Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:25 pm:

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Note: This article is for Windows users. If you have a Mac, we have a separate article for you if your iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or on the Mac desktop.

Can't see your iPod in iTunes or Windows Explorer? Remember these five basic suggestions when you run into a problem with your iPod. If one of the following doesn’t help, read on for solutions to specific problems.

Tip: Check Device Manager first (right-click on My Computer, choose Manage, and then select Device Manager). If no devices appear in the Windows Device Manager, go here.

Before starting, make sure your iPod is fully charged and then toggle the Hold switch on and off.
Reset, Retry, Restart, Reinstall , Restore

1. Reset your iPod.
2. Retry with a different USB port.
3. Restart your computer and make sure you have the latest software updates installed.
4. Remove iTunes software and then reinstall iPod and iTunes software from latest versions on the web.
5. Restore your iPod. See “Updating and Restoring iPod Software” in the user's guide.

Still can't see your iPod?

Several things could keep iPod from appearing in iTunes or Windows Explorer. The most likely causes are listed below—you'll find information for both USB and FireWire (IEEE 1394) iPod connections. Check each one starting from the top of the list to see if that is what's keeping iPod from appearing.
iPod appears in Windows Explorer but not in iTunes or iPod Updater

If your iPod shows up in My Computer, but iTunes and iPod Updater don't recognize it, there may be a software conflict, or iPod Service didn't load. You may see an "iPod Service Error" alert or a "Please Reinstall iTunes" message.

If you see either of these messages, try the solutions in this article to resolve the issue.
Laptop or portable connecting via USB?

See iPod not recognized when connected to Windows laptop over USB for more information.
Your computer doesn't meet iPod system requirements

Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements to use iPod for Windows.
Your iPod displays an exclamation point folder or sad iPod icon, or doesn't appear in iTunes or My Computer

If your iPod displays a folder with an exclamation point icon or a sad (unhappy) iPod icon on its screen, or if your iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or My Computer, follow these instructions to resolve the issue.
Your iPod isn't formatted for Windows

iPod for Windows Software only recognizes iPod for Windows. You cannot use iPod for Macintosh with a Windows PC. To see which platform your iPod is formatted for, follow these instructions.
Your iPod isn't connected to a high-power USB port

If you're connecting an iPod, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle to your Windows computer, make sure that you're connecting it to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer (not a low-power one such as the USB port on your keyboard or bus-powered USB hub).

Typically, USB 2.0 high-power ports are located directly on your computer. Try connecting your iPod to another USB port on the computer (or to a self-powered USB 2.0 hub that's connected to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer) if the computer still doesn't recognize your iPod. Alternatively, if your computer has a FireWire connection, try using that instead.

If you're connecting an iPod, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle to a Windows laptop computer through USB, connect the laptop to a power outlet before connecting your iPod.
You're not using a WHQL-certified IEEE 1394 card

If you have a FireWire (IEEE 1394) card installed in your computer and are using it to connect your iPod, make sure that the card is Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified. If it isn't, your iPod may not be recognized, or you may not be able to send music to the iPod.

If you're not sure about your card's WHQL certification, check the inbox material that came with your FireWire card or contact the card's manufacturer. You can view a list of WHQL-certified cards on the Windows Hardware Compatibility List website. To view this:

1. Go to the Windows Hardware Compatibility List website.
2. Enter All Products in the "Search for" field.
3. From the Product Categories pop-up menu, choose 1394 Controller.
4. Click the Search Now button.

Note: Windows XP information is not listed on the initial search screen, but is listed when you click on an individual card.

You can also check the list of recommended FireWire and USB cards that have been tested by Apple with iPod and Windows XP. (Apple sells FireWire cards that are compatible with iPod at the Apple Store.)

To rule out an issue with your FireWire card, try connecting a different FireWire device to the card to see if your computer recognizes it.
Your connections aren't secure

Make sure that there is nothing in or blocking your computer's USB (or FireWire) port, and that the cable connections to your iPod and computer are secure.
Your iPod cable is faulty

1. Make sure that you are using the cable that came with your iPod. Some third-party cables may not work properly with iPod.
2. Make sure that nothing is in or blocking your computer's USB or FireWire port.
3. Check the connections to make sure that the cable is completely plugged in.
4. Try another known-good FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable if available.

If swapping out your old cable for another resolves the issue, then your original cable should be replaced.
Your iPod isn't charged or getting power

Your iPod must have enough of a charge for your computer to recognize it. Connect your iPod to its power adapter or to a high-power port on your computer to charge your iPod if the battery is depleted. If you have an iPod nano, click here for more information. If your iPod is connected through FireWire but isn't getting power from the FireWire bus, your computer may not recognize it.
Your computer's port may be faulty

If another FireWire or USB port is available on your computer, try connecting your iPod to it. If you are using FireWire and have a USB cable to connect to the iPod, try using USB instead. If you are using USB and have a FireWire port and cable to connect to the iPod, try using FireWire instead.

If your computer recognizes your iPod after trying a different port, the original port could be faulty.

Note: iPod will not automatically wake up if you connect it to a 4-pin FireWire port. You must press the Select button (the wheel's center button) on the iPod to wake it from sleep.
Windows confuses iPod with network drive

If the drive letter after iPod ("E" in most cases) is mapped to a network drive, both Windows Explorer and iTunes may exhibit strange behavior in relation to the iPod (including preventing iPod from appearing. See "Windows confuses iPod with network drive and may keep iPod from mounting or songs may seem to disappear" for more information.
There's a conflict in the FireWire chain

Your computer may not recognize your iPod if there's a device conflict in the FireWire chain. To see if this is the case:

1. Disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire ports.
2. Connect your iPod to your computer's FireWire port.

If your computer recognizes your iPod, you should troubleshoot for FireWire device conflicts.
Your computer needs to be restarted

Sometimes simply restarting your computer can resolve issues.
Your FireWire card isn't recognized by Windows

Make sure that Windows recognizes your FireWire card. Follow these steps to find out if Windows sees your card.
Third-party software may be causing conflicts

Some third-party software (such as security software) may prevent your computer from recognizing your iPod. Try adjusting the settings of such software, or temporarily disabling it, to see if that resolves the issue.
Your iPod hard disk's format is damaged or was altered

If you reformatted the hard disk on your iPod, or if something has damaged or altered the disk's format, iTunes or My Computer may not recognize iPod. To resolve this issue, you may need to restore iPod.

Warning: The restore process will delete all of your songs and files on the iPod. This process cannot be undone. Always make a backup of your important data before restoring your iPod.
iPod Software needs to be installed (or reinstalled)

Make sure that you install the iPod for Windows Software from the iPod for Windows CD that came with your iPod. The iPod Watcher should appear in the system tray. If you don't see it, you will need to reinstall the iPod for Windows Software.
There may be an issue with your computer

If another computer is available, verify that the same issues happen with the other computer. If the other computer recognizes your iPod, you may want to troubleshoot for issues with your original computer.
Your iPod needs service

If after following these steps your computer still doesn't recognize iPod, see the iPod Service website to arrange for service.

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