iPod Special Report: Falling Asleep (appearing off) suddenly

Some iPods fall asleep suddenly after about 2 minutes of operation. A few representative cases:

Ken Glinka writes "My iPod falls asleep after exactly 2 minutes. It happens to me maybe twice a month."

Glenn Perez adds "I wanted to let you know that I am also experiencing a problem with my iPod every two minutes. This problem occurs when I record using a iTalk microphone. When I then playback a recording every two minutes I can hear the iPod hard drive spinning up. It seems that every two minutes the iPod hard drive spins up to keep it awake. It sound like even though this is a different problem that it to is related to the iPod sleeping every two minutes."

Ira Lansing: "I too have the 2 minute sleep problem observed by Luc Beaudoin. My 15 GB was purchased during the summer of 2003, just like his. In my case the iPod will shut off somewhere between 2 and 3 minutes (closer to 2), and usually will occur during the first song, but not every time. In fact, it is more infrequent so as to not be an annoyance, but it is there."

Workarounds

Leaving the iPod plugged in It appears that, in most cases, this issue does not affect iPods that are connected to a power source.

Al Moser writes "I have a 30 gig iPod and it also goes to sleep after 2 minutes of play, either songs or audio book. If I plug it into the dock and the dock into a power source, (wall plug) it doesn't fall asleep."

Restoring the iPod A few users have reported that restoring their iPods to factory settings has resolved the sleeping issue. Note that performing a "Restore" process erases the hard disk and restores iPod to its original factory condition. Because Restore erases all of the songs and files on the hard disk, make sure to back up your songs and files first.

Instructions for restoring the iPod can be found in Apple Knowledge Base article #60983.

• When songs won't play
• Warning about Windows DRM and the iPod
• Using Apple's Disk Utility, other disk tools to solve iPod directory/permissions problems
• USB 2.0 synchronization/data transfer problems
• Audio dropouts, pauses
• Revitalizing a frozen/unresponsive iPod
• Sudden, Unexpected Resets
• Repair difficult, replacement often cheaper: Cracked LCD screens and more
• Quirkiness when synchronizing with high-power USB 1.1 ports
• Mac freezes when going to sleep with iPod connected
• iTunes-purchased tracks won't transfer to iPod
• iTunes crash on iPod connection; solutions
• iSight interference
• Falling Asleep (appearing off) suddenly
• iPod-stored tracks cannot use some iTunes features
• Updater software issues
• Shuffle USB connectivity issues
• Remote Control problems
• iPod not showing up in iTunes
• Batteries: Charging, maintaining capacity, maximizing life; more
• Preferences not sticking
• Extracting files from an iPod to a Mac
• Distorted/static sound
• Dealing with Smart Playlists
• AppleCare for iPods
• Complaints about Apple earbud quality; alternatives
• Data loss -- Music disappears from iPod

Resources