Sudden issue: Charging is not supported with this accessory

Question

Sudden issue: Charging is not supported with this accessory

Hello -

I've had a 32GB 3rd generation iPod Touch since right around the new year. It's worked nearly perfect since January until today, when I plugged it into my PC to charge. I got the error "Charging is not supported with this accessory".

This seems odd to me since it's charged just fine on this machine for the last five months. I tried using two different cords, tested it on my wife's Mac and a dock we have in the kitchen, which in both instances it worked just fine. I tested my wife's 2nd generation iPod touch on my computer and it worked just fine. It's just MY iPod that isn't charging at my computer all of a sudden. I can access it via iTunes, it just won't charge.

I also tried blowing out the connector pins with some compressed air. I have a USB hub which I usually plug this into and I tried it both plugging directly into my USB port AND the hub and neither worked. I also had two USB cords, both from Apple (one of which had never been used before) and it still won't charge at my computer.

The only thing I can think of is I recently updated my iTunes, but I don't know why that software would affect whether or not the iPod charges.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Jer

PC, Windows XP

Posted on May 18, 2010 5:16 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 19, 2016 4:32 PM in response to Community User

Seriously! This has never happened to anybody?

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Answer 2

mooblie

Level 4

1,954 points

May 19, 2010 9:16 AM in response to Community User

When you updated iTunes, did it update the firmware in your iPod touch?

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Answer 3

Oct 19, 2016 4:32 PM in response to mooblie

I actually just updated my iPod to the latest software thinking that might be the issue. But it still won't charge at my computer. Would the firmware actually cause it to suddenly stop charging at my computer?

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Answer 4

May 19, 2010 3:55 PM in response to Community User

Well, it did happen to me once.

Then I realized I was using the charging cord for my Nano instead of the cord for my older iPod Classic. Once I figured this out, all was good. Now I've labeled both of those cute little white cords so I can tell them apart.

Any chance that's what's happening in your case? Not likely, but never hurts to ask.

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Answer 5

Oct 19, 2016 4:32 PM in response to Jan Kubik

No, I appreciate your asking but we only have two iPod's, both are touches, and I had been using the same cord for both with no problem for the last five months. I did try both cords I had though to no avail. I wish it were that simple!

So many people have commented about this particular error but it seems like very few people have had it actually happen suddenly after months of use with no problem. So frustrating.

Luckily I can still charge it with the same cord on my wife's computer with no problem or the dock we have in the kitchen. I just want to know why it has suddenly decided to stop charging on my computer.

Thanks!

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Answer 6

Oct 19, 2016 4:32 PM in response to Community User

Okay,

Another problem - it seems that having my iPod plugged into my PC to add, remove, or adjust the music on it also seems to drain my battery. Please tell me I'm not the only one having this problem! I could really use some help!

Jer

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Answer 7

luvlabs

Level 4

3,620 points

Jun 12, 2010 2:07 PM in response to Community User

You know, it really sounds like your PC's USB port has died. If you device is giving you an error message and will not charge and your battery is draining when your device is plugged in, the USB port sounds like it is not producing any DC voltage.

You should try some other USB 2.0 devices in that port to see if they power correctly.

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Answer 8

Jun 12, 2010 8:35 PM in response to Community User

CAN SOMONE HELP ME: i tried to upgrade and restore my ipod touch and it stopped working completely

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Answer 9

Oct 19, 2016 4:32 PM in response to luvlabs

Well,

I tried several different USB ports on my computer when I originally started having the problem. No change in the issue. Additionally, I have a variety of other stuff plugged into my various ports (mouse, printer, scanner) and all work just fine. It just boggles my mind! Plus, I'm able to add stuff to my iPod, it just won't charge. So bizarre.

I just can't believe this has only happened to me!

Thanks for the suggestion, though!

Jer

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Answer 10

Jun 21, 2010 2:19 PM in response to Community User

This may happen if you plug a USB device to one who is not powered. If it is your case, try plugging it directly to your PC without a USB hub and it may make a difference.

I had a similar experience with an iPod dock that was plugged via a firewire cable or a USB cable. It worked with USB but sent me the same message as yours with Firewire cable.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 11

Oct 19, 2016 4:32 PM in response to petitcoune

Alright, I'll give it another try.

My question to you would be - did it work fine for six months and then suddenly stop working? I don't understand how the hardware would have changed, but maybe it's a software problem?

Jer

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Answer 12

Jul 13, 2010 12:59 PM in response to petitcoune

This drove me nuts for months, until I saw your thread (petitcoune) that suggested plugging directly into the PC (or in my case my iMac). It worked! So, to clarify, if you get the error message "Charging is not supported with this accessory" with your iPod touch or iPhone, simply connect the Apple USB cable directly into the Mac or PC, not through a USB hub. Sorted!

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Answer 13

mac4ever

Level 2

299 points

Jul 13, 2010 3:23 PM in response to Avnaigigaavv

Please don't hijack someone else's post. Start your own thread. You'll have more success anyway.

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Answer 14

Aug 20, 2010 4:31 PM in response to Community User

I switched the USB cable from one port to another on the Imac and the problem went away. using Iphone 3gs on a Imac(3.06 Ghz intel core duo) using 10.6.4. This only started happening when I update Iphone software, I think...Funny thing is, I also have a touch and it was fine...

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Answer 15

Sep 6, 2010 8:03 AM in response to Community User

It's happening to me too all of a sudden-after installing new Itunes software. I reinstalled it and it still does it intermittently. It says the same thing when I plug it into the computer-with a yellow triangle and exclamation point. But it goes back and forth from working and charging to back to the "charging is not supported with this accessory". It's 4 months old.

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