ipod won't play certain mp3s

[nrandell]

For some reason my ipod won't play certain mp3 files that work fine on my computer. Does anyone know why this happens? Is there some utility out there (hopefully freeware) that can fix this?

[Kodemonkey]

For some reason my ipod won't play certain mp3 files that work fine on my computer. Does anyone know why this happens? Is there some utility out there (hopefully freeware) that can fix this?

Do you know how the MP3s are encoded? some of the variable bit rate stuff used to be a problem for older ipods.

[Peter.Steele]

I have a similar problem with my iPhone 4 sometimes. It's a little unpredictable, though ... sometimes it'll play a song, no problem. Sometimes it won't play it at all. Most annoying, though, sometimes it'll play a song halfway through and then decide to skip the rest of it. No way to predict when it'll happen. I can put one song on repeat and it'll do the same thing.

[Rivers]

No idea why except maybe the encoding. Try putting the problem songs in a playlist in iTunes (on the computer), export that to a CD using AIFF (strips the DRM off any music files). Deselect the problem songs so they won't be played. Now insert that CD and reimport the songs as a standard MP3 at either 128 or 192 bit rate. Make sure they play in iTunes. Re-sync the iPod and see if the new songs play.