FIX for iPod Touch Home Button

ok, hold down the sleep/wake button. When the power off slide pops out continue holding the sleep/wake button but also start holding down the home button until the device turns off. hope that works :D

i confirm it worked for me too.

Before trying the rubbing alcohol, the button didn't work at all and the click was not present.

I had to insist about 5 minutes and I've pourred 3-4 drops of alcohol.

Now it works, although there's still no click.

Just wanting to throw in my post that the original solution works!

I have a 4th gen Touch. My button has been slowly being less and less responsive for months now, and I'm not surprised as I've had it for a year and use it every day. Blowing into the charge port wasn't helping but I did try for a solid half hour before the light-headedness was getting to me.

I used Witch Hazel for my pod. Just applied it to a QTip and started rubbing it into the button in circles. Soon enough the button became responsive again and now it works fine! Not as goodas it was when it was brand new, but working and not frustrating me now! Also paid attention to the comments already here: made sure to hold it vertical as to not risk my screen.

Thank you so much for posting this solution!

Oh my god. You guys. Are so awesome. Thank you. So much.

I love the internet and its amazing capabilities for collective thought.

My 32GB iPod Touch 4th generation's home button was so unresponsive.

I had to press it very hard on a certain spot to get it to work.

It was like that for almost two months now. I've had it for about a year.

I tried the blowing method and at first it didnt seem to work but after a few more minutes of blowing it seemed more responsive so I kept doing it and it WORKS NOW OMG.

Seriously. I love you guys so much right now.

Made this account just to post on this thread.

I'm dizzy now from all the blowing though. lol

That might work, but chances are you'll get the motherboard wet and you'll permanently damage your device. There is an "official" fix for this problem, and here's how to do it:

1. Open any of the preinstalled apps on your device (Stocks, YouTube, Calendar etc.)

2. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button until the "slide to power off" message pops down.

3. Hold down the Home button WITHOUT LETTING GO OF THE SLEEP/WAKE BUTTON.

4. You will either go back to the Home screen or the device will be in Sleep mode. Just slide to unlock if it is.

I can confirm that this trick works with the 4th Generation iPod touch, iPhone 4, iPad and iPad 2.

I just want to say something about the rubbing alcohol. Before you use it think to your self, is the home button stuck, or is it that the spring for the button is broken. I used rubbing alcohol but didn't work. The only reason why my button broken was cause I was pressing it too hard. So just remember this, and don't press it down with pressure with a pen. Just be careful.

@japanadian:

Yeah, right, then it seems Apple isn't aware of this "recalibration" method when replacing units for free on warranty for unresponsive home button.

Hardware problems can rarely be fixed with software solutions. I mean this "recalibration" would only be possible if the OS could discern between different voltages on the mainboard for the home button, which I doubt is the case.

A solution for the brave

Hey guys I have had this problem myself with a half responsive button, I have written the below article which has fixed my home button.

I had bought a replacement button but was daunted by the job at hand in taking the phone apart. Have a read and post your comments to let others know if it helped you too. Richard applecor:apple:

http://applecor.cloudaccess.net/how-to/a-z/85-iphone-4s-non-responsive-home-butt on.html

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link. <Edited by Host>

Just blew in it "like a flute" a few times, bottom of screen got a little foggy. Used a blow dryer. No fog, button now works like a charm. Probably best to use an air compressor or a can of air. We'll see how long it lasts. Thanks to all.

I was a bit afraid of the moisture in my breath, so I sucked the air, instead of blowing. I'm very surprised, now my home button works again. Still a bit skeptical, but for now it works. Hopefully will stay like it :-)

THANK YOU!

I was skeptical at first because i had the assistant touch and thoucht that id rather have that than nothing.

but...I tried the alcohol thing and blowing and it worked! Dosent feel the same but better than it being stuck.

oh, and only put a small drop with a dropper while holding the ipod semi-vertically. Awesome =)

Hey, guys! I tried both the "flute" and the "alcohool" solutions but unfortunately none of them worked. I think it's a hardware problem, since the home button feels a little loose. I have an iPod Touch 4G and my warranty expired 33 days ago. 😮

But, if you are in the same situation as me, despair not! 😀

Did you know that iOS 5 has a new resource called Assistive Touch? Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch and enable it. Now you will have an icon on you screen at all times and from there you will be able to access a virtual Home button, among other things.

Check it out: http://www.cultofmac.com/104193/how-to-use-ios-5s-assistive-touch-features-video -how-to/ (the video if for iPad but it's the same for iPod Touch.)

It is not ideal, but it works for me...

Hope it helps!

THANK YOU!!! I used a qtip and filled the alcohol bottle cap and keep dipping and tapping and eventually I heard the click click click!!! I also blew in the bottom a few times too

THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!

I tried the alchohol trick and it didn't work...

But the other day our teenage daughter showed me the Assistive touch idea the other day as mentioned in your post and it works and is about the only fix I have found without trading in my iPod touch 4 was to go into:

I find it took some practice to use, especially during taking screen caps but better then not having a working Ipod Touch. Thanx for the vid link as well Mr. Ipsis. :)

Cheers!

Darn I thought the screen cap still worked, I mean if one can manage the dexterity and timing it works at taking the pic only it leaves the image of the control box in the pic as well.

~sadface~

Well at least my iPod is some what functional again... Aside of course for Safari still crashing but that's yet another issue. ~sigh~