iPod Nano 5th generation not charging?

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
I have a 5th generation iPod Nano and it is failing to charge fully. I have tried 2 different cords on both the computer and wall outlet. I've also tried holding down the middle button at the same time with the menu button (I've been making sure when I do this that it is in the "unhold" position). I have tried 2 different chargers already and both didn't solve the problem. I really don't want to go into an Apple store because the wait would be forever and it's always a hassle.

I've noticed over the past year that it hasn't even held a charge as long when it's unplugged so I usually have to charge it a lot more just to get back to 100%. Another sad thing to note is that I go running a lot with it and lately it's been humid so I have been sweating more...maybe it got into it?

But now it stays charged when it's plugged in but then when I unplug it, it still shows a low battery or will be completely dead. What can I do? Thanks.
 

pkcable

Q&A Team Leader, VR Expert
Moderator
Jun 16, 2009
5,827
28
0
Visit site
Could be your battery is going, you can take your device to an Apple store and they should be able to test it for you. Also you can try letting your battery completely drain and then charging it to 100% and then completely draining it again, and then charge to 100% again. Sometimes this will correct those issues. BUT it really sounds like your battery may be going.
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Thanks, but again I really don't want to go to an Apple store because it's always a hassle. But I don't know how to replace a battery myself either...even if I did go to an Apple store, would they be able to even fix my problem and replace the battery for me? For this old of an iPod...would they even have a new battery sitting around to replace it with in their store? How much would something like this cost too if I went to them?

I'm almost positive it's the battery. I can't try letting it drain because now it just stays dead when I unplug it. It only comes on when it's plugged into an outlet or my computer.
 

pkcable

Q&A Team Leader, VR Expert
Moderator
Jun 16, 2009
5,827
28
0
Visit site
Thanks, but again I really don't want to go to an Apple store because it's always a hassle. But I don't know how to replace a battery myself either...even if I did go to an Apple store, would they be able to even fix my problem and replace the battery for me? For this old of an iPod...would they even have a new battery sitting around to replace it with in their store? How much would something like this cost too if I went to them?

I'm almost positive it's the battery. I can't try letting it drain because now it just stays dead when I unplug it. It only comes on when it's plugged into an outlet or my computer.

I've always been able to make an appointment for a Guinness at the Apple Store and I've never had to wait more than a few minutes. Maybe the Apple stores near you are more crowded? I'm in a major city, I'm in Philly.

Anyways, yes probably the repair would not be worth it. I'm not sure IF they even do a repair on an ipod battery BUT on other devices it's around 80 dollars. HOWEVER a diagnostic should be free. :)
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Thanks, I'm in area that's not that populated compared to Philly so maybe it wouldn't be that bad.

How can I find out if they even do a repair for this 5th generation on an iPod battery beforehand so I don't have to waste my time going if they don't? And how could I find out beforehand if they even have a replacement on hand along with the cost?

Ugh...I hate this.
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Thanks pkcable, I might try that tomorrow but I fear they are just going to tell me that they wouldn't know if my specific store has another extra backup battery in stock OR if they can even fix it. That's my fear...

Anyone else have any helpful advice? Thanks.
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Again, I'm not handy enough to fix this because I have read it's extremely difficult to do and I don't want to replace it myself. What do you mean it will be a cost effective fix?

Frustrated...don't know what to do. How was no one else incurred this problem before?

Also, that first video is wrong. At the beginning when he explained tools you would need, he never said anything about a "soldering" tool for heat or something? But then in the video, he starts heating something when he finds where the battery is. Again, I don't feel comfortable enough doing this on my own because I don't know how to "solder" something.

Wish there was a way I could just ship this to someone to do it for me and pay them for shipping etc. at a much cheaper rate :( Don't want to really pay $80-$100 if the Apple store could even do it which I'm sure they wouldn't for this old of an iPod anyways...

EDIT: So trying to contact Apple now and wanting to do an online chat but they aren't giving me that as an option? The only option allowed is to talk on the phone...so irritating? There is no way to chat about this online with them?

SECOND EDIT: Just got off the phone with Apple. She wasn't much help on troubleshooting and just said I could take it into a store if I wanted. She said if it is the battery, it would be roughly $80-$100 to replace and she couldn't even tell me for sure if they would even have a replacement battery in stock if I went to my local store...I called again and spoke to a different gentleman. He actually took more time with me and called my local Apple stores (I have 2 close by) and he confirmed with me that because my iPod Nano is so old it is referred to as vintage and they couldn't even fix the hardware for it. He said the same rule applies for sending it in...they wouldn't be able to fix it if it was sent in because it's vintage. He said for this iPod Nano the only state that is able to repair it in store would be the state of California. So that rules out my local Apple stores on being able to fix it. He gave me two other stores that he said are Apple Authorized Service Providers that might be able to fix it. He said if they can't, then I am out of options and would only be able to go through a 3rd party at that point or there would be no other options. I'm about to call these two local Apple Authorized Service Provider stores that he said might be able to help...

THIRD EDIT: I just called the two local Apple Authorized Service Providers that the Apple customer service rep gave me on the phone. Both of these stores said they also could not fix mine because it is vintage. One of the stores reps though gave me two third party stores named iHospital and uBreakiFix to see if maybe they would work on them. I'm running out of ideas now that apparently no one will fix this outdated of an iPod!! Will call these two third party stores and see what they say now...
 
Last edited:

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Aren't those a risk to try buying one on Ebay though just as much? I called two of the third party stores. One said they could do it for $70 and another one said they could do it for $50. Plus I found a $10 off coupon on their Yelp page...so if I can get it replaced for $40-50...you think it's worth it rather than buy one on Ebay?

And let me ask another question. I know on my click wheel, my right button (the one that lets you go to the next song), is kind of hard to register. If I click it in the right spot it does what its supposed to but if I push a little lower than I'm supposed to it doesn't recognize my action as well...almost like it's a little stuck. Again it still works, just not as seemlessly when it was brand new...could the new battery fix this issue or is this just completely separate issue and maybe caused by the sweat that got in it?
 
Last edited:

pkcable

Q&A Team Leader, VR Expert
Moderator
Jun 16, 2009
5,827
28
0
Visit site
Aren't those a risk to try buying one on Ebay though just as much? I called two of the third party stores. One said they could do it for $70 and another one said they could do it for $50. Plus I found a $10 off coupon on their Yelp page...so if I can get it replaced for $40-50...you think it's worth it rather than buy one on Ebay?

And let me ask another question. I know on my click wheel, my right button (the one that lets you go to the next song), is kind of hard to register. If I click it in the right spot it does what its supposed to but if I push a little lower than I'm supposed to it doesn't recognize my action as well...almost like it's a little stuck. Again it still works, just not as seemlessly when it was brand new...could the new battery fix this issue or is this just completely separate issue and maybe caused by the sweat that got in it?

Most likely it's a separate issue. NOW when they open up your device to put in the new battery they MAY clean up any dust etc that is inside and this MAY (or may not fix the issue). You could also ask them about it. 40 to 50 doesn't sound TOO bad and you would then get to keep the stuff you already have downloaded to the device, NOT that it's that hard to back up and then restore from iTunes if you DID decide to get a new device.
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Ok so update: I took my iPod to the 3rd party and they changed out the battery. I just got it back. While leaving it charged and then unplugging it, it now stays on unlike before when I would charge it and then unplug it and then it wouldn't even come on. Now it comes on, but after charging it for a long time it only charged to a little less than halfway (looking at the icon at the top of the screen).

Ugh what the heck?
 

pkcable

Q&A Team Leader, VR Expert
Moderator
Jun 16, 2009
5,827
28
0
Visit site
Ever heard the expression throwing good money after bad? Sometimes you just have to accept that it's time to move on. Maybe you need a new device! Do you have a smart phone? Perhaps you'll just need to use THAT for your music?
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Update: I took my iPod back to the 3rd party after it wasn't charging from the new battery. Just got a message back saying it's "unrepairable" but they couldn't give me more information than that.
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Another update: I got a hold of the tech from the 3rd party that was repairing my iPod for more specifics on it being "unrepairable". He said it thinks it could be something wrong with the logic board that needs replacing and it just wasn't worth it for them to repair anymore.

So should I go somewhere else to see if they will repair the logic board and maybe that's it? Is that expensive and worth it? I don't understand why this place wouldn't just replace the logic board and try it? He said it was difficult but still...
 

pkcable

Q&A Team Leader, VR Expert
Moderator
Jun 16, 2009
5,827
28
0
Visit site
Another update: I got a hold of the tech from the 3rd party that was repairing my iPod for more specifics on it being "unrepairable". He said it thinks it could be something wrong with the logic board that needs replacing and it just wasn't worth it for them to repair anymore.

So should I go somewhere else to see if they will repair the logic board and maybe that's it? Is that expensive and worth it? I don't understand why this place wouldn't just replace the logic board and try it? He said it was difficult but still...

Ok here is the deal. It's an older technology. It's worth on the after market is VERY little, you can get a new iPod for a reasonable cost OR a NEWER used iPod. The cost of repair is as much or higher than the value of the device, OR you are putting as much money in to this old device AS you won't have spent on a newer device. IS that really a good idea? Just get a newer better device! Your songs should be backed up via iTunes on your PC or Mac, BUT worst case iTunes knows your purchases so you should be able to download the songs again.

Why MUST you have this particular device repaired? Just get a new one! If you don't quite have the money for it, maybe let relatives know that you need a new iPod and maybe for the next holiday or two they might help with iPod fund donation presents? (That is cash, instead of clothes or whatever! lol)
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Thanks for the reply. The reason I want this specific iPod is because I don't want to use my phone for music. It's too big for my pocket to use when I am exercising. And I don't like the iPod Touch because it is also too big. That's why I like this iPod Nano 5th generation.
 

pkcable

Q&A Team Leader, VR Expert
Moderator
Jun 16, 2009
5,827
28
0
Visit site
Thanks for the reply. The reason I want this specific iPod is because I don't want to use my phone for music. It's too big for my pocket to use when I am exercising. And I don't like the iPod Touch because it is also too big. That's why I like this iPod Nano 5th generation.

Newer used one?

While there are none right now, 7th gen iPod nano's pop up on Swappa for between 50 and 100 dollars....

https://swappa.com/buy/apple-ipod-nano-7th-gen?ref=mobilenations&data1=UUimUvbUpU2982390
 

jagsfan05

Member
Aug 6, 2017
21
0
0
Visit site
Thanks but again, I don't want a 7th generation iPod Nano because it looks to be too big size wise like a phone. I like the size of this 5th generation.
 

Trending Posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
260,000
Messages
1,765,288
Members
441,219
Latest member
MadisonOlsen