight or throw it away.
You can try the following, but again, only do it as your last resort and at your own risk.
Warning ! – It may or may not manage to solve your problem, and with a risk that you may further damage your iPod, which end up as an expensive paper weight or you need to pay more higher repairing cost. Therefore, please re-consider again whether you want to try the next level
Last Resort Level
1. . Disconnecting the Hard Drive and battery inside the iPod – Warning !! Your iPod warranty will be waived once you open the iPod.
In Hong Kong there are some electronic shops offering an iPod service for Sad iPod, the first thing they do is to open up the iPod’s case and disconnecting the battery and the Hard Drive from the main board of the iPod. Wait for 5-10 minutes and reconnecting them back. The reason behind which I can think of is to do a fully reset of a processor of the iPod. In case you want do it itself and you believe that you are good on fixing the electronics devices and have experience to deal with small bits of electronic parts, then you can read the following of how to open the iPod case for battery replacement (with pictures)
http://www.kokopellimusic.us/KM_instructions.htm
Have I tried this myself? No, I am afraid to do it myself as I am squeamish about tinkering inside electronic devices, I have few experiences that either I broke the parts (which are normally tiny or fragile) or failed to put the parts back to the main case. Therefore, I agree with suggestion to have it fixed by a Pro.
2. Do a search on Google and some topics on this discussion forum about “Sad iPod”
What should I do with my iPod? Send it or keep it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=469080&tstart=0
Strange error on iPod (probably death)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435160&start=0&tstart=0
Sad Face on iPod for no apparent reason
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=336342&start=0&tstart=0
Meeting the Sad iPod icon
http://askpang.typepad.com/relevanthistory/2004/11/meeting_thesad.html#comment-10519524
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2236095#2236095
iPod Photo: unhappy icon + warranty question
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2233746#2233746
4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2235623#2235623
Low Battery, and clicking sounds
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2237714#2237714
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2242018#2242018
Sad iPod solution
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0
I am not suggesting that you should follow as well, but just read them as your reference. You are the person to make the call.

Similar Messages

Click Wheel is Unresponsive

Exact same problem as all others in this thread - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2232235&tstart=100
Ipod charges, is recognized in iTunes, restores, wakes by turning hold button off . . . but I cannot select 'English' on the language screen as the click wheel is not working at all.
Is there any information or fix for this issue, or is Apple completely ignoring it?
Thanks.

@ Stuart
I came across this while looking for a fix. I haven't tried it myself yet since I can't find anything small enough, but apparently it's worked for a few people.
Read page 4 and the comments.
http://blog.davidkaspar.com/archives/2005/11/fix-ipod-click-wheel-problem-is-not -working.php?page=4

Click Wheel Totally Messed Up

I've had my iPod mini (2nd generation) since late May of this year. About three months ago, the click wheel started to not respond very well. I messed around with it a little and reset it a few times and it worked fine.
But then about 1 month ago, it started to do the same thing, accept worse. And now when I try to scroll down the songs, it either doesn't respond or freaks out and keeps going from one song/cattegory on the list to another. When I finally get it to my songs, I can press forward about a billion times to get to the song I want, but that's about the only way it will work.
The songs play fine, and everything else works fine, besides the click wheel. Oh yes, and the screen in kind-of broken like.. on the inside... but that isn't my main concern. I've never dropped it either, it just gets knocked around a little in my purse. Please, if anybody has/had this problem or knows what to do or where to take it, besides sending it in to an Apple store, I could really use some advice!
Thanks!

I just sent my iPod into apple which i was not happy about because it means that i don't have my Ipod for 2-4 weeks!!! and there are no guarantees that it will work again which stinks but in your case i would sent it to apple it could be better in the long run! Good Luck!!! because right now im not at all happy with my iPod either!!
~Katie~

Should I restore my iPod nano 2nd gen?; click wheel is unresponsive.

My iPod connects to iTunes perfectly fine, and when disconnected from iTunes, the hold switch turns the screen light on and I can see the menu. However, when I try to actually use the iPod with the click wheel, it does not work at all. Would restoring my iPod fix this problem? Or does the issue seem bigger than that? I realize that I will lose all of my music (most of which is not on my current computer), but I guess if that is the only way to fix my iPod, it'll have to do! Thank you!

Then it is probably a hardware failure and you will need to get the click wheel replaced.

TS1425 Click wheel is totally unresponsive even after restarting & flipping the hold switch on & off

Click wheel totally responsive no matter what I try...any suggestions?

You can work through the remaining five 5 R's of troubleshooting.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
It might also be a good idea to let the iPod's battery fully drain. Then charge it back up and restore it once more in iTunes.
Otherwise, it's likely a hardware issue with the iPod's clickwheel, meaning you'll need to take or send your iPod in for service either via Apple or a third party repair service. Here is Apple's repair pricing.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/prices/
Note that they don't actually repair the device, but exchange it for one of the same generation, model, and capacity. A third party service will actually replace the damage part for a little less. Google "iPod repair" and you should get a number of results to work with.
B-rock

Click Wheel Unresponsive

I accidentally dropped my iPod Mini last week and now the click wheel is unresponsive. The screen will come on when you plug it in or move the hold switch, but nothing happens with the click wheel. I've tried to reset, but obviously this doesn't work because the click wheel is not working.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Try the Five R's.
If they do not work, then you will need to get your iPod serviced. However, Apple will not repair your iPod as you have voided the warranty.
You would have to have it repaired from a service like this...
iPodResQ
btabz

Click wheel unresponsive. what do i do?? Got wet

I was in parking lot when it was raining, ipod nano was in hoodie pocket and fell out into puddle, didnt get very wett since it was in rubber case, after i dropped it, it worked fine , but next day when i turned it on the click wheel was unresponsive and couldnt scroll at all through music, although i can restart it, butt doesnt work i dont know what to do :'( also i did restore origional settings, im thinking i should jsut leave it alone for few days butt not sure.

hi there and welcome to Apple Discussions!
what you need to do is submerge the iPod in a bowl of uncooked rice. this gets rid of the moisture left in the iPod after it got wet.
that should clear up the problem.
-MacDarling55

Click Wheel Unresponsive and Center Button Problem

Hey all,
I have 2 issues with my ipod nano 8GB (4th gen) that I'm thinking might be hardware, but I would like to ascertain if there's any quick/easy fixes possible.
1. Sometimes I notice that half of my click wheel is unresponsive. I would be adjusting the volume and all of a sudden the volume would pause and then jump (since whatever software is controlling the clickwheel thinks I rapidly scrolled through that unresponsive portion). Note that this unresponsiveness occurs for any scrolling action (the volume is just an example).
2. Recently, I noticed that if I hit the center button to play a song, it would sometimes immediately cycle to the next song or go back to the album if there was only one song.
I'd like to avoid sending the ipod in for repairs, so any help would be appreciated!

I have the same problem, only it's just my menu button.
It was on-and-off working for a while, but it just stopped all-together today.
No water damage, or serious drops, but I use it every day, and that might have possibly contributed to the issue.. Though you'd think they were built for frequent usage!
I'm just going to call in to apple, there isn't much online about how to help.. and you need the menu button to reset it, so that won't work to even bring me back to the original menu screen.

Unresponsive click wheel + Remote

o have a 4g iPod that I bought almost a year ago.
Ok, I've noticed that many people have been having problems with their click wheels becoming unresponsive and having to reset their iPod, click the hold switch on and off. I've tried those things and SOMETIMES it works, but sometimes it doesn't.
So I was wondering...(if anybody has one) If I purchased one of the earphones with the remote would I still be able to raise and lower the volume even if the click wheel is being unresponsive to the touch of my finger? That's the only thing I get annoyed about when the click wheel becomes unresponsive, is not being able to raise or lower the volume when I need to.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks a lot!

Hi Luis,
I've got the same problem you do. However I believe it's a bug in the software, since my backlight acts wierd when this "mysterious" effect takes place.
I'm sorry I can't help you. I really which I could.

IPod classic click wheel issues

Hi,
I've got a 160gb iPod classic.
About a year old.
Increasingly, I've been having click wheel issues wheel the click wheel is unresponsive.
Is this a common occurrence?
The iPod plays fine.
Is thee anything I can do or should I take it to an apple store?

I solved it by first reseting the iPod of holding Menu and the select button. Then I Resotred it using the iPod Software Updater.

'Mostly Dead' Click Wheel

I got my shiny new ipod last winter, and had many months of trusty musical service. This summer, however, my click wheel decided to die, almost. I started using a Belkin radio transmitter dock/charger in my car, which worked nicely for about a month. One day I took it off the dock and the click wheel was unresponsive. it still plays on the dock and such, butthe click wheel is pretty useless. The kicker is that, to my intense confusion, the menu+select function still works. Its the only thing I can get it to do. This led me to believe it was a software problem. Also suggesting this conclusion, the radio dock uses the ipod's processing to adjust the frequency of the transmitter and such, and since this dock seemed to spark the problem I figured perhaps the dock itself changed the firmware or something. I have restored the firmware and such a great number of times, and after a month of erratically trying every software solution I have been able to find/come up with, I'm at the end of my rope. If there is anything else that can be done short of taking it to apple, please let me know
emachines m6805 Windows XP Pro

Now I got the ipod to unlock (i don't know how my boyfriend said all he did was reset it which I tried but that didn't work for me) now it won't show up in itunes when I connect it and it says it is corrupted.I think I'm goin to just get a new one. but I can't figure if my computer corrupted it or something else. Didn't happen til I tried to restore it! IT *****

IPod model A1059, freezes, unresponsive to all click wheel entries. Reset does not work. Does not show up in ITunes or on windows explorer. What is the problem and how do I fix it?

IPOD model A1059 appears frozen and is unresponsive to all click wheel entries. Reset does not work. Does not show up in ITunes or in Windows Explorer. What is the problem and is there a fix?

If you are unable to reset the iPod (assuming the hold switch is not in the On position either), then you'll have to let the iPod's battery fully drain. Then connect it to a charger and leave it to charge for a couple of hours.
B-rock

IPod Nano (4th Generation) switches on when connected to USB power - shows Menu & hangs (unresponsive to click wheel) - deems off after 5-sec - Switches off after disconnecting from USB Power - syncs with iTunes - Tried 5R's - Problem still persists

1. The iPod Nano (4th Generation - 8GB) switches on, only when connected to USB power by showing apple logo and displays Menu options thereafter..
2. However, I can not access Menu as it is unresponsive to click wheel. As a result it is inaccessible to any further use,
3. NOTE: it displays "Battery Fully charged" icon on the screen without any "Lock" icon.
4. After 5-sec to 10-secs the screen deems off.. i.e. goes to sleep mode.. And thereafter would probably remain like that (sleeeping) for eternity!!!!
5. It Switches off after WITHOUT DISPLAYING any Apple Logo immediately after disconnecting from USB Power.
6. In other words, it can be switched on only through USB power in spite of battery being fully charged.
7. Interestingly, it syncs with iTunes. It is recognised in iTunes (Latest version 11+).. Displays on screen all commands Like.. syncronising, connecting, connected,
8. Allows to add Music, videos like a normal ipod & displays all status information in iTunes.
9. Read Trobleshooting & Tried all 5R's. Registered, Resetted, updated & Restored to iOS 1.0.2
10. It is now displaying to select Language in place of Menu options, with no access through click wheel, centre button whatsoever... Problem still persists
KINDLY GUIDE ME THE SOLUTION. APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE in advance...

"I get the feeling that this is a software issue that could probably be solved quite easily"
Since you have already tried all the normal troubleshooting solutions, take the iPod to your nearest Apple Store for a *proper diagnosis.* The staff there will be able to confirm if your problem is software or hardware _*at no cost to you.*_
!http://i50.tinypic.com/izvwo1.gif!

My click wheel and select button are unresponsive

hi
I've had my iPod mini for just over a year now and I've had one or two problems in the past. However, I've been able to reset it by holding the select button and menu button. However, today my iPod's click wheel will not respond (and doesn't make it's usual noise) and my select button is unresponsive so I can't reset. Plus my almost full battery has just drained in less than 20 minutes. Are there any tips for restoring my iPod?
Thanks

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Try connecting it to the AC adapter after the battery is drained and resetting it. Also, is it turning on?
Finally, does it connect to your computer? Try resetting it while it is connected to the computer.
Read these tips on resetting...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61705
btabz

Lower click wheel unresponsive, reqind button is touch sensitive

I recently bought a 16GB nano from a guy i found on a local classified ad. I thought everything was good, until i started listening to music, and i could only use the upper side of the click wheel to turn up the volume, the lower side is unresponsive. also, when i was trying to turn up the volume, moving by the rewind button would restart the song... its like the rewind button is touch sensitive. the ipod is in warranty, so is it possible for me to go to the apple store and replace it?

wow, someone help?

Click Wheel Totally Unresponsive

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