You cannot play music files from the Zune Software on the Xbox 360 console

When you try to stream music from the Zune software on the Xbox 360 console, you cannot play some music files. A red circle with a line through the circle appears beside music files on the Xbox 360 console.

Solution 1: Update your console software

Support for the Zune is included with the latest console software. To update your console software:

1. Connect your Xbox 360 console to the Internet. For information on how to do this, go to the following website, and search for "connect to Xbox LIVE":
   www.xbox.com/support (http://www.xbox.com/support)
2. Go to the Settings hub, and choose System.
3. Select Network Settings.
4. Select Test Xbox LIVE Connection.
5. If prompted to update your console software, select Yes, update now.
6. Try to play the music files again.

Solution 2: Download the Optional Media Update

To listen to music stored in the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) format, you need to download the Optional Media Update (available for free from Xbox LIVE Marketplace). Here’s how to download the update:

1. On your console, go to the Games hub.
2. Select Games Marketplace.
3. Choose A-Z, and select O.
4. Select Optional Media Update.
5. Select Confirm Download. The download is free.
6. Once your download is complete, select Continue, and return to the Xbox Dashboard (press B a few times).
7. Try to play the music again.

If your console still does not play the music, the music format might not be supported by the Xbox 360 console. For example, the Xbox 360 console cannot play copyright-protected music from services such as Apple iTunes.

You can listen to unprotected AAC audio files, along with MP3 and WMA audio files. To do this, use any of the following devices:

• A computer that is running Zune software on your home network
• A Zune
• An Xbox 360 Hard Drive
• An iPod or other portable media player
• A USB flash-memory device

The Xbox 360 console cannot play music from the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.