If you are having trouble locating your iTunes music library, there are a few common reasons why this may be happening and steps you can take to fix it. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll go over quick answers to common questions related to missing iTunes music libraries.
Is iTunes music stored locally or in the cloud?
iTunes music purchased through the iTunes Store is stored locally on your device by default. However, if you subscribe to Apple Music or enable iCloud Music Library, your music may also be stored in the cloud for access across devices. So if you can’t find music on one device, it may be available through the cloud on another device logged into your Apple ID.
Did I accidentally move my iTunes media folder location?
By default, iTunes stores your music library and media files in a folder called “iTunes” which is usually located in the Music folder under your user account on your computer. If you accidentally changed the iTunes media folder location in your iTunes preferences, your music library may have been moved elsewhere on your computer or external drive.
Could my music library be hidden?
If your iTunes folder is still in the default Music folder but seems to be missing songs, it may be because the iTunes library XML file that indexes your songs is hidden. On Windows, navigate to Music > iTunes and check if “iTunes Library.itl” is visible. If not, unhide hidden folders and files to access it.
Did I delete my iTunes library or songs?
It’s possible you may have accidentally deleted key iTunes library components like the “iTunes Library.itl” file or the “iTunes Media” folder containing your actual media files. If so, you may be able to recover deleted files using data recovery software.
Could my music be on an external drive?
If you regularly store iTunes content on an external drive, it’s possible your music library or media is currently on a drive that is disconnected. Reconnect the external drive and check if your missing iTunes content appears.
Is iTunes up to date?
Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed. Occasionally, iTunes updates can cause issues with music libraries. Updating to the newest version may help resolve missing music problems.
Did I switch computers or operating systems?
If you recently got a new computer or switched operating systems, your iTunes media, library, and playlists may not have transferred over. You’ll need to move your iTunes content manually or use a migration tool.
What are the main iTunes music folder locations?
Here are the common places to check for your iTunes library and media files if they seem to be missing from your music library:
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| C:\Users\Username\Music\iTunes\ | /Users/Username/Music/iTunes/ |
| C:\Users\Username\My Music\ | /Users/Username/Music/ |
| External drive letter:\iTunes\ | /Volumes/External Drive/iTunes/ |
How can I find missing iTunes music files on my computer?
If your iTunes media folder has been moved or renamed, here are some ways to try locating it:
- Use your operating system’s search function to search your whole computer for files like “iTunes Library.itl” or media formats like .mp3 and .aac.
- Check if the iTunes folder is still listed in iTunes’ preferences even if missing from the Music folder.
- Use the “Find” command in iTunes to have it locate missing media.
- Download a third party file search tool for more advanced searching across drives.
How can I recover missing iTunes music libraries or playlists?
If your iTunes media files are still on your computer but the iTunes library database is corrupted or missing, you may be able to recover your music libraries, playlists, and other data by:
- Restoring a backup iTunes library XML file from external drive or backup.
- Using data recovery software to find deleted library files.
- Manually adding back music folder locations in iTunes preferences.
- Letting iTunes re-index your music folder to rebuild library.
Why is my music missing after updating iOS or macOS?
Major iOS or macOS updates can sometimes cause issues with iTunes recognizing music files or matching songs added from Apple Music. To fix music missing after an update, you can:
- Update to newest iOS and macOS versions
- Disable and re-enable iCloud Music Library
- Delete and re-add any affected Apple Music songs
- Check iTunes Match status under Account Settings
How can I transfer my iTunes library to a new computer?
To move your iTunes library including music, playlists, and other content to a new Mac or PC, you have a few options:
- Copy iTunes folder to external drive, then copy to new computer
- Use iTunes’ built-in Backup to Disk feature to backup library then restore
- Use Apple Migration Assistant to transfer files during setup
- Activate iTunes Match to sync library to cloud then download
What causes the “iTunes Library Cannot Be Saved” error?
This error message indicates a problem writing changes to your iTunes library database file, usually due to:
- Corrupt library -Deleting and restoring iTunes folder can help
- Read-only access – Check Music folder permissions
- Out of disk space – Delete unused files to free up space
- Network access issues – Disconnect from VPNs and ensure local network access
Why does my iTunes music keep disappearing?
If your iTunes library seems to randomly lose music, gets overwritten, or song files go missing, there could be a few possible culprits:
- Multiple library files – Consolidate libraries in iTunes preferences
- Hard drive errors – Run disk utility to check for bad sectors
- Synchronization issues – Disable iCloud Music Library and sync to one device
- Corrupt library index – Delete library XML file to rebuild
Conclusion
Troubleshooting missing iTunes music essentially comes down to determining if the issue lies with your physical media files, library database index, or software misconfiguration. Methodically check each component starting with the basics like library location and view settings. Use iTunes built-in tools as well as external file search or recovery software if needed. Stay organized by keeping a consolidated library and having backups of your music and iTunes folder. With a systematic approach, you should be able to recover access to your iTunes music collection.