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Sudden volume increase problem

I went running with my new shuffle this morning, and after about 25 minutes the volume maxed out. I think it's because some sweat got into the headphone controls and shorted the volume increase button. Has anybody else had an issue like this?

Dell, Windows Vista

Posted on Mar 19, 2009 4:59 AM

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220 replies

Mar 19, 2009 1:36 PM in response to omellet

I had the same problem. About halfway through my run, suddenly the volume shot up. I was able to turn it back down, but a few minutes later it stopped playing altogether. From that point on, I wasn't able to get the play and volume controls to work at all for the rest of my run.

After I finished, I noticed that the shuffle had started playing again on it's own, but at a really low volume. I still wasn't able to get the play/pause or volume controls to work. I ended up turning it off and letting it sit for a few hours. After that, it started working again.

My guess is that controls on the headphone cable are NOT very moisture resistant. If that is the case, then the new 3rd gen shuffle will be almost worthless for runners. The morning I ran it was fairly cool and dry. I wasn't sweating much. Yet, the controls on the headphone cable seemed to short out. I can only imagine that the problem will be much worse later on this spring and summer in the Texas heat.

There are a lot of things that I like about the new 3rd gen shuffle, but I've gone back to using my 2nd gen shuffle while running. I'm still trying to decide whether to return my 3rd gen shuffle.

What was Apple thinking when they designed the 3rd gen shuffle the way they did with the controls on the headphone cable, and apparently not very moisture/sweat resistant? With as many people as there are that use shuffles while exercising, it seems that Apple would have thought about these issues.

-Rich

Mar 19, 2009 3:35 PM in response to omellet

Yep, same thing happened to me both times I've used it while working out. I came here to see if it's just my Shuffle or earbuds/control, but doesn't look that way... I'm debating whether to go to the Apple Store and ask a Genius rep about it, but they'll probably just say to not use the Shuffle if you sweat. :-\

Mar 20, 2009 6:18 PM in response to omellet

The first two times I used the shuffle, no problems. The next two times, after the headphone cord got wet from sweat, the volume control wouldn't work properly, and the clicker would only name the song or cycle through the playlists, then revert to the currently playing song. I returned the shuffle.

The earbuds with remote and mic that I bought a couple of months ago also stop working properly 10-20 minutes into a workout; I was hoping that with no mic the shuffle headphones would be better sealed.

Mar 21, 2009 9:59 AM in response to omellet

Yep - it's happened again this morning in the gym - so that's four days out of five it has shut down after I begin to perspire. The post that says the control element is not moisture resistant must be correct. What a bummer as the unit is great but limited if you can't use in the gym or running. Any response from Apple?

Mar 21, 2009 3:54 PM in response to omellet

So glad that I am not the only person experiencing these problem. Bought it the day it came out. First time I worked out it stopped working halfway through my workout. Volume would max out blasting my ear drums (can i sue for damages) and then couldn't cut volume down because controls don't work. This has happened everytime I have worked out with the thing... either volume or control just simply stop working. I am not sweating in the control button so must be the earbuds getting overly moist.

Mar 22, 2009 3:20 PM in response to omellet

I have had this same problem with my second ⚠ shuffle--I began using the first one last Saturday--and after about 25 minutes of running, it kept freezing up. When I did get it to work, the volume would go to the lowest setting and could not be raised. They were kind enough to give me another brand new unit yesterday, but on today's run--again, the new unit did the same thing. I am not pleased that other people are having a problem, but I sure hope Apple takes note of this......I am a distance runner and love the new shuffle-I find many of the complaints about the new unit quite trivial--the controls are where they are, if you don't like it, stick with an ipod. But if this is the headphones causing this--they have a problem, and come summer weather, people will be up in arms over this.

Mar 23, 2009 11:37 AM in response to omellet

Same this happend to me last night at the gym, volume control went way up, blasted my ears until I ripped the buds out. Ouchh!

I turned the system off and then on and was able to reduce the volume.

However, this morning when I turned on my shuffle and got into my morning groove I noticed that I could not reduce the volume. It's, I can change play, pause, ffwd, rewind, and increase volume, but reducing the volume does not work. I sweat a lot when i work out. I might have to go back to my shuffle 2, until this get's worked out.

This evening I am going to try to restore back to the orginal firmware, since I noticed haveing this problem with the latest firmware release. It's worth a shot!

Mik

Mar 24, 2009 7:10 PM in response to Mik Holland

I've had this problem for about a week now. First time I thought it was a fluke - maybe I pressed down on the control by accident, but now it happens pretty consistently. I use my shuffle exclusively at the gym and this is pretty disruptive in my workout. Today the shuffle's volume went down and wouldn't come back up.

After reading the posts here, I tested my fresh from workout shuffle connector for signs of moisture - found none. The theory sounds valid, it could take very little moisture to mess things up.

Regardless, I'm going to return it to the Apple Store tomorrow get a replacement unit. Hopefully it isn't a device wide problem - I love the ability to change playlists and the new size!

Mar 25, 2009 11:20 AM in response to omellet

I guess I'll add to this topic as having the same issue both while running and working out at the gym. It seems like when I start working up a good sweat, the volume either goes to maximum or the voice-over comes in randomly. Either way, the controls stop working for a while. I assume this is caused by perspiration as the problem goes away after an hour or so. I'll try the suggestion given (loop the right earbud cord), but I think this is a pretty big design flaw. The cord control should be waterproof or at least resistant.

Mar 25, 2009 1:23 PM in response to omellet

Seems like we are all having the same problem. Apple exchanged my first unit for a new one on Monday but today exactly the same thing happened again after 30 mins working out. I will try the "loop method" but it's not exactly an encouraging fix for what is a great product, except for this specific issue. Clearly Apple testers don't perspire!

Mar 26, 2009 8:59 AM in response to sihorn

Yesterday, I took the shuffle to one last workout before I hit the Apple Store. Before I had even finished stretching, the volume maxed out again (no sweat this time). After fiddling I regained control of the device, but ~15 minutes later, lost all use of the control - clicking either up/down volume or even stop/start produced no effect. Luckily the volume was at a reasonable level and I completed my workout (I had my old shuffle in the locker just in case).

With the shuffle still stuck playing and uncontrollable, I took it to the Apple Store for my appointment. The genius noted that the control didn't work, then unplugged and replugged the earbuds. He initially had full control of it, but as I was explaining the "volume maxing or mining" problem, the shuffle maxed out the volume - I thought the guys eyes were going to pop out of his head. He then grabbed several other employees to see if they had heard of this. While they were playing with it - the problem repeated several more times.

Needless to say he replaced it. He said he hadn't experienced this issue before so they weren't sure where the problem was. From my experience it sounds like the issue gets worse over time, so I encourage everyone who has this issue to takem back.

Tonight we'll see how the device handles it's first workout.

Sudden volume increase problem

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