HT203167 All my music has disappeared from my iTunes, what do I do?

I don't know why but somehow all my music has disappeared from my iTunes. I store all my music files on external hard drives.
I don't know what to do to get it all back onto iTunes (other than individually adding each song)

If you are lucky you may be able to recreate your library using the method here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313
If that doesn't work you can just add your iTunes Music folder using "Add Folder to Library", that gets your music back in the library but loses playlists and ratings etc.
Becuase this is rather a common problem, it is a good idea to make backups of you Library file from time to time:
Backup the iTunes Library Files
The library files are in:
My Documents\My Music\iTunes
Close iTunes and wait about 30 seconds.
Copy iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml somewhere else e.g. into the Previous iTunes Libraries folder.
To restore, with iTunes closed drag the current itl and xml file from the iTunes folder to the desktop, then copy the backup iTunes Library.itl into the iTunes folder. The xml file isn’t necessary but can come in handy if the library needs to be recreated and the itl file is causing problems.

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    See this post.
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  • Can I upload music from iPod to iTunes? My music has disappeared from my iTunes account, but still have it on iPod.

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    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1848
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    Before you transfer your purchases, make sure that your computer is authorized with the same Apple ID account you used to make the purchases. Learn how to authorize your computer using iTunes.
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    Choose Transfer Purchases from [device name].
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  • Inexplicably, some of my music has disappeared from my itunes library.

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    Hi, Junette.  
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    I understand you are missing some media from your iTunes library upon upgrading.  Here is an article that I would recommend going through for this issue.  This article also includes the library file location.  
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    All media should be in iTunes on the computer.
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    Are you running iTunes from an external drive, or a 2nd hard disk in the computer?
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    See Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash.
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  • Hi, just updated hubby's iPhone 4 and all of his music has disappeared from the iPhone and from the iTunes library! He does have music still stored on his iPod, but can't get it from the library on his iPod back to phone or itunes. technophobe help pls!

    and all of his music has disappeared from the iPhone and from the iTunes library! Luckily he does have music still stored on his iPod, but I can't get it from the library on his iPod back to the phone or to itunes.Please help, but technophobe so put it in simple english please!

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    See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash or
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