Xbox 360: You cannot play music from a portable device on the Xbox 360 console (909154)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Xbox 360
  • Xbox Video Game System

SYMPTOMS

When you connect an MP3 player or a portable device to the Xbox 360 console, you can access the device but you cannot access the files on the device. A red circle with a line through the circle may appear next to the device or next to the files on the device.

CAUSE

Typically, this behavior occurs when the files are not compatible with the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

THINGS TO TRY

If you cannot play any music, follow these steps:If you can play some music but cannot play all music, follow these steps:
  1. Visit the following Web site:

    http://www.xbox.com/media

    Click the music playback link to verify that the portable device is compatible with the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.
  2. If the device is compatible, the device may not be able to stream protected content to the Xbox 360 console. Visit the following Web site to verify that the portable device can stream protected content:

    http://www.xbox.com/media

  3. If the device is compatible, make sure that the files are in one of the following compatible formats: WMA, MP3, or AAC if you use an iPod. See the note following this table if you use an iPod.
  4. If the files are compatible with the console but the files still will not play, try a different USB port on the console.
  5. If the files are compatible with the console but the files still will not play, try another 360 console.
  6. Contact device manufacturer for more help.
  7. You may require Microsoft to repair the console. Contact Xbox support.
  1. Visit the following Web site:

    http://www.xbox.com/media

    Click the music playback link to verify that the portable device is compatible with the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.
  2. If the device is compatible, make sure that the files are in one of the following compatible formats: WMA, MP3, or AAC if you use an iPod. See the note following this table if you use an iPod.
  3. If the device is not compatible, determine whether the files are protected. Protected files will not play from some devices.
  4. If the files are compatible with the console but the files still will not play, try a different USB port on the console.
  5. If the files are compatible with the console but the files still will not play, try another 360 console.
  6. Contact device manufacturer for more help.
  7. You may require Microsoft to repair the console. Contact Xbox support.
Note You can connect a portable music player to an Xbox 360 console to listen to music as you play Xbox 360 games. However, the Xbox 360 console does not support all music formats or all portable music players. You cannot play copyright-protected music from certain services, such as Apple iTunes. To play unprotected advanced audio coding (AAC) music from an Apple iPod, use your Xbox Live Silver or Gold Membership to download a free update from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Every console that requires this update must connect to Xbox Live.

To listen to unprotected AAC files from an iPod music player, follow these steps:
  1. In the Xbox Live section of the Xbox Dashboard, select Xbox Live Marketplace, and then select Game Downloads.
  2. Select All Games, and then select Alphabetical List of Games.
  3. Select Optional iPod Support from Xbox Live Marketplace, select Optional iPod Support again from the Xbox Guide, and then select Confirm Download.
  4. After the download is completed, select Done, and then press the BACK button or the B button three times to return to the Xbox Dashboard.
  5. You can now listen to unprotected AAC audio files by themselves or in playlists with MP3 and WMA audio files from the following devices:
    • An iPod
    • A portable audio player
    • The Xbox 360 Hard Drive
    • A USB flash-memory device
For more information about how to listen to unprotected AAC files from an iPod music player, visit the following Web site:

http://www.xbox.com/support/howto/media/xbox360/howto-media-ipod.htm

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:11/29/2005
Keywords:kbxboxext kbXboxPeripherals kbXboxConsole kbXbox360PacRimPortal kbXbox360EuropePortal kbXbox360AmericasPortal kbPubTypeKC kbtshoot KB909154
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.