How to Reset Your iPod Manually

Although iPods are generally very reliable products, they do have their share of technical issues. Luckily, most of these issues can be resolved with a simple system reset. This reset forcibly cuts off the power to the iPod and forces the operating system to restart. Performing this reset is the first step when troubleshooting your iPod when it freezes or behaves erratically.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what type of iPod you have. If you have a classic, nano or shuffle model, you will need to reset using the click wheel. If you have a Touch model, you will need to use the sleep/wake and home buttons, located on the face of the iPod.

2. Place your iPod horizontally on a flat surface with the LCD screen up. This position allows you to apply even pressure to the different buttons, and will keep the Touch's accelerometer stable.

3. Toggle the hold function a few times and then make sure it is set to the unlocked position. This will ensure that the buttons on the iPod (particularly on click-wheel models) are not malfunctioning due to a loose hold button.

4. Press the "menu" and the middle "select" button at the same time, if you have a click wheel model. For those with a Touch model, hold the sleep/wake button and the home button simultaneously. It is very important that these buttons be pressed itogether, or the iPod will not reset.

5. Hold the buttons down for 10 seconds. You will then see a black screen with an Apple logo, with a status bar at the bottom. If the reset is successful, the iPod screen will return to normal after a minute or so.

Tips & Warnings

• If your reset was not successful, or if your iPod freezes very frequently, you should visit an Apple service center or upgrade your device.

Resources

• Official Apple Support Site