Is your iPod Broken? iPod Reset Instructions

So I was using my ipod at work today, a song come on that i did not want to hear and I hit the next button. Well my ipod locked up and just froze.

Anyhow i searched google on “how to reset an ipod 40gb” and came up with nothing but crap answers, then finally found the apple manuals:

To reset iPod mini, iPod mini (Second Generation), iPod photo, and iPod (Click Wheel)

Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)

Press and hold the Menu and Select(center button) buttons until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 10 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
Tip: If you are having difficulty resetting your iPod, set it on a flat surface. Make sure the finger pressing the Select button (center button) is not touching any part of the click wheel. Also make sure that you are pressing the Menu button toward the outside of the click wheel, and not near the center.

If the above steps did not work, try connecting iPod to a power adapter and plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet, or connect iPod to your computer. Make sure the computer is turned on and isn’t set to go to sleep.

Reset Apple iPhone instructions
Turn iPhone off and turn it on again. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on top of iPhone for a few seconds until a red slider appears, then slide the slider. Then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.

Reset iPod Touch Screen (instructions coming soon)

Reset Click Wheel Ipod (newer ipods including resetting an ipod video)
1. Flip the Hold switch on and off and make sure it ends up no longer on hold.
2. Press and hold the Menu and Select buttons (center Button) until the Apple logo appears (may take 5-11 seconds, and you may need to repeat this step)

If this not work for you try plugging your ipod into computer or wall power.

Resetting iPod (with dock connector)
Most problems with iPod can be solved by resetting it.
To reset iPod:
1 Connect iPod to a power outlet using the iPod Power Adapter.
2 Toggle the Hold switch on and off (set it to Hold, then turn it off again).
3 Press and hold the Play/Pause and Menu buttons for at least 5 seconds, until the
Apple logo appears.

If Your iPod Won’t Turn On or Respond
* Make sure the Hold switch is off.
* If you’re using the iPod Remote, make sure the remotes Hold switch is off.
* If that doesn’t work, connect iPod to the iPod Power Adapter and connect the
adapter to a working electrical outlet. Your iPod battery may need to be recharged.
* If that doesn’t work, your iPod may need to be reset (see above).

Resetting iPod (with out dock connector)
If that doesn’t work, your iPod may need to be reset.While the iPod
is connected to power, press and hold the Play and Menu buttons
for at least 5 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.

Resetting iPod mini
Most problems with iPod mini can be solved by resetting iPod mini.
To reset iPod mini:
1 Connect iPod mini to a power outlet using the iPod Power Adapter.
2 Toggle the Hold switch on and off (set it to Hold, then turn it off again).
3 Press and hold the Menu and Select (center) buttons for at least 6 seconds, until the
Apple logo appears.
If Your iPod mini Won’t Turn On or Respond
* Make sure the Hold switch is off.
* If you’re using the iPod Remote, make sure the remote’s Hold switch is off.
* If that doesn’t work, connect iPod mini to the power adapter and connect the
adapter to a working electrical outlet. Your battery may need to be recharged.
* If that doesn’t work, your iPod mini may need to be reset (see above).

Reset Ipod Shuffle
1. Unplug iPod shuffle if it is connected to your computer.
2. Switch the shuffle off (you cannot see the green stripe).
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Move the switch to either play or shuffle (green stripe would be visible)

Here is a link to the official apple website about resetting your ipod.

And to the people that report the following icons on your iPod screen:
* A sad looking ipod face with explamation
* an exclamation point on a folder
* an exclamation point on a battery
* a disk with a variety of icons, including magnifying glass, x, arrow and exclamation mark
* apple logo
* do not disconnect
* power adapter plugging into the wall

I have not seen many of these, but it may be due to me having a 3rd generation iPod, if you see any of these icons on your ipod check out this article from apple summarizing them.

I also have found a site that shows you some advanced (void the warranty) tricks to try and fixing your iPod problems, involving opening them up to fix the hard drive. Try these at your own risk.

Remember you are not alone when your ipod freezes. Best of luck resetting your ipod and thanks for leaving your comments!