Screen
iPod backlight not working
No backlight, or a screen that stays dim? Pick what happens and your model: check the settings first, then see the likely causes and the fix.
What exactly happens?
Which iPod do you have?
Most common causes, by model
Check the backlight settings first. If the picture is there but you can only see it in bright light, the backlight has failed. On these iPods the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it; if a new screen stays dark, the logic board is the likely fault.
Free checks first
- Check the backlight setting: Settings > Backlight Timer (iPod Classic 7th Gen: Settings > Backlight), then choose how long it stays on. The iPod Classic also offers Always On.
- To turn the backlight on, press and hold Menu (or choose Backlight in the main menu).
iPod Classic (A1238) backlight not workingiPod Classic 6th Gen (A1238) backlight not workingiPod Classic 7th Gen (A1238) backlight not working
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement Screen (LCD Display)
Replacement LCD Screen
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Next most likely
Logic board
If a new screen shows the same fault, the logic board is the likely fault. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
iPod Video (A1136) backlight not workingiPod Video 5th Gen (A1136) backlight not working
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
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Next most likely
Logic board
If a new screen shows the same fault, the logic board is the likely fault. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
30GB 5G · 30GB 5.5G Enhanced · 60GB 5G · 80GB 5.5G Enhanced
iPod 4th Gen or iPod Photo (A1059 and A1099) backlight not workingiPod 4th Gen (A1059) backlight not workingiPod Photo (A1099) backlight not working
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement LCD Screen (2" Grayscale)
Replacement LCD Screen
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
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Next most likely
Logic board
If a new screen shows the same fault, the logic board is the likely fault. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
iPod Mini (A1051) backlight not workingiPod Mini 1st Gen (A1051) backlight not workingiPod Mini 2nd Gen (A1051) backlight not working
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement LCD Screen (1.67" Grayscale)
Replacement LCD Screen (1.67" Grayscale)
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Next most likely
Logic board
If a new screen shows the same fault, the logic board is the likely fault. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
iPod 3rd Gen (A1040) backlight not workingiPod 3rd Gen (A1040) backlight not working
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement LCD Screen (2" Monochrome)
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Next most likely
Logic board
If a new screen shows the same fault, the logic board is the likely fault. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Screen dim
Also searched as backlight brightness
A screen that stays dim: check the brightness (iPod Video Late 2006 and iPod Classic) or the contrast (3rd Gen, 4th Gen and Mini) first. A screen that stays dim at full brightness has a failing backlight, and a new screen fixes it.
Free checks first
- iPod Video (Late 2006) and iPod Classic: check Settings > Brightness. Moving the slider to the left dims the screen.
- Press and hold Menu for about 4 seconds: Apple says this resets a screen contrast that was set too light or too dark.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement Screen (LCD Display)
Replacement LCD Screen
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement LCD Screen (2" Grayscale)
Replacement LCD Screen
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement LCD Screen (1.67" Grayscale)
Replacement LCD Screen (1.67" Grayscale)
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Failed backlight
The backlight lights the screen from behind. When it fails, the picture is still there but very dark: you can just see it in bright light. On this iPod the backlight is part of the screen, so a new screen fixes it.
Free check first Shine a light on the screen: if you can faintly see the menu, the backlight has failed.
Replacement LCD Screen (2" Monochrome)
Started after a repair or part swap
The backlight stopped working after the iPod was opened or the screen was swapped.
Free checks first
- Opened it before? Check that the screen cable is fully inserted and its latch is closed.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Screen not properly connected to the logic board
A screen cable that is not fully plugged into the logic board leaves the screen dark.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-seat the screen cable on the logic board.
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Next most likely
A connector not seated after the repair
After a battery or part swap, a connector that is not fully seated can leave the iPod dead or half-working. We can also look at it: the free diagnostic finds the issue and whether it can be fixed without new parts.
Free check first Open it again and push every connector you touched fully back in.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Screen not properly connected to the logic board
A screen cable that is not fully plugged into the logic board leaves the screen dark.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-seat the screen cable on the logic board.
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Next most likely
A connector not seated after the repair
After a battery or part swap, a connector that is not fully seated can leave the iPod dead or half-working. We can also look at it: the free diagnostic finds the issue and whether it can be fixed without new parts.
Free check first Open it again and push every connector you touched fully back in.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Screen not properly connected to the logic board
A screen cable that is not fully plugged into the logic board leaves the screen dark.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-seat the screen cable on the logic board.
-
Next most likely
A connector not seated after the repair
After a battery or part swap, a connector that is not fully seated can leave the iPod dead or half-working. We can also look at it: the free diagnostic finds the issue and whether it can be fixed without new parts.
Free check first Open it again and push every connector you touched fully back in.
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
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Most likely
Screen not properly connected to the logic board
A screen cable that is not fully plugged into the logic board leaves the screen dark.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-seat the screen cable on the logic board.
-
Next most likely
A connector not seated after the repair
After a battery or part swap, a connector that is not fully seated can leave the iPod dead or half-working. We can also look at it: the free diagnostic finds the issue and whether it can be fixed without new parts.
Free check first Open it again and push every connector you touched fully back in.
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Screen not properly connected to the logic board
A screen cable that is not fully plugged into the logic board leaves the screen dark.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-seat the screen cable on the logic board.
-
Next most likely
A connector not seated after the repair
After a battery or part swap, a connector that is not fully seated can leave the iPod dead or half-working. We can also look at it: the free diagnostic finds the issue and whether it can be fixed without new parts.
Free check first Open it again and push every connector you touched fully back in.
Not sure — free diagnostic
Mail us your iPod and we test it and send you a free repair quote. If you don't like the price, we ship it back at our expense.
Free