It can be frustrating when CDs you’ve added to your iTunes library seem to suddenly disappear. You may open iTunes one day and find albums or songs that were there previously are now missing from your library. There are several potential causes for this issue, from problems with iTunes itself to file storage locations being changed. In this guide we’ll explore the most common reasons for disappearing CDs in iTunes and provide steps to restore your missing music.
Checking iTunes Preferences
When CDs are imported into iTunes, the application uses your preferences and settings to determine how to encode the files and where to save them. To check your import settings in iTunes, go to Edit > Preferences on Windows or iTunes > Preferences on Mac, then click on the General tab. Under Import Settings, you can choose the Import Using encoder, such as AAC or MP3, as well as the setting for Sound Check (see this Apple support article for details).
You can also check the organizational preferences in iTunes to see where your library is located and how imported files are managed. Go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced on Windows or iTunes > Preferences > Advanced on Mac. The iTunes Media folder location setting determines where your library and imported files are stored by default. The Keep iTunes Media folder organized and Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library options affect how imported CDs are organized and copied.
Checking these import, organizational, and location preferences can help troubleshoot issues with missing or disorganized imported CDs in your iTunes library.
Updating iTunes
It is important to keep iTunes regularly updated to the latest version. iTunes updates often include bug fixes and optimizations that can help resolve issues like missing CD files. An outdated version of iTunes may have problems properly managing your music library (Source).
To update iTunes on Windows, open the Microsoft Store app and search for iTunes. Click on iTunes and then click Get Updates. On Mac, open the App Store app, click Updates, and install any available iTunes updates. You can also check for updates by going to iTunes > Check for Updates (Source). After updating, check if the missing CD files reappear in your library.
Updating to the latest version of iTunes is a simple step that can potentially resolve missing files resulting from bugs or incompatibilities. Maintaining an up-to-date iTunes ensures you have the latest features and stability improvements for properly managing your multimedia library.
Corrupt iTunes Library
One common cause of missing CDs in iTunes is a corrupted music library. This can happen if the iTunes library file (.itl) becomes damaged, often during an iTunes upgrade or computer crash. When the library file is corrupt, iTunes may lose track of some or all of your imported music files. According to Apple’s discussions forum, “Usually when music ‘disappears’ on a new computer is because people do not realize they were using the copy in iCloud and have not signed into it on the new machine.” 1
To fix a corrupt iTunes library, you will need to rebuild the database so iTunes can relocate all your files. Open iTunes while holding down the Shift and Option keys (Windows) or Shift and Option keys (Mac). This will launch iTunes in safe mode. Then go to File > Library > Rebuild Library. iTunes will scan your music folders and rebuild the database. This process can take a while for large libraries. With some luck, your missing CDs will reappear after the rebuild. Otherwise, you may need to re-import your music files.
Check File Locations
iTunes stores music files in specific default locations on your computer. On Windows PCs, iTunes music files are typically stored in:
C:\Users\[username]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media
On Macs, the default iTunes music location is:
/Users/[username]/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media
To confirm your iTunes music files exist, navigate to these locations on your computer’s hard drive and look for the iTunes folder. Check inside for subfolders like Music, Movies, Podcasts, etc. If you don’t see your iTunes media files in the expected locations, they may have been moved or changed. You can also check iTunes preferences to confirm the file location (source).
Authorize Computer
If you have too many computers authorized on your iTunes account, this can sometimes cause issues with accessing your purchased content. The iTunes Store allows you to authorize up to 5 computers per account. If you’ve reached this limit, you may need to deauthorize computers you no longer use or have access to in order to authorize your current computer.
To deauthorize a computer, open the Apple Music app or Apple TV app and go to Account > Authorizations. Click on “Deauthorize This Computer” to remove authorization. You can also deauthorize computers from the iTunes & App Store settings in your Apple ID account page online (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201251).
Once you’ve freed up an authorization slot, you can authorize your current computer by going to Account > Authorizations and clicking “Authorize This Computer.” This allows the computer to play iTunes content purchased with your Apple ID.
If you no longer have access to an old computer you want to deauthorize, you can do so from your Apple ID account page online. Go to account settings, click on “Media & Purchases” and then click “Manage Devices” to deauthorize computers. This can help solve issues accessing your purchased iTunes content (https://www.lifewire.com/deauthorize-itunes-4103847).
Delete and Re-add Files
If your iTunes library became corrupted or files went missing, one option is to delete your entire library and re-add the music files. This will rebuild the library from scratch. To do this:
1. Close iTunes.
2. Browse to the iTunes folder on your computer. The default locations are:
– Windows: \Users\Username\My Music\iTunes\
– Mac: /Users/Username/Music/iTunes/
3. Make a backup of the iTunes Library.itl file just in case you need to restore it later.
4. Move the iTunes Library.itl file to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). This will delete your iTunes library.
5. Open iTunes while holding down the Shift key (Windows) or Option key (Mac). This will prompt you to create a new iTunes library.
6. Click Create Library and accept the default location. This will create a new empty iTunes library.
7. Go to File > Add Folder to Library and select your Music folder. This will re-add your music files to the new library.
8. Sync your iOS devices to transfer the music files back.
This process will rebuild your library from the original music files. You may lose things like playlists, play counts, ratings, and other metadata, but it often fixes issues with missing or deleted files. Just be sure to back up the old library first in case you need to restore any data.
Source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253827439
Check iCloud Settings
One common cause of missing music files in iTunes is an issue with your iCloud Music Library settings. The iCloud Music Library stores your music collection in iCloud and syncs it across devices, but sometimes there can be glitches that cause files to disappear. To troubleshoot, check the settings under Preferences > Music in iTunes. Make sure that iCloud Music Library is enabled. If it is enabled but you are still missing tracks, try toggling it off, waiting a few minutes, then toggling back on again to refresh the library (source).
You can also go to your iCloud settings on your Mac or PC and ensure that iTunes is checked under the list of apps using iCloud Drive. Disable and re-enable iCloud Music Library in the settings if needed to resync. Additionally, check Settings on your iPhone or iPad and confirm that Sync Library is enabled under Music. Toggle this off and on as well if you are missing music. These resets can often solve sync problems between devices that lead to missing files.
In some cases, you may need to delete the iCloud Music Library and re-add it to your account to fully refresh the cloud locker. While this will remove any tracks purchased directly from iTunes, it should restore any files manually added from CDs or other sources. Just be aware this could take some time depending on the size of your library.
Contact Apple Support
If you have tried the troubleshooting steps listed above and are still missing music files from your iTunes library, the next step is to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. The Apple Support website provides several options to get help:
- Call 1-800-APL-CARE (800-275-2273) to speak with an Apple Support advisor 24/7.
- Use the Apple Support app on your iPhone to chat directly with a support agent.
- Go to https://getsupport.apple.com/ and select iTunes to find support articles, community discussions, and contact options specific to iTunes issues.
When contacting Apple Support, be ready to provide details about your missing files such as song titles, album names, artist names, and purchase dates if applicable. The more information you can provide, the better able Apple will be to help troubleshoot and hopefully restore your missing music files in iTunes.
Preventing Future Loss of iTunes Files
While it can be frustrating to lose iTunes files, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening again in the future. Proper library management and regular backups are key to safeguarding your music collection over time.
First, keep your iTunes library organized using techniques like deleting any duplicate tracks and consolidating files that may have gotten separated across drives or devices (source). iTunes includes tools to help identify and manage duplicates. You can also edit metadata like song titles, artist names, and album info so everything is consistently labeled.
Next, enable the automatic iTunes backup feature to copy your library to a external drive periodically. You can find this option under Edit > Preferences > Advanced on Windows, or iTunes > Preferences > Advanced on a Mac. If you have enough iCloud storage available, you can also easily keep your iTunes media backed up online.
Finally, be cautious before deleting large batches of music files. It’s best to sort your library different ways first and double check what you are removing. Keeping routine backups will allow you to restore anything that was mistakenly deleted.
Following these iTunes library management best practices will help ensure your music collection stays intact over many years of use. Be sure to backup regularly, organize your library files, and carefully manage any major deletions.
