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cannot recover ipod touch

New (refurb) ipod touch 4th gen. Itunes says it is in recovery mode, must be restored. Goes to update and restore. Never completes. Sometimes I get an error message (-1, 1604, 2009). Sometimes it shows some progress, then just sits. I've left it for hours to no avail. Itunes initially recognizes the ipod, then Itunes diagnostics says no ipod is connected. Cannot find it in Computer or Manager. Have tried all usb ports, run itunes as administrator, disabled all security software, rerun restore after error message. One time when I reconnected ipod to laptop, laptop acknowledged the device and said it could not recognize it. No USB devices to remove except mouse, and I even tried removing it. IOS on ipod is 5. something, hard to tell since it won't talk to me. Not the latest, as Itunes wants to update it. Using Windows 7 laptop. Please help. Very sad granddaughter saved up a long time for this stupid paperweight.

iPod touch, iOS 5

Posted on Jan 10, 2013 12:00 AM

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1 reply

Jan 10, 2013 6:03 AM in response to Melly22

Error 1 or -1

This may indicate a hardware issue with your device. Follow Troubleshooting security software issues, and restore your device on a different known-good computer. If the errors persist on another computer, the device may need service.

Error 20, 21, 23, 26, 28, 29, 34, 36, 37, 40

Error 1604

This error is often related to USB timing. Try changing USB ports, using a different dock connector to USB cable, and other available USB troubleshooting steps (troubleshooting USB connections. If you are using a dock, bypass it and connect directly to the white Apple USB dock connector cable. If the issue persists on a known-good computer, the device may need service.

If the issue is not resolved by USB isolation troubleshooting, and another computer is not available, try these steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Connect the device to iTunes, confirm that the device is in Recovery Mode. If it's not in Recovery Mode,put it into Recovery Mode.
  2. Restore and wait for the error.
  3. When prompted, click OK.
  4. Close and reopen iTunes while the device remains connected.
  5. The device should now be recognized in Recovery Mode again.
  6. Try to restore again.

If the steps above do not resolve the issue, try restoring using a known-good USB cable, computer, and network connection.


Error 2000-2009 (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, and so on)

If you experience this issue on a Mac, disconnect third-party devices, hubs, spare cables, displays, reset the SMC, and then try to restore. If you are using a Windows computer, remove all USB devices and spare cables other than your keyboard, mouse, and the device, restart the computer, and try to restore. If that does not resolve the issue, try the USB issue-resolution steps and articles listed for Error 1604 above. If the issue persists, it may be related to conflicting security software. If the errors persist on another computer and known-good USB cable, the device may need service.


When it says it may need service that means you have a hardware problem. In that case I would make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.

Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

cannot recover ipod touch

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