The Zen Micro Headphone Jack Problem Thr

First of all please don't post comments only and only post if you have a problem. Treat this thread like the "Experience with your Creative Player." I want to see how far this thread can go and to see if this is a big problem. Please be respectful and honest about this issue. This is only for the Zen Micro right now since it's the one player that most of users here have issues with. Who knows that someday Creative might look into this or to really see if there really is a problem or not.
If you have friends or anyone else you know who owns a Zen Micro and has this problem, tell them to join the forums and post here, try not to post for them unless they are part of your family. Like if you were trying to do this for your son or daughter.
If you own more than one Zen Micro and that they have the same problem, try to list them seperately. If you just got your player fixed or RMA'ed, made a post here in the past, then all of sudden it breaks again. Please post again with the same format. I want to make sure that each post is for one Zen Micro. Though the moderators are the only exceptions to this.
If any of you think that this thread needs to be edited in any way, please send me a Private Message so I can make the changes.
The format
) Capacity
2) New, Used, Refurbished, Replacement? And where?
3) How long you owned the player?
4) Explain exactly what happened when the problem occured?
5) Did you fix or solve the problem? If not, say so. If yes did you RMA by warranty? Fix it yourself?
6) If you did get a replacement from Creative, is this your second player? Third? Fourth? Fifth?
7) Your own comments/opinions to the whole issue and anything else you want to add. Like RMA service was bad or it was great.
This is my example and only an example.
) 5GB
2) Bought New at Buy.com
3) Since March '05 or about 0 months
4) I was just listening to some music then all of a sudden, the right side of my headphones just had no sound coming out. I tried other headphones and it had the same issue. This happened at around November of '05.5) Yes. Got an RMA from Creative. Took about two weeks and I ended up getting a replacement. Cost me $25 not including shipping
6) Happened on my first player. The replacement will be my second one.7) I think Creative did an awesome job in taking in my player even though I couldn't prove that my warranty was valid. Customer service was excellent. Thanks Creative!

) 5 gig
2) New from www.ecost.com
3) I got it for Christmas
4) Eventually the sound started to get kinda messed up, and only come out of one ear. i was able to fix it by moving the plug, but that only worked for a week or so.
5) I RMAed the player, although I still have not gotten a replacement, Creative recieved my player 7 days ago.
6) No replacement recieved as of now
7) I think Creative needs to address this problem not just by having people RMA their players, but rather by changing the way the micro is designed. I am also disappointed by the whole RMA process. The status page is rarely updated, my RMA has taken 2 days longer than it should have, and there is a lack of information as to whom I need to contact about this. I'm a big fan of Creative's mp3 players, but this may be my last purchase from them. their costumer service is really lacking it seems. If my replacement Micro (if I ever get it) breaks, I most likely will try another brand.

Similar Messages

  • Zen Micro Headphone Jack problems-are the new ones

    Gonna buy a Zen Micro Photo 8GB player-had one of the 5gb ones a year and a half ago and the headphone jack went on that-have the problems with the headphone jack been sorted out in the new ones?

    I have not seen any reports of problems with the Zen MicroPhoto's headphone jack.
    Cat

  • Zen micro headphone jack cheap

    I started having intermittant problems with the zen micro headphone jack that has been well described. I found that if I held the headphone plug in a certain position that both channels worked well. I took a standard size staple and placed one prong of the staple in the thin space between the headphone jack and the body of the micro in a location where the headphone jack would be forced into the position where both stereo channels worked. I then broke the prong off by bending the staple back and forth and then pushed the sharp edge down with the end of a ballpoint pen. This made the headphone jack fit very snugly in the position where both channels worked when I plugged the headphone in. It solved the problem completely and is significantly cheaper than the $40.00 creative would want to fix the problem.

    You could easily take it out with a pin or using another staple to catch the bottom of it. It really doesn' go in very far. Certainly would take it out if if can't fix the problem before sending it in. Its amazing that the staple diameter is exactly the size needed to keep the microphone jack tight in the case.

  • Zen micro headphone jack quick free

    I started having intermittant problems with the zen micro headphone jack that has been well described. I found that if I held the headphone plug in a certain position that both channels worked well. I took a standard size staple and placed one prong of the staple in the thin space between the headphone jack and the body of the micro in a location where the headphone jack would be forced into the position where both stereo channels worked. I then broke the prong off by bending the staple back and forth and then pushed the sharp edge down with the end of a ballpoint pen. This made the headphone jack fit very snugly in the position where both channels worked when I plugged the headphone in. It solved the problem completely and is significantly cheaper than the $40.00 creative would want to fix the problem

    :smileyvery-happy:That's pretty smart.

  • Zen micro headphone jack fix for fr

    i read somewhere in the forums that Creative can fix the headphone jack problem for free?
    Do you need a warranty for them to do it for you? And are all the songs on the player deleted when they fix it's
    I would try and fix my Zen Micro headphone jack myself, but I'm afraid I might do something wrong.

    i recently got my micro replaced at best buy after it had the headphone jack issue, and my new one is having the same problem. I'm pretty sure best buy gyped me though because they gave me a micro that was sitting out on a table like it was used or something. Since this was within the last 3 months am i able to mail my micro in to creative to get one of the new, hopefully fixed, ones for free? It's soooo frustrating because i love the micro but the stupid head phone jack just makes me want to strangle it.

  • Zen Micro headphone jack loosened resulting in poor earphone connect

    I have had the 5g zen micro for 9 months now and love it. My battery play time has been tremendous, I migrated to the window media player and managing my music cannot be easier, I bought some high end earphones and the sound has been off the charts. But, recently, the headphone connection became loose and now my sound goes in and out, from right to left, sometimes muted or muffled...unless I hold the jack in place. It's become impossible to enjoy my music now.
    I have sent a note to Creative customer service how I can get this fixed ASAP, as I don't want to be without my mp3 for an extended period of time. Has anyone had to deal with Creative on this? Do you have any suggestions?
    I just bought another zen micro for a family member and now worried this may happen to them. I have not heard this problems from any of my friends that use the IPOD

    Sounds like the common headphone jack problem. You need to contact support. iPods have the problem also, as do most (if not all) players. Whether the incidence is the same, who knows!

  • Zen Micro headphone jack horror stories, truth or scar

    I've been looking for an Mp3 player for over 4 months(since January), and I have looked through many Micro-Hard Dri've and Flash Memory players, including: Dell Pocket DJ, iPod Mini, Rio Carbon, Creative Zen Micro, iPod Shuffle, Creative MuVo Micro N200, and Creative MuVo TX FM. I'm glad to say that I decided on the Zen Micro. I've had it for 4 days now(including today), and so far, it is working great, better than I had hoped. Everything is nice about it; the only that scares me is the problem that many people have with the Zen Micro, the headphone jack problem. I've heard numerous reports of people with a Zen Micro who complain that after about 2-5 months of usage, the headphone jack will break, and little or NO sound will come out of it. And they say that this is a problem that is meant to happen with all Zen Micros. Hmmm is this true? I hope this doesn't happen to me. Do you think that upgrading the firmware will help fix the problem(btw, I still use ..03....or something like that, I haven't updated it)?

    thug_outlaw69 wrote:
    Just don't use a straight angle headphone plug like the ones that came with the Zen Micro. Use one with a 90 degree angle.
    That doesn't make any difference, reportedly... just prolonges the problem so it doesn't break until the warranty's over....

  • ZEN MICRO HEADPHONE JACK FAILURE N

    I recieved my Zen mirco (black) in December on Christmas Eve. It was one of those limited edition extra battery ones. I noticed too that the sound was cutting out, but then I thought for a moment. I remembered that i heard this before on a cd player. It was not the jack, but the headphones included. So instead of using the white ones that were included, I used a new pair of Sony "in- ear phones", the sport model actually with a gold plated jack insert. I never had the problem again. I would say my guess is the majority of the "headphone jack problems" were really the earbuds themselves. In all actuality, The wiggling I exprienced was also fron the earbuds, not the micro. If you are having this problem I recommend buying the phones I bought, after all they were only $20 or so.Message Edited by Kero35 on 02-23-2005 0:02 AM

    Most people's first troubleshooting technique is isolating the point of failure(aka trying a different set of headphones). If you can solve your propblem with new phones more power to you! If the jack is actually physically loose no set of headphones would be able to fix that.

  • Zen Micro Headphone Jack Poll/Co

    THIS IS A MULTISELECTION POLL
    -My Jack is fine
    2-My Jack is/was broken
    3-I know someone who has a micro and theirs is fine
    4-I know someone who has a micro and their's is broken
    There seems to be this "massi've" problem with the zen micro with the headphone jack breaking. Creative also had this problem with the Zen xtra, so to see if this is an epidemic or just a small problem vote either you have a broken jack or not. also please post a reply if you know someone who has this problem or if you know someone who doesn't. If you bought a refurb micro dont count yours because this could very well be the result of abuse from the other party.
    Simply choose the number that corresponds to you and your zen micro.
    PS. post where you bought your micro and when the jack broke if it ever did.
    -My Jack is fine
    2-My Jack is/was broken
    3-I know someone who has a micro and theirs is fine
    4-I know someone who has a micro and their's is broken
    - As for me, I've had my Zen micro for 2 weeks, it was fine no problem, never had any problems with headphone jack. but i have had it only for 2 weeks, before i decided to return for a refund.

    I was wondering why we really needed this thread .. i Think Creative and Us are pretty aware of the probs SOME people have been experiencing ...
    Lets try to help each other not be whinging all the time if people have this prob its best to get an exchange .. whilst it is not ideal .. you expect teathing troubles and problems with some new items ... who hasn`t ever had something that needed to be sent back or exchanged ... Chill people Creative will see us all right.

  • Zen Micro - Headphone Jack Metal Reinforcement Pl

    On 3/4, Cirrus wrote in response to a REALLY long thread about the headphone jack problem with the Zen Micro that it:
    ".... <SPAN>supposedly has been fixed in the newer Zen Micros by adding a metal reinforcement plate to the headphone jack." This according to a customer service person (I believe).
    <SPAN>
    <SPAN>Based on reviews and looking at my options, I would already own a ZM if it wasn't for this apparent design flaw with the jack. But, with this new information about a reinforcement plate, I am again interested.
    <SPAN>
    <SPAN>Does anybody know if the new units are available?
    <SPAN>
    <SPAN>If so, is there any way for me to know, by looking at the box or at the unit itself, if I am getting a reinforced ZM?
    <SPAN>
    <SPAN>I will most likely buy in person at a retail store so that I can check out the player before I buy it.
    <SPAN>
    <SPAN>Thanks.

    Read this thread. http://forums.creative.com/creativel...essage.id=3807

  • Zen Micro Headphone jack, out of warre

    Hi there
    I have a zen micro that I got last year from someone, without a receipt. Recently I got the headphone jack problem that everyone has been getting. I emailed customer support about this and they emailed me back saying this:
    "Based upon the age of your product, it appears that you are beyond our
    complementary email and telephone support period as outlined below.
    If it is verified to be a hardware issue, you may contact the Creative
    Tutor support line below to check for the replacement cost or to request
    a RMA for your product.
    3. You are welcome to purchase a Creative Tutor session to receive
    expert help and advice from a Technical Advisor by phone. Each Creative
    Tutor session is only $2.99 and covers any one issue with which you
    want assistance and lasts up to 30 minutes. You can purchase a Creative
    Tutor session by calling -405-707-8777 Monday-Friday from 9AM to 6PM
    Central Time."
    Is this my only option? To spend money to call them withotu really even knowing what can be done about this?
    Does Creative not help out people at all unfortunate enough to own a product that seems to have a manufacturing defect (based on the number of posts about this problem)
    Please advise.
    Thank you

    i recently got my micro replaced at best buy after it had the headphone jack issue, and my new one is having the same problem. I'm pretty sure best buy gyped me though because they gave me a micro that was sitting out on a table like it was used or something. Since this was within the last 3 months am i able to mail my micro in to creative to get one of the new, hopefully fixed, ones for free? It's soooo frustrating because i love the micro but the stupid head phone jack just makes me want to strangle it.

  • Cure to the Zen Micro headphone ja

    [url="http://www.noboundrees.com/Micro_Fix/">
    Zen Micro Audio Jack Fix[/url]
    I haven't tried this yet, so use procautions. If anyone knows if this is legit, please give a reply.

    Yes, I did and it works!
    Got a Zen Micro with a headphone jack problem? I fixed mine very easily. This could also help with other models too. Here?s how:
    Note: disassembling your unit will void any remaining warrantee.
    Problem: The headphone jack solder joints get cracked from the prying force of the headphone plug. This force could be especially severe if you carry your player in your pocket and you?re not careful. It is an engineering problem but unfortuanately hard to prevent on any pocket device due to the design of the industry standard mini-phono headphone plug exerting prying force on the jack.
    You?ll need a tiny Phillips screwdriver, a small pocket knife or small flat screwdriver, a fine soldering iron and some rosin-core solder, and a hot-melt glue gun.
    Begin by sliding the on/off/lock switch to the locked position. Pry up the plastic jack face plate cover. It?s just stuck on with glue. You can replace it again when finished. This exposes two tiny Phillips-head screws. Remove them.
    Slide the battery cover door off. Remove the battery. You?ll notice a metal plate under the battery that serves among other things, to secure the white plastic back cover to the main chassis of the player, and that the metal plate has two tabs that are inserted into slots at the top by the three gold battery contacts. Using your fingernail, slide the metal plate downward away from the battery contacts end. This will disengage the chassis from the back cover.
    Use a small screwdriver to gently pry the bottom of the case out away from the chassis. This disengages a catch holding the chassis to the body. With the bottom of the case pried out, press on the metal plate down a the bottom at the small white circular Creative Labs warrantee seal to swing the chassis out from the white plastic back cover. Gently remove it all the way and set the player chassis aside in a safe place.
    You?ll notice a small circuit board with the jacks and switch in the top of the back cover. It is held to the cover by two tiny Phillips-head screws. Remove them. Remove the circuit board from the back cover. The screws also hold a small metal cover over the jacks. Remove it.
    Carefull remove the existing hot-melt glue from the factory. Take special care not to knick anything with your knife and don?t simply rip the hot melt off, but carefully cut and/or peel it off gently so as not to damage anything.
    Notice 4 leads from the headphone jack are soldered onto the circuit board. If you look closely you?ll probably see that one or more are loose. It's usually the top right one between the headphone and USB jacks. * Solder them again, using more solder than was previously used, but don?t put too much on the top left one as it could come into contact with the little metal jack cover when it is replaced. Solder the 4 USB jack leads (outer cover ones) and the 4 on/off/lock switch leads while you?re at it. Replace the small metal cover to make sure the solder joints for the headphone jack don't come into contact with it.
    Now you?ll want to secure the jacks so that the newly repaired solder joints are not stressed and broken again... but TEST THE REPAIR NOW before glueing. Apply a generous amount of hot-melt adhesi've to the sides, backs and tops of the jacks and IMMEDIATELY replace the small metal cover pressing it quickly down until the mounting holes align. Very carfully remove any excess, taking extreme care not to knick anything.
    Replace the circuit board into the back cover and replace the screws. Pay special attention to the fit. Make sure any extra hot-melt you may have missed removing isn?t interfering with the fit.
    Carefully reassemble the chassis into the back cover, paying special attention to properly align and connect the two socket connectors on either side of the boards, and pressing firmly to ensure proper connectivity. Check the fit. Make sure the top of the display face is exactly aligned flush with the cover when reassembled. Check all the edges of the front face to ensure they are all aligned flush with their corresponding sides of the back cover.
    Replace the small screws on the top by the jacks that attach the back cover to the chassis.
    Replace the stick-on plastic top-end face plate. Slide the metal plate in the battery compartment back up into the locked position. Make sure the 4 tabs on the sides of the plate lock over the corresponding tabs in the sides of the back cover (you can see through 4 holes in the sides)
    Replace the battery and battery cover. Turn the power on. If successful, have a listen. You should hear both sides of the audio while wiggling the headphone plug.
    It?s too bad you have to go through this but your Zen Micro is definitely worth the effort to fix, which you will agree having done it, is easier than it seemed like it would be. You shouldn?t have to do it again, but with the hot-melt for adhesi've, you can, using a little heat.
    * Alternately you can use epoxy cement instead of hotmelt. I personally perefer this method but you have to be competent at electronics rework technicques, in particular, de-soldering of the jack. If you're not comfortable with this then just use the hot-melt. You'll need to de-solder the four jack leads from the circuit board pads and remove the jack. Make sure the leads are straight. Dry-fit the jack to make sure the leads aren't bent from the removal process and dry-test on the pcb to make sure the leads line up with the pads. Mix a pea-sized blob of epoxy cement and apply some on the bottom of the jack, but not enough that it will squish out and interfere with the cover, and position it back on the pcb. Place the jack on the board and line up the leads again on the pads. Re-solder the leads, replace the metal cover, and screw down the cover right away. (don't over-tighten) Reassemble and enjoy.

  • Creative Zen Micro headphone jack fixe

    I was reading the reviews on the Zen Micro on Cnet.com and someone said that Creative fixed the headphone jacks.. but only for the latest Zen Micros... btw how do I find out which are the latest Zen Micros?
    and im also deciding if I should buy a creative zen micro?

    so is it truuee?

  • Zen Micro Headphone jack prob

    I would like creative to recognize the problem with the headphone jack, so any one with the faulty jack post here along with any other information you might have.

    There have been mulitple threads discribing this problem. Do a search for "Micro Headphone Jack" to see what im talking about. I think they have acknowledged the problem, but im not sure. I do know that the mods are aware of the problem, and no doubt they know why all these players keep getting sent in.

  • Zen Micro headphone jack probl

    I seem to have run into the headphone jack problem many other people have posted about. Any slight movement of the headphone jack will distort the sound to the point where I can no longer walk with the player.
    I purchased the player through Amazon.com on January 27, 2005, so the three month parts warranty is void, but I still have the one year warranty. I never got an actual receipt from Amazon. All I have is the confirmation email with my order number. I do however have the box and all the accessories that came with the player. My question is will I be charged to get the player fixed/replaced and about how much would it be? Is it worth it's Does the problem come back? What is the best way to contact customer support?
    Thank you for any help.

    Creative will not "fix" the headphone jack problem, only send you a new ZM with a reinforced headphone jack. But the more you sit on this problem, the worse it'll get. Get it into Creative right away. I don't know how much it'll cost since you are outside of your 90 day warrantee, but if you look thru some of the other threads, I know it's been discussed. I bought mine from Amazon too and had the same problem. I've had my ZM back from Creative for two months and no re-occuring headphone jack problem... I think it's worth it, the ZM is a great little device! Enjoy your ZM!Message Edited by microjess on 0-20-2005 02:32 AM

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