Q: FIX for iPod Touch Home Button

My home button on the 1st gen touch has also gone bonkers. Works then doesn't etc. I tried the blow on the sync port method and it did work but I have to do it every time I want to change apps. Will have to try the fix using compressed air. I did take it to Apple about a month ago and besides being rude, the "genius" was of no help at all other than telling me to buy a new one.

Gee...thanks.

I was skeptical with this solution, but my ipod was not under warranty. The home button hadn't worked at all in more than a month. I thought it was worth noting that this did not work for me at first, but when I tried the button again a few hours later the home button started working again. A day later it is still functioning properly.

Hi to everybody, i used the rubbing alcohol method to fix this and now the button works again.

Dropped my ITouch on a carpeted floor and the home button quit working. I figured it was a hardware issue. Just read this thread and thought I would give it a try.

Compressed air in the data port didn't work, but it cleaned up the port nicely.

190-proof alcohol on the home button worked! It took 3-4 applications and pushing the button a hundred times. Tried to be very conservative on volume of alcohol to avoid earlier posted problems of liquid under the touch screen, and had no problem.

Thanks to the original poster for your ingenuity.

The Rubbing Alcohol worked amazingly. Please try to put a very small amount of rubbing alcohol though. The alcohol seeped into my screen and i'm finding a dark cloud in my screen. When doing this hold your ipod vertical or the alcohol will go into your screen.
Thank you for fixing the problem

Had to create an account to vouch for this one. While I didn't have a can of compressed air, blowing it seems to work just fine! (Although it probably isn't the absolute best for your iTouch, at least it seems less potentially harmful than the possible water damage.)

I don't doubt the alcohol method has a good chance of working, however, as I had a similar problem with my Nintendo DS's L+R buttons, which was solved simply with water and blowing. However, I wasn't willing to risk the same treatment to my iTouch as my handed-down original Nintendo DS. Crumas's definitely seems to be the safest first try, aside from shipping it to Apple.

alcohol always fixes my problems.

good discovery.

Great tip! My iPod Touch is out of warranty, and this "last resort" fix just saved me $300 for a new one. I wonder how much the OP has saved everyone in total. Thank you!!

Worked for mine. It was a last attempt. Of course the screen has a little water behind it now but hopefully that will look better when it drys thanks for the help !

I've been troubleshooting this issue for, literally, 5-6 hours today, restoring, restarting, giving up, trying again, repeat - this solution really works! I used peroxide, because it was the only cleaning solvent I had and it worked like a charm! It's most certainly an issue pertaining to dust - I was completely shocked that this Touch, albeit now 2 and 1/2 years old, would break literally out of the blue - these things are incredibly durable - I've literally dropped it in a puddle and it was fine (after it dried out).
Props to Apple for making great hardware - now if they could just do something about this bloated, sluggish pile of dung better known as "Itunes" that would be perfect!

I too just had to create an account to post my success with this method as well!!!

I'm just thrilled. My iPod touch is 1st gen, bought in 2006. I was impressed it lasted this long and now I'm even happier that it's working once more!!!

I tried the compressed air - didn't work (in the half minute or so I tried this method)

TIP: I only had alcohol swabs in the little packets in the cupboard. Worked great! Won't put "too much" on as there's very little liquid in one of those to start with.

Awesome fix. Thanks SO MUCH to the original poster for putting this out there!!!

WOOHOO!!!
IT WORKS!!

I ALSO had an ipod touch (given to me because the home button is broken) and I used isopropyl Alcohol 99%, poured it into a cap, spooned some on top and worked the button ... AND IT WORKS!!

I kept the iPod at an angle so the alcohol would not move into the screen and clicked away. It took about 50+ clicks. I could here the clickity sound. Until after a while, it went away.

And now, I have a fully working ipod touch!

Saved me the $10 ebay fee on buying the button and replacement, and the risk of opening up the unit!

PTL

Thanks!!!!!
This worked great for me.
I used a q-tip instead

I have been so frustrated over this problem as my warranty JUST expired! I tried the blowing into the port and now it works again. When I get home from Italy I'm going to invest in a can of air and use that to further dislodge dust particles. Thanks for the advice!

Had to log-in just to comment on this.

BEFORE TRYING THE ALCOHOL SOLUTION:
1) Power down iPod, just press the power button.
2) Hold the iPod home button down.
3) Put mouth over charge port and create a seal like playing a flute.
4) Blow like you are trying to fill an air mattress, with force but not to hard as more moisture is contained in hot fast breathe.
5) If it worked like it did for me, while holding the home button down it should turn itself on!
6) Enjoy no headaches from your home button!