Zune Marketplace disappeared today

I also have a Zune HD. It is now relegated to mp3 files I own. Not even podcasts sync (well, not easily). It still works and still sounds great, so I'll still use it sometimes.

As I understand the basic problem, the DRM Zune used was the same as PlaysForSure. When Xbox Music came out, they got a new DRM which Zune could not use and Zune Software could not sync. It appears the player itself has to retrieve whatever DRM stuff it needs from the server independently of the download (in Zune DRM the rights came over with the files---no longer the case). Until very recently MS maintained two libraries of new and old DRM music. Since the marketplace was eliminated (at least access to it---it may still be out there somewhere) we can no longer download stuff the Zune can play.

I believe they may need new Zune firmware and new Zune sync software for the Zune device to be usable anymore (if even possible) and neither of those two things are likely due to the really low numbers out here.

FWIW, iTunes seems to have a similar issue with their DRM. An iPod does not work with Apple Music (the subscription service). You need a Touch or something with internet connectivity (yeah, Zune has it but somehow that does not appear enough).

The easiest solution is to use a spare phone as an mp3 player. That's what I'm doing. One advantage of this is Bluetooth which Zune did not have. You can get an eBay phone (even Android, but I've found Groove on that is not as good as a Windows Phone). I tried to sync my phone with the PC back with Xbox Music and was one of those frustrated that nothing I copied over would play. You had to leave the phone connected to the internet for several minutes while it downloaded the music rights. It works the same today. You can copy over non-DRM stuff, though, which works fine.

The whole concept of music storage has changed to a "cloud" thing. Your radio stations, playlists, collection all sync via the cloud to all your PCs, phones, etc.. Although I don't seem to have found a way for Groove playlists to sync across devices, which would be a nice feature since working on that kind of stuff on a computer is a lot easier than on a phone.

Microsoft should at a minimum allow for the zune devices to by sync'd with Groove music.  I would also like the ability to plug a phone into the computer and sync music with Groove.

I'm still holding on hope that someone can find a somewhat permanent fix for the Zune marketplace.  I still use my Zune HD for my drive to and from work, working out and traveling.  I prefer having a dedicated offline device for these purposes.

I saw the same thing.  Definitely on their side.

And as to your response, I deleted because It was a problem with my USB port.  Apparently my motherboard is having problems.

Well it appears Zune software is now, perhaps forever, broken. Today when I tried to login to Zune 4.8. When I try to sign in, I get the message "A secure channel couldn't be established. The server certificate name doesn't match the server address." Without being able to sign in, I can't download subscription music in the marketplace, even with the registry change I already described. I can however sync and even add subscription music to at least one of my Zune players (one authorized as a guest!). Not sure how long that will last, but without the ability to download new music, it's not too useful. We'll see if this ability last; I expect it might last until February 2017 when my subscription expires.

Not much information on this error on the web. If anyone stumbles across anything that could help, please post here, the haunts of the last living Zune user.

UPDATE: Apparently it was a temporary network problem on their side with whatever "server certificate/address" means, or some router or network problem on my side. I could Sign In today and resume downloading DRM files, while the service lasts.

I received notice of a reply to this thread from Marchingknight, but don't see it appearing so I'll copy it below and try to answer the question. Marchingknight wrote: "I tried this but wasn't able to get my Zune to connect.  The software just never registers the device and the device never enters connected mode.  Were you able to actually sync the device when you did this?"

Yes, I have been able to sync my Zunes (three of them!) using Zune software now. Two are listed, one is a guest but still seems to be able to play the music resident on them after a sync (not transfer lately). I can remove one Zune every 30 days I think.

Not sure why you can't connect your Zune. Of course, you'd know if the software is showing it as connected, that is a solid black in the shape of the player you have and player name.

• When you say, you tried this, be specific? Did you add US (assuming that's your country) to the string of counties in the registry settings for, as I recall:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Zune\Features\Marketplace

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Zune\Features\Music

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Zune\Features\Picks

(If you don't have those selections, it could be related to version of Zune software or Windows you have.)

• Have you tried another USB port?
• Have you tried a different cable, or different connecting hardware if you're using a dock?
• Are there signs that the device is physically connected, such as charging from the USB, or showing messages like "connected" or "syncing"? Is there a way for Windows to be forced to load drivers for the player? You'd have to look around the web a little bit for answers to that one.
• What player do you have, is it up to date? What version of the software do you have? Have you had other issues with it? What version of Windows are you using?

I don't believe this is a related issue to the solution for my case. I've always, at least lately, been able to connect my Zunes to the Zune software, I just haven't always been able to sync DRM music downloaded from the subscription service (do you have the subscription service?) with my Zune or browse the Marketplace until I discovered my "fix".