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Home : DIY & Tutorials : Fixed: What To Do When Your iPod Won’t Sync

Goodbye Turntables: Welcome To The iPod DJ Revolution Where Anyone Can Be a MP3J
FP, WikimediaImages, OCV

Fixed: What To Do When Your iPod Won’t Sync

Having syncing issues with your iPod is a common problem. Here's how to fix it.

November 29, 2005 by jayfrankwilson
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Is your iPod being bad? Is it having problems syncing or talking to iTunes? Let’s try to troubleshoot some common problems why your iPod won’t sync.

Having syncing issues with your iPod is a common problem. For example, here’s a letter from a MethodShop.com reader named Kate:

Minted Methodshop“my ipod froze the other day and i did the online steps to unfreeze it. It did unfreeze but now i have no songs. The songs are still on my computer itunes software but not on my actual ipod. Some thing is coming up each time i connect my ipod saying something about automatically updating my ipod each time i reconnect it. And i clicked ‘yes’ to this the first time i reconnected after the ipod froze. I cannot get all my songs to update back onto my ipod. What can i do to get them back on. ~kate.

Kate,

AutoSyncing the music from your computer back onto your iPod shouldn’t be a problem. The fact that your iPod is freezing during this process means your iPod probably has an issue with its hard drive. Here are some common fixes.

Erase Your iPod

Hopefully your iPod’s hard drive is just fragmented. An easy way to fix a number of issues with an iPod is to erase it.

How To Erase Your Ipod

How To Erase iPod Tutorial — The Super Fix for Most iPod Problems

If your iPod is acting really weird, then maybe you should try erasing it. This erase iPod tutorial will cure most iPod problems.

Read moreHow To Erase iPod Tutorial — The Super Fix for Most iPod Problems

Replace Your iPod’s Hard Drive

If erasing your iPod doesn’t work, you, unfortunately, could have a bad hard drive. If your iPod is still under warranty, please contact Apple about getting it replaced. If your iPod is no longer covered under warranty, please contact the guys at RapidRepair. They not only colorize and customize iPods, but they can also replace bad parts and make repairs.

Tweak Your iPod AutoSync Settings

For more information about AutoSyncing your iPod with your computer, please check out this page.

Ipod And Itunes

How to Fix iPod Auto Sync So It Doesn’t Erase Your Music

Have you ever plugged your iPod into a computer and watched in horror as all the music on got erased? If so, it sounds like you have an “Auto Sync” problem.

Read moreHow to Fix iPod Auto Sync So It Doesn’t Erase Your Music

Hopefully your iPod will be back from the dead in no time.


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Category: DIY & Tutorials, Technology Tag: iPod
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    Hello, I have a 2 or 3 yr old 80gig ipod. When I plug it into my PC/Windows/Vista…I get the connecting/circular arrows & then it says I can eject? It won&#39t sync into the itunes library. "eHow" said to go into itunes & select the ipod icon in itunes with my ipod to reformat. But it won&#39t even get in! So how could I select it?!? All I want to do now is to just dump it all & reformat it. I have all my music backed up on my wife&#39s nano ipod. So i&#39m safe. Then I came to your site. You told me to just go to "My Computer" on my desktop…which there is nothing that says "My computer" on my desktop.(I went to "computer" instead)And right click on ipod (which is NOT there). And that was as far as I could go BECAUSE BOTH OF THE 1ST TWO THINGS YOU SAID TO LOOK FOR…WEREN&#39T THERE?!? This all started when I STUPIDLY clicked on an update/upgrade message from i-tunes for software. The newer software blocked me from getting free music from Limewire. It would no longer recognize it. So I dumped all the NEW software from itunes on my drive & went out & replaced it with the original(older)software. NOW I can get my songs thru from Limewire to my itunes library no prob. BUT..now my ipod won&#39t even sync back into i-tunes. So I tried my wife&#39s new Nano & it went right in & reloaded all the tunes I wanted. And hers works like a charm. But mine won&#39t access the itunes library. It works fine for listening. But it won&#39t go back in to do any editing. I thought all I had to do was to reformat. But I CAN&#39T…because the ipod won&#39t go back into the itunes software! Your solution sounded the best…but it was aking for things that do not exist on my computer. There was no ipod icon or ipod word there where you said it would be. Maybe you could help me out.

  2. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    help!i can&#39t put movies i&#39ve downloaded on limewire on my ipod classic,is it due to the fact that i&#39ve registered my ipod to itunes?what should i do?

  3. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    Hey guysMy iPod nano is relatively new, less than six months, and I&#39ve been really having some problems with it :(First, I keep getting a message that says: the usb device is not recognized.That still is not fixed.Secondly, I started getting a message in iTune that says: The iPod "name of iPod" cannot be synced. An unknown error has occured(-50). It sync&#39s the songs still, but no new photos can be synced. I tried updating iTunes, and reseting the iPod to its factory settings. Now it still won&#39t sync any new photos, and even though the pictures show up at the bottom of the screen when I go to my photos it says I have none.Should I replace it or is ita fixable problem?

  4. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    I had the same problem but what I found out by reading some other forums was to check the power of my USB connection. Sure enough, I unplugged two things (printers) that were using USB connections and plugged my iPod into the back of my computer. It synced perfectly after not being able to do it for over two months. YEAH. I still am amazed that it worked perfectly.

  5. ("._.)

    December 14, 2010 at 2:57 AM

    whenever i try to sync a pop up comes up after what seems to be a sync that says “music could not be synced to ipod. error ” and then itunes decides to delete all my apps.

  6. Best Registry Cleaner

    December 5, 2010 at 4:37 AM

    I had the same problem but what I found out by reading some other forums was to check the power of my USB connection.

  7. Budro

    August 3, 2010 at 6:58 PM

    hey my ipod nano wont sync into itunes, when i plug it in it says it is syncing and do not disconnect, but when i look at the music on the ipod nothing changes, it wont add anything, not take anything off the ipod, i have tried changing usb ports, i have tried unplugging the cable, rebooting the computer, and plugging in the cable again, as well as restarting the ipod, someone please help

  8. Kyle

    July 3, 2010 at 4:38 AM

    my computer wont say that my ipod is connected so i can sync music to it but it really is connected? what do i do??

  9. Anonymous

    February 17, 2010 at 6:36 PM

    Hello, I have a 2 or 3 yr old 80gig ipod. When I plug it into my PC/Windows/Vista…I get the connecting/circular arrows & then it says I can eject? It won't sync into the itunes library.
    "eHow" said to go into itunes & select the ipod icon in itunes with my ipod to reformat. But it won't even get in! So how could I select it?!? All I want to do now is to just dump it all & reformat it. I have all my music backed up on my wife's nano ipod. So i'm safe.
    Then I came to your site. You told me to just go to "My Computer" on my desktop…which there is nothing that says "My computer" on my desktop.(I went to "computer" instead)And right click on ipod (which is NOT there). And that was as far as I could go BECAUSE BOTH OF THE 1ST TWO THINGS YOU SAID TO LOOK FOR…WEREN'T THERE?!?
    This all started when I STUPIDLY clicked on an update/upgrade message from i-tunes for software. The newer software blocked me from getting free music from Limewire. It would no longer recognize it. So I dumped all the NEW software from itunes on my drive & went out & replaced it with the original(older)software. NOW I can get my songs thru from Limewire to my itunes library no prob. BUT..now my ipod won't even sync back into i-tunes. So I tried my wife's new Nano & it went right in & reloaded all the tunes I wanted. And hers works like a charm. But mine won't access the itunes library. It works fine for listening. But it won't go back in to do any editing. I thought all I had to do was to reformat. But I CAN'T…because the ipod won't go back into the itunes software! Your solution sounded the best…but it was aking for things that do not exist on my computer. There was no ipod icon or ipod word there where you said it would be. Maybe you could help me out.

  10. Anonymous

    February 17, 2010 at 6:36 PM

    Hello, I have a 2 or 3 yr old 80gig ipod. When I plug it into my PC/Windows/Vista…I get the connecting/circular arrows & then it says I can eject? It won't sync into the itunes library. "eHow" said to go into itunes & select the ipod icon in itunes with my ipod to reformat. But it won't even get in! So how could I select it?!? All I want to do now is to just dump it all & reformat it. I have all my music backed up on my wife's nano ipod. So i'm safe. Then I came to your site. You told me to just go to "My Computer" on my desktop…which there is nothing that says "My computer" on my desktop.(I went to "computer" instead)And right click on ipod (which is NOT there). And that was as far as I could go BECAUSE BOTH OF THE 1ST TWO THINGS YOU SAID TO LOOK FOR…WEREN'T THERE?!? This all started when I STUPIDLY clicked on an update/upgrade message from i-tunes for software. The newer software blocked me from getting free music from Limewire. It would no longer recognize it. So I dumped all the NEW software from itunes on my drive & went out & replaced it with the original(older)software. NOW I can get my songs thru from Limewire to my itunes library no prob. BUT..now my ipod won't even sync back into i-tunes. So I tried my wife's new Nano & it went right in & reloaded all the tunes I wanted. And hers works like a charm. But mine won't access the itunes library. It works fine for listening. But it won't go back in to do any editing. I thought all I had to do was to reformat. But I CAN'T…because the ipod won't go back into the itunes software! Your solution sounded the best…but it was aking for things that do not exist on my computer. There was no ipod icon or ipod word there where you said it would be. Maybe you could help me out.

  11. Anonymous

    February 1, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    I had the same problem but what I found out by reading some other forums was to check the power of my USB connection. Sure enough, I unplugged two things (printers) that were using USB connections and plugged my iPod into the back of my computer. It synced perfectly after not being able to do it for over two months. YEAH. I still am amazed that it worked perfectly.

  12. Anonymous

    February 1, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    I had the same problem but what I found out by reading some other forums was to check the power of my USB connection. Sure enough, I unplugged two things (printers) that were using USB connections and plugged my iPod into the back of my computer. It synced perfectly after not being able to do it for over two months. YEAH. I still am amazed that it worked perfectly.

  13. Anonymous

    January 24, 2010 at 7:35 AM

    Help!!! I just got a new iPod Nano after losing my old classic one. I've updated iTunes in order to be able to sync my old library with the new iPod. It seems that I can sync my old music to the new iPod but not the movies for some reason. The movie list in my iPod stays empty. Please help!

  14. Anonymous

    January 24, 2010 at 7:35 AM

    Help!!! I just got a new iPod Nano after losing my old classic one. I've updated iTunes in order to be able to sync my old library with the new iPod. It seems that I can sync my old music to the new iPod but not the movies for some reason. The movie list in my iPod stays empty. Please help!

  15. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    Help!!! I just got a new iPod Nano after losing my old classic one. I&#39ve updated iTunes in order to be able to sync my old library with the new iPod. It seems that I can sync my old music to the new iPod but not the movies for some reason. The movie list in my iPod stays empty. Please help!

  16. Anonymous

    January 4, 2010 at 7:11 AM

    HELP!! When i plug my ipod into my computer the screen says connecting and then doesn't sync, it goes straight to the eject screen..
    Itunes doesn't even have my iPod symbol on it as if it's connected – so i can't used "sync ipod" on the file drop down..

    i really don't understand why it won't sync – anyone???
    please contact me – [email protected]

  17. Anonymous

    January 4, 2010 at 7:11 AM

    HELP!! When i plug my ipod into my computer the screen says connecting and then doesn't sync, it goes straight to the eject screen..Itunes doesn't even have my iPod symbol on it as if it's connected – so i can't used "sync ipod" on the file drop down..i really don't understand why it won't sync – anyone???please contact me – [email protected]

  18. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    HELP!! When i plug my ipod into my computer the screen says connecting and then doesn&#39t sync, it goes straight to the eject screen..
    Itunes doesn&#39t even have my iPod symbol on it as if it&#39s connected – so i can&#39t used "sync ipod" on the file drop down..

    i really don&#39t understand why it won&#39t sync – anyone???
    please contact me – [email protected]

  19. Anonymous

    December 17, 2009 at 6:39 AM

    When I try to put new songs on my ipod, it "times out" in the middle of the sync and when I try to sync it again, it times out even faster. This pisses me off to no end. What should I do?

  20. Anonymous

    December 17, 2009 at 6:39 AM

    When I try to put new songs on my ipod, it "times out" in the middle of the sync and when I try to sync it again, it times out even faster. This pisses me off to no end. What should I do?

  21. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    When I try to put new songs on my ipod, it "times out" in the middle of the sync and when I try to sync it again, it times out even faster. This pisses me off to no end. What should I do?

  22. Anonymous

    December 2, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    i have got new songs on my itunes and when i click on file.. and then then syc stacies ipod,,, its not clickable if you get me. and i want to update it..
    what can i do to fix it ?

  23. Anonymous

    December 2, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    i have got new songs on my itunes and when i click on file.. and then then syc stacies ipod,,, its not clickable if you get me. and i want to update it..what can i do to fix it ?

  24. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    i have got new songs on my itunes and when i click on file.. and then then syc stacies ipod,,, its not clickable if you get me. and i want to update it..
    what can i do to fix it ?

  25. Anonymous

    November 29, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    help!i can't put movies i've downloaded on limewire on my ipod classic,is it due to the fact that i've registered my ipod to itunes?what should i do?

  26. Anonymous

    November 29, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    help!i can't put movies i've downloaded on limewire on my ipod classic,is it due to the fact that i've registered my ipod to itunes?what should i do?

  27. Dboy

    October 19, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    my ipod will not sync, and then itunes displays an error 53 message. i don't what to do. it's an 80GB ipod,modelMB147LL, version 1.1.2 PC. please i needed help with this problem.
    thanks

  28. Dboy

    October 19, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    my ipod will not sync, and then itunes displays an error 53 message. i don't what to do. it's an 80GB ipod,modelMB147LL, version 1.1.2 PC. please i needed help with this problem.thanks

  29. Dboy

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    my ipod will not sync, and then itunes displays an error 53 message. i don&#39t what to do. it&#39s an 80GB ipod,modelMB147LL, version 1.1.2 PC. please i needed help with this problem.
    thanks

  30. Anonymous

    October 12, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    Hey guys
    My iPod nano is relatively new, less than six months, and I've been really having some problems with it 🙁
    First, I keep getting a message that says: the usb device is not recognized.
    That still is not fixed.
    Secondly, I started getting a message in iTune that says: The iPod "name of iPod" cannot be synced. An unknown error has occured(-50).
    It sync's the songs still, but no new photos can be synced. I tried updating iTunes, and reseting the iPod to its factory settings. Now it still won't sync any new photos, and even though the pictures show up at the bottom of the screen when I go to my photos it says I have none.
    Should I replace it or is ita fixable problem?

  31. Anonymous

    October 12, 2009 at 11:50 PM

    Hey guysMy iPod nano is relatively new, less than six months, and I've been really having some problems with it :(First, I keep getting a message that says: the usb device is not recognized.That still is not fixed.Secondly, I started getting a message in iTune that says: The iPod "name of iPod" cannot be synced. An unknown error has occured(-50). It sync's the songs still, but no new photos can be synced. I tried updating iTunes, and reseting the iPod to its factory settings. Now it still won't sync any new photos, and even though the pictures show up at the bottom of the screen when I go to my photos it says I have none.Should I replace it or is ita fixable problem?

  32. Anonymous

    October 7, 2009 at 1:54 AM

    if I clean it all of then I will have an ipod that will not sync and will have nothing on it.

  33. Anonymous

    October 7, 2009 at 1:54 AM

    if I clean it all of then I will have an ipod that will not sync and will have nothing on it.

  34. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    if I clean it all of then I will have an ipod that will not sync and will have nothing on it.

  35. Anonymous

    September 22, 2009 at 8:49 AM

    my ipod only works on docking station with remote control?

  36. Anonymous

    September 22, 2009 at 8:49 AM

    my ipod only works on docking station with remote control?

  37. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    my ipod only works on docking station with remote control?

  38. Anonymous

    August 25, 2009 at 7:54 PM

    I can't put any songs on my iPod at all, no matter how many times I sync it no songs will go on. How do I fix this?

  39. Anonymous

    August 25, 2009 at 7:54 PM

    I can't put any songs on my iPod at all, no matter how many times I sync it no songs will go on. How do I fix this?

  40. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    I can&#39t put any songs on my iPod at all, no matter how many times I sync it no songs will go on. How do I fix this?

  41. Anonymous

    June 27, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    It took me weeks to figure out what was going on with my Ipod/Itunes. I've visited several websites and couldn't find a solution. Thank you for your clear-cut instructions.

    PS: If you have tried restoring your ipod and it still won't automatically sync/manually sync then you have a hard-drive issue. Visit your nearest Apple store or an Ipod/Mac/Iphone Repair shop to get it fixed.

  42. Anonymous

    June 27, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    It took me weeks to figure out what was going on with my Ipod/Itunes. I've visited several websites and couldn't find a solution. Thank you for your clear-cut instructions.PS: If you have tried restoring your ipod and it still won't automatically sync/manually sync then you have a hard-drive issue. Visit your nearest Apple store or an Ipod/Mac/Iphone Repair shop to get it fixed.

  43. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    It took me weeks to figure out what was going on with my Ipod/Itunes. I&#39ve visited several websites and couldn&#39t find a solution. Thank you for your clear-cut instructions.

    PS: If you have tried restoring your ipod and it still won&#39t automatically sync/manually sync then you have a hard-drive issue. Visit your nearest Apple store or an Ipod/Mac/Iphone Repair shop to get it fixed.

  44. Anonymous

    June 26, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    My 8gb Nano has just stopped syncing. The USB ports are working but when the ipod is plugged in, it doesn't autonatically sync nor can I do it manually as the words are greyed out. I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

  45. Anonymous

    June 26, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    My 8gb Nano has just stopped syncing. The USB ports are working but when the ipod is plugged in, it doesn't autonatically sync nor can I do it manually as the words are greyed out. I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

  46. Anonymous

    June 14, 2019 at 9:07 AM

    My 8gb Nano has just stopped syncing. The USB ports are working but when the ipod is plugged in, it doesn&#39t autonatically sync nor can I do it manually as the words are greyed out. I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

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