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Level 1

9 points

Ipod Video (5th Gen) No Sound / Heavy Static - Read This! - Quick Fix Found

Hi There, first off I am one of the many upset people who finds their relatively new Ipod Video not playing audio any longer through either the headphone jack or the bottom dock connector. If this is you.. try this out:

** Pinch the bottom right corner of your Ipod and see if the audio comes back. **

I saw this tip on another forum and it worked like a charm. This obviously shows me this is a manufacturing defect and nothing else.

This problem can be described by the following:

1) Ipod 5th Generation, age of about 6-15 months.
2) Usually starts with heavy static in audio, increasing to nothing but static, fading into silence.
3) It's not the headphones, and it's not the bottom connector.
4) The 5 R's doesn't fix the problem.
5) Starts very suddenly.
6) Seems to be heat related as each morning after cooling off, the Ipod will play audio for about 5 minutes, then start the process all over.
7) Pinching the bottom right corner seems to temporarily fix the problem by fixing the broken solder/connection.

OK, my Ipod just left for server (another $30, thanks) and I have read others say that the service people claim nothing is wrong (usually because it takes 5 minutes or so for the problem to surface) and their Ipod is returned to them.

I just want Apple to be aware of this problem and offer to fix it, it's not fair to have a product break "under warranty" and still be faced with paying $30 (minimum) to fix it.

Please add to this if you have the same issue.

Ipod Video 60GB, Windows XP

Posted on Aug 21, 2007 5:08 PM

521 replies

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Sep 7, 2007 4:43 PM in response to samiranbh

Your iPod is broken and in need of repair.

heathzib

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2007 7:08 PM in response to gegg22

I am having the same problem described in this thread. My ipod is also about 18 months old, and, therefore, under warranty. Upon initially reading this post, I didn't believe I was having the same problem, because pressing on the right, lower corner didn't acheive any result. Well, I must not have been pushing hard enough, because I tried again, with force, and pressing that little corner brought my music back on. I am really disappointed in the fact that many people seem to be having the same problem, obviously a result of a manufacturing defect, and apple is taking no steps to make it right. Zune??

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Sep 8, 2007 7:28 PM in response to heathzib

*many people seem to be having the same problem*
Exactly how many?

Zune??
Good idea. They're perfect and never have any problems whatever.

Sep 8, 2007 7:46 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

If you are at all able to get to an apple store (not reseller - an actual owned by apple store), I would advise taking your iPod there rather than sending it in.

I know from experience that the first thing they will do is attempt to run your iPod, and if it runs, they say it's fine. If you're there, you can explain again that this problem takes a couple songs to appear, and they're free to help another person while waiting for your iPod to warm up and demonstrate your problem. At that point, there was no question and the iPods in question were replaced on the spot.

It also helped, according to the genius at the bar that in both cases I had opened reports with tech support over the phone, and they were able to look online at the amount of calls and descriptions of problems and attempts to resolve them.

Long story short- in person works best.

Rebecca

Sep 9, 2007 8:23 PM in response to slikk66

I have the same problem as all of you. I wish I would of found this forum before I bought a new headphone jack and replaced it. The pinching of the right bottom corner does work but once you let go, no more sound.

This is very frustrating my ipod is only 13 months old so out of warranty of course. Im starting to question Apples ability to manufacture quality products, nothing seems to last over a year. I also have MacBook and the hard drive crashed after 11 months, everything gone.

Has anyone found a fix for this bad connection yet? I really don’t want to have to result to replacing the logic board.

Sep 11, 2007 9:24 PM in response to slikk66

Add me to the list of angry, bitter consumers that has a crackling audio issue with my 5th G ipod - and doesn't want to pay Apple $125 to fix it.

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Sep 12, 2007 3:03 AM in response to Apple-overrated

*I also have MacBook and the hard drive crashed after 11 months, everything gone.*

What's the issue there? You get it fixed for free under warranty and load everything from your backup disk. No fuss, no bother!

Sep 16, 2007 9:14 AM in response to slikk66

Same problem here, my iPod was 13 months old, so this one will cost me. This is my 3rd iPod, 2 4g's, and this 5g, and all of them have broken just after a year. I am now using my Dad's old 2nd generation iPod, which besides a 30 min. battery still works fine, they don't make them like they used to. I would highly recommend staying away from these hard-drive based iPods, as Apple can't seem to make one that is durable enough to warrant a $300 purchase.

I'm going to stop by my Apple store today to see what they can do, but the last time I was in there they were just trying to peddle me a new iPod, AppleCare, and a case of my new iPod, rather than addressing my broken iPod.

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Sep 16, 2007 1:32 PM in response to jhiltabidel

*Add me to the list...*

OK. You're #14 (out of perhaps fourteen million).

Do you always get angry and bitter when manufactured items have problems? Cars must really drive you batty!

wmalskis

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2007 1:06 PM in response to slikk66

Yup, exact same problem... iPod 18 months old!!!!!!!

Stugga72

Level 1

4 points

Sep 28, 2007 7:24 AM in response to slikk66

Mine started last week with this issue. I tried pressing the lower right hand corner and sound returns then goes away. So, I will be heading to an apple store soon to get it sent off. I has another issue I was going to send the ipod in for, my click wheel has a gap between itself and the white plastic, I read this could be a problem as well. I am not looking forward to being without my ipod!

Sep 28, 2007 2:41 PM in response to PhillyPhan

PhillyPhan. Didn't anyone tell you if you don't h?ave anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?

Sep 28, 2007 4:37 PM in response to slikk66

*BE EXTRA CAREFUL PINCHING THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF YOUR IPOD!!*
My iPod hit 8 months this month and then the lack of sound problem arose. I used the "pinch bottom right corner technique" as a quick fix for my audio problem for about 3 days after the problem arose. Then I realized that this chip extends all the way up to the forward button on the click wheel. I realized this because it got to the point where only when I pinched there did the sound come back and stay on after I "released the pinch." However, pinched it Wednesday afternoon and watched as the screen gradually faded away to an all white screen. That's right ladies and gentleman, _*the hard-drive crashed*._ So now I am sending it off in hopes that they don't say pay us 129 dollars to fix it. Highly unlikely, but we'll see.

nesuno

Level 1

0 points

Oct 6, 2007 10:14 PM in response to slikk66

I was going crazy having the problem described in this forum, for a couple of months. I decided to fix it today. Found this very usful forum and got a clear idea of what the problem was. Tried to open my ipod but didn't have anything sharp as required and was also scared to damage my ipod.

I am not joking: I left the ipod in the fridge for about 10 min and I have been listening to crisp music, as I am writing this posting. So it is also related to heating. I will see how long it will last. Will let you know

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Oct 7, 2007 8:12 AM in response to foolishfreeheel

I am being nice.

Ipod Video (5th Gen) No Sound / Heavy Static - Read This! - Quick Fix Found