iPod classic not fully recognized by Music app

iPod classic version 7 suddenly is not fully recognized by Music. OS is 12.7.6, machine is late 2014 Mini. I connect the iPod for syncing, it appears on the desktop, it appears in the left-side menu of Music, but the main screen in Music never loads, it just endlessly says "loading". Eventually the whole thing gives up and disconnects (unless I give up first).