Scenario: You're rocking on with your iPhone or iPod Touch when disaster strikes! Now you're stuck on a frozen screen, or unable to even turn the thing on. Don't fret, you haven't been iBricked. In many cases, the issue can be fixed by simply resetting your device. This guide will show you when to reset, and how to do it quickly.

• There are all sorts of arcane errors that can arise out of your iPhone or iPod, and not all of them call for a reset.Macworld: Mac 911 - Bugs & Fixes: The elusive iPhone Error 1603 (September 21, 2007) However, resetting is just the solution in the event that your device:
  1. Fails to appear or fails to sync properly in iTunes.Apple Support: iPhone: Basic Troubleshooting
  2. Can no longer access the email, the Internet, playback music or perform other basic functions.Apple Support: iPhone: Basic Troubleshooting
  3. No longer turns on, or the touchscreen becomes frozen and unresponsive.Apple Support: iPhone: Basic Troubleshooting

• TIP: If it's just an application which has become unresponsive, you don't necessarily have to reset the entire device. You can simply press and hold the Home button at the bottom-center of the device for about 6 seconds to force quit the specific application.About.com: How to Quite iPhone Programs

• Resetting your device is basically forcing the machine to reboot itself.The Unofficial Apple Weblog: iPhone Troubleshooting: How to Restart, quit frozen apps and Reset iPhone (July 18, 2007) The first step is to shut it down completely:
  1. Locate the Sleep/Wake button on the top side of your device, to the very right.
  2. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until a red slider appears on the touchscreen.
  3. Move the slider all the way across.

• Now that your device has been shut down, you need to instruct it to reset itself.Apple Support: Turning on/off and resetting
  1. Locate the Home button, on the front of the device, at the bottom-center.
  2. Simultaneously press and hold both the Sleep/Wake and the Home buttons.Apple Support: Turning on/off and resetting
  3. Do not let go of them both until the Apple logo appears on your device's touchscreen.Apple Support: Turning on/off and resetting
• Your device will now boot up normally. None of your personal data or customized settings have been altered in any way.The Unofficial Apple Weblog: iPhone Troubleshooting: How to Restart, quit frozen apps and Reset iPhone (July 18, 2007) However, if the device is still malfunctioning you must reset the settingsApple Support: iPhone: Basic Troubleshooting:
  1. Navigate to the Home Screen.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select General.
  4. Select Reset.
  5. Select Reset All Settings.
• Although the device has been restored to its original factory settings, all of your data will remain intact and unaltered.Apple Support: iPhone: Basic Troubleshooting

• Congratulations! You are qualified to deal with most kinds of common software misbehavior that your sleek, sexy Apple tech will throw your way. All you need to worry about now is not dropping it by accident.

• Introduction
• When To Reset?
• Step 1: Power Down
• Step 2: Reset
• Conclusion