Ipod cannot be updated. an unknown error occured (-4).

I had my ipod nano for 6 months now and suddenly, thats what I get everytime I try to update my ipod. What should I do?
Windows XP Pro
Windows XP Pro

I have been troubleshooting a similar message, although mine said error-51 instead of -36. I always keep my Ipod in manual (disk) mode, with the exception of my photos, which sync automatically. Itunes would not update my Ipod at all, however, giving me a variety of error messages, such as "can't update, folder not found," etc. After much reading and a lot of trial and error, the last thing I tried actually worked! I deleted the Ipod Photo Cache folder, located on my hard drive in the folder that is selected for synching on the Ipod/Photo tab in Itunes Preferences. Once this Cache folder is deleted, go back into Itunes Preference/Ipod/Photos and you'll see that the checkbox next to synchronize has been deselected. Re-check this box and find the IPhoto folder you want to sync your Ipod to. You will get a couple of messages asking you to verify that this is the correct folder for synching your photos. Once I did this, answering "yes" to verify the correct folder, my Ipod started syncing without any error messages. The photos were all being re-copied and I received no error messages. I'm pretty sure all the trouble I'd been having was related to a corrupted Photo Cache. The cache rebuilds itself after it's been deleted; just be sure to point it to the correct folder in ITunes preferences on the Ipod/Photo tab. Good luck! I hope this works for you as well as it did for me.

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The ipod cannot be updated.an unknown error occured (50)

hey all,
I downloaded itunes 7 and was unable to update my ipod...i then updated from a friends computer(i thought the USB was the problem)without any hassle...i then downloaded 7.0.1 and am still having the same problem..cant update due to unknown error 50!!Anyone any tips..PLEASE!!

I tried some additional things and it seems to have fixed the problem.
First, I forced the iPod Service to close using the Windows task manager (control-alt-delete and then closing it). I then restored my iPod to its original factory settings using that option in iTunes.
I renamed the iPod and then set up what I wanted to sync with it. I have made a couple of changes and they have worked.

Error(-50) =iPods cannot be updated. Unknown error occured(-50)

2GB nano. New to iPods. Help... Spent the last 4 days reading, plugging, unplugging into different usb ports on computer, reading some more and emailing Apple support. (Still waiting for a response)
I downloaded an audiobook from iTunes which is in my library and playlist. I tried to transfer manually from iTunes. Also purchased album from iTunes using my laptop. No problem transferring the album from laptop but constant Unknown errors (-50) when trying from my Dell. It is also new.
I have tried almost everything I have read about here. What's the secret I am missing?
I thought maybe because I originally logged into iTunes from laptop but then I read you can authorize up to 5 computers so I authorized both. Now if there is a trick to this, I'm stumped.
What happened to "User Friendly"? This Christmas Gift may be going back.
Dell Dimension E520 Windows XP
Dell Dimension E520 Windows XP

have you tried to close the ipodservice?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3358348&#3358348

IPod cannot be updated. Unknown error (-208)

I have all latest updates installed on both Mac and iPod.
Keep getting error message that says "iPod cannot be updated. Unknown error occurred (-208).
But, after I dismiss this dialogue box, the iPod updates with no problems.
How do I get rid of this? Is there a problem?
2.1 GHz PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7) iTunes 7.0.1 (7); iTunes 30 GB video play capable, software version 1.2

Hi there guys,
I had the same problem and have just fixed it for me. I used the process of elimination. If you go to your ipod summary and make slight changes to what you want to sync with your ipod and keep applying the changes until you get no error message. This will tell you where the error is. For me, when I chose not to sync photos with the ipod, I no longer got the error message.
I had a feeling from looking at other peoples problems that it may be to do with the files being corrupt or just slightly wrong(it's only a minor glitch) that you're wanting to sync. When I went to my folder I realised I had two versions of my 'Ipod Photo Cache' (not sure what the Windows equivalant is, i think it's basically where it stores the ipod versions of your photos on your hard drive) and the new version was in the wrong place. I then replaced the old with the new and voila. No more errors. (I now just have error -48 to contend with)
Hope that helps, God bless

Ipod cannot be updated, an unknown error has occurred. (-48)

I'm at the end of my tether right now. I updated iTunes to the newest version, then updated my iPod. Now I'm getting the error message "Ipod cannot be updated, an unknown error has occurred. (-48)". I've searched the site and other forums and I can't find anyone with that same message who can help me. I've tried installing an older version of iTunes but I can't use it because my iPod has been updated to work with the newest one. I've uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes, nothing helped.
So my questions are:
1) Any way I can uninstall the update I did for my iPod? That is, so it is compatible with older versions again.
2) What could be causing this message?
3) Is there an e-mail address for apple, who seem wholly uninterested in what happens with their product once the £235 has been paid for it?
Any help is appreciated.

Interesting, that error code doesn't seem to appear on the iPod support pages. Since it's saying "The iPod cannot be updated" it sounds like it's indicating there's a problem with the iPod... although with "unknown error" it's hard to say for sure. My recommendation would be that you try restoring your iPod, and then giving it another go. If you're uncertain about the restore process, take a look at this article, it should answer your questions.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
Once you restore it, try updating it again in iTunes. If you have any more problems or questions, feel free to reply, and I'll see what I can do to help.
Best wishes!
CG

Ipod cannot be synced an unknown error occurred (-40)

Had my nano for 6 months no issues with sync of music or photos, a few weeks ago every time I plug it to sync an error "ipod cannot be synced an unknown error occurred (-40)" click ok and it goes ahead with music sync but not photos.
help thanks

removed photo sync and no error message. checked for updates but ok.
4.14GB free space on ipod, tried syncing only 1 photo and error message returned?

Ipod cannot be updated. Unknown error -1417

Hi Everyone,
When i try to update to 1.2 of my Video iPod (30GB), i always receive "ipod cannot be updated. Unknown error -1417"
I use Windows 2000 SP4 (with latest patches&updates) + iTunes 7.0. Is this a known bug with iTunes or something wrong with my iPod ?
Thanks,
Arun

some folks have been having some success getting past the 1417 by using eboncairn's technique. see:
eboncairn: iTunes7 & 5th gen iPod updating - is this possible solution? (winXP)

Why am i receiving error message "the ipod cannot be synced. an unknown error occurred (13019)" when i try to move a song from my itunes library into my music folder on my ipod touch?

Why am I receiving the following message when I try to move a song from my iTunes library into my iPod touch's music folder?
"The iPod cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred (13019)."
It was working just fine. Then all of a sudden this error message popped up.

Try here:
iTunes: Error 13019 during sync

The Ipod "Name's Ipod" cannot be Synced. Unknown Error occured (-48).

This is the error message I have been getting for the past two weeks while trying to add music to my Ipod. I have tried repairing itunes, installing updates as they come, even reinstalling itunes and doing system restores. It seems nothing is working. Friends have suggested using different USB slots, restarting the computer while Ipod is still connected and again nothing is working. So anyone know what to do?

I am getting an error message of I/O operation error, when trying to sync my iPod. I have been having this problem since July when I updated to iTunes 7.7. After contacting Apple on numerous occasions, including driving over 50 miles one way to an Apple store to have some dead-behind-the-eyes kid tell me that he doesn't know why it won't work, I am still having difficulties syncing.
I have contacted Windows, since it was their error message, and was told that an I/O message is in regards to the outside device that I am trying to sync, which eliminates my PC from this equation. I am also able to successfully sync my old 4GB mini and my wife's nano without any issue. I believe that my Classic is not giving my PC the correct driver that it requires to connect and sync.
I have been going on almost 2 months without my iPod (what a waste of money!!!!)Please...somebody help, because it's pretty apparent that Apple could care less!!!!!

I can't get my ipod touch 2nd generation to sync with itunes, at the end of the sync the message ''the ipod cannot be synced, an unknown error occurred (13019)'' my sister who has the same ipod also has the same problem.

my sister who has the same ipod also has the same problem, i ve tried re downloading itunes and restoring factory settings on my ipod but nothing works!

Did you try all the suggestions mentioned here? iTunes Error 13019 during sync

The iPod Cannot Be Synced An Unknown Error Occured (-6999)

After trying to sync my iPod touch the bar on the bottom fills up to like 2gbs of other then i get the (-6999) error does anyone know how to fix this

check this thread http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10521108&#10521108.

Ipod cannot be updated. Unknown error (-39)

anyone have any ideas, i cant upload any of my songs or podcasts or photos.

You MUST use a USB 2.0... It does not work with a USB 1.0
I spent days hating my ipod before finding this out. Now it works perfectly.
Ciao

My iPod cannot sync because of unknown error -51

Before the new itune update I was able to sync my ipod successfully. Now with this update each time Im trying to sync my ipod touch, it stops and theres a simple pop up that states "Ipod cannot be synced. Unknown error occured (-51)" WHAT IS IT?? Please help.

I just this afternoon started getting error -50 when trying to sync my iphone to itunes (mac) even though it worked just 4 hours ago!

The ipod "name" cannot be updated, an unknown error has occurred (-48)

a few nights ago while i was updating songs to my ipod video, this thing appeared on the screen in a quick flash and i wasnt able to read what it said. then my computer blinked and resetted, causing my ipod to unplug without ejecting properly. so i pulled out the plug from the butt of the ipod only to find out that when i opened it, all my songs were gone. a good 3000 i think. i think i also pressed menu and play at the same time after that.
the ipod "name" cannot be updated, an unknown error has occurred (-48)
this is what keeps appearing on my i-tunes everytime i try to transfer songs to my ipod vid. the weird thing is that when i drag and drop songs from i-tunes to the ipod icon, it says its updating. but when its all done, not a single song appears on my ipod. and it also said something like "cannot be restored" and "ipod service error" on the ipod updater. i've tried on both computer and laptop and am experiencing the same problem. as of now, my ipod is working but it's just all empty. could anyone help? im so frustrated coz this is the second ipod i've purchased since the last one that broke down. thanks.

k i tried that but i couldnt find cupertino usa on my ipod. i did: date and time - set time zone - then a list of places come out with (DST) beside each of em. i chose bangkok (dst). tried to plug it again on i-tunes and the same darn thing appears. that dreaded -48 error. ill check out the rest of those links you guys posted anyway. thanks again for tryin to help.

TS1372 a message comes up when i plug in my iPod shuffle (version 1.0.2) and when i click to restore and update message comes up saying iPod could not be restored unknown error occurred (1430)

a message comes up when i plug in my iPod shuffle (version 1.0.2) and when i click to restore and update message comes up saying iPod could not be restored unknown error occurred (1430)

The linked article
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1372
has some suggestions. Did you try doing those things?

Ipod cannot be updated. an unknown error occured (-4).

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