Q: My ipod isn't going into recovery mode

Place the iOS device in Recovery Mode and then connect to your computer and restore via iTunes. Try more than once. The iPod will be erased.

iOS: Forgot passcode or device disabled

If recovery mode does not work try DFU mode.                        

How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings        

For how to restore:

iTunes: Restoring iOS software

To restore from backup see:

iOS: Back up and restore your iOS device with iCloud or iTunes       

If you restore from iCloud backup the apps will be automatically downloaded. If you restore from iTunes backup the apps and music have to be in the iTunes library since synced media like apps and music are not included in the backup of the iOS device that iTunes makes.

You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:

Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store        

If problem what happens or does not happen and when in the instructions? When you successfully get the iPod in recovery mode and connect to computer iTunes should say it found an iPod in recovery mode. Is this happening?

Try placing the iPod in recovery mode using one of these programs:

For PC

RecBoot: Easy Way to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

or

http://joshuabailey1997.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/recboot-v1-3/

If necessary:

Download QTMLClient.dll & iTunesMobileDevice.dll for RecBoot

and                                           

RecBoot tip

RecBoot may have problems on 64X windows, then try:       

Tenorshare ReiBoot – Enter & Exit iPhone, iPad, iPod Recovery Mode with a Single Click

For MAC or PC       

The Firmware Umbrella - TinyUmbrella

Installs blootware on PC too

I searched for hours because I too could not get into Recovery mode.  Turns out the Apple documentation is simply wrong.  Here is how you actually get a device into Recovery mode:

With your device turned off and connected to your computer, hold the power (lock) button AND home button for 10 seconds, then release the power button but keep holding the home button for another 15 seconds.

Hopefully this helps others.

Thank you - I had the same problem as the first poster and followed the Apple instructions multiple times before finding your advice. Worked first time.

I have the same problem but i have tried putting it into recovery mode dfu or whatever mode and neither will work i have tried to force the iPhone into recovery mode and still doesn't  work I don't know the iPhone phone number because i use it as if it was an iPod solutions would be appreciated

You are my hero, thank you.

Thank you so much! I wasn't able to get my iPod to go into recovery mode with apples guide fo several tries. I saw your post and tried it and it worked the first try! Thank you so very much!

Omg I tried everything thank you so much!!!!!!