iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

How-to › Ask iLounge

Ask iLounge

Updating firmware on 4G iPod

Last updated: May 16, 2021 4:38 pm UTC
By Jesse Hollington

Q: I recently got my old fourth-generation iPod out of retirement. I plugged it into my PC and it was recognised and iTunes started up. iTunes then recommended an update for my iPod and I had that installed. A plug icon then showed up on my iPod so I plugged it into the mains. The plug icon will not go away, when I try to reset my iPod the Apple logo comes up, I press play and then a battery with an exclamation mark comes up.

Advertisements

I’ve been told it’s a battery issue. Have you ever come across this?

– Scott

A: This was a actually a pretty common problem with the old fourth-generation iPod. Early iPod models only charged over a 12-volt FireWire connection, and the fourth-generation iPod was actually the first model to allow for both USB synchronization and charging. Unfortunately, for whatever reason Apple didn’t extend that USB power compatibility to the actual firmware update process.

Basically, the second stage of the firmware update requires that the iPod be connected to a power source to ensure the battery doesn’t go dead while it’s flashing the internal ROM chips, however the update process fails to recognize a USB connection as a valid power source, accepting only the 12-volt FireWire connection.

Advertisements

Originally, this wasn’t a big problem as these iPod models shipped with a FireWire-based charger that could be used to complete the restore process. The plug icon essentially meant, “Connect your iPod to the wall adapter” which would have been a 12-volt FireWire connection.

Of course, with every iPod released since 2005 now using USB charging only, FireWire cables and adapters have become much more difficult to locate. Sadly, finding a FireWire power source is still the only solution to completing the firmware update process. You will need to find a Dock Connector to FireWire cable and either a FireWire plug adapter or a powered FireWire port on a computer.

Advertisements

Latest News
The AirPods 4 with ANC is $30 Off
The AirPods 4 with ANC is $30 Off
1 Min Read
Google Adds Major Features to Google Maps EU
Google Adds Major Features to Google Maps EU
1 Min Read
New OLED Component May Debut on 2027 iPhone
New OLED Component May Debut on 2027 iPhone
1 Min Read
Trump Gives TikTok Another 90-Day Extension
Trump Gives TikTok Another 90-Day Extension
1 Min Read
The AirPods 4 is $30 Off
The AirPods 4 is $30 Off
1 Min Read
iPhone 17 Might Come In Two New Color Options
iPhone 17 Might Come In Two New Color Options
1 Min Read
New Foxconn Facility in India to Make iPhone Casing
New Foxconn Facility in India to Make iPhone Casing
1 Min Read
New Apple Accessories Launch on Apple Store and Apple Online
New Apple Accessories Launch on Apple Store and Apple Online
1 Min Read
The M4 Mac Mini is $130 Off
The M4 Mac Mini is $130 Off
1 Min Read
Bluey Theme Arrives on Apple Arcade Game Fruit Ninja Classic+
Bluey Theme Arrives on Apple Arcade Game Fruit Ninja Classic+
1 Min Read
Lossless Audio Tier Will Soon Debut on Spotify
Lossless Audio Tier Will Soon Debut on Spotify
1 Min Read
macOS Tahoe Cuts Off Support for FireWire
macOS Tahoe Cuts Off Support for FireWire
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?