Wheel, buttons & Hold
iPod center button not working
Select button not responding, stuck, or loose? Pick what happens and your model to see the likely cause. A stuck button on the 5th Gen is most often a slipped rubber dome you can put back, and on the 4th Gen and Photo a swollen battery.
What exactly happens?
- Center button not workingAlso searched as select button · center button · middle button not working · centre button not working · fix center button · center button repair
- Center button stuckAlso searched as middle button stuck · select button stuck
- Center button not clicking
- Center button loose
- Started after a repair or part swap
- Not sure — free diagnostic
Which iPod do you have?
Most common causes, by model
Free checks first
- Put the Hold switch firmly in the unlocked position. A locked iPod ignores every button.
- Check whether the wheel scrolls and the other buttons work. If only the center fails, it is the switch underneath, not the cap.
- Reset it: press and hold Menu and the center (Select) button for 8 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears. If that fails, put the iPod on a table and press the center button without touching the wheel.
- Reset the 3rd Gen: hold Menu and Play/Pause until the Apple logo appears.
iPod Classic (A1238) select button not workingiPod Classic 6th Gen (A1238) select button not workingiPod Classic 7th Gen (A1238) select button not working
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Most likely
Click wheel or its cable
If the wheel, the buttons and the center fail together, or work only now and then, the click wheel or its cable is the usual cause.
Free check first If the iPod was opened, check that the click wheel cable is fully seated and its latch is closed.
Won't help The visible center cap is not the fix for a press that does not register: it has no electronics.
Replacement Click Wheel
Black · White · Custom color
Replacement Click Wheel
Black · White · Custom color
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Next most likely
Center switch on the logic board
On the Classic 6th and 7th Gen the center button's switch is part of the logic board. If only the center fails, the logic board is the likely fix; a new cap will not help.
Replacement Logic Board
iPod Video (A1136) center button not workingiPod Video 5th Gen (A1136) center button not working
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Most likely
Rubber dome slid off
Under the center button sits a small rubber dome. It is almost never torn or missing: it slides off its place on the board, so the button sinks, sticks or stops clicking.
Free check first Open the iPod and put the rubber dome back in its place on the board. No part is needed.
Won't help A new center cap does not fix this.
-
Next most likely
Click wheel or its cable
If the wheel, the buttons and the center fail together, or work only now and then, the click wheel or its cable is the usual cause.
Free check first If the iPod was opened, check that the click wheel cable is fully seated and its latch is closed.
Won't help The visible center cap is not the fix for a press that does not register: it has no electronics.
Replacement Click Wheel
Black · White · Custom color
-
Also possible
Logic board
If the center button clicks but nothing happens, the logic board is the likely fault.
Free check first Open the iPod and check that the rubber spacer under the center is in place before anything else.
Won't help A new cap does not fix this: it has no electronics.
Replacement Logic Board
30GB 5G · 30GB 5.5G Enhanced · 60GB 5G · 80GB 5.5G Enhanced
iPod 4th Gen and iPod Photo (A1059 and A1099) center buttoniPod 4th Gen (A1059) center buttoniPod Photo (A1099) center button
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Most likely
Swollen battery pushing up under the click wheel
iPod 4th Gen only
A swelling battery presses up from underneath and jams the center button, so it sits low and won't click.
Free check first Open the iPod and look at the battery: if it is swollen, replace it before ordering a click wheel.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
-
Next most likely
Click wheel assembly
On the 4th Gen, Photo and Mini the center button's switch is part of the click wheel assembly, so a center button that fails on its own usually needs a new click wheel.
Free check first If the iPod was opened, check that the click wheel cable is fully seated and its latch is closed.
Won't help The visible center cap is not the fix for a press that does not register: it has no electronics.
Replacement Click Wheel Assembly
Replacement Click Wheel
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Also possible
Logic board
When a new click wheel doesn't fix the controls, the logic board is the likely fault.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
iPod Mini (A1051) center button not workingiPod Mini 1st Gen (A1051) center button not workingiPod Mini 2nd Gen (A1051) center button not working
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Most likely
Click wheel assembly
On the 4th Gen, Photo and Mini the center button's switch is part of the click wheel assembly, so a center button that fails on its own usually needs a new click wheel.
Free check first If the iPod was opened, check that the click wheel cable is fully seated and its latch is closed.
Won't help The visible center cap is not the fix for a press that does not register: it has no electronics.
Replacement Click Wheel (632-0246-A)
Replacement Click Wheel
Blue · Green · Pink · Silver
-
Next most likely
Logic board
When a new click wheel doesn't fix the controls, the logic board is the likely fault.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
iPod 3rd Gen (A1040) center button not workingiPod 3rd Gen (A1040) center button not working
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Most likely
Touch wheel cable
The 3rd Gen has a center button, but not like the later models: its scroll wheel is built into the front panel. This problem is extremely rare on the 3rd Gen; the touch wheel cable or the logic board are the likely fixes, and we recommend the free diagnostic first.
Free check first The 3rd Gen's buttons are touch buttons, so pressing harder won't help.
Touch Wheel Ribbon Cable
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Next most likely
Logic board
On the 3rd Gen this problem is extremely rare; the touch wheel cable or the logic board are the likely fixes.
Replacement Logic Board
Center button stuck
Also searched as middle button stuck · select button stuck
The button sits low, feels jammed or won't click. The cause differs by model; pick yours below.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Center button out of alignment
A stuck center button is extremely rare on the Classic 6th and 7th Gen. When it happens, the button is usually out of alignment.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-align the center button.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Rubber dome slid off
Under the center button sits a small rubber dome. It is almost never torn or missing: it slides off its place on the board, so the button sinks, sticks or stops clicking.
Free check first Open the iPod and put the rubber dome back in its place on the board. No part is needed.
Won't help A new center cap does not fix this.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Swollen battery pushing up under the click wheel
iPod 4th Gen only
A swelling battery presses up from underneath and jams the center button, so it sits low and won't click.
Free check first Open the iPod and look at the battery: if it is swollen, replace it before ordering a click wheel.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
-
Next most likely
Swollen battery pushing up under the click wheel
iPod Photo only
A swelling battery presses up from underneath and jams the center button, so it sits low and won't click.
Free check first Open the iPod and look at the battery: if it is swollen, replace it before ordering a click wheel.
Replacement Battery
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
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Most likely
Click wheel out of alignment inside the housing
On the Mini a stuck center button is often the click wheel sitting out of alignment inside the housing.
Free check first Open the iPod and re-align the click wheel in the housing.
-
Next most likely
Broken click wheel
If the click wheel itself is broken, the center button can stick, and the click wheel needs replacing.
Replacement Click Wheel (632-0246-A)
Replacement Click Wheel
Blue · Green · Pink · Silver
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
Not sure what is causing it on this model? Send it for a free diagnostic and we tell you what it needs before any work. Free diagnosticFree diagnostic for the iPod 3rd Gen
Center button not clicking
You press the center and nothing happens, while the wheel may still scroll.
Free checks first
- Put the Hold switch firmly in the unlocked position. A locked iPod ignores every button.
- Check whether the wheel scrolls and the other buttons work. If only the center fails, it is the switch underneath, not the cap.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Center switch on the logic board
On the Classic 6th and 7th Gen the center button's switch is part of the logic board. If only the center fails, the logic board is the likely fix; a new cap will not help.
Replacement Logic Board
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
-
Most likely
Rubber dome slid off
Under the center button sits a small rubber dome. It is almost never torn or missing: it slides off its place on the board, so the button sinks, sticks or stops clicking.
Free check first Open the iPod and put the rubber dome back in its place on the board. No part is needed.
Won't help A new center cap does not fix this.
-
Next most likely
Logic board
If the center button clicks but nothing happens, the logic board is the likely fault.
Free check first Open the iPod and check that the rubber spacer under the center is in place before anything else.
Won't help A new cap does not fix this: it has no electronics.
Replacement Logic Board
30GB 5G · 30GB 5.5G Enhanced · 60GB 5G · 80GB 5.5G Enhanced
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
-
Most likely
Swollen battery pushing up under the click wheel
iPod 4th Gen only
A swelling battery presses up from underneath and jams the center button, so it sits low and won't click.
Free check first Open the iPod and look at the battery: if it is swollen, replace it before ordering a click wheel.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
-
Next most likely
Click wheel assembly
On the 4th Gen, Photo and Mini the center button's switch is part of the click wheel assembly, so a center button that fails on its own usually needs a new click wheel.
Free check first If the iPod was opened, check that the click wheel cable is fully seated and its latch is closed.
Won't help The visible center cap is not the fix for a press that does not register: it has no electronics.
Replacement Click Wheel Assembly
Replacement Click Wheel
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
-
Most likely
Click wheel assembly
On the 4th Gen, Photo and Mini the center button's switch is part of the click wheel assembly, so a center button that fails on its own usually needs a new click wheel.
Free check first If the iPod was opened, check that the click wheel cable is fully seated and its latch is closed.
Won't help The visible center cap is not the fix for a press that does not register: it has no electronics.
Replacement Click Wheel (632-0246-A)
Replacement Click Wheel
Blue · Green · Pink · Silver
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Touch wheel cable
The 3rd Gen has a center button, but not like the later models: its scroll wheel is built into the front panel. This problem is extremely rare on the 3rd Gen; the touch wheel cable or the logic board are the likely fixes, and we recommend the free diagnostic first.
Free check first The 3rd Gen's buttons are touch buttons, so pressing harder won't help.
Touch Wheel Ribbon Cable
-
Next most likely
Logic board
On the 3rd Gen this problem is extremely rare; the touch wheel cable or the logic board are the likely fixes.
Replacement Logic Board
Center button loose
The button wobbles or feels loose in the wheel. The center button part is mainly a cosmetic replacement, so a new one usually won't fix a loose button; we recommend the free diagnostic.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
Not sure what is causing it on this model? Send it for a free diagnostic and we tell you what it needs before any work. Free diagnosticFree diagnostic for the iPod Classic 6th GenFree diagnostic for the iPod Classic 7th Gen
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
Not sure what is causing it on this model? Send it for a free diagnostic and we tell you what it needs before any work. Free diagnosticFree diagnostic for the iPod Video 5th Gen
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
Not sure what is causing it on this model? Send it for a free diagnostic and we tell you what it needs before any work. Free diagnosticFree diagnostic for the iPod 4th GenFree diagnostic for the iPod Photo
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
Not sure what is causing it on this model? Send it for a free diagnostic and we tell you what it needs before any work. Free diagnosticFree diagnostic for the iPod Mini 1st GenFree diagnostic for the iPod Mini 2nd Gen
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
Not sure what is causing it on this model? Send it for a free diagnostic and we tell you what it needs before any work. Free diagnosticFree diagnostic for the iPod 3rd Gen
Started after a repair or part swap
The center button stopped working after the iPod was opened.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Click wheel cable not seated after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, the click wheel cable is easy to leave half-seated, and then the center button or the whole wheel stops working.
Free check first Open it again, push the click wheel cable fully into its connector and make sure the latch is closed.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Click wheel cable not seated after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, the click wheel cable is easy to leave half-seated, and then the center button or the whole wheel stops working.
Free check first Open it again, push the click wheel cable fully into its connector and make sure the latch is closed.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Click wheel cable not seated after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, the click wheel cable is easy to leave half-seated, and then the center button or the whole wheel stops working.
Free check first Open it again, push the click wheel cable fully into its connector and make sure the latch is closed.
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
-
Most likely
Click wheel cable not seated after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, the click wheel cable is easy to leave half-seated, and then the center button or the whole wheel stops working.
Free check first Open it again, push the click wheel cable fully into its connector and make sure the latch is closed.
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Click wheel cable not seated after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, the click wheel cable is easy to leave half-seated, and then the center button or the whole wheel stops working.
Free check first Open it again, push the click wheel cable fully into its connector and make sure the latch is closed.
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
Questions
How do I fix the center button on my iPod Classic?
Put the Hold switch in the unlocked position and reset it first. On the Classic 6th and 7th Gen the center button's switch is part of the logic board, so if only the center fails, the logic board is the likely fix; a new cap won't help. A stuck button is extremely rare on these models and is usually an alignment issue.