My computer won't recognize my iPod Shuffle

I have a iPod shuffle and it won't sync with iTunes nor appear on "My Computer" page.
I've tried 4 different computers, and all I got is the same thing: nothing.
I don't know if I can put in on Disk Mode. If it's possible, please tell me how. If it's not, let's move on.
The cable chargers normally my iPod. So I don't think it's a problem on the cable itself.
What should I do?

Hello MayaraC,
The article linked below details some helpful troubleshooting steps that can get your iPod and your computer to communicate properly with each other.
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
Cheers,
Allen

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My computer does'nt recognize my ipod shuffle

My computer does'nt recognize my ipod shuffle! how can I do to fix it? thanks!

Try connecting the iPod to your iTunes library in recovery mode using the instructions in this Apple support document and restoring it to factory settings.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1808
B-rock

HT1351 My computer won't recognize my iPOD Touch even though it dose recognize my Clasic and New Nano. Any suggestions?

My computer won't recognize my iPOD Touch even though it does recognize my Clasic and Nano. Any suggestions?

Well, now I feel like an idiot. I was using TWO CORDS. Ya, don't make my mistake. The one I had a problem with was made by a company that was not apple, and it was for CHARGING. I bought it with charger, and that's all it can do. It doesn't send data like the real cable. So, check your usb cables. :S

My computer won't recognise my ipod shuffle

my computer won't recognise my ipod shuffle

So I recently had this same problem. My Shuffle 2nd gen would not be recognized by my iTunes. It had been a few years since i used it and at one point may have been connected to iTunes on a PC. After several tries at troubleshooting, I realized that maybe the device is corrupted. Since my iMac would not recognize the Shuffle, I connected to a PC and it appeared as a disk. I reformatted the Shuffle in FAT32, plugged it back into my iMac and iTunes recognized it just fine but as a new device. So if you have access to a PC, reformat it there and then try your Mac iTunes again.

Harddrive was replaced and now my computer won't recognize the IPOD

I recently had the hardrive replaced and now I can't seem to get it to charge, my itunes to recognize the ipod. I have tried several times restore and update. All I get is error messages "install wizard could not be completed" and "error in update manager". One thing...I have the IPOD with the color display and when I got it back and plugged it in (it worked long enough to download my music, but the display was in black and white. When I do get something on the screen it is a file with an exclaimation point and the www.apple.com/support/ipod website. HELP!!!!!

Hi,
A colour iPod without a workable system files, will display in play and white. I suggest that you should do a format first, before the Restore.
Please read the following for some suggestions
Hello,
If a sad iPod icon or an exclamation point and folder icon appears on your iPod’s screen, or with sounds of clicking or HD whirring, it is usually the sign of a hard drive problem and you have the power to do something about it now. Your silver bullet of resolving your iPod issue – is to restore your iPod to factory settings.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
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”
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2364921&#2364921
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 and HDD replacement (with Quicktimes)
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html
2.Press the reset button on the Hard Drive inside the iPod – Suggestion from Kill8joy
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2438774#2438774
Have I tried these 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
Re: try to restore ipod and it says "can't mount ipod"
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=443659&tstart=30
iPod making clicking noise and is frozen
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2420150#2420150
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.

New Computer Won't Recognize my IPOD

I have an IPOD mini and just got a new computer. When I plug it in, the computer says "usb device not recognized". When I look it up it says that there is no driver for the device. It still works fine on my old machine (a slower usb 1.1).

You may want to try these steps, Jacob, after you've installed and run the iPod Updater and your computer still won't recognize the iPod:
First, make hidden folders visible. Open My Computer and choose Tools/Folder Options/View tab. Click on 'Show hidden files and folders' and click OK.
In the Add New Hardware Wizard, have it search in C:\windows\inf for usbstor.inf. This file is required for windows to properly configure the driver. If Windows finds the driver there, you're done.
If Windows does not find the proper driver there, copy usbstor.sys from C:\windows\servicepack\i386 to C:\windows\system32\drivers.
If you can't find the usbstor.inf file on your system, you can get it here: usbstor.inf
After copying the usbstor.inf driver file to C:\Windows\inf, right-click on My Computer and choose Manage.'
Click on the button labeled 'Device Manager.'
Click to open the list under 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers.'
Right click on any mass storage devices with the exclamation icon next to them and select 'Update Driver.'
Check the option 'Install from a list or a specific location' and then click to continue.
Check next to 'Include this location in the search' and enter 'C:\windows\inf'.
Click on 'Next' and follow the steps to complete the driver installation wizard.

Itunes/computer won't recognize my ipod - my solution

I offer this only because I had a problem, it got solved and it might help others ...
And the answer was obvious, but only after I solved it ...
My computer wouldn't recognize my ipod. Connected it, nothing happened usually. iTunes wouldn't open. Sometimes it would recognize it for a second. It would toggle between recognition and nothing.
The answer, was simple.
My computer was old. I only had 256 ram.
iTunes is a memory hog.
When I realized this, I had better results when I closed out every other program and eliminated some processes.
But it still didn't work the way it should.
A new computer and a gig of ram ... all good.
Just wanted to share ...

See if any of these articles help.
Windows XP cannot detect an iPod.
USB drivers are not installed properly or are out of date.
iTunes 7 doesn't recognize the iPod.

My computer won't recognize my ipod anymore. after all the trouble shooting i don't have an apple mobile device driver how do i get one?

Please help me! my computer no longer recognizes my ipod. After troubleshooting for 2 days i think I need an apple mobile device driver. How can I get one?

See:
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
I would start with
Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7
or
Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP
Run this to help if it identifies the cause
iTunes for Windows: Device Sync Tests
Have you tried on another computer to help determine if you have a computer or iPod problem?

My computer doesn't recognize my ipod shuffle anymore

I have downloaded music before (a while ago actually) on my ipod shuffle (2nd generation). A couple of days ago I bought some music on itunes and when i connected my ipod to my computer it said that it doesn't recognize the usb port. Can somebody help me ?
Thanks and merry x-mas
France007

Hello France007,
It sounds like your iPod Shuffle is not being recognized in iTunes in Windows. I found this article for you to help troubleshoot the issue named:
iPod not recognized in My Computer and in iTunes for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1369
Here is a general overview of what the troubleshooting will entail:
1. Start with the iPod Troubleshooting Assistant
If you haven't already done so, use the iPod Troubleshooting Assistant that applies to your iPod. This will often solve your issue.
If you're still experiencing the issue after going through each of the steps in the assistant, continue with the steps below in this article. The most likely solutions are listed below (for both USB and FireWire (IEEE 1394) iPod connections). Check each section starting from the top of the list to see if that is what's keeping your iPod from appearing.
Note: To determine if your iPod syncs via USB or FireWire, check the table in the Additional Information section below.
2. If your iPod displays an exclamation point folder or sad iPod icon
3. Charge the iPod and make sure it is getting power
4. Secure the iPod's connections
5. Disconnect other USB Devices
6. Determine whether your iPod's cable functions properly
7. Place the iPod into Disk Mode
8. Determine which format the iPod is in
9. Verify that USB drivers are installed
10. Determine if Windows confuses iPod with a network drive
11. Determine if third-party software may be causing conflicts
12. Reinstall iTunes
13. Make sure FireWire card is a WHQL-certified IEEE 1394 card
14. Check for a conflict in the FireWire chain
15. Determine if there may be an issue with your computer
16. Your iPod needs service
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Take care,
Sterling

My Mac won't recognize my iPod shuffle 2nd generation

My Windows recognizes my iPod with no problem. But, whenever I plug my iPod into my Mac, nothing happens. I've tried resetting it, restoring it, I've restarted the computer and iPod, I've installed programs that may help the Mac recognize the iPod... and still nothing happens. I've read online that it could be useful for me to reformat the iPod from Windows to Mac but I have to do this through restoring it, which doesn't work. I've uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes. I don't know what else to do... does anyone know how to fix this?

At this point I'm not really sure what exactly was the cause of the error (and I suspect neither the Apple staff knows), but I can definitely confirm that the solution I've tried works. The idea is to basically be able to plug the iPod Shuffle 2G without opening iTunes, and then reformat completely the iPod from scratch using the Disc Utility tool. The only way (or at least one way) to do that is to launch the Mac in safe mode. These are the steps I followed, taken from user JWA:
"+I fully charged my iPod 2nd Gen with portable charger. Then connected to my shut down Mac.+
+Booted into into safe mode (hold down the shift key on startup). This will not allow iTunes to start with the iPod is connected. My iPod did not show in the finder, this I think is a good thing. I started "Disc Utility" and erased my iPod.+"
"+I restarted my Mac, iTunes started up and suggested I restore my iPod, when I clicked Restore the finder then didn't like the format and I ignored that dialog box. To my delight, the next box wanted me to name my iPod and I started with a fresh iPod and all is well. I hope this helps!+"
Like I said, I'm not sure if the issue is actually with the MS-DOS FAT32 format or something else, but reformatting the iPod seems to fix the problem. Just make sure that when you launch the Disc Utility tool in safe mode, that the iPod shows up as one of the drives. If not, remove it and put it back in the dock. It should show up as a drive. Then you can erase it.
Good luck!

My computer won't recognize my iPod

My iPod won't come up in My Computer, and the do Not Disconnect sign doesnt show up on my iPOD. How can i get my computer to recognize the iPOD?

hi Cleatis!
just checking. have you worked through this document yet?
Your Windows PC doesn't recognize iPod
love, b

TS1369 My new computer will not recognize my iPod Shuffle

My iPod Shuffle is not recognized by my new computer running Windows 7 and consequently the iPod will not sync with my library.

What exactly happens when you try to sync?
Does iTunes see the iPod?
Was the iPod previous synced to another iTunes library/computer?
Have you successfully synced from this iTunes library/computer before?
If so have you done anything like update iTunes on the computer since it last successfully synced?
Do the songs play in iTunes?
Does any media now sync to the iPod?
Do you have the right boxes checked to sync?
iTunes: Syncing media content to iOS devices and iPod
Try syncing using the manual method
Managing content manually on iPhone, iPad, and iPod

ITunes won't recognize my iPod shuffle.

1. My new iPod shuffle (tiny one) is plugged into the USB port. I open iTunes and get this message "iTunes has detected an iPod that appears to be corrupted. You may need to restore this iPod before it can be used with iTunes."
2. I restore the iPod (by pushing button in iTunes).
3. It reads "Your iPod has been restored... and is resetting."
4. Then I get the same #1 message.
5. I removed all the stuff on my hard drive that has either iTunes or iPod in the name, and installed iTunes (7.1.1) again. I also downloaded iPodResetUtility (1.0.2).
6. I ran the resetutility and got the same message in iTunes (#1).
I am operating on a Mac OSX 10.4.9 and took the iPod to a friend who was able to read it fine, no problem.
Now I'm wondering what I can do. It appears that the iPod itself is okay, but ?????
I'd appreciate any suggestions someone might have. Perhaps I will have to take my computer to a professional to have it straightened out??
I Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Hi there Wysia,
You may find the troubleshooting steps in the article below helpful.
iTunes: iPod not recognized in iTunes and Mac desktop
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1410
-Griff W.

Mac Computer won't recognize 3G iPod anymore!

So I have two different iPods, both 3rd generation (10GB and 20GB) which my computers won't recognize. When I go to system profiler, it shoes that an iPod is connected via firewire but that's it. Nothing shows up on my desktop or iTunes application. The iPod will say "do not disconnect" and it looks as if it's charging but that's about it.
FYI: The three different computers I've tried it on 1.) iMac G4 / 1.25 Ghz / 10.5.6 OS X / iTunes 8.0.2, 2.) iMac G4 / 1 Ghz / 10.5.6 OS X / iTunes 8.0.2, and 3.) MacBook Pro / 2.16 Ghz / 10.5.6 OS X / iTunes 8.0.2. NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK
I haven't used these iPods in a long time but they both are responsive to being charged (one of the iPods only seems to charge when in 'disk mode', though). All I'm trying to do basically is restore both of them to their original factory settings and than I hope to start using them again.
If anyone has any suggestions or has dealt with similar problems I'd appreciate any help you can offer me. I currently connect them to my computers through a firewire/dock cable as my usb/dock cable which came with the iPod doesn't seem to work. Sigh.
Thanks

Since you opened it, try disconnecting the battery and the hard drive connector. It connects at two points, one at the hard drive and one at the logic board. Visually inspect the connection points for any corrosion. Then firmly reconnect at those two points and reconnect the battery. Be care with the delicate ribbon cable and connector that connects the two halves of the case. Without closing the case completely, see if it works any better.
NOTE: When you are about to close the case, be sure to align the HOLD switch on the case with the mechanism on the logic board. You'll see what I mean. It is easy to forget and then you have to open the iPod again to get the HOLD switch to work.
It is very possible that the hard drive is faulty. It's the most common failure for any iPod with a hard drive inside.
Both the 10GB and 20GB 3G iPods are the thinner type, with the single-platter hard drive. Those drives go up to 30GB (used in the 4G iPod photo). However, the earlier 30GB drive was the thicker two-platter type, so that type will not fit inside your thin iPod (they were used in the thick body 3G iPod). I've never tried a 30GB thin drive in a 3G iPod, but I see no reason why it would not work.
The larger capacity drives used in later iPods (starting with the 5G "video" iPod) use a different type of connector, so they will not work in any 4G and earlier iPod.
Since you seem to have one of the two working, and those hard drives are a bit expensive (and probably sold as used on eBay), I would put the new battery in the one that works and use the other one for spare parts. The 3G parts, such as the logic board and screen, are interchangeable. The cost of buying a replacement hard drive will get to a good way toward a new iPod that does a lot more stuff.

TS1369 How do you unlock your Ipod when you have exceeded your attempts to unlock it? I have tried connecting it to the host computer but the computer won't recognize the Ipod because it is locked.

How do you unlock an Ipod Touch if you have exceeded your attempts for a valid password. I have connnected the Ipod to my host computer, but the computer doesnt recognize the Ipod because it is locked. The error I get on the Ipod is "Ipod Disabled - connect to Itunes."
thanks

Place the iPod in recovery mode and then restore. For recovery mode:
iPhone and iPod touch: Unable to update or restore

My computer won't recognize my iPod Shuffle

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