My PC (Windows 10) won't recognize my iPod nano

Have you tried chatting with Apple support? They were unable to help me get my fresh-from-the-package Nano working, but maybe they will be able to help you.

I am having this problem as well on an older Nano and cannot follow all the procedures in If iTunes doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod - Apple Support as the device is disconnected by ITunes when it is not recognized. I'm wondering if the last Win10 update or ITunes update went south. Very disappointed and not quite sure how to resolve.

Since this may be related to installing a Windows (or iTunes) update, you may want to try using this procedure to completely remove iTunes and related software components

Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows 7 and later - Apple Support

Be sure to uninstall the components of an iTunes installation in the precise order described. Then install the latest iTunes version downloaded from Apple

http://www.apple.com/itunes/

I have done that three times already. It did not help me at all. I tried all the USB ports. My husband let me download iTunes to his computer. Tried all the USB ports on his computer - still nothing. Chatted with Apple support. Checked this forum and three other Apple related forums and tried all the suggestions I found there - uninstalling and reinstalling various drivers, checking or unchecking various boxes unearthed from deep in the system, disabled my security software briefly, and numerous other things for over 10 hours. Although, many people had found a solution to the problem, nothing worked for me.

When I returned the Nano to the Apple store, it was suggested that I might have gotten a bad cable or a defective Nano. By that point I was so tired of dealing with the thing, I was not interested in trying further.

Funny thing is, my niece just asked for one. She can listen to music at work as long as she doesn't use her phone. I really hope she has better luck.

If "nothing" happens when you connect the iPod, on more than one computer, the most likely cause is a faulty cable or a problem on iPod. If you have a USB power adapter (plugs into wall outlet), like one that comes with iPhone or other device, try connecting your iPod's docking cable to it and plug in your iPod there. See if you at least get a power connection that charges the battery. If there's not power connection, that's why the iPod does not connect to the computer. With no power, the iPod isn't even turned ON.

I kept getting this message: "An iPod has been detected, but could not be identified properly. Please disconnect then reconnect and try again. If problem persists uninstall iTunes then install iTunes again."

The Nano would charge when connected to a computer, but it would not sync. That made it all the more frustrating.

If you get that message, and the iPod charges, that's a lot more than "nothing." 🙂

As a test, power off the computer and disconnect all USB devices. You can leave standard USB keyboard/mouse connected, if used. If your computer is a laptop, connect its power adapter so that it's not running on battery power. Do this to Reset (restart) the iPod

Learn how to reset your iPod - Apple Support

Start up computer, run iTunes, and connect iPod to a direct USB port by itself. Try more than one port.

If you still get that error message, watch the iPod's screen when you connect it. Does it say "Connected" or "Do not disconnect" or give other indication of a data connection. Or does it only show the battery charging symbol.

Tried all that also. The iPod never showed as connected on the screen. It never showed up as connected anywhere on the computer. The only indication I had that something was happening was that the Nano was the battery charging symbol on the Nano screen. It might as well have been plugged into a wall socket.

The docking connection has different "pins." Some are for data and some are for power.

The only indication I had that something was happening was that the Nano was the battery charging symbol on the Nano screen.

That could mean (1) the USB docking cable is faulty and only connecting for power, not data. (2) the iPod's connection point is faulty and only connecting for power. Or (3) the computer's USB port is faulty and only supplying power (probably not if the same thing happened on two computers).

However, that is contradicted by

An iPod has been detected, but could not be identified properly.

If you got this error message, that means the iPod does (or did when that message appears) have a data connection. The error message shows that the iPod was detected by the computer, so that's more than a power connection.

Do you still have this iPod?

No, I no longer have it. I returned it this past weekend. At this point it is curiosity as to whether or not someone has an idea I've not tried. I would be willing to buy another one and try again.

For a few minutes, I actually considered making an appointment at the Genius Bar and taking the Nano and my laptop in, but I'd reached the point where I didn't want anything more to do with it.

I bought another Nano. It wouldn't work either, but after further searching, I found an answer that worked for me:

"Open the Windows File Explorer on your Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP. Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers. You should then find four files from this folder. There will be a file named “usbaapl.inf” on 32 bit system or “usbaapl64.inf” for a 64-bit version of Windows. Right click on this INF file and choose Install from the pop-up menu to quickly install the Apple Mobile Device USB driver again. If there’s no Drivers folder, look in C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers.

When you have enabled, uninstalled & re-installed, installed the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver on Windows PC, remove the iPhone iPad or iPod from USB, restart the computer. When you log in Windows system again, run iTunes first, then connect up iOS device (iPhone, iPad or iPod) to computer USB port to verify that the device is recognized properly. Make sure to load iTunes program on PC before you attach your iOS device to USB."

http://www.softwarert.com/iphone-ipad-ipod-detected-not-recognized-itunes/