After you install the Zune software on your computer, you’ll connect your player to your computer using the USB sync cable that came with it. Before you sync, make sure that the software can see your player.

Here’s how to check:

The word Device should appear in the menu bar of the Zune software, next to Social.

Also, your player should appear as a lit up icon in the lower-left corner of the Zune software.

If your software doesn't see your player, follow these steps to fix the problem:

1. Disconnect your player from your computer and restart your player.

2. Visit Microsoft Update, accept any recommended updates, and restart your computer.

3. Now, reconnect your player to your computer, this time using a different USB port (preferably one on the back of your computer).

4. Open the Zune software and check to see if it sees your player now.

   • Does the top menu bar say Device next to Social?

   • Is there a lit-up icon of your player in the lower-left of the software?

5. If your player still doesn’t appear in the software, you may be able to fix this problem automatically.

   1. Close your Zune software.
   2. Click the Fix this problem link.
   3. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in this wizard. Apply any fixes that the tool recommends and restart your computer.

   
   Fix this problem

   Note If you are not on the computer that has the problem, you can save the automatic fix to a flash drive or to a CD so that you can run it on the computer that has the problem.

    

6. Is your player detected now? If not, you may need to update your drivers. Keep your player connected to your computer. On your computer, click Computer, and then click Properties.

7. Click Device Manager.

8. Now click your computer name at the top of the window, and then on the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes. Your connected Zune player should be listed under "Portable Devices."

9. Double-click the device icon and view the General tab.

10. Check the device status box. If your player is working properly, you’ll see a message that “This device is working properly.”

11. If your player isn’t working correctly, an error code will be listed under Device status. Note down the number of the error code you see.

12. Follow the steps in this Microsoft Support article to fix the problem for the error code you see.