Hard reset for the Zune
IF YOUR ZUNE 30GB FROZE ON DECEMBER 31, 2008, read this post. The information in the comments is all pretty much the same – everyone’s froze at 12:00a PST. Apparently this is a Leap Year issue that will resolve itself on 1/1/2009. Of course, a firmware patch will be required for those few Zunes that live 6 years, but hopefully everyone’s Zunes work in the New Year.
Here is the original post:
WARNING: A hard reset will delete everything on your Zune.
- Press and hold the back button
- Press and hold up until it reboots
- Depending on which Zune you have, immediately do one of the following:
- If you have a Zune 4 GB, Zune 8BG, or Zune 80GB, immediately press and hold the Back button Back at the same time as you press the right side of the Zune pad and the Play/Pause button. Continue to hold these buttons until the Zune device restarts and you receive the following message: “Clearing contents. Please wait.”
- If you have a Zune 30GB, immediately press and hold the Back button Back at the same time that you press the right side of the Zune pad and the center of the Zune pad. Continue to hold these buttons until the Zune device restarts and you receive the following message: “Clearing contents. Please wait.”
Sources: ZuneThoughts; ZuneUser
my zune was frozen for over a month now.It started on January 1st. I need help. I don’t know if I should reset it because I don’t know if it will delete my music.
It should not delete your music – it should pick up right where you left off.
if I unplug the batery cable, will my music get erased??
No, but you will void your warranty. Just let it discharge fully, and then plug it back in. That’s supposed to do the trick.
what about a 16gb?
The 4/8/16GB Zunes use the same procedure as the 80GB Zunes.
i have done a hard reboot on my 30 gig and it still tells me that there is no room for the updates wtf?
o i also did the power drain and it reset exactly where it was
My Zune will not power on…it works when I hook it up to my laptop, but when I take it off and try to listen to other selections it powers off. When I tried to reset it, it didn’t do anything. Do you have any information regarding this problem?
Sounds like the battery is hosed.
my 8 G zune wont turn on and it wont it wond reset. also my computer wont even see that its plugged in and the zune doesnt light up when its plugged in either…..WTF
i bet this firmware crap is a farce to actually screw up the Zune. Creative (Zen Jukebox) did this. their firmware “update” actually was designed to stop in the midst of download, AFTER IT WARNED – AND YOU EXCEPTED – THAT IS WOULD DELETE EVERYTHING ON YOUR UNIT. they knew about this but wont fix it nor would they repair/replace the units – WHY? because if your mp3 worked for ever – why would you buy new ones? THATS WHY! i hate downloading new firmware – why screw with somn thats working just fine!???/
@justin
I’m having the same problem now… help please?
when i try to sync my zune it resets like half way through.
For those of you that can’t get any response or life out of your zune not even when plugged in… if your under warranty send it in, if no warranty I found a solution that worked for my 1st gen 30 gig. where the charging port is remove the plastic part, expose the screws, take them out. pop it open, detach the battery cable (use the proper release clip don’t just yank it out) and wait a second or 30 then put it back together and it should work. been broke for a year till i did it today. also make sure the copper contacts all contact. (Not sure if it was a problem but it needed help so I did it). also I take no liability for your screw ups
good luck. and remember… there’s always Zune HD comming 
buy an ipod
I tried to reset my zune and it was all working but when I plugged it in it said it was updating firmware. Now it just keeps going from the zune start up screen to a gray screen that says please wait and back again. I have tried everything, holding all three buttons down, restarting my zune and my computer, everything, please help me!
My zune is a 2nd gen 80 gig btw
i did soft and hard reboot, a drained the battery and charged it up again, and i still cant get my zune to get off the black glowing screen. anyone know whats wrong with it? it also won’t sync with my computer.
helllllpppp!
Thanks, greatly appreciate the instructions.
ok so the batery died on my 30 gig zune. so i charged it and now it wont start up or anything. anyone know what to do?
a simple solution is go bye a new one they’re much better or you could wait and get the new zune HD
These instructions were so much easier to find and understand than on the actual ZUNE website…Thanks so much!
if your trying to reset your 80 gig, and clear the hard drive hold the back button, up button, and play/pause button all at once until you see the zune symbol
I have a 120GB zune… I am not sure what generation it is but it plays well except for some of the files I try to play say “this item is missing or can’t be played”.. This is happening with videos and music files some of which I purchased from the Zune site and some that I ripped from CD’s/DVD’s.. Can anyone help PLEASE!!
My play pause button isn’t working, i click on a song and try to play it,but all it does is light up and it doesn’t play!!! I NEED HELP!! i tried everything, restarting it, holding down the play pause button and tried charging it up, but it still won’t work!! PLEASE HELP ASAP!!!!
isn’t**
Whoever wrote this article is dumb.
MY SON PUT A MAGNET NEAR OR ON HIS ZUNE AND NOW EVERYTHING IS GONE-DO I NEED TO HARD REBOOT AND ADD ALL THE SONGS AGAIN?
@Kaili
can you tell me how or what are the symbols of the back center and up button that you very much and please.
The “back” button has a left-arrow on it. The “up” button is the upward direction on the square pad.