How to Reset iPod Video Player

iPod Classic Video Player, displaying its Settings menu.

Gives reset iPod Video instructions for this Apple 5th gen player. Restoring most audio, video, and system settings to factory default values, you can do without a computer.

Note though that a reset without a computer, does not erase any music right away. But it does set up for a file purge when you next plug the iPod into a box running iTunes.

The player , operating normally, front view.

How to Reset iPod Video Player: Step by Step

1 Press and Release Touch Ring Top

First, press the top of the touch ring, the Menu area until you see the main menu. Note that you may have to press the ring a few times to get back to the outer menu.

The main menu is shown next.

iPod player, displaying Main Menu before factory default reset.

2. Move to the Settings Item

Next, move your finger clockwise around the touch wheel until you highlight the Settings menu item with the blue bar.

Then, press and release the Enter button at the center of the touch ring. The Settings menu then displays, as shown next.

The player, displaying its Settings menu.

3. Move to the Reset All Settings Item to Continue with How to Reset iPod Video Player

Then, move your finger clockwise around the ring until you highlight the Reset All Settings menu item with the blue bar, as shown next.

iPod Video, displaying its Settings menu, with Reset menu item selected.

4. Press the Enter Button

Then, press and release the Enter button again. Find this at the center of the touch ring.

The Reset All screen the pops up, as shown next.

The iPod displaying the Reset All settings confirmation screen.

5. Confirm your Choice to Reset

Once again, move your finger clockwise around the ring until the blue bar highlights the Reset item.

Then, press and release the Enter button.

This starts the factory default reset process, which can take a few seconds to finish.

Once done, the Language Selection screen comes up, as shown next.

iPod Video Player, displaying its Language Selection menu.

6. Choose your Language to Continue with How to Reset iPod Video Player

Then, move your finger clockwise around the touch wheel until the blue bar highlights your language of choice.

Then, press the Enter button. This puts into effect your chosen language such that all menus appear in that language. We chose English on our player.

Then the main menu once again appears.

The player, displaying its Main menu, after factory default reset.

7. Done with How to Reset iPod Video Player !

You have now reset all the settings in your iPod Video player to default values. And you did this without deleting its music files. At least, not yet. Resetting restores the eq to flat, shuffle, repeat, main menu item display, and so on. Again, the music files will not go away until you next connect this iPod to iTunes. They will vanish then. So do not connect this iPod to iTunes unless you really want to remove its music files.

iPod player, operating normally, front view.