How to Troubleshoot & Restore a Paused iPod Touch Software Update

Restore your unresponsive iPod Touch software update.

During the iPod Touch software update you may experience an iTunes lockup, which can cause your iPod Touch to freeze during the updating process. When this happens, your iTunes program will become unresponsive and all data on your iPod Touch is at risk of being lost. This will require you to restore the program. Before updating your iPod Touch, it is strongly recommended that you back up your iPod Touch by syncing it to the iTunes software, in case the device experiences software conflicts during the upgrade process.

Things You'll Need

• iPod Touch USB cable
• iTunes 8 or later

Instructions

Force Quit iTunes on Macintosh Computer

1. Click the "Apple" icon at the top of your Macintosh screen, and select "Force Quit" from the drop-down menu.

2. Click "iTunes" in the Applications list, and click the "Force Quit" button. Click "Force Quit" on the dialog box to confirm the action.

3. Click the "iTunes" icon on your screen's dock to restart iTunes.

Force Quit iTunes on Windows PC

1. Press and hold the "Ctrl" and "Alt" buttons on your keyboard simultaneously, and press the "Delete" button. Click the "Applications" tab.

2. For Windows 7 users, press and hold "Ctrl" and "Alt" and press "Delete." Click "Start Task Manager" to open the Task Manager window.

3. Click" iTunes" in the Applications list, and click the "End Task" button. Click "Start" on your taskbar and click "Programs," "Apple" and "iTunes" to restart the program.

Restore and Update iPod Touch

1. Insert the wide end of the iPod Touch's cable into the bottom of the iPod, and insert the remaining end into the computer's USB port.

2. Click the "iPod Touch" tab in the iTunes sidebar, and click the "Restore" button in the main iTunes window.

3. Click the "Back up" button on the dialog box, and click "Restore" to proceed.

4. Click the box next to "Restore from the backup of iPod Touch" and click "Continue."

5. Click the "iPod Touch" tab once the restore is complete, and click "Check for Updates" button in the main iTunes window to update the software. Click the "Update Now" button and follow the on-screen instructions.

References

• Apple.com: Backing up, Updating and Restoring your iPhone or iPod Touch
• "iPod & iTunes For Dummies"; Tony Bove; 2010