Check here for answers to questions about Zune battery power.
How do I charge the battery?
Your Zune comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery installed. To charge the battery, plug your device in to a power source that will work for Zune. Here are some options:
Once you connect your Zune to a power source, you'll see a charging battery icon on your Zune device's screen as the battery starts to charge.
If the battery is very low, you may at first see a full-screen charging icon on your Zune. When the battery has enough charge, the home screen will pop up—this may take several minutes.
Once the home screen appears, the charging battery icon appears in the lower right of the screen so that you can see how full your battery is getting.
| Icon | State |
 | Low battery |
 | Charging battery |
 | Fully charged battery |
How long does it take to charge the battery?
Charging time varies depending on the power source. Typically, if your battery is completely drained, expect it to take about three hours to fully charge when you use a high-power USB port. If the Zune software is running on the computer you're charging the device on, it can take longer because the software may be syncing to your Zune. Close the Zune software to speed things up.
You don't have to wait until your battery is fully charged to use your Zune. Disconnect any time you've got the charge you need.
How can I maximize the time a battery charge will last?
What you do with your Zune affects how long the battery lasts. For example, the more you interact with your Zune, the more battery power you use.
To get the best battery performance, follow these guidelines:
How come the battery doesn't seem to charge or charges very slowly?
If you try to charge your battery but it doesn't seem to charge or charges very slowly, you may be plugged in to a low-power USB port. Sometimes, when charging, you may even see a low battery icon or a charging icon on your Zune.
Ideally, the battery should be charged with at least 500 milliamps (mA) of power. In many cases, the USB ports on the front of a computer and on some USB hubs are low-power 100-mA ports. Typically, the high-power 500-mA USB ports are on the back of a computer. Additionally, if your computer is sleeping, the high-power USB ports may switch to low-power 100 mA mode.
Try some of these solutions:
Why does my Zune display a battery icon?
Your Zune can display a few different battery icons depending on its state.
| Icon | State |
| Low battery. The battery charge is too low to start your Zune. |
| Charging battery. The battery charge is too low to start your Zune but it is connected to a power source and the battery is charging. |
| The home screen displays when the battery is charged enough to start your Zune. A small battery icon in the lower right displays charge status. |
Why doesn't my Zune have battery power when I plug it in to my computer for the first time?
The Zune devices are all partially charged before packaging. However, if the remaining charge in the battery is too low, the Zune won't turn on until the battery has charged up a bit. Connect the device to a powered USB port or the Zune AC Adapter (sold separately) and let it sit for at least 15 to 30 minutes to partially charge it. A completely drained battery takes about 2 to 3 hours to fully recharge.
To correct common charging problems, try these steps:
How do I turn off my Zune to save battery power?
To turn off your Zune manually, press and hold the play/pause button.
Your Zune will turn itself off automatically if you're not currently playing something—music, videos, podcasts, or the radio. If you are playing music, videos, or podcasts, your Zune will turn off after the selection is finished. If it's playing the radio, however, it will continue playing until you turn your Zune off manually.
The same is true if you set the backlight to always on. It stays on until you turn off your Zune.
Why does my Zune have a black screen?
The battery may be completely drained. Connect your Zune to a power source and allow time for the battery to recharge.
The hold switch may be locked. Try moving the hold switch back and forth. Then move it to the unlocked position and press the play/pause button.
For other possible solutions, see Troubleshoot Zune Device Problems.
