Ipod shuffle skips

I've seen this problem reported before, but I've never seen a solution. My iPod shuffle skips horribly after a few minutes of use. I've reset, reinstalled software, reinstalled music, etc. Also, most of the songs are from the itunes music store. This thing is only three months old, and has endured very little use. I thought the whole point of flash drives was no more skipping.
Does anyone know of a solution?

Then it really isn't skipping at all (couldn't have been anyway) and isn't tied to ongoing strangeness with ITMS protected tracks. More detail does help to zero in on things.
Possibilities presented:
A. Simple mechanical fault at the interface between your earbuds minijack and the plug for it, or
B. Electrical fault at the same junction, or
C. Electronic fault internal to the iPS circuitry.
There's very little troubleshooting you can do at your end. In your place I would
1) Try different earbuds/earphones on the iPS, and/or
2) Try those earbuds on a different sound source, and
3) Try things like gently wiggling the minijack while playing, seeing if that caused any pattern of dropouts, and, finally, would also
4) Do simple things like cleaning the jack itself and cleaning/blowing debris out of the female plug area.
If no obvious answer comes out of those sample steps, then I'd have to suspect an internal fault that I can't get to and would either be headed back to the Apple Store or would be starting the replacement process as outlined in this page.

Similar Messages

IPod shuffle skipping?

I just got an iPod second generation, 1GB, for my birthday from friends. They opened it and put a book on it for me, because we like listening to them while driving.
I have listened to about half the book so far and it's experiencing random skipping. It will skip backwards three or four lines of the book, then roll forward, then skip back one line, go forward, etc. Sometimes it makes a static type of noise while this is going on. Then it will stop and the book plays perfectly.
Is this a fault in the iPod? I would hate to have to ask them for the receipt to have it sent back.

No, it's not on shuffle, or it would be re-ordering the sections of the book which are in five minute or so sections.

IPod Shuffle Skip Issues

I have had my Shuffle since November and am running into a strange problem. When using my Shuffle I can skip a random (3, 4, 12, 5, 10 ect...) number of songs in the skip mode and then all of a sudden my iPod stops working until I turn it off and back on again.
It will let me run through my songs in regular, nonskip mode but freezes everytime I use it in skip mode.
I have reset my iPod, reinstalled iTunes, restored the player and tried different USB ports in an attempt to fix the problem.
I was thinking that it could be trying to skip to a corrupt song or something like that, but I am not sure if that can cause a problem or not.
Any thoughts or ways to check for bad songs and repair them in iTunes would be greatly appriciated.
Also I am using XP Home Edition, iTunes 6, and the updater from a few days ago.
Thanks
1GB Shuffle Windows XP

I was having similar issues. Tried updating, resetting the shuffle like they suggest,(which I am convinced does nothing,) and finally figured out a solution on my own.
Opened up my computer on my desktop and noticed my comp. was not recognizing it as the name I gave it but rather just removeable drive F:
I tried to open it and it said there wasn't anything there. After clicking ok my comp said that drive F: was not formatted and asked if I wanted to format it. I clicked yes and was on my way again.
See if that helps some of you.

IPod Shuffle Skipping Issue

I bought my iPod just less than 2 weeks ago and now recently it is just randomly skipping my music and not at the same point like a CD it just randomly skips everywhere, and I can hardly get it to play a whole song.
BTW I'm not pressing the buttons.
I'm thinking of returning it and maybe getting a new nano.
What should I do?

This is happening to me as well, I have some MP3's at 64kbps, mostly audiobooks, that ALWAYS skip, i've tried breaking the 15 mb, 30-40 minute filed into 10 minute chunks, with no help, when this first happened, i got a warranty replacement, thought it was a hardware issue, some of my music mp3s do it too (Also Sprach Zarathustra, 17:29 minutes, 128 kbps). every one of these files play flawlessly in itunes and on my previos 3G and 5.5G ipods.

Ipod shuffle skipping first part of songs

I found another post but it had been archived with no apparent resolution. I've owned a 1st gen shuffle for 18 months and I notice it's now skipping the beginning of songs as it runs through the playlist. Sometimes it starts a song at the end then goes to next song. I've tried re-installing the software, changing playlists etc but nothing works. Suggestions greatefully received. Thx alan

I've recently started to experience this.
I've had my Shuffle for some time (bought it not long
after they first came out) and had not problems with
it.
I **think** this started happening after a Shuffle
software update. I've tried restoring it from within
iTunes but the problem hasn't gone away.
I'm using a Mac with up to date OS and iTunes.
Anyone out ther able to help - it's really annoying
as every song starts about haplf way through.
Have you tried the Reset Utility? Follow directions EXACTLY...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305204

All the time I plug my iPod Shuffle to my iTunes it says it needs to be restore and after I restored it and add music it only skips song after song without playing one completely. What should I do?

All the time plug my iPod Shuffle to my iTunes it says it needs to be restore, and after I restored it and add music, it skips song after song without playing one completely. What should I do?

Hello there, san blasted.
The following page links to the iPod Troubleshooting Assistants. Feel free to review the recommendations for your particular iPod:
Apple - Support - iPod Troubleshooting Assistants
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

TS1412 My iPod shuffle periodically skips across multiple songs...playing a song or two and then jumping forward or back multiple songs after playing only moments of a song. Please tell me what I can do to fix this. Thanks

My iPod shuffle periodically skips across multiple songs...playing a song or two in full and then jumping forward or back multiple songs after playing only moments of a song. Please tell me what I can do to fix this situation. Thank you very much.

This is in regards to a 4th gen 40gb clickwheel ipod.
Hi, i've also been having a very similar problem with my ipod as well. I find that regardless of which windows-based pc i use (either my xp laptop @ home, or my win2000 desktop @ work) windows and itunes refuses to recognise my ipod. In windows explorer it will show it as a removable drive, but if i click on it, windows freezes. If I try to disconnect it, I cant because windows keeps reporting that 'the device is being used, try disconnecting later' and so then i shut down my laptop to disconnect it safely.
Lately, like you, i've also noticed that clicking sound it makes. It happens when i connect my ipod to my computer - like the drive inside it is constantly restarting or something, and i get it when i'm playing / charging it in my dock. I've also noticed that when it's playing whilst charging, it just freezes on a song, then skips a couple of songs.
I've just discovered the disgnostic tools on my ipod, so i think i'll run a couple of tests (ie HDD scan) and depending on the outcome, i'll go visit the apple store.

Can I load and skip through multiple playlists on iPod shuffle 2nd gen?

For the sake of this discussion, let's assume I have a workout playlist and a dining jazz playlist in iTunes.
Q1: I understand that I can manually select "a" playlist in iTunes and move that to my iPod shuffle. And I understand how to manually order the songs to be stored in that same order on the shuffle. Can I move both playlists and have both ordered they I way I choose in iTunes? I am assuming yes.
Q2: Once both playlists exist on the shuffle, can I skip between playlists? Is there a short cut key or key sequence on the shuffle to do this? I understand the shuffle button to use shuffle or not shuffle. I want to play only workout songs while working out and jazz while dining. Or do I have to download songs from iTunes before I workout and then again before dining to only get the playlist I want for that activity?
Thanks.
mac os Mac OS X (10.4) iPod shuffle 2nd generation
mac os Mac OS X (10.4.8)
mac os Mac OS X (10.4.8)

For the sake of this discussion, let's assume I have
a workout playlist and a dining jazz playlist in
iTunes.
Q1: I understand that I can manually select "a"
playlist in iTunes and move that to my iPod shuffle.
And I understand how to manually order the songs to
be stored in that same order on the shuffle. Can I
move both playlists and have both ordered they I way
I choose in iTunes? I am assuming yes.
Assuming is always dangerous... the answer is NO. ONLY if you combine BOTH lists by dragging the contents of teh second one onto the Shuffle will you have ALL the songs on the Shuffle.
Q2: Once both playlists exist on the shuffle, can I
skip between playlists? Is there a short cut key or
key sequence on the shuffle to do this? I understand
the shuffle button to use shuffle or not shuffle. I
want to play only workout songs while working out and
jazz while dining. Or do I have to download songs
from iTunes before I workout and then again before
dining to only get the playlist I want for that
activity?
You can't skip to a different "playlist" directly... you can only go to the beginning of teh Shuffle's stored songs by 3 quick presses of PLAY. Otherwise you can skip back and forth with the |<< and >>| buttons.
Thanks.

How to Play Overdrive Media Books on an iPod Shuffle 4th Gen

Hi,
Many libraries use Overdrive Media to manage audio books in various formats. Once you have downloaded the book to the Overdrive Media Console on your computer, you can then choose to transfer it to a device (such as an iPod or other mp3 player). When transferring WMA files with an iPod shuffle 4th Gen (I'm not sure about other gens) this creates a number of files with bizzare titles. When you go to the book section on the iPod it will play the first section and then it will just continually loop and you never go on to the next section. After working with this for a while I've figured out how to make this work. This is not what I consider a satisfactory solution but more of a work-around. I hope that Apple will produce a fix that will remedy this situation as a lot of people download audio books from the library.
1. When you transfer WMA audiobook content to your iPod, Overdrive Media does it via iTunes. I believe it usese iTunes to perform a file conversion. Once the conversion is complete, it transfers the converted file to your shuffle. If you watch this occur, you will notice that while it is converting the file, it assigns it a strange number like 10347. As each part of the book is transferred, write down its number. You have to catch it during the conversion as once the part is converted it reverts to its title (something like "Where the Red Fern Grows Part 01"). But that title is never transferred to the iPod. It retains the strange number.
2. You will notice that as each file is converted, the number goes up. So as you write them down, they will look like 10347, 11671, 12003, 12865... etc. I have no idea what these numbers mean but they become your section titles on the audio when the Voiceover button is pressed. One other thing, sometimes the numbers restart like so: 18567, 19325, 345, 907... Again, not sure why but you must keep the order they were converted and transferred as this is the order in which you'll want to play them back.
3. Now you will have a list of numbers indicating the different parts of the book. Turn on your iPod and use the Skip Forward button to until you hear the book start. Listen to the fist section until you hear it start to repeat. There will be no pause or anything so sometimes it is hard to pick up where the part ended. Once the part has ended, hold the Voiceover button and listen to the strange number. Next press the Skip Back button and listen to the other strange numbers which will be in order, last-to-first. When you get to the number indicating the next part, press the Play button and you will now be on the next part.
NOTE: if you press the play button on the wrong part (strange number), it will shuffle that part to the end of the playlist. But if you have the part numbers written down in order this won't be a problem. Also, if you hit the forward skip or backwards skip while playing a part, it will skip to some place in that part. You can get back to your original spot by skipping again a few times more in the same direction.
EXAMPLE:
Let's say you are transferring a 4 part book to the iPod. During this transfer you note the strange numbers during conversion like so:
Part 1 = 11278
Part 2 = 11942
Part 3 = 12512
Part 4 = 13398
Now your book is on the Shuffle. Turn on the Shuffle and listen for the start of the book. If it is playing something else like music or a podcast, press the Skip Forward button until you hear the audiobook begin. This is usually accompanied by music and has the title of the book, etc. At this point you can press and hold the Voiceover button and you will hear "11278" pronounced. Release the Voiceover button and let this part of the book play to the end.
You will then at some point hear that part of the book start over. Press and hold the Voiceover button and start using the Skip Back button. You will hear in this order: "11278, 13398, 12512, 11942". When you hear "11942" press the Play button and Part 2 of the book will begin. Continue this process for each part until you reach the end of the book.
I've listened to several books using this method and it has worked fine. It is sort of fiddly and you have to do some things that I think iTunes or the Shuffle should do but until Apple does something about this, it is the only way that it will work that I've been able to find.
Regards,
medinabrett

It sounds like the Windows Media security update in Para x, below, may not have been done and your music setting may have been on Repeat. As a review, here is a list of steps that may help clear the problems up.
Many libraries worldwide now use Overdrive Media Console, which comes in Mac an Windows versions http://www.overdrive.com/Software/omc . Some find the mobile device transfer process confusing. To load or delete a WMA or MP3 (Macs can only download MP3 books) audiobook onto an Apple mobile device see the "How to Transfer to a Portable Device" video in the guides at Step 7, then do the following.
1. For Windows versions, you must first do a security update of Windows Media Player (even though you won't be using it) using Internet Explorer at http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/indivsite .
2. Open iTunes, plug the mobile device into the computer USB port and open the Overdrive Media Console.
3. Highlight the mobile device in the left hand menu of iTunes and insure the "Manually manage music and videos" box is checked in the Summary Tab. If the mobile device storage is full, transfering will delete that portion of music necessary for the ebook.
4. Highlight the book you want to transfer in the Overdrive Media Console and click the Transfer Button. A window opens permitting you to click the boxes for parts of the book you wish to transfer.
5. After the book has been transfered, when you click the disclosure triangle (arrow) to the left of the iPod, iPhone, or iPad in the Device section of the left hand menu of iTunes, MP3 books will show up under the Music subsection and WMA books will show up in the Books subsection. Once the mobile device is disconnected from iTunes, MP3 books will show up in the Songs list of the mobile device and WMA books will show up in the Books list.
6. To remove a book from a mobile device plug the device into the USB port and open iTunes. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of your iPod, iPhone, or iPad in the Device section of the left hand menu of iTunes so that you can see the device’s subcontents. For an MP3 book select the Music subsection, right click on the book and choose Delete. For a WMA book, select the Book subsection, right click on the book and choose Delete.
7. The Overdrive Media Console Guided Tour (videos) is at http://www.overdrive.com/Solutions/Libraries/tour/MenuWelcome.html . The "Portable Devices" and "How to Transfer to a Portable Device" videos are there.
8. To find a nearby library for ebooks search http://search.overdrive.com . You can download the software, search for books and see tutorials without an account at the website of any library that uses Overdrive, however, you need a library card to download books. At this library site, for example, the software and guided tour are at the bottom of the left hand menu.
http://washoecounty.lib.overdrive.com/539A4B98-B41A-49DE-8EC1-A22F66E4C0F6/10/41 9/en/default.htm .

HT1459 Just bought a new ipod shuffle for my kid and cannot set it up because it does not show up in itunes. Also the charging light does not light up. what could be wrong, as i am able to see both my iphone and ipad on itunes on the same pc?

Just bought a new 4th gen iPod Shuffle for my kid. Problem is I cannot do the initial set up, as the device does not show up on iTunes on my PC. Also the charging does not light up. Any ideas on what could be wrong, as I am able to see both my iphone and iPad on iTunes using the same PC?

I also tried manually underlining a few things on the new iPad and when highlighting a paragraph, it would skip a few lines and the line would go through a few as well. Looks like a major iBooks glitch needs to be addressed here.

Ipod shuffle is not recognized by any computer or itunes

I have a first gen. ipod shuffle. It does not show up in Windows or Itunes on two different computers. The original problem was that it would not skip to the next song. I was going to reset or restore it, but I can't because neither computer (dell) that i own recognizes the shuffle. Help anyone?

I have downloaded that utility but can not use it, as
when I plug the shuffle into the USB port, it is not
recognized by either computer I am using. I can not
reset or restore, because in order to do that the
computer would have to know the shuffle is plugged in
and it doesnt. I have tried this on two different
computers and get the same result, so I dont think
its a computer issue, its an ipod issue. I also used
to be albe to play the shuffle on the Xbox 360 and
now can not.
Just as a check, did you actually follow the THESE directions...EXACTLY?
Using iPod shuffle Reset Utility
1. Quit all running applications on your computer.
2. Open the iPod shuffle Reset Utility.
3. Connect iPod shuffle to a USB port on your computer. Do not connect iPod shuffle to a USB port on your keyboard or other non-powered USB hub.
4. Click the Restore button. If prompted, enter an Admin user name and password.
5. The restore process will start.
6. When it is complete, quit iPod shuffle Reset Utility and open iTunes to sync music to your iPod shuffle.

IPod Shuffle (2nd Gen) - All Appears Well, but No Music Plays through Buds

I recently purchased yet another iPod Shuffle (2nd Gen), after frying the 1st one. This one synched and played well for about a month. Recently during a run it stopped playing. I assumed it needed to be charged. I fully charged. iTunes recognizes it - and displayed all my music. However, it still wouldn't play any music through the ear buds. I tried the reset (toggle on / off hold) - didn't work. I put it back on iTunes and reset it back to factory settings, reloaded it with music, iTunes still recognizes it, yet still won't play. It appears to be functioning properly - except for the "playing of music" part. iTunes recognizes it, the music is displayed in iTunes. When I turn the shuffle on the light glows green, then goes out. When I push the volume up or down - the green light blinks once for each push. When I push the skip forward or back button the green light blinks once for each push. No orange lights anywhere. But no music plays. Please help!!

Just thought I'd post to say that I'm having the same problem.
Everything appears to be normal with my shuffle: iPod syncs, all the lights are doing what they're supposed to be doing, I can see the music I put on the shuffle.
I too went back to factory settings, reloaded tunes, etc. etc. I have also checked both the earbuds I'm using (they work) and tried the shuffle with other earbuds (earbuds I tested elsewhere and which also work)... no sound.
Is it possibly related to the recent iTunes software update 8.0.2 (20)? I ran it on Friday and things were fine on my shuffle immediately after. But the next time I tried to use it -- no sound.
That update is the only change I can think of that my shuffle experienced proximate to the problem.

1st Generation iPod Shuffle - Won't be recongized by two Macs

Hi... I've read through a lot of topics on this forum and it looks like at some point, these things just stop working (at least, the USB connector stops working).
My iPod Shuffle, 1st Generation, 512MB, can:
- Play Music
- Turn on and off
- Skip forward and backwards
... shows a green light for the charge indicator.
But I cannot get either my G5 or my MacBook to see it, and I've tried every USB port on both computers. iTunes doesn't see it, System Profiler doesn't see it. And hence, I can't use iPod Reset Utility.
I've tried three of the five Rs: Reset, Restart, Re-Try, but cannot Restore it via iTunes (obviously).
My guess, since there weren't any solutions posted here to many similar messages, that there's no recovery from this status.
Confirm?

Try 2 more things:
1. With the Shuffle connected to your computer Reset it, i.e., turn it off and on.
2. If 1 does not work, power down your Mac, connect the Shuffle and power up the Mac.
If neither work it is probably a broken USB connector.

Brand New Ipod Shuffle 4th Gen Buttons Don't Work?

I just bought my mum an Ipod Shuffle 4th Gen for Mother's day. I just set it up on the computer, ripped some of her CDs onto iTunes, let the iPod charge a little and synced it up with her songs.
Turned it on, music started - then I pressed the 'next song button'. Nothing happened. Held it for a while to see if it would fast forward. Nope! Tried skip back, tried volume increase/decrease... none of them work. It's only the buttons in the white circle that don't work, everything else seems to be fine. I tried holding the play button to see if the buttons had been locked, but whenever I lock/unlock the buttons it always flashes orange as if they're permanently locked.
I reset the iPod - no luck there. I then went into iTunes and did a factory restore - but the problem persists. We don't have an iTunes store anywhere near us (I'd have just popped in there with it) and I really don't want to have to go down the route of sending it off for a replacement/refund if possible, as this is a gift and I expected it to work out of the box. Is there anything I might be missing, any hints or tips, or does this definitely seem like a hardware issue? At the moment I'm just letting it charge fully before I try again, though I'm not sure that will help.

Your iPod comes with 90days of complimentary tech support from Apple.... give 'em a call... they should be able to assist

Listening to Ipod Shuffle with Windows or other media player

Is there any way to listen to an Ipod Shuffle through any computer without the use of the Itunes software, like through Windows Media Player, Real player or Quicktime, simply by attaching the shuffle to the dock and usb port as a "removable hardware device?" I would also like to know why some downloaded songs stop in the middle of them and it quickly skips onto the next track/song? What is up with that? It's quite annoying.

Not with the iPod Shuffle dock, no.
iPods were designed to work w/ iTunes as an integrated hardware/software system. Maybe other, bigger, pods will do what you want, but the shuffle dock can only sync w/ the comp (exchange data) and charge the pod, it does not provide an audio connection to the comp via USB.
That said, if you use the appropriate cable w/ a 1/8" plug to connect a Shuffle to a comp, powered speakers, or stereo system, the pod will function as a music player just fine, but it will not charge while connected in that way.
When a Shuffle is in its dock and connected to a comp, if you 'play' its displayed contents in iTunes, the comp is actually playing the music files that reside on its hard drive, not the music files on the pod.
Regarding your 'skipping' song downloads, I suspect that the files were not fully downloaded. Is it always the same songs that don't finish and skip to the next song? Where were they downloaded from?

Ipod shuffle skips

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