Zune Command Reference
Posted by Dan Rigsby on October 17th, 2008
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The Zune offers a few command combinations that aren’t well documented. Below is a reference of these commands and how you use them.
If you are unfamiliar with the Zune button names, to the left is a picture with each of the 7 buttons labeled. |
| Command | Directions |
| Turn on | Hold the “play” button (3 seconds) |
| Hibernate | Hold the “play” button (3 seconds) when the device is on |
| Shutdown | Hold the “back” button and “down” button (3 seconds) |
| Reboot | Hold the “back” button and “up” button (3 seconds) |
| Reformat | Initiate a reboot by holding the “back” button and “up” button (3 seconds). During the reset hold the “back” button, “center” button, and “up” button (3 seconds) |
Comments:
- If you want to extend you battery life you can “shutdown” the Zune when not in use. The device will naturally go in hibernate mode, but it will still use up some of the battery. Shutting it down maximizes the battery life.
- Reformatting will delete all data on the Zune including any preloaded content. However, it will keep whatever background you using, even though the original source image was removed.
- Some people have noted battery issues with the Zune. These battery issues usually manifest with the device randomly rebooting while listening to music. This issue can normally be fixed by performing a “Reformat” and making sure that the latest firmware is installed. Version 2.3 fixed some batter issues, but the “Reformat” seems to do the trick to clean out any bad spirits that were introduced at the manufacturing plant. This fixed issues that my wife’s Zune was having
November 7th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Don’t forget to make sure that the lock switch isn’t enabled on the top or the reboot won’t work. It took me awhile to realize that I accidentally bumped the lock switch.