Quick fixes
How to reset an iPod
A reset restarts a frozen iPod and keeps your songs. Pick what you want to do and your iPod to see the buttons to press.
Quick answer
- Slide the Hold switch to HOLD and back again, so that no orange shows next to it.
- Click wheel iPods Press and hold Menu and the Center button together until the Apple logo appears (about 6 to 8 seconds), then let go.
- iPod 3rd Gen Press and hold Menu and Play/Pause together until the Apple logo appears (about 5 seconds), then let go. They are two of the four buttons above the wheel.
What do you want to do?
- How to resetAlso searched as reset an iPod · reboot an iPod · restart an iPod · hard reset · force restart
- Reset to factory settingsAlso searched as factory reset · factory reset an iPod · restore to factory settings · factory restore · master reset
- Reset all settings
- Reset without computerAlso searched as reset an iPod without a computer · factory reset without computer
- Reset a locked iPodAlso searched as reset iPod that is locked
- Reset in iTunesAlso searched as reset through iTunes · reset using iTunes · factory reset with iTunes
- Still not working — free diagnostic
Which iPod do you have?
Step by step
A reset restarts the iPod. Your songs stay on it; Apple says some custom settings can be lost.
- Slide the Hold switch to HOLD and back again, so that no orange shows next to it.
- Click wheel iPodsPress and hold Menu and the Center button together until the Apple logo appears (about 6 to 8 seconds), then let go.
- iPod 3rd GenPress and hold Menu and Play/Pause together until the Apple logo appears (about 5 seconds), then let go. They are two of the four buttons above the wheel.
- Click wheel iPodsDidn't restart? Put the iPod on a table and try again. Don't touch the wheel when you press Center, and press Menu near the outer edge of the wheel.
- Click wheel iPodsStill nothing? Charge it for at least 30 minutes, then reset it again.
- iPod 3rd GenStill nothing? Charge it for at least 30 minutes from a FireWire charger (its USB cable doesn't charge it), then reset it again.
Steps from Apple's own iPod guides and support pages.
Reset to factory settings
Also searched as factory reset · factory reset an iPod · restore to factory settings · factory restore · master reset
A factory reset, also called a restore, erases every song and setting and puts fresh software on the iPod. You do it from a computer with Finder or iTunes.
Reset all settings
This puts every item in the Settings menu back to its default, such as repeat and the language. You do it on the iPod itself.
- iPod ClassicChoose Settings > Reset Settings, then choose Reset and pick your language.
- iPod Video, iPod 4th Gen, iPod Photo, iPod Mini and iPod 3rd GenChoose Settings > Reset All Settings, then choose Reset and pick your language.
Steps from Apple's own iPod guides and support pages.
Reset without computer
Also searched as reset an iPod without a computer · factory reset without computer
A reset needs no computer, and neither does resetting the settings (Settings > Reset All Settings; iPod Classic: Reset Settings). Erasing the songs, a factory reset, is done from a computer.
- Slide the Hold switch to HOLD and back again, so that no orange shows next to it.
- Click wheel iPodsPress and hold Menu and the Center button together until the Apple logo appears (about 6 to 8 seconds), then let go.
- iPod 3rd GenPress and hold Menu and Play/Pause together until the Apple logo appears (about 5 seconds), then let go. They are two of the four buttons above the wheel.
Steps from Apple's own iPod guides and support pages.
Reset a locked iPod
Also searched as reset iPod that is locked
A lock on the screen usually means the Hold switch is on. A screen-lock code is different: only the iPod Classic and iPod Video have one.
- Slide the Hold switch to HOLD and back again, so that no orange shows next to it.
- iPod Classic and iPod VideoA lock icon at the top of the screen means the Hold switch is on: slide it off, so that no orange shows next to it.
- iPod Classic and iPod VideoConnect the iPod to the computer you normally sync it with: it unlocks by itself.
Steps from Apple's own iPod guides and support pages.
Reset in iTunes
Also searched as reset through iTunes · reset using iTunes · factory reset with iTunes
In Finder or iTunes, resetting an iPod means restoring it, and a restore erases the songs.
Still not working — free diagnostic
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Questions
Does resetting an iPod delete the songs?
No. A reset only restarts it: Apple says your music and data are saved, though some custom settings can be lost. A factory reset (a restore) is what erases the songs.
How long do I hold the buttons?
Until the Apple logo appears. Apple's guides say about 6 seconds (about 5 on the 3rd Gen); Apple's current support page says 8.