My iPod Won't Show Anything But A Brighter Black Screen.

My iPod Touch 5g had been working just fine for the last 8 months, and even this morning. But, as I was getting into my car, I turned it on and nothing but a brighter black screen showed up. After a few tries of just pressing the on/off button it finally turned on. It worked for a while then, it just wouldn't turn on at all. When I got home, I plugged it in to the charger and it did the same brighter black screen. It's like it turns on in the background but doesn't let the actual screen show. I've plugged it into my computer and the wall, I've held the home and on/off button together but neither are working. It will also play music from my speakers if I press play on the speakers but it won't show me anything but a brighter black screen. Any tips?

Brighter black? Black is black. It has no shades.
Please tell me that it has NEVER been jailbroke. If that's the case, here are some standard repair procedures:
First, try a system reset. It cures many ills and it's quick, easy and harmless...
Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears. You will not lose any apps, data, music, movies, settings, etc.
If the Reset doesn't work, try a Restore. Note that it's nowhere near as quick as a Reset. It could take well over an hour! Connect via cable to the computer that you use for sync. From iTunes, select the iPad/iPod and then select the Summary tab. Follow the on-screen directions for Restore and be sure to say "yes" to the backup. You will be warned that all data (apps, music, movies, etc.) will be erased but, as the Restore finishes, you will be asked if you wish the contents of the backup to be copied to the iPad/iPod. Again, say "yes."
At the end of the basic Restore, you will be asked if you wish to sync the iPad/iPod. As before, say "yes." Note that that sync selection will disappear and the Restore will end if you do not respond within a reasonable time. If that happens, only the apps that are part of the IOS will appear on your device. Corrective action is simple - choose manual "Sync" from the bottom right of iTunes.
If you're unable to do the Restore (or it doesn't help), go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here. You WILL lose all of your data (game scores, etc,) but, for the most part, you can redownload apps and music without being charged again. Also, if you have IOS-7, read this.

Similar Messages

TS1463 My ipod won't show anything BUT the red "x"...What do I do?

I turn on my ipod and after the apple logo comes the red "x" It's a couple months old...NEVER been dropped..What can I do to fix this other than paying out my butt to apple.?

See here: iPod Displays a Red "X" Icon
Note that it is often the sign of a hardware failure, usually with the iPod's hard drive. You can try slapping it again your leg with a bit of force as it may just be that the drive's read/write head is out of place.
If no luck you'll want to have your iPod serviced or replaced either by Apple or a third party repair company.
B-rock

My 5th gen Ipod won't do anything but show the " Connect to your computer, use itunes to restore" screen. However my computer nor anyone else's will recognize my ipod. What can I do?

My ipod will not do anything but show a screen that asks to "connect ipod to computer, use itunes to restore" My computer however will not recognize my ipod at all so there is no way to restore my ipod. I am not skilled in computers but if anyone has a step by step that would be great.

Did you try a hard reset with the iPod still connected to your PC? Have you tried multiple USB ports, preferably high powered USB 2.0 ports?
To do a hard reset, first make sure the hold switch is in the Off position, then press and hold both the Select (Center) and Menu buttons together long enough for the Apple logo to appear.
Have you also worked through each and every single troubleshooting suggestion in this Apple support document?
iPod not recognized in 'My Computer' and in iTunes for Windows
B-rock

Ipod won't do anything but restore

Hello,
I've had my ipod for about 6 months now working fine. All of the sudden when I put a new cd on it, it needs to restore. Fine... but since I had itunes up my ipod showed I had all those songs, but they were empty. I restored it again, and now itunes no longer picks it up and all I can do is restore. It just flashes the do not disconnect screen. I have followed the procedures of switching ports, updating and reinstalling, resetting, and of course restoring. It worked great, now it does not work at all. Please help.
Thanks... Patrick

Did you try a hard reset with the iPod still connected to your PC? Have you tried multiple USB ports, preferably high powered USB 2.0 ports?
To do a hard reset, first make sure the hold switch is in the Off position, then press and hold both the Select (Center) and Menu buttons together long enough for the Apple logo to appear.
Have you also worked through each and every single troubleshooting suggestion in this Apple support document?
iPod not recognized in 'My Computer' and in iTunes for Windows
B-rock

Brand new Ipod touch. we attached to the computer because we don't have wifi. Now what. We set up in ID in itunes. The Ipod won't do anything, just shows itunes on screen but won't budge.

Brand new Ipod touch. We attached to the computer because we don't have wifi. Now what? We set up in ID in itunes. The Ipod won't do anything, just shows itunes on screen but won't budge.

To get iTunes to see your iPod:
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
or
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X

IPhone black screen does not show anything, but I can hear that the device works. I hear the lock open the screen and hear the iPod but the screen remains black

IPhone black screen does not show anything, but I can hear that the device works. I hear the lock open the screen and hear the iPod but the screen remains black!!

It's happened to me before as well. Try holding both lock(top right) and home buttons simultaneously until u see a slight flash of wight then just reboot it normally. If that doesn't work try restoring your device from itunes

My iPod won't show up in iTunes but it does in my pc, isn't iTunes problem!

My iPod won't show up in iTunes, but it does in My Pc. And I want to say that is not an iTunes problen, cause I have an iPod nano, and it works perfect with iTunes and with windows. My iPod won't show up in any computer at all, so I have read all the articles here in Support, and none of them give me a solution. I need to restore my iPod but I can't cause doesn't appear in the source list in iTunes. Do I have to send it to Technical Support? Please Help Me someone, cause I've been posting messages for one week now, and I haven't got an answer!! Pleaseee!!

You can try putting it into disk mode to see if it makes it easier on iTunes to recognize it.
To put your iPod into disk mode:
1) make sure your hold switch is OFF (NO ORANGE SHOWING)
2) hold the menu button and the center button at the same time for about 6-10 seconds until you see an apple logo
3) AS SOON AS you see the apple logo, release the two buttons and hold down center and play/pause
4) If you've done this properly you should now see Disk Mode Ok To Disconnect with a checkmark (when connected to your computer you should see Do Not Disconnect with Disk Mode at the top)
After you have the iPod in disk mode...see if iTunes picks it up then.
Keep me update.
-Wyett

HT1459 I did an update on my ipod touch, now it says it is in restore mode. i don't want to lose my info, but my ipod won't do anything now. thanks itunes; it was working fine until i did the update you said i needed. what do i do now??????

I did an update on my ipod touch, now it says it is in restore mode. i don't want to lose my info, but my ipod won't do anything now. thanks itunes; it was working fine until i did the update you said i needed. what do i do now??????

No one here said anything about an update or your device needing it.
FYI, you are not addressing Apple here, we are all users like yourself.
If the device is in recovery mode, the only option is to restore it. All data on the device is gone. This should not be an issue if the device has been used as designed and regularly synced/backed up.

I can't delete apps on my iPad does anybody knows how to fix it. Also I can't open any iWork apps ,they open but won't show anything.

I can't delete apps on my iPad does anybody knows how to fix it. Also I can't open any iWork apps ,they open but won't show anything.

If the whole iPad freezes then something else is going on. Try this next. Close all apps in the recents tray and restart your iPad.
Go to the home screen first by tapping the home button. Double tap the home button and the recents tray will appear with all of your recent apps displayed at the bottom. Tap and hold down on any app icon until it begins to wiggle. Tap the minus sign in the upper left corner of the app that you want to close. Tap the home button or anywhere above the task bar.
Restart the iPad by holding down on the sleep button until the red slider appears and then slide to shut off. To power up hold the sleep button until the Apple logo appears and let go of the button.

What do I do when my iPod touch freezes and I turn it off and it won't show anything?

I looked at my Ipod touch and the screen was all white.
I pushed both of the buttons and held them like I was told to,
and it went off and won't show anything...
I don't know what to do to turn it back on....

- Let the battery fully drain. After charging for at least an hour try:
iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- If not successful then time for an appointment at the genius Bar of an Apple store.

20g ipod won't show on computer

my ipod won't show up on my computer anywhere, it is making wierd hard drive noise, can someone please help me.

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”
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.

Triangle by iPod won't show up...at all.

The disclosure triangle that is supposed to be to the left of the name of my iPod won't show up at all. It did once and that is it. I have restarted and restarted, unplugged and replugged, logged-in and logged-out, and exited iTunes numerous times and I can't get the arrow to show up. It is a pain and I was hoping that someone has experienced this before and can give me some suggestions. I'm relatively new to iPod/iTunes and I am just very frustrated and would like to manually put songs on my iPod but w/out the triangle to the left...I don't know what to do. Thanks in advance!
Dell Inspiron 9100 Windows XP

I do have music on my iPod. When I first plugged it in it automatically put music on it. Then when the triangle appeared I could get to the summary tab and selected the manually sync music...and then I deleted some music I didn't want on it and ever since...no triangle. I can't even get to the summary tab w/out the triangle..can I? Thanks for your help...but I'm not sure the problem has been solved...

Ipod won't show on powerbook

I have tried looking at all the posts for this subjuect and nothing is helping. There are people who figure it out on there own , but they don't tell what they did. I have an Ipod nano that connects to my eMac and use to connect to my PB G3. All of a sudden my Ipod won't show up on the PB. I have tried resetting numerous times, I have downloaded the Ipod updater, but if it doesn't see it it doesn't do any good. I have put the Ipod in disk mode and that doesn't help any, I have tried finding it in disk utility and it still isn't there. I can't restore since the PB doesn't see it and restarting the computer doesn't help. I'm probably just driving myself crazy because it still works fine on the desktop but I am no always at the desktop.
HELP!!! please!!
Tim

Hi
Have you read this
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61937

My ipod won't show up on my computer. I have another ipod touch, that works fine. What should I do? Do I need a different ipo usb cord for the nano?

my ipod won't show up on my computer. I have another ipod touch, that works fine. What should I do? Do I need a different ipo usb cord for the nano?

iTunes never displays the iPod in the left pane?
iTunes is shipped with a "helper application" called the "iPod Service" that runs and is used by iTunes to communicate with the iPod device. This service may be disabled.
If your system is Microsoft Windows XP and you are logged in as an Administrator:
1. Quit iTunes and, if your iPod is currently connected to your computer, safely remove it using the system tray application to manage removable devices.
2. Right click on "My Computer"
3. Select "Manage"
4. In the "Computer Management" window, left pane (tree view), follow this path:
+Computer Management (local) > Services and Applications > Services+.
5. In the right pane, scroll down to "iPod Service" and double click it.
6. If the service is listed as "Disabled" and "Stopped," change to "Manual" and "Start" it. ("Manual" will cause it to start when iTunes starts and "Start" starts the service right now.)
7. Close "Computer Management"
8. Restart iTunes and wait for it to completely come up.
9. Reconnect your iPod.
Does your iPod show up in iTunes?

My ipod touch just shows the charge symbol on the screen and i checked whether there is a problem in the charger but it works perfectly on my iphone 4 and when my ipod is connected to the computer itunes is not recognising my device pls help me

my ipod touch just shows the charge symbol on the screen and i checked whether there is a problem in the charger but it works perfectly on my iphone 4 and when my ipod is connected to the computer itunes is not recognising my device pls help me

tmplHi pranoop,
If you are having an issue with your iPod touch not being recognized by iTunes when connected to your Windows computer, I would suggest that you troubleshoot using the steps in this article -
iPhone, iPad, or iPod not recognized in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Sincerely,
Brett L

My iPod Won't Show Anything But A Brighter Black Screen.

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