Zune users complain of fast-draining battery with latest firmware
By Donald Melanson 
posted Nov 28th 2007 11:59AM
posted Nov 28th 2007 11:59AM
We've already had a few reports of some problems with the latest Zunes (and the latest firmware), and it now looks like there's another issue brewing, with a number of users complaining of battery problems with Zune 30s and 80s loaded with the most recent firmware. Apparently, the Zunes have the unfortunate tendency to rapidly drain their batteries, even when the player is not in use. Judging from the discussion on the Zune.net message boards, that particular issue seems to be due to some unknown difficulty the Zune has with entering hibernate mode which it, seemingly, doesn't do at all (at least among those who've reported problems). Those finding themselves plagued by similar battery issues can apparently "fix" the problem by holding back and down on the d-pad to shut the Zune off completely when its not in use, although we're guessing few will be completely satisfied until Microsoft chimes in on the matter.[Thanks, Jeff]
Update: Zune-Online.com has gotten word of another fix that appears to solve the issue, at least on the Zune 30. To get things started, you'll have to first drain the Zune until you get the exclamation point, and then fully charge it again (leaving it overnight, if necessary). After that's done, you then reset the Zune by pressing up and back simultaneously, which should set things back on track . Not a perfect solution, obviously, but it seems to be the best option for now.
The battery lasts longer while music is playing, however the device doesn't hibernate any long when I hold down the play button. It will do http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/acer/bat30n3l.htm
this reglardless of wireless being on or off. The solution given (hold back and down) works fine for me. I also have a Zune 4, and do not experiencing this issue with it. Holding down Play successfully hibernates the device.
We are getting reports that the recent firmware update is causing battery issues and freezing.
This may be down to the USB connector not having enough power to charge the zune or the zune not being fully charged when the firmware is applied.
http://www.zuneclan.com
I have a zune 30 and things where great for my zune. then I did the update and the battery problems start. after a 100% charge, I unplug the zune and after a few seconds it's idle and go's in hibernation mode and after a few hours its dead!?!?! like I said,NO PROBLEMS BEFOR THE UPDATE.
I'm one of those who actually are experiencing the battery problems, unfortunately. I love my zune 30 GB but this is a real problem for me. I've tried all of the solutions with letting the battery drain and then fully charging after doing a back/up combo. p.s. do you guys really get the zune to shut off after holding back and then up? Mine just does a reset, not a shut down. Either way, my battery drains completely while being in hibernation mode for a couple hours. It's pretty frustrating. If you guys know of any solution help me out! Thanks. My next bet will be to wipe it clean and start from scratch...
I have had the total opposite happen, my batter used to go really quickly. But now i just have to charge my zune once ever 3 days, i avarage about 5 to 6 hours a day with a few video podcasts in between.
Didn't notice that, my Zune 30's battery life seems to have improved immensely!
I agree. I've upgraded and have no issues with battery life.
same here... my 30g zune has a new life now... and i can sync every night from the car
I have to agree my Zune 30's battery life is substantially better with the new firmware than it was before.
Same here. My Zune30's Battery life has improved Tremendously! Occasionally I can go a day without recharging it.
This might be a problem that only affect some models then. My Zune 30 is always dead when I go to use it. I charge it fully, pick it up again later and it's it's little battery indicator is flashing. I'll have to start shutting it down like these people have been.
No worries though. I love my Zune and I'm sure they will fix the issue soon!
Actaully, I could have sworn the battery life on my zune had improved after the update too! But hey, at least I now know that pushing Down and the Back button is the way to actually shut the Zune down, I never realized holding the pause button only put it in hibernation.
My updated Zune 30 has been sitting unused for over a week, after a full charge and some light use. I just turned it on to check it after reading about this possible issue... the battery meter is currently showing about 65% - 70% charge.
It is nice to learn how to shut it all the way off though...
My battery life also improved. This must be a problem with the new v2 Zunes only??
Same here. Since i updated the firmware, I'm pretty certain my battery lasts a lot longer than it used to. Nothing to complain here.
I haven't noticed a difference. I've always charged my Zune every few days or so. I leave WiFi on, and listen about a couple hours a day. I've only lost total battery power once, so all things considered, no problems on my end.
I was thinking there might be a problem with my Zune 80! I listened to music for about 2 hours, watching a video for like 20 mins (MAX!), and then went to work and had it on the entire time...it lasted for about 2 hours at work. So 4-5 hours of music + 20 minutes of video is all that I got!
I just thought I should come out, today.
I JUST JOINED THE SOCIAL.
I capitalized on the $100 Brown Zune deal.
Life's Good.
Haven't charged mine in a week and I use it on a daily basis (Zune 30).
Engadget should create a Zune problem's page, so they can exploit the thing for its small and isolated cases of imperfections and butcher it's sales for the holiday season. I mean i can understand the unlimited rotten apple ads but killing the competition for some rotten apple ass kissin seems lame.
My Zune's battery life dropped violently when not playing. I actually thought the battery was fried and I'd have to send it back. Maybe there's a specific production run that was affected. Anyway, at least it's good to know I'm not alone here.
As much as I hate Ipods, Microsoft's failure to incorporate wifi song downloading/web browsing into the original ZUNE - and their failure to make their own touchscreen interface for the second ZUNE in my mind grants plenty of justification for newcomers to DAP to purchase an Ipod Touch.
What kills me is that Microsoft dominates over 90% of the world's internet browser software with EXPLORER and they haven't incorporated Explorer into the ZUNE or even more annoyingly, into the XBOX 360. PS3's come with wifi and a web browser out the damn box.
WHO IS THE PERSON AT MS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?
FIRE HIM.
I would think that Firefox & the rest of the better browsers have more than 10% of the market. People aren't that sheep-like, are they? I steer everyone I know far from IE. Firefox does a much better job.
Explorer is also the least secure, worst browser available. One of the only browsers that is not available for Mac. Weren't they the last to the table with tabbed browsing as well?
Explorer on their DAP? Do you really want people hacking your Zune?
MS shouldn't stop the firing there!
@InternetExploiter
As of October, IE has 78% market share.
Also, previous versions of IE run in OSX.
1 - There is no reason to buy an iPod anything when there are far better DAP's out there from the likes of Creative and iRiver
2 - Firefox is used by about 17% of net users if I remember correctly.
3 - IE is not that bad a browser specially when compared with Safari.
4 - "One of the only browsers that is not available for Mac" errrrr IE is available for the mac even if the mac version is crap.
5 - Why would they want to incorporate INTERNET explorer (Explorer is their file manager) into a DAP? It's for audio and video not surfing the web.
6 - A lot of people would rather not have a touch screen interface.
7 - Flashpoint moans about the Zune not being able to download via WiFi. Can any iPod except the touch do this?
8 - I'd sooner have a wired connection on my 360 as it's more stable and more secure. Also are you in the habit of moving your games console around a lot? I know I'm not.
9 - It's a bloody games console. If you want to surf the net use your computer. It's what you bought it for.
I'm not in support of the originals flame attempt, but reply comment that IE is available for the Mac is incorrect. IE for Mac was discontinued quite some time ago and you can't download it any more.
@ Carbonize
"IE is not that bad a browser specially when compared with Safari"
I'd love to hear your rationale behind this point.
"IE is available for the mac even if the mac version is crap"
And 5-year-old crap to boot. IE for Mac is dead and worthless - considering it "available" is silly. No one uses it, and no one should.
...and they haven't incorporated Explorer into the ZUNE or even more annoyingly, into the XBOX 360. PS3's come with wifi and a web browser out the damn box.
------
Explorer is a security nightmare, and i doubt they'd want to expose their systems wide open like that. I would imagine memory footprints, development and testing time (and the like) would keep IE off Zune devices, too - much the same with Firefox or Mozilla's Minimo or Opera (which Microsoft have been openly hostile about). See:
http://www.news.com/2100-1032_3-5218163.html
Internet Explorer, as mentioned, is at around 80% worldwide market share; there seems to be a slow downward trend happening by most counters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_web_browsers
Microsoft browser market share is due largely to the corporations that use Microsoft products just go with what is packaged and supported with Windows. I'd like to know the market share of 'home users' that Microsoft has. I guarantee it's substantially lower.
Yes I am now aware that IE for Mac is no longer available thanks to SteveJ. I am only aware of it from my CSS work. As to my comments about Safari being crap that from my own experience of Safari 3 (fine it's a beta) and comments I have had from Mac users.
IE has the market share because it comes with Windows and most people are just going to use whats there. Firefox is not without it's exploits (two updates in as many weeks) but IE's main problem is how integrated into Windows it is (ActiveX etc).
Why do people keep comparing the Zune to the Touch? I'd love to get a Touch if they made one in a reasonable size. 16gb is pathetic; $400 for 16gb is robbery.
What's wrong with the newest Safari? It's the only one that can successfully pass the ACID 2 test and it runs great, as opposed to the previous one. I'd switch, but I've become so used to Firefox (I primarily use OSX, in case you're wondering).
:: I think (not sure) Opera passed Acid 2 as well, but Opera is only good as a porn browser.
opera + p0rn = win
yess more deadweight for my pocket.
Is that a Zune in your pocket, or...
I had this problem with my new 80GB device running v2.2. It became really annoying, and so I searched for solutions, but found none in particular. I then stumbled upon something that seemed to work: a full hard-reset of the device. To do this, reboot the Zune with the standard Up+Back key combo, and then IMMEDIATELY push and hold back, left and play until you see the restoration process begin. It restores the original firmware (v2.0) and erases all content on the device. After that, I re-synced, updated to firmware 2.2, and have never had the problem since.
Huh? My battery life seems to have improved significantly. In fact, everyone I know with a Zune states the same.
I think these complaints are bogus.
Yeah, I bet their all lying b@@stards! There can't be any faults with my precioussss..
I don't know. For the most part battery life is great for my Zune 80, but I turned it off (hibernated) on Saturday evening and locked it with still a little over half a battery charge. I went to sync it on Sunday it and was dead.
I was worried that I had a bad battery, but I guess it's a glitch in the software. No biggie and that puts my mind at ease.
As to Flashpoint's comments. The Zune 80 is not a competitor to the Touch so I really don't see why you are comparing the two. If you want to compain about the Zune 80 not having a touchscreen, start doing the same for the iPod Classic 80gb. Ditto with the 4gb and 8gb Zune models. Call me when the iPod Nano has a touch screen.
Microsoft doesn't have a competitor to the iPod touch, they are only competing within the pure video/music player line and I think they're doing a pretty fine job at that.
In my opinion, it is Apple that dropped the ball when they made the iPod Touch in that they hampered the touch into being a flash only device. I would have owned a Touch on the day of it's release if they would have stuck an 80gb hard drive in the thing and made it a little thicker. I have no use for a 8gb or 16gb PMP.
I wouldn't say "lying," just misunderstood. I think people are just using their Zunes more because of this firmware update, it's like a completely new device. Also, having the WiFi turned on will cause the devices to drain at a much faster rate, so I bet a lot of these people have theirs on.
That's not what the issue is. The problem is that the battery is draining completely in a matter of hours while the device is supposedly hibernating.
@ Le Master
My zune battery drained down after I fully charged it overnight. I was lying in bed and four songs later the thing shut down. I let it drain overnight and recharged it and the problem went away.
Claims aren't bogus. Go to the forums at Zune.net and a lot of us are having the problem. Hope my replacement one is a good as yours!
Yeah, I'm at the point where my 30 runs a hell of a lot longer. I've had it for over a year, so I really only get between 12-14 hours out of the battery now...but honestly I've only noticed it running longer with the upgrade.
It's probably just some stupid software glitch that can be reset with a soft reset or like the other said, a hard reset.
Zero problems with my Zune 30. I LOVE the new firmware!!
My 30 is running longer on a charge as well, even with WiFi left running I get the same type of battery life that I had before the firmware update. My issue is with the Desktop software jacking up Meta Data, other wise I love the new soft and firm ware. I am begging for an 8 for Christmas and I will switch my 30 to purely a Video Device.
The overall battery usage of the Zune has definitely improved, but I can confirm that my Zune 30 (firmware v2.2) did this just last night, and has done it before. It only seems to have happened at home; I'll listen to it just before going to sleep, on a full charge, hibernate it by holding the play button, and in the morning on the way to work I'll notice the battery is almost dead.
I wonder if it has something to do with being able to see the home network with wireless, even if it's not syncing.
Most of the times "reports" just mean that a few people had problems and there's nothing to really worry.
Like the battery draining on the Ipod Classics, my bro has one and that bastard lasts longer than my 5.5g Ipod.
I think you're reporting wrong info. The battery life on my Zune 30 improved by at least 50%.
I agree with Jdmountford. The new beta Zune desktop software is so horrible it's amazing MSFT actually put their name on it. If it was just marginally horrible, that would be a 100% improvement.
The new software is so fast and simple to use ... i don't understand why everyone is griping about it.
I think this is another attempt to bash the zune. I mean honestly, if you run Wifi all the time and and run video's like crazy, yeah, the zune will die quicker.
I use my zune MAINLY for music, occasionally for video podcasts, which I find if used in moderation dosent hurt my battery life.
I also use the full shutdown instead of hibernate and I NEVER have my wifi turned on because its basically useless. Wifi sync is slow and I would rather usb sync and have better battery life.
The zune is a good MUSIC player, I just prefer to not use all the bells and whistles.
I have a Zune 30 w/ the new firmware and am experiencing this issue. The battery lasts longer while music is playing, however the device doesn't hibernate any long when I hold down the play button. It will do this reglardless of wireless being on or off. The solution given (hold back and down) works fine for me. I also have a Zune 4, and do not experiencing this issue with it. Holding down Play successfully hibernates the device.
Ive had small issues. Nothing that realy hurt though.
I might get an hour or two less, but I would take an hour less battery for wireless synch anyday.
Engadget is right in reporting that the Zune no longer enters hibernation mode, with the new update.
Not all Zunes are experiencing the problem. Mine is perfectly fine and I haven't charged it for several days. I'm sorry this is happening to you but Engadget and you shouldn't conclude that this is effecting everyone.
I don't think lack of a touch screen interface is a bad thing. I bought a Zune 8 BECAUSE it didn't have a touch screen. Why would I want to deposit grease from my fingers onto the screen of my device every time I use it? I greatly prefer the touchpad, which has the same sort of inertial navicgation as the iPod touch, doesn't get my screen dirty, and costs $100 less than the iPod touch. When I want to browse the web, I use a device with a much bigger screen.
As a final note: I saw an iPod touch on display at Sam's club over the weekend and the screen was so gunked up with finger grease that it looked like some cheap toy! Apple's mixture of shiny things with touch interfaces is just not practical. My Zune 8 has a matte finish on everything except the glass screen, so it doesn't show fingerprints.
I have a Zune80 and the battery drain has been somewhat inconsistent for me. I don't know if it's an issue of the device incorrectly reporting the remaining battery life or what. In my situation, I had fully charged it, had used it for 6hrs or so at which the battery indicator showed roughly a 70% remaining charge, I then used the pause/play button to put it to sleep. An hour later, my daughter went to use it and the battery was
dead. Even if I had inadvertently woke it up after putting it into sleep mode, it likely was idle and not playing any music so there's no concievable reason that it would drain a nearly full battery in an hours time. I had a second occurrence of this where it went from around a 30% charge to dead in about the same amount of time. There is definitely an issue here.
That's exactly what happens to me :( I have a Zune 30 though.
We have a Zune 80 and a Zune 30... we use them non-stop (thanks to the new Zune marketplace and Podcasts)... we have never run the batteries down before recharging. Even on a recent flight over seas I used mine for so long with video and music.
I'm not sure this article is sending a claer picture of what's really going on. Until v2.0 we never used our Zunes, now we have the 80 and use them all the time. Amazing how one upgrade to the software made such a significant difference and led to a sale.
if you're on the fence on whether or not to get one.. take the jump, goodbye apple.
My zune30 seems to last longer with the new firmware, most night I fall asleep with the radio on listening to news from around the globe ,CBC radio one, and in the morning I have enough power to last for a couple of hours.
As for hibernating, I do what I’ve always done with my old ipood and the older firmware for the zune; shut it down, what’s the point of having a device on when you’re not using it.
Zune owners suffering from this problem are reminded that the replacement will be this:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/11/zune-tattoo-guy.html
The old firmware did the same thing, it's MS' stupid way of letting you play back from where you stopped. If you do the hard power down then you can't save progress on a show or song. It's pretty stupid IMO I just hard power down all the time.
LOL what a lemon LOL and the good part is microsoft fanboys are use to getting screw, don't worry microsoft should issue a firmware fix for it in about another 12 months LOL, no wonder there holding back on them. You don't like ipods get a different player but don't get a Zune because microsoft makes it and old bill gates its behind everything LOL. Got news for you his not running anything anymore he got a Dum ass CEO there that don't know the difference between cash cow or a horse really. And have been taking the company that old gates founded to the ground
wow, impressive speech, maybe you should go back to elementary school. That done, a very small minority of people actually have this problem(kinda like the nanos with the tilted screens, but not at all like the HORRIBLY slow performance of the ipod classics for cover flow that happens for everyone). My zune 80 hasn't had any problems whatsoever. Also, in case you haven't heard, the new zunes have been selling a lot more than the old ones and have been generating a ton of glowing reviews and popularity so ya... just about nothing you said was valid... at all.
at least the Nano has cover flow the new zune UI its not even close to as good as the Nano and still has a lag,. And apple does not take a year to update a firmware ether, Maybe you should check Amazon.com before talking dude and see for yourself where the Lemon Zune stands dum ass its not even on the top 20 LOL
My battery (Zune 30) doesn't last but maybe 4 hours tops. I hate the Zune and will be getting an iPod Touch very soon.
I like the hardware but I HATE the software.
Good choice. I can say firsthand that you won't be disappointed with the iPod touch's silky interface and sharper screen.
to elaborate on what MacVicta said: or its minimum $200-$300 higher pricetag or it's roughly 25-50% lower storage capacity
I had this happen the other day.. I went to grab my Zune 80.. and it was completely dead.. Had to charge for 30 minutes before it would sync. I just figured I left it on.. not really a big deal though as the battery life is amazing.. I charged it on saturday and listen to it off and on normally only an hour at a time and I still basically full.. I am sure it will be fixed with a software update..
I talked with everyone here who has a generation 1 Zune 30 with the new firmware and we've all seen dramatic improvements in battery life with the new firmware. I went from being able to play 4 hours of movies to about 5 1/2 hours of movies on my zune without recharging. I haven't recharged it in 2 weeks just playing music.
Microsoft dominates the browser biz because people like me are forced to use it at work, where I spend most of my time surfing the net. (haha)
Well, at least it's just a formware issue.
Whaa..? I thought only iPods suck and suffer from crap like this, while Zune is Teh UberDAP! Oh the humanity!
Does the company have plans to launch a new generation after the holiday season?
Must be something akin to premature ejaculation. Zune users exclaim that it shoots it's power wad a little too early. The problem will most likely be fixed in a firmware update.
It really doesn't matter since nobody can get them, anyway. And even if people did get their hands on them, they'd be too few people to matter.
Whats a "Zune"
I mean, really
Teber i told u not to go out of the bomb shelter... its only been 64 years after the war! off you go....
Look up the word 'Facetious'
My Zune 80 works great, My battery life is better. What I did notice is that sometimes I forgot to put the lock key on in my pocket and the battery died easily. But that is user error.
I installed the 2.2 firmware to my 1st Gen Zune and have the battery issue. I lose battery power even when I shut my Zune completely off (back down buttons). Before the firmware upgrade my Zune was fine, now I get the explanation point display all the time, it sucks. I was going to get a 2nd Gen Zune or iPod Touch, but with all these Zune issues I think I'm going over to the Apple side.
It's funny how the Zune fanboys claim the 80 can't be compared to the iPod touch when so many consumers are cross-shopping them.
In this case, and in most other cases, hes going to a different class of DAP. Cross-shopping can involve small daps, large daps, pmp's, etc. They all play music, its just the form you are going for. But what the Zune base states is that the Zune isnt going after the Touch, and it isnt. The Zune 2g is going after the Nano and Classic. The problem with most reviews is that they go through every single Apple player when comparing it to the Zune, sighting all of Apples best features spread through all their DAP's as a reason why the Zune is bad. "Doesnt have web browser, Doesnt download from store, Doesnt have a 160 gig option, Isnt as thin as nano, Doesnt have as large a screen as Touch, isnt touch sensitive, Doesnt have bluetooth, etc. etc." In that case, of course it looks like shit, but to get all those advantages, you would have to own all of Apples products. But believe what you want.
You cant deny that the Touch has a massive short-coming: Not being able to hold you collection. If it carried a larger size and a 80gig hard drive, then it would be an impressive DAP (assuming it carried the same price structure).
The main downfall is that it is virtually unworkable in your pocket, which is terrible (and the sound quality, which ive heard personally and was deeply unimpressed) as well as the above mentioned size constraint.
If you dont want your whole collection of music, and a great number of videos with you all the time, then get the Touch if you have money to burn. If you want a decent media player thats cheap and holds alot and carries a large screen in a small form factor, the Zune 80 is an excellent option, and workable in your pocket when listening to casts and music.
###
It is because wireless is on default in the new firmware. All they need to do is turn off wireless when not in use.
Simple.. So Simple.
###
You are an idiot. Its not because of the wifi being turned on. So think of something else and quit thinking that you get such an easy solution. I am one of those with the original gen 1 and have battery issues.
Man, this post has alot of Zune lovers, is it mandatory for Microsoft employees to support there product by making positive posts on the Zune while dogging the iPods?
Just face the facts. Zune sales are up over 200%. Really
Wait, doesn't Apple do that?
if you think Zunes Sales are up by that much i guess you have not seen Amozon, Best buy and circuit City Top Selling MP3s list, most people think the New Zune 80GB got sold out everywhere and the facts are different, Microsoft put a hold on them Because of Hardware Issues. but theres tons of them on ebay just that no one is dum enough to get them, then send them back for repairs when it starts act up
I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft fixes this in a simple firmware upgrade. Wasn't the update supposed to extended battery life? Anyway, good job with the new firmware upgrade Microsoft.
cause there's never any rabid apple supporters on apple related articles? Please, your logic is so tired
More anti-Zune propaganda...Pffffft!
lolz and they make it sound like they are providing the cure (with a catch) to get away with the sales butchering by exploiting some small isolated case of zune imperfection.
Just chiming in to say that I'm having the battery issue was well. I have a brownie 30 with the 2.2 firmware. I think I usually get a good 4-6 hours before I have to charge again. I usually leave it in it's hibernation mode, I had no idea you could actually turn it off.
Hehe This is funny I tipped off another blogg that I was getting alot better battery life and they ignored it. I was running with the volume almost maxed screen on medium brightness with 15sec on and wireless on and the life if kickin ass over before the update. Now I turned the brightness down and disabled the wireless so I'm waiting to see how long it lasts now*before was a series of 6 hour runs and I skip songs alot battery meter was down like a quarter each time I did that*
I currently upgrade the software & I notice when I scroll through my collection of music, the battery indicator shows battery level going down fast. After I've found what I want to listen to, I later click the wheel & it shows the battery at a higher level than it shown before. I love this thing. The wi-fi part works great too.
well I've got an old Zune with the firmware update, but I'm not seeing my battery dieing any faster.
I even have my screens brightness turned to high and I'm still getting the same amount of hours out of one charge, only difference is that on the older firmware, I had my brightness on medium.
I am one of those who have the battery issue and at this point i am not a happy camper. It is obviously an issue and just because many who have not experienced the problem are posting i can tell you first hand that it is. I had no problems with my battery prior to the upgrade. Yes I love the new interface etc but having to charge the battery all the time is a drag. I called the Zune CS and after speaking with someone they finally decided to take the Zune and repair it. I am hesitant to send it in because it’s not a battery issue its the firmware. Ill keep you posted as tot he outcome and i am going to try the suggestion to let it drain then resetting it.
Obviously you people didn’t read the article. It is affecting the old gen 1 zunes mine included. It didn’t say all it said some. Read folks because its bad enough listening to a company who wants to ignore a growing problem.
I've had the Zune 8 for a few days and my battery crashed! I charged it once and drained it to see how much time I could get out of it (about 15-20 hours on my side) and then charged it for two hours. I used it for about 30 minutes then had it hibernate. When I tried to turn it on an hour later, it wasn't working.
I'll try actually shutting it down now, but having battery issues on its third day of use has definitely got me worried - I might return it.