Computer & music

iPod won't sync

Won't sync with iTunes or the Finder, or only some songs go across? Pick what happens and your model to see the free checks and the likely causes.

What exactly happens?

Won't syncAlso searched as won't sync with iTunes · not syncing with iTunes · not synching with iTunes · won't sync with iTunes library · not syncing · will not sync with iTunes · iTunes library not syncing to iPod · iTunes not syncing music to iPod · doesn't sync with iTunes · won't synch with iTunes · will not upload music · the iPod cannot be synced an unknown error occurred -50 · the iPod cannot be synced an unknown error occurred -54 · the iPod cannot be synced because it cannot be read from or written to
Not syncing with Apple MusicAlso searched as won't sync with Apple Music
Not syncing all songsAlso searched as will not sync all songs · won't sync new music · not syncing music · not syncing playlists · will not sync all songs from iTunes
Won't sync with computerAlso searched as won't sync with Mac · not syncing with Mac · not syncing with iTunes Windows 10 · won't sync to computer
Cannot sync duplicate filename was specified
Connected but not syncing
Started after a repair or part swap
Not sure — free diagnostic

Which iPod do you have?

Not sure which one? Identify your iPod

Most common causes, by model

Check the settings first: songs saved from Apple Music can't be synced to these iPods, a manually managed iPod gets only the songs you add yourself (by dragging them, or with iTunes' Autofill), and WMA files can't go on it. If a sync fails or stops partway, hold the iPod up to your ear: unusual clicking patterns are a strong sign of a failing hard drive. On the 4th Gen and Photo, check the hard drive cable first, then the drive: our Hard Drive Repair Service is probably the best first option. On the other models, a drive failure is the ideal time for a flash upgrade.

Free checks first

Songs saved from Apple Music can't go on the iPod: Apple says "If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can't sync your saved Apple Music songs to a device." Songs you bought on the iTunes Store or imported from CDs can.
If the iPod is set to manually manage music, nothing syncs on its own: drag songs onto it, or turn that option off to sync automatically.
The iPod can't play WMA files: iTunes for Windows can convert unprotected WMA files to AAC or MP3 so they sync.
Install the latest iTunes (on a Windows PC, or a Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier) and restart the computer. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later the iPod appears in the Finder.
Sync stops with "The disk could not be read from or written to"? Apple says iTunes couldn't read from or write to the iPod. Push the cable in snugly so it doesn't wiggle, unplug other USB devices (not the keyboard or mouse) and try another USB port. If it always stops at the same song, that file may be damaged: delete it, import it again from the original, then sync.
Hold the iPod up to your ear: unusual clicking patterns are a strong sign that the hard drive is failing.
If it still shows up on a computer, copy your music off first (before any drive test or restore).
Check the hard drive's health in Diagnostic Mode: on a healthy drive the reallocated sectors (reallocs) and pending sectors read zero or close to it. A high number, or numbers that rise each time you check, mean the drive is failing; pending sectors are the sharper warning.