iPod not recognized in 'My Computer' and in iTunes for Windows

Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements to use iPod with Windows.

If your iPod displays a folder with an exclamation point icon or a sad (unhappy) iPod icon on its screen, or if your iPod doesn't appear in iTunes or My Computer, follow these instructions to resolve the issue.

Your iPod must have enough of a charge for your computer to recognize it. Connect your iPod to its power adapter or to a high-power port on your computer to charge your iPod if the battery is depleted. If your iPod is connected through FireWire but isn't getting power from the FireWire bus, your computer may not recognize it.

Make sure that there is nothing physically inside or blocking your computer's USB (or FireWire) port, and that the cable connections to your iPod and computer are secure.

Note: If you're using an iPod shuffle (Second Generation), make sure the iPod is inserted securely in the iPod shuffle Dock.

Sometimes simply restarting your computer can resolve issues.

• If you're connecting an iPod, iPod mini, or iPod shuffle to your Windows computer, make sure that you're connecting it to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer.
• If you're connecting the iPod to a Windows laptop computer through USB, connect the laptop to a power outlet before connecting your iPod. Also, see iPod not recognized when connected to Windows laptop over USB to be sure that your USB ports are supplying enough power. 
• Typically, USB 2.0 high-power ports are located directly on your computer. Try connecting your iPod to another USB port on the computer.
• Avoid connecting the iPod to a USB hub. Connect the iPod directly to a USB 2.0 port on the computer. If a hub must be used, make sure the hub is USB 2.0, and that it has its own power supply. Also, make sure the hub is connected to a high-power USB 2.0 port on your computer. 
• If the issue persists, try disconnecting other USB devices from the computer such as printers, cameras, scanners, external hard drives, and USB hubs to determine if there is a conflict in the USB chain.

1. Make sure that you are using the cable that came with your iPod. Some third-party cables may not work properly with iPod.
2. Make sure that nothing is in or blocking your computer's USB or FireWire port.
3. Check the connections to make sure that the cable is completely plugged in.
4. Try another known-good FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable if available.

If swapping out your old cable for another resolves the issue, then your original cable should be replaced.

Try placing the iPod into disk mode to see if it is recognized by iTunes, or My Computer.

iTunes for Windows only recognizes Windows-formatted iPods. You cannot use a Macintosh-formatted iPod with a Windows PC. To learn for which platform your iPod is formatted, follow these instructions.

If another FireWire or USB port is available on your computer, try connecting your iPod to it. 

If your computer recognizes your iPod after trying a different port, the original port could be faulty.

Note: iPod will not automatically wake up if you connect it to a 4-pin FireWire port. You must press the Select button (the wheel's center button) on the iPod to wake it from sleep.

If the drive letter after iPod ("E" in most cases) is mapped to a network drive, both Windows Explorer and iTunes may exhibit strange behavior in relation to the iPod (including preventing iPod from appearing. See "Windows confuses iPod with network drive and may keep iPod from mounting or songs may seem to disappear" for more information.

Make sure that Windows recognizes your USB or FireWire card. Follow these steps to find out if Windows sees your card.

Some third-party software (such as security software) may prevent your computer from recognizing your iPod.

• Try adjusting the settings of such software, or temporarily disabling it, to see if that resolves the issue.
• Also, try booting Windows to Selective Startup mode to disable any third-party startup programs and services, and isolate which software may be causing the issue.

Download and install the latest version of iTunes.

In some cases, you may need to completely uninstall and reinstall iTunes.

Only certain iPod models sync via FireWire. Refer to the table in the Additional Information section to make sure your iPod can sync via FireWire.

If you have a FireWire (IEEE 1394) card installed in your computer and are using it to connect your iPod, make sure that the card is Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified. If it isn't, your iPod may not be recognized, or you may not be able to send music to the iPod.

If you're not sure about your card's WHQL certification, check the inbox material that came with your FireWire card or contact the card's manufacturer. You can view a list of WHQL-certified cards on the Windows Hardware Compatibility List website. To view this:

1. Go to the Windows Hardware Compatibility List website.
2. Click on the link that corresponds with your Windows Operating System to view the compatibility list.
3. Select your Operating System build, and then from the Product Categories pop-up menu, choose 1394 Controller.
4. Click the Search Now button.

You can also check the list of recommended FireWire and USB cards that have been tested by Apple with iPod and Windows XP (Apple sells FireWire cards that are compatible with iPod at the Apple Store.).

To rule out an issue with your FireWire card, try connecting a different FireWire device to the card to see if your computer recognizes it.

Only certain iPod models sync via FireWire. Refer to the table in the Additional Information section to make sure your iPod can sync via FireWire.

Your computer may not recognize your iPod if there's a device conflict in the FireWire chain. To see if this is the case:

1. Disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire ports.
2. Connect your iPod to your computer's FireWire port.

If your computer recognizes your iPod, you should troubleshoot for FireWire device conflicts.

If another computer is available, verify that the same issues happen with the other computer. If the other computer recognizes your iPod, you may want to troubleshoot for issues with your original computer.

If after following these steps your computer still doesn't recognize iPod, see the iPod Service website to arrange for service.