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

Band Geek

Level 1

130 points

Jun 27, 2008 11:06 AM in response to jaypal

Did you talk to Apple Care? It took me about an hour and 15 minutes but I finally talked to Customer Care and since I have been using Apples forever (I have owned 4 macs including an Apple IIe when they first came out, and I just bought a brand new iMac last week, they decided to exchange mine even though it was out of warranty. Be persistent but nice. I think they really saw I was a loyal customer and decided to help me out. Good Luck 🙂

rizer67

Level 1

0 points

Jun 27, 2008 12:00 PM in response to slikk66

I had the exact same problem, no sound or video through the headphone jack or dock connector on my ipod that is 13 months old. I pinched the bottom right hand corner and it worked, but only as long as I squeezed. Looks like I will have to send it in for 30 bucks....

DaveHull

Level 1

0 points

Jul 1, 2008 3:14 PM in response to rizer67

Exact same problem - took the unit into Apple Store, referred to this forum discussion which the "Genius" advisor took no notice of and being out of warranty couldn't help and claimed never to have come across the problem before. Phined Tech services, again claimed never to have come across the problem before, tried to get customer services to assist with an ex gratia replacement because I too am 6 months out of warranty - they wouldn't help and I went and replaced with a 32gb Touch - didn't want to but I have sound dock, chargers, in car stuff etc etc. They have you in any way possible.
Dave

mikeAram

Level 1

0 points

Jul 2, 2008 8:54 AM in response to slikk66

I am experiencing the exact same problem with my 5th gen 80gig iPod video. It is 18 months old and conveniently out of warranty.

The genius bar was of little to no help. They seemed to simply be the gate keepers to a 10% discount on a new iPod which to me was unacceptable.

My experiences with apple have always been positive. I'm a self proclaimed apple customer for life and have convinced friends and family why they should also make the jump from pc to mac. I own an iBook and picked out a macBook for my brother. Between my family we have bought 6 iPods through the years. However, the way apple handles my case will determine whether or not I ever buy an apple product again.

I understand things break (especially electronics) however it seems odd that this many people have had the same problem, from the same model, within the same time frame after purchasing the iPod.

I have called apple and am currently waiting a call back from them concerning my complaint that the iPod is defective. We'll see where this takes me(if anywhere) and I will keep this discussion board updated.

Jim Gioia

Level 1

105 points

Jul 2, 2008 1:10 PM in response to mikeAram

Join in guys. Post your feedback for this audio issue on apple.com/feedback. I just did. Trust me, there are many, many, many, many people out there with the EXACT same issue.

wmchick

Level 1

0 points

Jul 4, 2008 8:36 AM in response to slikk66

I am also having the exact same problem with my 30GB fifth generation video ipod. It worked great for the first year I had it and of course also being out of warranty now the sound stopped working. Like all of the others on here, I tried using one of my docks as well as external speakers and headphones-- all which surprise surprise produced no sound. After searching the ipod forums, I tried the freezer trick and sound did return for approximately 1 minute. Squeezing the bottom right corner also works but as soon as I stop squeezing the sound goes away as well. This is the third ipod I've bought and have always loved having one. Now I'm starting to wonder how good Apple really is.

Jul 5, 2008 8:14 PM in response to slikk66

I just discovered I have the same issue with my 60GB iPod Video. I took it to the Apple Store that they told me that it was a bad jack. The cost to have Apple fix it was to expensive so I bought the part and replaced it my self. Once replaced I still did not not get sound from the iPod. I found this thread, placed my iPod Video into the refrigerator for an hour and it worked for one song and then the sound stopped. I put it into the refrigerator again and it worked again for one more song. Looks like this is a problem with many iPod videos.

Jul 7, 2008 8:22 AM in response to svshearer

Same problem here. I called the Apple help line and the guy acted like he'd never heard of the problem and there was nothing he could do since I was out of warranty. When I asked to speak with "Apple Care" or "Customer Care" he said that those groups did not exist. I finally was transferred to a manager/director who after explaining my problem in great detail and also referring her to the Apple support forum, told me that they have been receiving this complaint from many other owners and that the engineers have flagged this issue and requested customer service to have people send in their iPods for diagnosis.

Bottom line, I was sent a shipping box to mail my broken 60gb IPod in, and I was assured that they will be sending me a new unit by the end of this week. Total cost out of pocket for me is $31 for shipping. It took some work to finally speak with the proper person, but my only concern is if the engineers have flagged this as an ongoing problem and requested that any affected units be sent in for diagnosis, why then are so many others still having difficulty getting service as demonstrated on this messgae board.

wcamp

Level 1

13 points

Jul 9, 2008 11:30 PM in response to slikk66

Same problem here. 17 months old, lightly used, mostly sits in the living room and plays music.

I was going to buy an iPhone on Friday, but definitely not now. Sorry to say that this is probably the most disappointing experience I've ever had with a relatively expensive consumer electronic product.

Jim Gioia

Level 1

105 points

Jul 10, 2008 11:10 AM in response to phillylexis300

phillylexis300,

Is this true. What's the story. Is apple willing to fix this on "Out of Warranty" Ipods for $31.00

Please let us know. Details. Details. Details.

Anxiously awaiting, Jim

Jul 10, 2008 4:44 PM in response to wcamp

i called apple and they are sending me a replaceable 30gb =]
just be patient with them and hopefully they will send you one.

mine too was experiencing the same problem as posted above and like many of you guys, mine was out of warranty. i had to call twice but i got thru with them. like i said, just be patient with them.

hopefully you guys call so there will be a recall or something.

btw, when you talk to them, ask to speak with the manager or supervisor on duty.

Jul 10, 2008 6:40 PM in response to slikk66

thank you for whoever started this post. but i got the static fuzz and then sound disappeared. i tried the 5 r's, and after i restored, i pressed play again and the time elapsed now stays at 0:00 even with the 'play' arrow on. what now?

Jul 10, 2008 8:33 PM in response to slikk66

I am having the same issue. It started yesterday and now I can't hear anything unless I press REALLY HARD at all times. I am out of warranty. Has there been any solution? I looked at how much it cost to just send it it, 149, holy crap. I could buy a new one for a hundred more... Is there a better solution? Apple really should correct this, it seems like a manufactuer defect.

Jul 11, 2008 2:17 AM in response to dagame50z

just call them and ask for the manager.

it works for me and some of the guys in here.

try it. like i said though, don't sound angry, be patient while youre talking to them.

i believe i only have to pay for shipping, which is only 30 dollars.

Message was edited by: fakitzjason

lefkogt

Level 1

0 points

Jul 11, 2008 9:29 PM in response to slikk66

Happened today--your fix worked! Gary

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