Power & battery
iPod overheating
Getting hot while it charges or plays? Pick what happens and your model to see the likely causes and what to do.
What exactly happens?
Which iPod do you have?
Most common causes, by model
Some warmth is normal while it charges or plays. An iPod that gets too hot most often has a logic board fault; a failing or swollen battery can do it too. Unplug it and let it cool down first.
Free checks first
- Keep it out of the heat, such as a hot car: Apple says it works between 0 and 35 °C (32 to 95 °F).
iPod Classic (A1238) overheatingiPod Classic 6th Gen (A1238) overheatingiPod Classic 7th Gen (A1238) overheating
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Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
Replacement Battery
Standard · 2000mAh extended
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Also possible
Swollen battery
A battery that swells is worn out and no longer safe: it can bulge the case or push the click wheel up. Stop charging it and replace the battery.
Free check first Look at the case: if it bulges or no longer sits flat, stop using it until the battery is replaced.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
Replacement Battery
Standard · 2000mAh extended
iPod Video (A1136) overheatingiPod Video 5th Gen (A1136) overheating
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Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
30GB 5G · 30GB 5.5G Enhanced · 60GB 5G · 80GB 5.5G Enhanced
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
-
Also possible
Swollen battery
A battery that swells is worn out and no longer safe: it can bulge the case or push the click wheel up. Stop charging it and replace the battery.
Free check first Look at the case: if it bulges or no longer sits flat, stop using it until the battery is replaced.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
iPod 4th Gen or iPod Photo (A1059 and A1099) overheatingiPod 4th Gen (A1059) overheatingiPod Photo (A1099) overheating
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Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Replacement Battery
-
Also possible
Swollen battery
A battery that swells is worn out and no longer safe: it can bulge the case or push the click wheel up. Stop charging it and replace the battery.
Free check first Look at the case: if it bulges or no longer sits flat, stop using it until the battery is replaced.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Replacement Battery
iPod Mini (A1051) overheatingiPod Mini 1st Gen (A1051) overheatingiPod Mini 2nd Gen (A1051) overheating
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Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Replacement Battery
-
Also possible
Swollen battery
A battery that swells is worn out and no longer safe: it can bulge the case or push the click wheel up. Stop charging it and replace the battery.
Free check first Look at the case: if it bulges or no longer sits flat, stop using it until the battery is replaced.
Replacement Battery
Replacement Battery
iPod 3rd Gen (A1040) overheatingiPod 3rd Gen (A1040) overheating
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
-
Also possible
Swollen battery
A battery that swells is worn out and no longer safe: it can bulge the case or push the click wheel up. Stop charging it and replace the battery.
Free check first Look at the case: if it bulges or no longer sits flat, stop using it until the battery is replaced.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Getting hot
It is getting hot, for example while it charges or copies music. Apple says some warmth is normal while it charges or plays.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
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Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
Replacement Battery
Standard · 2000mAh extended
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
30GB 5G · 30GB 5.5G Enhanced · 60GB 5G · 80GB 5.5G Enhanced
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Replacement Battery
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Replacement Battery
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Gets hot
It gets hot, even when it is not doing much.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
Replacement Battery
Standard · 2000mAh extended
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
30GB 5G · 30GB 5.5G Enhanced · 60GB 5G · 80GB 5.5G Enhanced
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Thin · Thick · 2000mAh extended
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
Late 2004 to early 2005 · Mid-2005
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Replacement Battery
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery
Replacement Battery
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
-
Most likely
Logic board fault
An iPod that gets too hot most often has a fault on the logic board. We fix it by replacing the logic board.
Replacement Logic Board
-
Next most likely
Failing battery
A failing battery can also make it hot while it charges or plays. Unplug it and let it cool down; if it gets hot again, replace the battery.
Replacement Battery (All Capacities)
Started after a repair or part swap
It started getting hot after the iPod was opened.
iPod Classic 6th and 7th GeniPod Classic 6th GeniPod Classic 7th Gen
-
Most likely
A cable or part pinched after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, a pinched cable or a part pressing on the board can short and make it hot. Open it again and check that every cable and part sits flat in its place.
Free check first Unplug it and let it cool before you open it.
iPod Video 5th GeniPod Video 5th Gen
-
Most likely
A cable or part pinched after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, a pinched cable or a part pressing on the board can short and make it hot. Open it again and check that every cable and part sits flat in its place.
Free check first Unplug it and let it cool before you open it.
iPod 4th Gen and iPod PhotoiPod 4th GeniPod Photo
-
Most likely
A cable or part pinched after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, a pinched cable or a part pressing on the board can short and make it hot. Open it again and check that every cable and part sits flat in its place.
Free check first Unplug it and let it cool before you open it.
iPod Mini 1st and 2nd GeniPod Mini 1st GeniPod Mini 2nd Gen
-
Most likely
A cable or part pinched after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, a pinched cable or a part pressing on the board can short and make it hot. Open it again and check that every cable and part sits flat in its place.
Free check first Unplug it and let it cool before you open it.
iPod 3rd GeniPod 3rd Gen
-
Most likely
A cable or part pinched after the repair
After the iPod has been opened, a pinched cable or a part pressing on the board can short and make it hot. Open it again and check that every cable and part sits flat in its place.
Free check first Unplug it and let it cool before you open it.
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