In this post I will offer some suggestions for troubleshooting an iPod docking station. IPod docks can quit after some time of use just like any other consumer device. Rather than returning the dock to the vendor, it may well be worth spending a few minutes to troubleshoot your dock. Chances are that you can find the source of the problem fairly quickly. This will save you time in the end. Just follow the next steps to resolve your issues.
Most problems with the dock have to do with power. Therefore make sure that the wallwart is OK. Usually the dock will have a power indicator. That will show you whether there is any issue with power. If your dock does not have an indicator then watch your iPod when you plug it into the cradle. If there is no reaction then most likely the dock does not have proper power. In this case measure the DC voltage of your wallwart. You can measure the voltage with a multimeter. If there is no voltage then check the mains outlet. If you need to fix the connection it would be handy to have the best soldering iron, just saying. The easiest way to test the mains outlet is to plug in some appliance and see if the appliance has power.
After you have established that there is no issue with power, visually check the docking connector of your dock. The connector has 30 pins and this is fairly susceptible to wear and tear. If in doubt consult your retailer. If you see any damaged pins then you may be able to use a sewing needle to fix any damage. However, for this step you’ll need a steady hand.
Finally, if there is no obvious issue with the dock itself then double check the cable connection between the dock and your power amplifier or active speakers. Replace the audio cable if necessary. If you have several Apple portable devices then plug in another device to see whether indeed the dock is damaged or your Apple device.
