Why is my iTunes music not working?

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Why is my iTunes music not working

Quick Answers

There are a few common reasons why your iTunes music may stop working or become unavailable:

  • Your computer is not authorized – If you’re getting errors about authorization, it likely means your computer is no longer authorized to play the music from your Apple ID. You’ll need to re-authorize the computer.
  • Corrupt iTunes library – Issues with the iTunes library such as corruption or damage can lead to music being unplayable. You may need to rebuild your library.
  • Missing files – If files are missing from your computer or have been deleted, iTunes won’t be able to locate and play them.
  • Outdated software – Make sure you’re running the latest version of iTunes and that all related software is also up-to-date.
  • Syncing issues – Problems with syncing your iTunes library across devices can cause music to become unavailable.

If you’re experiencing issues playing music in your iTunes library on a computer, there are a number of troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the problem.

Authorizing Your Computer

One of the most common reasons for iTunes music not working is that your computer is no longer authorized. iTunes uses authorization as a way to confirm your computer is linked to your Apple ID and has permission to play content purchased or owned by that Apple ID.

Here are some scenarios where your computer may become unathorized:

  • You signed out of iTunes on your computer
  • You disconnected your computer from your Apple ID
  • You signed in to a different Apple ID on iTunes
  • You exceeded the maximum number of authorized computers (5 computers can be authorized per account)

When your computer is no longer authorized, you will typically see an error message in iTunes stating “This computer is no longer authorized.” Music and other media purchased through your Apple ID will not play until you re-authorize the computer.

To re-authorize your computer using iTunes:

  1. Open iTunes on your computer
  2. Go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer
  3. Sign out of iTunes completely by going to Account and clicking Sign Out
  4. Sign back into iTunes using your Apple ID and password

This should automatically re-authorize your computer with your Apple ID. Now try playing a song or media item that wouldn’t play before and it should work as expected.

If you continue to get authorization errors or have already reached the 5 computer authorization limit, you will need to deauthorize one or more of your other computers first before adding this computer.

Corrupt or Damaged iTunes Library

Another common culprit that can stop your iTunes media from playing properly is having an corrupted, damaged or unstable iTunes library. The iTunes library is where all of your media content, playlists, play counts, ratings and other data is stored locally.

If this library file becomes corrupted or damaged, it can affect your ability to play music and access content in iTunes.

Some signs your iTunes library may be corrupted or damaged:

  • Songs randomly skipping, pausing or stopping
  • Errors when trying to play songs or playlists
  • Media items appear with exclamation icons or won’t load
  • Playlists, ratings, play counts or other data is missing
  • iTunes crashes or freezes when attempting to play items

If you suspect your library is damaged, the recommended fix is to rebuild your iTunes library from scratch. This means creating a brand new library and re-adding your media files.

Here is how to rebuild your iTunes library on a Windows PC:

  1. Quit iTunes
  2. Go to My Music > iTunes and find your iTunes Library.itl file
  3. Rename the file to Old_iTunesLibrary.itl to back it up
  4. Open iTunes while holding Shift key to launch a new library
  5. Go to File > Add File to Library and select your media files to re-import them
  6. Adjust your preferences and recreate playlists, ratings etc

On a Mac:

  1. Quit iTunes
  2. Hold Option key while launching iTunes to choose new library
  3. Create a new empty library file
  4. Import your audio files into the new library
  5. Adjust preferences and rebuild playlists, ratings etc

This process should resolve any problems caused by a corrupted library and give you a fresh start. Make sure to backup your old library just in case.

Missing Media Files

If files are missing from your iTunes media folder or have been deleted or moved from their original location, iTunes will be unable to locate them and play them back.

Errors like “Cannot find file” or tracks appearing grayed out are indications that files are missing.

Some common reasons why files may go missing:

  • Accidental file deletion
  • Hard drive failure or corruption
  • Moving or reorganizing files outside iTunes
  • Deleting and redownloading files without locating originals

To resolve missing file issues:

  1. Find the original location of the missing files if possible and return them to the folder
  2. Use a file recovery program to restore accidentally deleted files
  3. Delete and re-add tracks from your iCloud Music Library to download copies
  4. Redownload purchased music files from your Purchase History

If you cannot locate the original files, you will need to remove the missing tracks from your library and replace them by re-importing or re-downloading the content.

Outdated Software

Issues playing music in iTunes can also arise if the software is out of date. This includes:

  • Using an old version of iTunes – Should be updated to latest release
  • Outdated audio drivers – Audio drivers should be updated to latest versions
  • Old Windows/Mac OS – Operating system should be updated
  • Outdated components like QuickTime – Software components need updating

Make sure you are running the newest version of iTunes for the best compatibility and performance. Also check for updates to audio drivers, your Mac/Windows OS version, and components like Apple QuickTime which iTunes relies on.

Updating to the latest releases will ensure maximum compatibility with iTunes media formats and files along with bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve music playback problems.

iTunes Syncing Issues

If you are syncing your iTunes music library across multiple devices, sync problems can sometimes cause media to become unavailable.

Issues that can interfere with iTunes syncing:

  • Missing sync data – Data required to sync libraries is lost
  • Mismatched or corrupt sync data – Data problems prevent proper syncing
  • Unreliable connection – Slow or unstable connections interrupt syncing
  • Failed syncs – Incomplete or failed syncs cause missing data
  • Too many synced devices – iTunes allows a limited number of synced devices

To get iTunes syncing properly again:

  1. Confirm all devices have a reliable WiFi or USB connection
  2. Delete and re-create sync relationships by toggling Sync Library on devices
  3. Review and reduce number of synced devices if needed
  4. Check for incomplete syncs and allow them to fully complete
  5. Restart devices and iTunes to clear any caching issues

This will reset sync connections and ensure any cached sync data is cleared out. Be sure to allow adequate time for large libraries to fully sync after making changes.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

If you still can’t get your iTunes music to play after addressing common issues, try these additional troubleshooting steps:

  • Restart Computer and Devices – Fully power down all hardware and restart. This will clear any temporary glitches.
  • Check File Format Compatibility – Ensure all media files are in a format that is supported by iTunes and your computer.
  • Disable Audio Enhancements – Turn off any EQ presets, Dolby processing, or other audio enhancements which may be interfering.
  • Update Hardware Drivers – Download latest sound card, headphone, external audio device drivers.
  • Change Audio Outputs – Try different speakers, headphones or audio connections to isolate sound issues.
  • Delete iTunes Cache Files – Deleting cache files can clear certain errors and issues.
  • Check User Permissions – Confirm your user account has proper permissions to access iTunes media folder and files.

Persisting problems may require contacting Apple support directly, reinstalling iTunes, or fully restoring your OS if no other fixes resolve it.

Preventing Future iTunes Music Problems

To avoid repeated issues playing music in iTunes, consider these tips:

  • Always eject device safely before disconnecting
  • Maintain regular backups of your music library and files
  • Avoid force quitting iTunes during imports or syncs
  • Limit syncing to 1-2 primary devices
  • Use a stabile, dedicated sync connection like wired Ethernet
  • Update to newest versions of iTunes, OS, and hardware drivers
  • Monitor your library for missing/corrupted files
  • Clean up duplicate tracks or outdated formats over time

Following best practices for syncing devices, managing your library, and keeping software up to date will help minimize disruptions in the future.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting intermittent issues with iTunes music playback can be frustrating. Start by verifying your computer is properly authorized and that your iTunes media files are present and accounted for.

Repairing library damage, updating outdated software, addressing sync complications, and trying additional troubleshooting steps may also get your music working again. If issues persist, seek assistance from Apple support to determine if deeper hardware, OS or iTunes installation issues are at fault.

With the proper maintenance of your library, sync relationships, and software, you can minimize disruptions and keep the music playing.