I have an IPod Classic that I cannot get to hard start...just stays on. Can't restart.

Question

I have an IPod Classic that I cannot get to hard start...just stays on.  Can't restart.

iFixYouri · Accepted Answer

There are a couple of things to try at home before you ship it. First, flip the hold switch on and then off again. A stuck hold setting can make the buttons look dead. Then press and hold Menu and the center button together for about 8 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. That's the standard reset on a click-wheel iPod Classic. If it still won't respond, let the battery drain completely, which can take a day or more. Then plug it into a wall charger and try the reset again.

If none of that works, the cause is usually hardware. On a 4th Gen it's commonly a click wheel that no longer registers presses, a failing hard drive that hangs the system, or a battery that's past its life.

If you still can't get it to restart, order the free iPod Classic 4th Gen diagnostic on this page. We'll test the wheel, drive, and battery, tell you what it needs, and send a quote before doing any work.

Q: I have an IPod Classic that I cannot get to hard start...just stays on. Can't restart.