iFixit - Answers With Device "iPod Nano 4th Generation"

iPod Nano 4th Generation: My iPod only works when its charging.

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 08:30:39 -0700

My iPod 4th generation nano only works when plugged in. I have left it plugged into ac power overnight, and in the morning it shows it's complete, but when I unplug it, the screen goes dark and the device loses power. When I try to turn it on by holding the play button nothing happens, I try to reset it by holding the menu and center button for 6-30 seconds and also nothing happens. The device was used rarely from purchase and has been sitting without a charge for at least a year. I can listen to music while it's plugged in and "charging" but when I disconnect it from the ac power cord its a dead duck. If anyone can help me I'd be greatful.

⟐ Commented June 02, 2025 at 8:30 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: How to unlock my iPod? I forgot the 4 digit number

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:24:33 -0700

iPod model A1285

⟐ Commented February 03, 2025 at 11:24 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: What does eject before disconnecting mean?

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 17:49:57 -0700

I plugged iPod into laptop, not doing anything, what does the eject before disconnecting mean

⟐ Commented December 27, 2021 at 17:49 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: Why has my iPod click wheel stopped working?

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 12:18:37 -0700

After adding some new music on my iPod nano and unplugging it from the computer, my click wheel is no longer working. I know it is the click wheel as my screen is not frozen. Has this happened to anyone else, and can anyone help me?

⟐ Commented October 27, 2022 at 12:18 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: How to turn on/off?

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 12:24:32 -0700

how do i trun on and off the ipod modle # a1285

⟐ Commented February 17, 2015 at 12:24 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: My iPod Nano is Frozen?

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:37:09 -0700

iPod froze, ive restarted it multiple times by holding in the center and menu button, and installing the new software, ive let it die 4 times and charged it back to 100%, how do i get it to unfreeze?

⟐ Commented June 11, 2019 at 18:37 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: iPod won't turn on or charge

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 00:28:52 -0700

I have an iPod 4th generation nano. Yesterday morning my iPod was working, the battery was low so I plugged it into a wall outlet. I noticed that it was still turned on so I turned it off. The charging battery icon came on. About 20 minutes later I was going to listen to it while it was charging. The screen was black, the charging battery sign was off. it would not come on. So I continued to charge it for several hours. I checked it and still nothing. I connected to several usb ports on my computer, and still nothing happened. Normally when I plug the ipod into the computer a box will appear about charging the iPod. But nothing happened. I went to itunes and it didn't recognised the iPod. I tried to reset it several times by turning the hold button off and on and holding the menu and select down for 6 -30 seconds. Will appreciate any help. Thank you.

⟐ Commented April 19, 2021 at 0:28 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: How do I ulpoad pictures onto my iPod?

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:24:09 -0700

Ive looked on Google with no successful answers, but I cannot figure out how to upload picture onto my iPod. Any tips?

⟐ Answered November 02, 2020 at 20:24 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: Where can I get an instruction manual for an iPod #a1285?

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:27:52 -0700

I have an iPod nano model #1285 and I don't know how to use it. I need an instruction manual. Is this an mp3? I don't know anything about iPods or mp3s and if they are the same thing.

⟐ Answered November 03, 2020 at 5:27 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: Battery will not hold a charge

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 02:22:39 -0700

I received my nano 4th generation with what was supposed to be a non working battery. I could connect the ipod to a power source and it worked fine until I disconnected it and then it said battery too low so I replaced with a brand new battery. But I still have the same problem. I can connect ipod to a power source (outlet, computer, dock) and it works fine until I disconnect it and it shuts down. What can this be from? The battery I replaced with was brand new in the package. Ipod will read that the battery is fully charged.

⟐ Commented April 06, 2020 at 2:22 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: How do I turn off my iPod nano model A1285/ 8gb?

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 12:26:30 -0700

I know this is silly, but how do I turn it off? Apparently I keep locking it, then I find the battery drained. Is it on when the orange is showing around button on top, or off, or just locked? I guess we lost the manual in the move.

⟐ Commented November 30, 2021 at 12:26 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: Water spill and since problem with click wheel

Thu, 26 Dec 2013 22:28:56 -0700

My daughter's iPod Nano 4th gen made a trip to the washing machine. I opened it to make sure the internal parts would dry faster and blowed compressed air. There was no sign of water inside but now the click wheel center button doesn't work. What do you think guys: click wheel issue or motherboard issue ?

⟐ Answer accepted December 26, 2013 at 22:28 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: iPod in the Washing Machine - DOH!

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:22:22 -0700

I know there is a similar question out there relating to a water damaged iPod Nano 4th Generation. However, given my symptoms are different, I thought I would post a separate question.

My daughter accidentally put her coat, with the iPod, in the washing machine.

Symptoms

(1) The display does not work.

(2) The click wheel clicks. Furthermore, I can click next and back to go to the next song and back, respectively. However, given that the display does not work, I cannot be sure if the click wheel is functioning. Moving my finger around the wheel generates the clicking sound.

QUESTION: Do you think I need to replace the display? And the click wheel?

F.W.I.W.: It's been about 2 months since the accident. I waited about 2 days before trying the iPod.

Cheers!

First the good news

We were successful in replacing the display. We can now see the display.

Now the bad news.

However, the iPod now lacks any backlight. Right now, it only works in the sunlight. I even tried setting backlight to 'always on'.

I have read some other posts suggesting to replace the logic board. At the risk of rendering the iPod completely non-functioning, I am reluctant to replace the logic board.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers!

⟐ Answer deleted July 10, 2012 at 13:22 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: My ipod is stuck on hold

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 23:09:06 -0700

My iPod is stuck on hold or lock and I've tried reset, restore, everything and its still stuck on hold. My iPod still recognize my computer and turns on when i charge it but it i cant navigate or use it when its on lock. I just barely passed my warranty which on screwed i have to fix this myself. How do I replace or fix the hold problem?

⟐ Commented December 14, 2024 at 23:09 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: How do I replace the backlight?

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:35:38 -0700

Everything is working perfectly fine but I just can't see anything. Apple said it had water damage and to buy a new one. I just can't see buying a new one if it works fine with the exception of viewing it. Can I just replace a light?

⟐ Commented January 04, 2011 at 22:35 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: What is causing this backlight problem on my iPod Nano 4th Generation?

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:12:51 -0700

I got an Ipod Nano 4g which I bought faulty on ebay. Faulty meaning the screen was dead.

I have now replaced the screen (bought a new one), it is working, except for a missing backlight. I have spent some time trying to figure out what can be done and I am a bit stuck.

I think the unit has had water damage, I say this because the display ribbon cable has signs of corrosion (on the second connector from the left-to be specific). I have used contact cleaner and cleaned up the cable as well as possible. However no luck - the screen backlight is off.

Do you know/think a bad ribbon cable could cause a backlight problem?

I don't see signs of corrosion anywhere else on the logic board. Steve, in your post, you say if it isn't the screen it self(or the cable), then it is failure of the circuit powering the screen's backlight on the main circuit board. What exactly could be faulty on the logic board - is there some way of seeing it? How come only this circuit fails while everything else works perfectly.

All the best!

⟐ Commented April 09, 2011 at 2:12 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: white screen of death on iPod nano 4g

Sat, 24 May 2025 18:53:01 -0700

i am having this problem,

ipod nano 4g turns on and came up with a white screen and gets three beeps

i tried reseting and restoring , it doesnt work.

its not screen problem i have replaced two times my screen also

⟐ Commented May 24, 2025 at 18:53 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: Apple logo flashes briefly when plugged in

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 22:58:44 -0700

I have a Nano that does not do anything when not plugged in, and when I plug it into the computer the Apple logo comes up very briefly (<1 second) before the screen goes black. It doesn't just do this once, though, it continues to flash on and off, as if it is trying to start up, but can't. I imagine that if it were a battery issue it would still work when plugged in. Is this a logic board or perhaps a connector issue? As of right now, my plan is to open it up and clean all of the logic board contacts with isopropyl alcohol and see if that helps.

Update

Simply cleaning the dock connector did not change anything. It looks like this Nano is going under the knife.

⟐ Answered March 17, 2014 at 22:58 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: why my batery does not charge at all?

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 07:44:29 -0700

it only works when is pluged in, and as soon as i unploged it completely turns off.what can it be, battery?

⟐ Commented August 29, 2013 at 7:44 MST

iPod Nano 4th Generation: What do I use to clean the LCD screen?

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 01:41:53 -0700

While replacing the outer glass panel, I got a couple finger smudges on the LCD screen. What should I use to clean the LCD screen?

⟐ Answer deleted August 17, 2012 at 1:41 MST