How do I fix my iPod if it shows a folder with a "!" icon or "sad" iPod?

If you start up your iPod and it shows a folder with an exclamation mark, a "sad" iPod icon, or anything else, you may first be interested in referring to "iPod Iconology" on the Apple Support Site.

Apple notes that the folder with an exclamation mark "can happen for a number of reasons" and advises one to read "iPod Shows a Folder Icon with an Exclamation Point". This document recommends that you try the following:

1. Charge the battery.

2. Reset iPod.

3. Restore the iPod.

If that doesn't work, you may need to have the iPod serviced. You may also find "Updating iPod Software" and "Restoring iPod to Factory Settings", to be helpful. Please note that restoring an iPod will erase all songs and files on your iPod.

Apple notes that the "sad" iPod icon "means that the disk scan was not able to recover the data" and recommends reading "An Exclamation Point or Sad iPod Icon Appears Onscreen" which notes that you may need to "restore your iPod" as well. Again, restoring an iPod will erase all songs and files on your iPod. If restoring the iPod doesn't work, likewise, you may need to have the iPod serviced.

For solutions to other specific problems, please refer to the iPod Troubleshooting & Repair Q&A and try the iPod Help links provided for each iPod model on EveryiPod.com.

If after going through all of the above, the issue appears to be a hardware problem, site sponsor Mission Repair offers free hardware diagnosis and an affordable 24 hour repair service by mail for all iPod models.