Zumo User Forums

The number of files should not be a problem. My XT shuffles through about 1800 song tracks (25 GB) on the SDcard and plays without issues.

See if you have the same problem using the BT dongle with another source for an hour.

Or try another SDcard.

If you are using a playlist, try no list, or a different one.

For reference, my XT is using Bluetooth Firmware: 12.0.26 P6

Thanks @jfheath for your response and advice!

I don't know what version of bluetooth is on my Zumo, I cannot figure out how to check that in the settings.
The bluetooth dongle is only connected to my Zumo, not to my phone.
I usually try to turn off bluetooth and wifi on my phone during rides, to save the battery, but sometimes I forget.
I have another bluetooth dongle, also cheap but a different brand, that I will try on a ride next week.
Will report back after.

lkraus wrote: Tue Sep 02, 2025 12:14 pm The number of files should not be a problem. My XT shuffles through about 1800 song tracks (25 GB) on the SDcard and plays without issues.

See if you have the same problem using the BT dongle with another source for an hour.

Or try another SDcard.

If you are using a playlist, try no list, or a different one.

For reference, my XT is using Bluetooth Firmware: 12.0.26 P6

Thanks for your response!
I don't use playlists but I will try a different SD card.
I will also try using the BT dongle with another source and see what happens.

It's funny how far we've come from taping a paper route sheet to the gas tank, but with all that progress has come a lot of complications!

BT version: Settings -> Device -> About Scroll down

Mine is also 12.0.26 P6

By BT Dongle do you mean that you have a headset with a small jack plug which you plug into the dongle and the dongle pairs by BT with the XT ?
How is the dongle powered ? Where have you put it on the bike ? I had one for the XT/Autocom. I plugged it into my home made accessory harness - I had left some spare connectors under the seat. It was a disaster. It was right next to the bike's engine management and ABS computer. I shifted it to the front under the faring nose. Superb.

My testing headet (which I use so that I don't have to sit at my computer with a crash helmet on) - is just a cheap headset with BT connection - no dongle needed. I've never used it onthe bike though - plug in headsets, my ears and my crash helmet are three things that don't go well together.

Hello everyone,
I’ve experienced very similar freezing and choppy issues with my Zumo XT too, however my problems are only with the music.
My setup is iPhone 16 paired to the Zumo XT and then the Zumo is paired to a Hogtunes BST-U universal Bluetooth adapter which is plugged into a hardwired Autocom system.
I got to think it’s one of the Bluetooth pairing causing the interference but really not sure might be something on the bike too. Had a Zumo 550 hardwired in before the XT and never had an issue.

Hi @Manatrader - welcome !

Is your music on the phone ?

If so, try putting some on the Xt.

Yes all my music is on the phone, lots of it is on iTunes, which won’t allow it to be downloaded to the Zumo XT. It’s stored on the phone though so cell service isn’t needed.

Problems with playing music from a phone connected to the XT are a common issue. I never resolved mine when attempting to play music from my iPhone connected to my XT. My music on now on the SD card in the XT. With iTunes you will likely need to go from iTunes to PC to XT or SD card. I am pretty sure that I used a card reader when I did it.

Peobody wrote: Mon Sep 08, 2025 11:40 pm Problems with playing music from a phone connected to the XT are a common issue. I never resolved mine when attempting to play music from my iPhone connected to my XT. My music on now on the SD card in the XT. With iTunes you will likely need to go from iTunes to PC to XT or SD card. I am pretty sure that I used a card reader when I did it.

That is exactly my reason for asking.

When I first got a smartphone (rather than using my wired-in Nokia 301 Thickphone), I connected it to play music throught the Zumo XT. IT worked. And then it started breaking up. The further I rode, the more fragmented the music became. I'd turn it off, stop for coffee and try again. Same thing - it worked perfectly for a short while, and then the interruptions popped up and and after a few minutes it would be playing a fraction of a second and then stop.

I never got to the bottom of this, and stopped trying. I could not reproduce the problem at my desk, but it always happened when on the move.
Right or wrong, I came to the conclusion that either the phone or the zumo was being inundated with new devices passing by advertising their presence and taking over processing time from the either my phone or my Zumo.

It reminds me of the thrashing that used to take place on early PC computers when data had to be shunted out to the hard disk to create space for another part of the program to run. And that would get worse if you asked it to do something else. The symptoms seem silmilar the music starts playing OK, and as you ride along, it gets worse and worse. Stop and restart and it is oK again.

Music in the MP3 folder on the SD card, played by the Buolt in MP3 player has no such problem. Neither does an MP3 player (eg your phone) plugged into the autocom. BT seems to be part of the problem.

Hi,
I did post earlier this year about the issues I was having playing music. I managed to resolve it to a degree, but an issue remains…
My music is stored on a SD card in the XT and generally plays well for much of the trip, but occasionally it becomes choppy and either stops altogether, or will recover and start to play clearly once again. If it stops, my headset turns off! (It’s a Nolan B601-R made by Sena, and yes it does have a function whereby it will switch off if no BT signal is received, but only after 5 minutes, not immediately! In any case, I’ve disabled this function..). If however the music recovers and becomes clear again, the spoken navigation voice then becomes croaky/crackly for the rest of the trip, unless I turn the headset off & on again after which it’s crisp and clear once again (until the next time!).
I think it’s likely to be the headset getting BT interference, especially as I’ve tried it with my phone disconnected from the XT without success. Still can’t understand why the music continues to play crystal clear but the nav directions are audible but very crackly
Phone is a Motorola G73 running Android 14, and both this and the XT have up to date software.. Headset is connected to XT, and phone is connected to XT (Drive App) with ‘Media Audio’, ‘Phone Calls’ and ‘Contacts and Call History Sharing’ all activated. There are no other BT connections..
Wondering if anyone else has similar things happening?
Cheers, Paul