Article ID: 2410180 - Last Review: March 15, 2012 - Revision: 28.0

My computer and/or the Zune software don't detect Windows Phone

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect your Windows Phone to your computer, you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Your computer doesn't detect your phone.
  • The Zune Music + Video software doesn't open when your phone is connected to your computer.
  • The Zune software doesn't detect your phone, for example:
    • Phone doesn't appear next to Social as one of the selections in the top menu.
    • When you rest the pointer over the device icon in the lower-left corner of the Zune software, your device icon doesn't light up. (The device icon is located on the far left of the three icons displayed.)
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      Fix It

  • If you see the error message:

    CONNECTION ERROR: Can't connect to your phone. Disconnect it, restart it, then try connecting again.

    then see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

    2468307  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2468307/ ) Error “Can’t connect to your phone” when you try to connect Windows Phone to a computer.

THINGS TO TRY

There are several solutions that you can try:

1. Reinstall the Zune software on your computer

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2. Try an Online Solution Wizard

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3. Check your USB Connection


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4. Restart your computer and phone

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5. Fix it for me

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6. Check your driver version

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7. Update your driver

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8. Check for Diagnostic app

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MORE INFORMATION

If the steps above have not resolved the symptoms, make sure the operating system is up to date using the link below and then try the steps again.Windows Service Pack Center.

Also make sure that you've installed any high-priority updates that are available for the computer by visiting the following Microsoft website: http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate.

APPLIES TO
  • Windows Phone 7 Consumer
  • Windows Phone Consumer
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