Zune Screens are Still Cracking!

There were reports a few weeks ago about Zune screens that were cracking for no reason. Some people thought that overheating problems coming from the battery could eventually cause the screen to crack.

But new information is showing that the screens can implode without a major hit.

One of our readers, Matthew, sent us pictures and a video of his Zune screen cracked. The cracks on Matthew’s Zune screen are on the LCD but the screen protector does not have a single scratch. The case is not damaged at all either.

Want to see by yourself? Have a look at the video. When the Zune is turned off, you can’t see the cracks and when the screen is turned on, the cracks appear with the backlight of the screen. Look also at the pictures: turned off and turned on.

Another Cliczune reader said that Microsoft did replace the screen when he sent back the Zune to Microsoft but a week later the screen cracked again...

This reader says they heard a popping noise coming from inside the Zune just before the screen cracked.

What causes the screen to crack? I’m clueless. Maybe there are tensions between the case, the screen and the components? A real overheating problem coming for other components than the battery? The screen protector could also be too soft and the screen would be damaged with little bit of pressure on it. If Toshiba used the same material as they did with a smaller screen, the thickness of the screen protector may not be enough for a 3.5” screen. The Zune’s lcd display may just be too fragile.

Anyone else got pictures of their Zune screen cracked?

Thanks Matthews for sharing this with us.

Comments

[Chris]

well, i dont mean to sound like a tard, but it kind of looks like just a picture of a crack...ya know

[M.J]

Dude that is a impact crack ...you can even see the impact area . Give me a break(literally)

[chris]

i dont know but it just does. it even sounds like hes pressing the button when he does it..ahh

[josh]

I have to agree this looks like nothing more than a picture of a crack...but then again who knows..

[jill]

i think it does not crack by itself on the looks of the crack it is like something hit it.. well??

[Jake]

All he has done is loaded a picture of crack onto the zune then woke it up, then looped back to the start you can see the screen jump very crap editing skills, hoe could someone blog this crap!

[Paul]

If this was an impact crack, there would be signs when it wasn't turned on. An impact would not only have cracked the screen, but would have separated and dislocated the individual pieces of the glass, showing the crack when it's off. There would also be at least slight marring at the impact sight. As there is no visible damage when not powered, the crack had to have occurred by internal expansion or contraction.

I don't know what caused this, but whatever it was certainly wasn't an impact.

[John]

My son has the same problem with his ZUNE. We had purchased the Zune for Christmas and within a week it displayed a crack when turned on. Luckily Wal-Mart replaced it because it was within the 15 Days. Our mistake was to have it replaced and not get our money back and buy an IPOD. We now have the same problem again 2 months later and Microsoft is not backing up their warranty. They tell me they specifically do not warranty the cracked screen. Those of you that have not had this problem yet are lucky but I am sure your time will come. Then you would have wished you wouldn't have been so negative to the individuals having this problem. The best thing anyone can do right now is not to buy a ZUNE but if you already have try to get your money back. They are wonderful MP3 players when they are working hopefully yours in not defected.

[jhague]

I have one that did the very same thing.
Still plays-no dents or scratches from impact. small spider crack when turned on.
first talked to them with no help maybe this will change things!!

[Ben]

The zune does not shut off nearly as quickley as his supposidly does. I say hoax...For any of you that have a zune, press the play button the same time you hear him press his, you will see that his screen turns off long before yours actually does...

[danny]

how does he have before and after pictures? he is probably a zune hater and found it and broke the screen just to post this. people are rude..

[jmel]

I think the zune is a too little too late lame attempt on behalf of "always late to the party" microsoft.

With as many other abandonware hardware products as they've had in the past, I think the more bad press this thing gets, the deeper the hole they are going to be in.

[David]

I have a Zune with a cracked LCD. You can not see the crack until the power is turned on. There is no damage to the outside. Zune support stated "We do not have the ability to fully support the Zune at this time" They will not repair, replace or sell parts for the cracked LCD. Buyer Beware; do not buy a Zune. I found a replacement LCD on the web for $175 plus labor to repair. Given the price that you can buy a Zune on Ebay for now, it is less expensive to buy a new one than to have it repaired. Replacement LCD for I-Pod video is $29.95. DB 3-5-07

[Ptrix]

What I've heard of this problem from a legit source, is that the problem of the screen cracking is caused by thermal expansion of the Zune's battery, (which happens to be located directly behind the screen), as it is recharging. because the battery expands from it's own heat, it stresses the plastic of the display, which may result in cracking.

This is clearly a product design problem which Microsoft / Toshiba is responsible for, but they won't cover it under their arranty, despite the fact that the defect is a direct result of their manufacturing processes and quality control (or lack thereof).

- Ptrix

[Alan]

Alright yo if it really was a crack and when u turn it on ur menu would pop up i think this is just a damn pic and microsoft is callin this BS

[Fallthroughheat]

Ptrix-
If you going to claim something, make sure you have your facts right.
The battery does not sit behind the screen, its on the PCB. It would cause masssive thermal expansion for the battery to wedge itself between the casing and screen to cause damage.
Its a hoax.
Microsofts ahead of the game. Again.
Deal with it.

[Donny]

Same thing happened to my Zune tonight. My Zune acts the same way as that video: powers on for about 2-3 seconds then shuts off. Luckily I bought mine from Costco so I'll just return it. Provided a picture.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9677/p1010031gu2.jpg

[mike]

this is just more zune bashing!! i purchase mine when it frist came out an it works perfect!!! not one bit of trouble with anything !!!

[Luis]

My zune's screen cracked! no scratches or signs of impact at all. but when i turn it on all i see is a crack on the screen. If you read the warranty on the zune, it hardly covers anything, and microsoft doesn't offer repairs either. It sucks,but I'm still going to get it fixed. I'm not going to wait 'if the policy on the warranty changes' or so they say.

[Amy]

My son has the same problem with his Zune and I know he didn't drop it. We were out and about and he left it on a countertop. When he left it there on the counter, my husband picked it up and put it in my purse and when he asked if I had seen it, I gave it to him. Later that day, he asked if I dropped it. The crack appears behind the screen. I haven't attempted to have it repaired yet, wish me luck.

[Steve]

I have this same problem. No damage to the plastic, only visible when on.

[Duke]

I bought two zunes in December and my wife just picked up hers today and found the screen cracked... I haven't seen it yet but it sounds identical. I just forwarded her this link.

[Mollie]

I am having almost the same problem. I used my Zune yesterday, I did not drop it nor put it in a purse or anything else that could have caused any damage. I have no damage on the outside of the Zune. I turned it on this morning and it was spiderwebbed across the whole screen, but here is where mine is different....the power stays on, I can hear the clicks when I select something or try to move to another song etc....the problem, I can't tell what the hell I am doing! I am hoping that there have been enough complaints that Microsoft will start doing something about it. I asked my husband for an iPod for Xmas and he is wishing that he would have choosen that instead, nothing but hassles from Zune......

[don urban]

i bought a zune for my 15 birthday with birthday money and savings cause all my friends had one and a wanted something for long bus trips. after 2 weeks putting music movies and pictures i turn it on and it started to show cracks in the lcd screen. i bought a extension warranty from walmart and when i brung it back and they refused to exchange it within 15 days but i bought a 2 year plan they told me to call microsoft and tell them and see what they could do. they did nothing and then i decided to research this and this is the biggest problem with the zune. price for a new lcd screen for zune, 175 dollars price for an ipod lcd sreen, 29 dollars. scam?????

[jkay]

I have the same problem. No drop. Just turned on in the morning and it had the cracks in the screen when it is turned on but nothing when it is off. I got them to at least agree to send a box for shipping to take a look but would not gaurentee they would replace.