There are two basic troubleshooting issues you might encounter with wireless syncing. First, during wireless sync setup, you may have trouble finding your wireless network when Zune scans the airwaves. Second, once you've correctly configured your network, you may have issues starting sync. This topic offers a broad range of solutions.

Pay attention to what your Zune displays when you start wireless sync.

• Looking for network
• Connecting to network
• Connecting to PC
• Preparing to sync
• Syncing
• Sync complete

If wireless sync status on your Zune stops at "Looking for network," refer to During wireless sync setup, Zune couldn't find my network.

If the status stops at "Connecting to PC" or "Preparing to sync," see I've configured wireless sync correctly but sync doesn't work.

DURING WIRELESS SYNC SETUP, ZUNE COULDN'T FIND MY NETWORK
Some wireless sync setup issues can relate to the type of network authentication and encryption your router uses. Make sure you have your router documentation on hand and know a little bit about wireless networking when you get started (or have your friendly network administrator at the ready). If your network doesn't appear in the list of available networks, try some of the following solutions:

• Try again. If there are a number of networks in your vicinity, Zune may find yours on the second try.
• Move your Zune closer to the wireless router to get a stronger signal.
• Restart your Zune device.
• Update the Zune software or your Zune device.
• Position the wireless router or wireless access point in a central location. If your router is against an outside wall, the signal may be weak on the opposite side of the house.
• Enter your security key again. You may have entered a security key that is not the correct length or format.
• Some routers let you create a random security key (for example, "fluffy") for ease of use. If your router uses WEP authentication, you must provide a 10- or 26-digit Hex key or a 5- or 13-character ASCII key. See your router's documentation to get the WEP key.
• If your router uses WPA or WPA2 authentication, you must enter the correct length alphanumeric security key. See your router's documentation for details.
• Your wireless network may not be broadcasting an SSID. To manually configure wireless sync for your Zune, see Wirelessly Sync to Your Collection.
• Zune may not support your network authentication scheme. Zune doesn't support networks using 802.1x certificate-based security, which are usually found in corporate environments and public access points such as hotels, cafes, or other "hot spots."
  
  Note
  If you configure your network to use a different authentication scheme, remember to reconfigure any devices (for example, your laptop) currently associated with your network.
  
  
• If your router uses a WPA authentication scheme and you have a Zune 30GB, WPA2-PSK network types won't appear on the list of available networks when you click Show Advanced Settings for wireless sync. That's because Zune 30GB devices don't work with WPA2-PSK authentication schemes.
• If your router is configured to accept only clients with specified MAC addresses, you must add the MAC address of your Zune to your router's list of accepted clients. To get the MAC address for your Zune, select settings, wireless, information.
• If you're using Shared Key encryption with a WEP-based network, you need to manually select that network type. Zune assumes that any WEP-based network is using Open System authentication. To manually select Shared Key encryption:
  1. In the Zune software, click Settings, Device, Wireless Sync.
  2. Click Configure Wireless Sync Now, Show Advanced Settings.
  3. Under Network Type, select Shared Authentication Using WEP Key and enter your network key.
• Configure your router so that index 1 is the active security key. Some routers store as many as four different security keys for a WEP-based authentication scheme—these are called key indexes. Zune supports key index 1 only. See your router documentation for details.
• Make sure your router isn't configured to use a WPA2 authentication scheme with TKIP+AES encryption. WPA2-based networks can encrypt using TKIP, AES, or TKIP+AES. Zune doesn't support TKIP+AES encyrption. For best results with Zune, use AES or TKIP encryption. See your router's documentation to configure encryption for your wireless network.
  
  To manually configure Zune to use WPA2 with AES or TKIP encryption:
  1. In the Zune software, click Settings, Device, Wireless Sync.
  2. Click Configure Wireless Sync Now, Show Advanced Settings.
  3. Under Network Type, select WPA2 using AES or WPA2 using TKIP and enter your network key.
• Many routers and wireless access points support "AP isolation," which allows each wireless client to be in its own virtual network. If this feature is enabled on your router, it may prevent your Zune from communicating with your computer. See your router's documentation for details.
• Check our list of compatible routers. This isn't an exhaustive list, but it's a hopeful sign if your router is on it.

I'VE CONFIGURED WIRELESS SYNC CORRECTLY BUT SYNC DOESN'T WORK

If your Zune isn't syncing, try some of the following solutions:

• Try again. Zune may sync successfully on the second try.
• Make sure your Zune has wireless turned on. Select settings, wireless, and choose on.
• Move your Zune closer to the wireless router to get a stronger signal.
• Make sure your computer is on and connected to the network, that you are logged into your user account, and that the Zune software is open.
• Remember that your Zune must be idle for at least one minute, with no media playing, before wireless sync begins.
• Confirm that there are items in your Zune collection that need syncing and that you have set up your sync options properly. For info about selecting media for sync, see Sync Options.
• Manually start wireless sync from your Zune device by selecting settings, wireless, sync now.
• Your battery charge must be at least 10 percent before wireless sync can take place. If the battery gauge is red, your Zune won't sync wirelessly. Dock your Zune or connect it to a power outlet for a while and try again.
• Sync over a USB connection to determine if the issue is with the Zune software or with the wireless configuration.
• Make sure your Zune is allowed to communicate through Windows Firewall on your computer. Windows Firewall is on by default. This means that most programs aren't allowed to accept unsolicited communications from the Internet unless you choose to list those programs as exception.
  
  To add your Zune to the exceptions list in Windows XP:
  1. Click Start, Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, double-click Windows Firewall.
  3. On the Exceptions tab, under Programs and Services, select the check box for UPNP Framework and click OK.
  
  
  To add your Zune to the exceptions list in Windows Vista:
  
  1. Click Start, Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel, double-click Windows Firewall.
  3. Click Allow a program through Windows Firewall. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Select the check box next to Wireless Portable Devices, and click OK.
     
     Note
     You also may need to open Windows Firewall to allow UPNP Framework or Zune Network Sharing Services.
     
• Connect your Zune to a high power source such as an AC adapter or the Zune dock.
• If you have a Zune 30GB, make sure that you don't have tv out selected on your Zune. Go to settings, display, tv out and select off. You can't use tv out and wireless sync at the same time on the Zune 30GB. For more information, see View Pictures and Video on a TV.
• It's possible that the computer you're trying to connect to is no longer configured for wireless sync. Did you link your Zune to another computer? Make sure your Zune is linked to the computer you want to configure for wireless sync.
• Configure wireless sync again in the Zune software. See Wirelessly Sync to Your Collection for procedures.
• If you have two computers on the same wireless network and you decide to set up your Zune on the second computer, first remove your Zune device from the first computer to clear the wireless configuration from it.
• If your computer is connecting to your router wirelessly, try connecting it directly to the router with an Ethernet cable.
• If you've installed a firewall or other security software, it may be blocking installation of Zune wireless sync drivers. Try disabling the firewall or configuring  an exception for your Zune. See your firewall documentation for details.
• Restart your computer and try again. Some wireless services may need to be refreshed.

Wireless Sync

Sync Your Zune Over Wireless

Wireless Sync FAQ

Compatible Routers

Sync Options