After Liquid Damage

• It's essential to power an iPod off after it receives liquid damage to prevent further damage to the device, even if it appears to be working fine. If electrical current is traveling through a water-damaged iPod, it magnifies the effect of water damage. Turn the iPod off after water damage occurs and place it in an air-tight bag filled with a desiccant, such as silica gel or white rice. Attempt to turn to the iPod back on to see whether the damage was mild enough to use it again.
  
  

Sound Issues

• If music doesn't work on a water-damaged iPod, check to see whether the issue relates to the sound itself. If you can open songs and albums and play them, but simply don't hear sound, the issue has to do with the iPod's sound output, rather than the device itself. If the headphones you normally use got water damaged, try using a different pair -- or, if you use an iPod Touch, try playing music via the device's built-in speaker.
  
  

Internet Connection and Apps

• One reason apps don't work on a water-damaged iPod is in the event of a slow or non-functioning Internet connection. In the wake of water damage, the iPod's built-in wireless adapter may be damaged. To test whether this is the case, attempt to connect to any nearby wireless network, then load a Web page or open a Web-based app. If nothing loads, the failure to load apps has to do with the Internet connection, rather than the iPod itself.
  
  

Repairing Wet iPod

• Aside from drying out a wet iPod using a desiccant, there is a limit to the number of steps you can take to repair a wet iPod without the assistance of a professional. You shouldn't, for example, attempt to open up the iPod unless you are trained in doing so. Water damage voids the iPod warranty, so although opening up the iPod doesn't add any insult to injury in this regard, you may inflict additional damage that adds to the final cost of the repair.