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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

stoi2m1

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2007 12:20 PM in response to slikk66

Im having this very same problem and pressing on the outer edge of the case has brought audio back, but Im not certain that the problem is with a chip. I have managed to get my ipod opened and have been trying pressure in different points on the board. No response from any pressure to any chips on the board.

However when I place pressure on one of the cross bars in the lower left hand corner (when case is open, this would be right side from outside the case) I find that the audio will then come back. Im thinking its possible for there to be a hairline fracture in the circuit board. Cooling the ipod like the above post has stated would bring these point closed, pressure on the cross bar would do the same.

Any Thoughts/Comments...
-Jesse

ryan66

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2007 1:38 PM in response to slikk66

I'm having the same problem. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. My Ipod is only six months old and I treat it like a baby so it can't take much to loosen this chip. As for the people who say "oh well, things break", a $300 product should last longer than six months. And if there are this many people experiencing the same problem then apple is obviously doing something wrong. What a pain in the ***!

PhillyPhan

Level 5

5,440 points

Oct 9, 2007 2:41 PM in response to ryan66

Get a Zune. They absolutely never break.

Papy.G

Level 1

50 points

Oct 9, 2007 6:30 PM in response to slikk66

I'm afraid Apple didn't recall the serie, or even extends the warranty on these.

My iPod is going to be one year soon. 😟
As it is a refurbished one, should I expect it to be better soldered than brand new ones? 🙂

The Zune is not available, nor supported in France, and even if it were, I won't go for it because of the limitations on the DRMs and other, adding to this it is a M$ product.

Nov 13, 2007 12:00 PM in response to slikk66

You called it exactly. 5th Generation Ipod Video. Loud static, then no sound. Reloading everything and pinching the right corner seemed to work. I am very grateful to you all!

However, after reading the various accounts online, I am worried that this is likely a reoccurring problem. I think I am just under my 12 month warrenty. Should I register a complaint with Apple NOW even though it is working at the moment?

Thanks!

VobidoV

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2007 1:02 PM in response to slikk66

So I have this issue, and am not afraid to open up my iPod, which I have now done, and have pressed on everything I could think of to try to fix the issue, but nothing has created a permanent fix. I close everything back up and still get no sound unless I squeeze the right lower side of the iPod.

Someone has to now how to permanently retore the function of the iPod. Please share. and PhillyPhan, I'd prefer if I never read another word from you.

Thanks!!

oyukaa

Level 1

0 points

Jan 27, 2008 1:17 AM in response to PhillyPhan

hey buddy! you obviously work for apple, don't u? since you have invested so much time trying to answer everyone sarcastically and defend apple, i figure you do. seriously, who has this much time going to forum like this unless they have a problem with their product. instead of all these useless comments, may be let apple know that these ipods really do have problem in general. by the way, $300 gadget is not cheap to many people and we want them to last more than a year! "get a zune"?? come on!!!

Feb 9, 2008 12:37 AM in response to VobidoV

Wow, add me to the list several years on....

You'd think they'd have had the problem fixed by now...

almost 13 months old...I do love 12 month warranties.

Perhaps I should have bought a Zune - they're crack-a-lackin! LOL

Feb 9, 2008 4:43 PM in response to firstkings

13th Month as wel!!! Apple have got a lot to say for themselves. This is my second iPod. The first one did not even last long (bout 9 months.. old 20GB). Apple have got a lot to say form themselves. I wonder if the touch has this problem cause I was looking at that, until I realised what was the problem.

Serious complaint to Apple is looming <_<

HRC600RR

Level 1

8 points

Feb 9, 2008 6:44 PM in response to PhillyPhan

Dude, your ate up. Your trying to manipulate numbers to favor you. Let me ask you this...how many people post on this forum? Not 14 million so how the **** you compare the number of ipods shipped to the number of complaints on this little old board...I'll never know. your not too bright...are ya?

Feb 29, 2008 11:01 AM in response to nesuno

I was having the same problems as decribed. I had some extreme static then no sound. I am traveling abroad in South America and a month into the 3 month trip my ipod starting acting up. Less than enthused. I was on a bus last night in Peru and I decided to try the cold trick by putting my ipod against the window. After it cooled down a bit it worked but after I took it off the window and it warmed up it started with the static again. Anyone find a permanent fix with the cold trick I havent had access to a fridge yet.

Townsend

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2008 6:39 PM in response to slikk66

well im just checking in to say my 30 gig 5thGen has the same problem. if i push down really hard on the bottom right i can get the sound to work.

if you run the self diag, holding Previous + Select while the ipod is booting (Menu + Select) under the IO menu, the audio heading isnt even there. it is supposed to be there right?

this is ridiculous...

Mar 10, 2008 7:12 PM in response to firstkings

Add me to the list as well, I'm at the 17-18 month mark. Heading to the apple store tomorrow to see what they say... It stinks when stuff breaks but I agree this sound like it should fall under a soft recall. Hopefully they will make it right, if not I guess I'll wait for another Zune on woot.com...

Mar 11, 2008 7:21 PM in response to Chris B. Atkinson

So my last post got blocked because it was too constructive. Long story short, no help from the supposed Mac 'genius' at the apple store(tried to sell me another one). I cracked the thing open and it's a printed circuit board and I could not find any dead solders and cleaning with contact cleaner and putting felt pads in for extra pressure didn't help. I've got it working right now with a 1" c-clamp. Sorry no magic fix! I may suck it up and buy a new logic board just because the Zune doesn't play Audible (yet).

Apr 2, 2008 8:25 PM in response to slikk66

Same thing first heavy static then faded to complete silence, didn't work with dock or headphone jack...Very upset about this, will be complaining.

Pinching bottom right corner fixed the problem but I know that wont keep it fixed if there's a manufacturer defect.

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