IPOD shuffle will not charge

[Anna3]

I got Ipod shuffle 4th generation as a gift quite a while back. Had not bothered with opening as was thinking about selling but never got around to it. Finally opened it the other day and it WILL NOT charge. I use a Dell PC, Tried the back ports as well as the front, it just remains solid yellow/orange never turning green. No problem sync with itunes. PC recognizes the device but it will not fully charge. Plug in headphones to see if its partially charged but its dead, plays nothing. Any further suggestions?

 

[Commodus]

Hm... the only other thing I can suggest is trying a different cable, if you can get one, or a different computer. Lithium batteries in mobile devices can last a long time when idle, but they'll eventually lose all of their charge (and the ability to charge) if you don't use them at least periodically.

 

[Fardringle]

I found this answer on the Apple forums:

Double check the connection to the headphones jack, to make sure the plug is fully inserted into the headphones jack as seen in this document

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3572

Other than that, since the light does not turn green, there is no power going to the shuffle. The possible causes are (1) problem with USB port not working or not providing sufficient power, (2) faulty USB cable, or (3) problem on the shuffle, such as a bad headphones jack or logic board.

For (1), try it connected to a direct USB port on the computer (not a hub) with other USB devices disconnected. If it does not work that way, connect something else to the same port to confirm it is working, preferably something similar like a USB flash drive or bus-powered external drive.

For (2), the only way to confirm the cable works is to use it to connect another shuffle, or to get another cable to try with your shuffle. If you have an Apple Store nearby, you can make a reservation at the Genius Bar, and have the Apple tech give it a try with their cable.

If you have ruled out (1) and (2), it is more likely to be (3).

 

[luv2liv]

this is why i hate non-replaceable battery! im sure your ipod works fine once the battery is replaced. but then it wont be worth the hassle and the ipod will end up in a landfill somewhere. ...

 

[Anna3]

Thanks for the replies. The ipod def does connect. It flashes amber when connecting and the itunes app says that it has synced with ipod etc. When ejected it goes into solid amber mode but just doesn't progress past that stage.
I have no experience with Apple products. This was actually a gift that had been sitting idle for a few years. I'm thinking maybe that was the problem it wasn't used. I can't resell it now that its used but will really love to get it working. Very frustrating.
I tried using a universal charger that I use to charge my Kobo mini...the ipod charges for a while with solid amber and then just turns off. Very similar to what it does when charges on the computer except it charges for hours without ever changing green

 

[Red Storm]

Try taking it to the Apple Store?

 

[Imp]

I'm assuming that you have charged it overnight?

My 2 or 3 year old Shuffle takes a few hours to charge from low battery. But if it hasn't been charged in years, it probably drained down to very very low battery. And if I recall correctly, lithium ion batteries don't like to be completely depleted and can be damaged.

And oh crap, I haven't charged my Shuffle in probably a year since I got a new player. Better do that when I get home.

 

[Anna3]

I've charged it over several nights. It had never been used before. I was going to re-gift it but wound up deciding to use it as wanted to download some audio-books. Its never been used and actually is my first apple product was really disappointed by the whole thing.