A system and method are provided for preventing battery rundown. The system includes an output device for presenting a media data stream, a communication port for linking to the output device, and a controller coupled to the port. The controller is programmed to detect the existence or absence of a link between the output device and the port, pause output of the media data stream if no link is detected within a first time period, and shut down operation of an electronic device after a second time period of longer duration than the first, if no communication link is detected.