Note: Songs with a higher bitrate will cause a battery to drain faster. Re-ripping the songs with a lower bitrate is recommended. Suggested bit rates are 64kbps for WMA files and 128 kbps for MP3 files.
Extending the battery life of the player:
- Do not leave the unit on for long when not in use. Using the idle shutdown or sleep timer is recommended.
- Fully charge the battery before initial use (for players with rechargeable batteries).
- Fully discharge (drain) the battery before recharging it for the first few charges. To fully discharge the battery, leave the unit playing continuously until the battery is run down.
- Make sure the player is completely turned off when not being used for periods of time.
- On units with removable batteries, remove the battery if the unit will not be in use at least once every 30 days.
- If a battery is left in an unused Zen Portable Media Center for an extended period, push the reset button on the unit.
- Avoid turning the player on and off repeatedly.
- Check to see if there is a firmware update for the player which may change settings to maximize battery life. Firmware updates are available through the Downloads page.
- Avoid storing the player where it could be exposed to extreme temperatures.
- Avoid holding down buttons unless their use calls for it.
- Characteristics of songs may have a bearing on battery life. For example, songs with loud bass may shorten battery play times.
Configuration changes to optimize battery life:
- Reduce the Backlight Timeout setting on the player. A shorter timeout will conserve more battery power.
- Reduce the Display Contrast setting on the player. Avoid high contrast settings to prolong battery life.
- Minimize use of the Fast Forward/Rewind functions and EAX effects.
- Be aware that the higher the volume is set, the more battery power is used. Consider reducing the volume on the unit and using active speakers if possible.
- Minimize use of the equalizer settings on the unit.
Note: To conserve battery life on the ZEN player, slide the switch into the lock position during continuous music playback. For MuVo players, activate the lock feature through its menu . This will turn off the LCD and conserve battery power.
Charging with a Power Adapter
To charge your player with a power adapter (if shipped with your player
or purchased separately),
turn off the player, connect it to its power adapter with the included cable,
and then plug the
adapter
into a wall outlet. Power adapters can be purchased separately at http://www.creative.com/shop.
The player will turn on automatically and display the
charging icon(
).
It will be fully charged when you see the fully charged icon (
).
Charging via a USB port
To charge your player via a USB port, turn off the player, and connect it
directly to a USB port at the back of your PC using the included USB cable
or USB
Synchronization cable.
Avoid connecting the MP3 player to USB hubs located in on the keyboard,
monitor or other accessories. Also avoid using the USB hubs on the front
of the PC.
For continuous battery charging, make sure that your PC does not enter Standby or Hibernate mode
during the charge cycle. To
verify your PC's power settings, click Start,
click
Control Panel, and then double click Power Options.
Charging a depleted battery
If you have not used or charged your MP3 player for a long time,
the player's battery can become depleted or discharged. When the player
is connected to a PC, Windows may not immediately detect the player as being
connected. It also might not show any sign of activity (with the exception
of the power LED).
Another
symptom of a depleted battery is that the player turns off immediately when
it is switched on.
To charge a depleted battery, follow these instructions:
- Turn off the player.
- Connect the player directly to a USB port located at the back of the
PC with the supplied cable.

Avoid connecting the MP3 player to USB hubs located in on the keyboard,
monitor or other accessories. Also avoid using the USB hubs on the front
of the PC.
- Close all Creative applications and Windows Media Player.
- Let the player charge for at least 60 minutes.
- Download and install the latest firmware for your player at http://support.creative.com.
For more information about the firmware update, please refer to its Web
Release Notes.
If the firmware update does not detect the player,
unplug the player and plug it in again. You can also try a different USB
port.
- Do not disconnect the player once the firmware update is in progress.
When the firmware update is complete, the player will start charging automatically.
If the player does not indicate that it is charging after 60 minutes, reset
the player.