Computer & music
iPod not working in the car or dock
Not playing, charging or connecting in the car, a dock or a speaker? Pick what happens and your model to see the free checks and the likely causes.
What exactly happens?
- Not working in the car or dockAlso searched as not working in car · dock not working · bose dock not working · not playing in car · bose speaker not working · not connecting to car · speaker not working · won't play in car · bose docking station not working · not working on bose docking station · won't play in car USB · not connecting to car USB · bose dock speaker not working · USB not working in car · not working in my car · external speaker not working · sony docking station not working · not working on docking station · authorization has failed · docking station not working
- Car says no songAlso searched as no song in car · aux says no song
- Dock remote not workingAlso searched as bose dock remote not working
- Dock not charging
- Started after a repair or part swap
- Not sure — free diagnostic
Which iPod do you have?
Most common causes, by model
Apple's checks first: seat the iPod firmly in the dock, check every cable, and make sure the speakers or stereo are on. If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model rather than the iPod being faulty: check its box or manual for the models it supports. The 3rd Gen, for example, only charges over FireWire, so a USB-powered dock or car adapter can't charge it.
Free checks first
- In a dock, seat the iPod firmly and check that every cable is connected.
- Using the dock's line out? Make sure the speakers or stereo are turned on and working.
- On the 3rd Gen, charge from a FireWire charger or a 6-pin FireWire port on a computer that is on and awake: its USB cable syncs but never charges it.
- Reset the iPod, then connect it again: press and hold Menu and the center (Select) button for 8 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears. Apple says most problems can be solved by resetting it.
- Reset the 3rd Gen, then connect it again: hold Menu and Play/Pause until the Apple logo appears. Apple says most problems can be solved by resetting it.
- Look into the dock connector at the bottom for bent pins, dirt or damage.
- Unplug the iPod from the car and connect it again, or try another cable or USB port. Then turn the car off and on again.
- If the car or stereo says the iPod or its software isn't supported, check its manual for your iPod model and update the iPod's software from your computer: Apple says an update keeps your songs and settings.
iPod Classic (A1238) not working in the car or dockiPod Classic 6th Gen (A1238) not working in the car or dockiPod Classic 7th Gen (A1238) not working in the car or dock
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
More causes on this page, depending on what happens
- A connector not seated after the repairStarted after a repair or part swap
iPod Video (A1136) not working in the car or dockiPod Video 5th Gen (A1136) not working in the car or dock
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
More causes on this page, depending on what happens
- A connector not seated after the repairStarted after a repair or part swap
iPod 4th Gen or iPod Photo (A1059 and A1099) not working in the car or dockiPod 4th Gen (A1059) not working in the car or dockiPod Photo (A1099) not working in the car or dock
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
More causes on this page, depending on what happens
- A connector not seated after the repairStarted after a repair or part swap
iPod Mini (A1051) not working in the car or dockiPod Mini 1st Gen (A1051) not working in the car or dockiPod Mini 2nd Gen (A1051) not working in the car or dock
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
More causes on this page, depending on what happens
- A connector not seated after the repairStarted after a repair or part swap
iPod 3rd Gen (A1040) not working in the car or dockiPod 3rd Gen (A1040) not working in the car or dock
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
More causes on this page, depending on what happens
- A connector not seated after the repairStarted after a repair or part swap
Car says no song
Also searched as no song in car · aux says no song
Car makers' manuals say "No song" appears when the car finds no songs on the iPod. Check that the iPod itself plays songs. If it does, the car may not support your iPod model or its software: reset the iPod, connect it again and check the car's manual.
Free checks first
- Play a song on the iPod itself. If the iPod says No music too, see iPod says no music.
- Reset the iPod, then connect it again: press and hold Menu and the center (Select) button for 8 seconds, or until the Apple logo appears. Apple says most problems can be solved by resetting it.
- Reset the 3rd Gen, then connect it again: hold Menu and Play/Pause until the Apple logo appears. Apple says most problems can be solved by resetting it.
- Unplug the iPod from the car and connect it again, or try another cable or USB port. Then turn the car off and on again.
- If the car or stereo says the iPod or its software isn't supported, check its manual for your iPod model and update the iPod's software from your computer: Apple says an update keeps your songs and settings.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
Dock remote not working
Also searched as bose dock remote not working
The dock's or speaker's remote doesn't control the iPod.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
Dock not charging
The iPod plays in the dock but doesn't charge. A dock charges only the iPod models it is made for, and many battery-powered speakers charge the iPod only on wall power. The 3rd Gen charges only from FireWire power, so a dock that gives only USB power can't charge it.
Free checks first
- In a dock, seat the iPod firmly and check that every cable is connected.
- Plug the speaker or dock into the wall: many battery-powered speakers charge the iPod only when they run on wall power.
- On the 3rd Gen, charge from a FireWire charger or a 6-pin FireWire port on a computer that is on and awake: its USB cable syncs but never charges it.
- Charge the iPod with its own cable from a USB wall charger. If it doesn't charge there either, see iPod won't charge.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
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Most likely
Dock or car adapter not compatible
If the iPod plays fine on headphones, the dock, speaker or car adapter may not be compatible with your iPod model, rather than the iPod being faulty. Accessories list the iPod models they work with on the box or in the manual.
Free check first Check the accessory's box or manual for your iPod model. Apple: look for the "Made for" label for your iPod.
Started after a repair or part swap
It stopped working in the car or dock after the iPod was opened.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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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
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
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
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
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
Questions
Why doesn't my iPod work in my car?
If it plays on headphones, the problem is likely the car's compatibility rather than the iPod: car stereos and adapters are made for particular iPod models, so check the car's or adapter's manual for yours. The 3rd Gen charges only from FireWire power, so a car adapter that gives only USB power can't charge it.
Does a speaker dock charge my iPod?
A dock made for your iPod can charge it while docked, but most portable speakers charge the iPod only when they run on wall power. Check the dock's manual for your model: the 3rd Gen charges only from FireWire power, so a dock that gives only USB power can't charge it.
How can I play my old iPod in the car?
Through the car's iPod or USB input if the car lists your iPod model: it usually charges the iPod (a USB input can't charge a 3rd Gen) and you pick songs on the car's controls. Through an AUX input, with a 3.5 mm audio cable from the iPod's headphone jack. In a car without either, with an FM transmitter or a cassette adapter made for your iPod.
Can I connect my iPod to Bluetooth headphones, a speaker or my car?
Not over Bluetooth: these iPods have none, and Apple's specs list only wired connections for them. Use wired headphones, or run a cable from the headphone jack to the speaker's or car stereo's AUX (line-in) input, or use a dock or car adapter made for your iPod model.
Does an iPod work with Apple CarPlay?
No. Apple's CarPlay is made for the iPhone: Apple says even the iPod touch doesn't support it. Some car stereos can still play an iPod through their own USB or iPod connection, so check the car's manual for the iPod models it supports.