My music in my library seems to be gone...

The songs are listed bit a error message comes up that the original file cannot be found. Any helpfor this green girl

If you have a ! next to the songs it can mean several things. The files have been moved from the iTunes music folder, or deleted from your computer entirely. Or the song files have been renamed/edited or otherwise changed by some method other than iTunes. In any event, iTunes has lost track of these song files.
You can use Explorer to search your computer for missing songs.
On the Start menu, click "Search".
Select "All Files and folders".
In the "All or part of the file name" field, type the song name and then click "Search".
If you see the file you are looking for in the Search Results window, you can add it back into your iTunes library.
See: Adding content to iTunes.

Similar Messages

  • My music library seems corrupted. Nearly every song (431 albums) displays "the song ... could not be used because the original file cannot be found". Is there any way to correct this? Please help, thanks, Kelly

    Almost my entire itunes music library seems corrupted. Nearly every song (431 albums) displys "the song ...  cannot be used because the original file cannot be found". Is there any way to correct this? Please help!
    thanks,
    kelly61

    Select one of the songs in question and right click, then select "Get Info". On the main dialog page you should see where iTunes thinks the file resides. Then use Windows Explorer to see if the file is actually there. If not, find out where your music is stored.If there is not a correlation between iTunes and reality, go into iTunes and delete all of the files which are not found.  Then, in iTunes, select File->Add Folder to Library and select where the music is stored. iTunes will re-add all of the music into your library.

  • Music files missing? Seems like iTunes bug...

    I recently noticed that many of my music files are missing, and that the selection appears to be somewhat random. They are retained in iTunes, but have the ! next to them. So, doing the logical thing, I tried to locate them, and the files themselves are missing, but their iTunes link is preserved.
    In an effort to continue to do the logical thing, I then systematically went through my CD library, re-loading all the missing material back into iTunes. This was extremely tedious, but appeared to fix most of the issues (obviously, the ones were the CD case was mysteriously empty were left unfixed). The files played fine at that time. Then I carried the computer upstairs to my home office, where I proceeded to plug it in to do a time machine backup on the newly transferred files.
    Now here's where it gets really strange... The time machine backup went swimmingly without hitches, to a relatively new USB 3.0 drive. I then set about organizing the music, so that it would all be in the iTunes music folder (User(me)/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/ directory, the one automatically made by iTunes on installation). Many of the songs linked perfectly, and I didn't have to re-link the songs to their new location, as one might expect. So, I then thought I would sit down to enjoy this new library that I had spent a day bringing up to speed and organizing again. And, low and behold, songs are missing--again. Not just the ones that I couldn't replace, but some of the newly replaced ones. For example, Track 12 of an album might be missing, but the files for Tracks 1-11 and 13+ are all present.
    As other people who have experienced this problem previously have noted, there does seem to be a slight preference for songs whose artist and/or title include accented characters, although my detection ability is more limited now, as I have since lost many of these original CDs, and so the songs were not replaced within the library. But, while they account for about 5-10% of my overall library, they accounted for about 50% of the songs missing at the beginning of yesterday's overhaul.
    And what makes matters really strange is that when I tried to look up the missing files--which I know myself to have imported yesterday--in the fresh time machine backup I made right after importing all that music, they are all missing.
    So, it appears that iTunes is systematically deleting files at random. While I'm tempted to try to put the missing ones back on (fewer are "re-missing" than I was able to replace, so it's a little better), this doesn't exactly seem fruitful, given the fresh deletions.
    The original music files were encoded a long time ago, and have been copied and re-copied (and recopied... ad infinitium). It appears that everything that I encoded on the really old system (before iTunes really became popular for this sort of thing) were preserved; however, the issue seems to temporally localize around the time I started using iTunes for most of my music encoding needs (except, of course, for the little issue about files that were imported less than 24 hours ago).
    A few other notes:
    - I did not delete these files accidentally. I'm more careful than that.
    - The files are not there (they're not just hidden--I already checked for this).
    - iTunes has retained the link to where it believes the file should be.
    - The issue appears to have originally arisen quite some time ago, as these files are systemically missing from all backups made by time machine. However, it wasn't all that long ago that I deleted my entire library and started over (about 2 years, so the files should have been natively present on 2 of my macs) by re-importing all the files in my music folder. This newly created library has since become the "master" library that is propigated to all my other computers (although I don't trust iCloud for obvious reasons, given this fiasco--Thanks, Apple...)
    - I have not elected to have iTunes manage my music folder, or automatically copy things to the iTunes music folder when importing (although this is the default destination, so they are imported there, but not duplicated there when imported from elsewhere on the hard drive).
    - I am currently running OS X 10.6.8 on an Intel Mac (yeah, yeah, I'd upgrade the OS, but software that cost more than the computer isn't 10.8--or even 10.7--compatible).
    If anyone has any thoughts on how to prevent this issue in the future, I'd really appreciate it. I think the music files themselves are just... gone. But, I would like to be able to have them stick around for a bit when I get around to dedicating another day to trying to import them from their CD.
    Does anyone know a piece of third party software that allows you to sync and update iDevices? Hopefully one that doesn't take over my music library and decide to delete things of its own accord?

    I was lucky to be able to use a PC, that after trying numerous times actually read the external hdd, I quickly copied all files over to a backup hdd and recovered all files. After that I ended up in contact with Western Digital about the incident and they recommended to completely erase (7-pass erase) of the hdd, which ended up taking over 5 days to do. They gave me no reason as to "Why" it would have happened but if I erase and reformatted of the hdd and the problem reoccurred they recommended to get the unit replaced.
    I was lucky to recover all my files.....keep trying on different computers if you can, and copy what you can get hold of. The 7-pass erase will delete pretty much every trace of information on the hdd with no chance of recovery.
    So far since the incident its been running ok but I not longer trust the hdd to be stable. Not a simple nor quick process / solution I'm afraid.
    Good luck!
    Once you have recovered your files (or as many as you can get hold of) and ready to erase the hdd:
    (THIS WILL ERASE ALL YOUR DATA, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP BEFORE PROCEEDING)
    Connect the drive directly to the Mac, open Disk Utility.
    Select the drive and click on the "Erase" tab Select the "7-times zeros" to completely erase the drive.
    Once the erase have completed format the drive to your selection.

  • My iTunes library seems to have a problem. Help!

    My iTunes library seems to have a problem. I saw no way to "automatically" convert to the file structure that many others have (including my kids' macs) that separates under iTunes media, music, movies, tv shows, audiobooks, etc. So I did this manually. I have always maintained the latest OSX and itunes but the library seems to be an issue. I want to back up my thousands of songs & "spoken" mp3s + the audiobooks. I already have backups of my tv shows and movies (USB ext. drive). I do have a b/u using TM on an ext USB drive. However, I'd really like to b/u the other stuff not just with TM. The library now shows that I need to "locate" most files (like the audiobooks) and when I do they are put into "music.?" What am I doing wrong?

    If in iTunes advanced preferences you leave "copy files to iTunes folder" and "organize music" checked, iTunes will put the files where it wants to put them.  It may not always make sense to you or be how you would do it.  It's one or the other.  Either you let iTunes manage your music as it wants to, or you take over responsibility 100% and then you have to know all the details of how iTunes works so you don't break something.

  • Music from shared library will not display by artist or album.

    How do I set up home sharing to display music from shared library by artist and album?

    I am not sure if the fix that cuatro476804 suggested is the issue here.  I have also been experiencing freezing issues with my Apple TV since the latest Apple TV/iTunes updates.  Here is the bug report I just submitted to Apple:
    Since the last update to Apple TV or the last updates to iTunes (not sure which is the culprit) Apple TV freezes when trying to play music streamed from iTunes on a Mac.
    I have an iMac running iTunes [11.01 (12)] and a 3rd gen Apple TV running the latest OS release as of 12-20-2012.  Since the last software update for iTunes and Apple TV, the Apple TV will freeze when playing a song after about 10 - 20 seconds.  This happens whether I am using my computer directly or when using the "remote" app on my iPhone 5.  I can restart my song again by pressing play, but the song will freeze again after another 10 - 20 seconds.
    I can temporarily cure the bug by unplugging my Apple TV for 5 seconds to cold start the gizmo, and then both iTunes and Remote seem to be able to stream without any issues.
    but when I try to play music the next day, the same freezing issue occurs again like clockwork.
    I thought this was just a rare buggy issue, maybe even a WiFi or other communication problem, but I have been playing tunes on my Apple TV for a couple years streamed from my iMac with not problems.  This only started happening after the last software update.  Again, not sure if this is the Apple TV update, or the iTunes 10.01 (12) update causing this.
    Daily rebooting of the Apple TV is not an acceptable solution.  Were this a Microsoft product, sure, but Apple product... its just supposed to work :-)
    I hope others will report the same issue so this gets repaired soon.
    -- Jon

  • I just updated my iphone to ios 7 and updated itunes to 11.1.  Yesterday I noticed I couldn't move music from my library to my iphone.  Today I noticed that most of the music on my iphone is gone.  What do I do?

    I  just updated my iphone to ios 7 and updated itunes to 11.1.  Yesterday I  noticed I couldn't move music from my library to my iphone.  Today I  noticed that most of the music on my iphone is gone.  What do I do?

    I don't see how the AAC Version thing really applies here - the issue seems to be with
    the time it takes for "Preparing to Update" to run when adding new songs and
    the fact that a bunch of songs can get temporarily deleted from your phone, then need to be recopied over.
    I should also add that I'm using iTunes for Mac (OS 10.6).
    And Linda0410, if you view your phone's library in iTunes on your computer while it's copying, you should be able to see a bunch of grayed out songs, and there will be a little indicator on the left hand side of each song that's currently being copied.

  • All purchased music missing from library on my mac.  can't find most files on my hd either.  help

    I switched from a computer to a mac in the fall. ever since some of the music in the library couldn't be played due to the file could not be located error.  upon getting a new iphone a couple of days ago, i now no longer have any music at all in my library, nor are the files anywhere on my hard drive.  do I have to download all previously purchased songs again?  thanks

    Time to start fresh anew, since it seems you may have really mucked up the library.
    Hold down option key while you click on iTunes. Then chose NEW LIBRARY.
    Now... re-download all past music purchases.  Should be good to go.

  • All music in my library are missing after sync.

    All music in my library are missing after synch, but it seems that its still in the phone cause I checked memory usage and it doesn't add up. And when I connect it to itunes and checked the memory usage bar in the bottom,  it seems that my music was categorized in "Others". I'm using iPhone 5s with the latest OS.

    This has just happened to me, I've had songs in Music on my phone for years and suddenly, and randomly, they're greyed out and unplayable. This applies to some playlists and not others, to songs I've played on my phone even in the last week.
    Damned infuriating and I can't yet find a resolution - Apple, what have you done this time!

  • Updated iPhoto could no longer use the music from iTunes library for slideshow

    Anybody checked if you can still use your music from iTunes library for slideshows?
    After updating both iPhoto and iTunes to the latest version in Mavericks, all music links in the iPhoto's slideshows became invalid. Tried even to re-establish the music links, but it seems like the iPhoto would not play any music from the iTunes library. Only the sample music from iPhoto is usable. The iTunes works fine by the way.
    Thanks a lot!

    I think I found a workaround that seemed to correct the problem. In iTunes, go to the File menu and choose Library. Then select Organize Library. Next choose Reorganize files in the folder "iTunes Media".  Click OK.

  • Music from iPod library through Mac iTunes to wireless??

    I have over 400 audio CDs downloaded into the iTunes library on my Macbook Pro.  I have also synched these to my iPod classic (160 GB).  I can use the iPod on the airplane, in the car, in the hotel through their connection to their ampifier/speaker, etc.  When I travel on business, I take my Macbook Pro with me.  I want to leave my iPod with my wife to plug into her Macbook and play music from this library through iTunes on her Macbook wirelessly to the home speaker system (using airport express devices and our LAN).  But, the Macbook does not seem to allow this to happen!  It will also not allow me to synch (download) the personal CDs that are on the iPod onto her computer.
    Does anyone have a suggested solution?  Thanks.

    iTunes syncing is generally in one direction only, from the computer's iTunes library to the iPod.  Except for songs purchased from the iTunes Store, you cannot transfer song files from iPod to computer using iTunes (whether that computer is your computer or another computer).  There are third-party methods and utilities that can transfer from iPod to computer, but I think you just want to play songs off the iPod, not transfer the song files to her MacBook.
    For playing songs off of the iPod, the reason it does not work is probably because the iPod is currently set to automatically sync to your MacBook's iTunes library.  If you set the iPod to Manually manage music [and videos]. I think you will be able to play songs off the iPod using iTunes.  That setting is on the iPod's Summary screen in iTunes.  However, if you set it that way, iTunes will no longer automatically sync changes to your iTunes library to the iPod.  Going forward, you will have to add new songs manually (and also remove songs manually)

  • How to get music into iPod library other than with iTunes?

    I am using an iPhone video editing app and want to add music to the clips. The option presented is to "add music from iPod library. I am presently traveling abroad and do not have my MacBook to sync music into my iPhone. There is tons of free music available online but the question is how to get any of it into my iPod library. I've tried a third party "download" app but it stores music inside the app, not in the iPod library. Are the only ways to put music in my iPod library either 1) sync from my MacBook or 2) buy from iTunes store? or are there other options?
    Thanks much.  

    The Jazz website you showed had Real audio files, and these won't be able to be played in the iPod app anyway.
    But there are options for websites with mp3s.
    There are apps that can play mp3s and make playlists, and some that can download music from legit websites and then play it.
    Do a search for "mp3 play download" in the itunes store.
    I have never needed one, but there are a few there that seem to offer what you are asking.
    Theuy won't add the music to the ipod app, but they play themselves so that might be what you are looking for.

  • Can i upload ipod music into itunes library?

    I want to put my ipod music back into the itunes library, and i dont know how. Is there any way to copy and paste, cuz it doesnt seem to be working..I want to upload the ipod music into the library so i can put the music onto my cell.
    well i hope i can get some help, cause its frustrating me.

    Syncing between iTunes and iPod is intended to be one-way: from iTunes to iPod. The exception, with recent versions of iTunes, is that content purchased from the iTMS can be copied from iPod back to iTunes.
    There are (nearly) countless third-party utilities for recovering music and other content from iPods, however, so perhaps you should have a look around the Internet for something that meets your needs.

  • Problem with iTunes. I have Windows 8 on a new laptop. Installed latest version of iTunes. Can play music in My Library but when I click on Itunes Store I get the message "iTunes has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly.

    I have a new laptop with Windows 8 as operating system. Installed latest version of iTunes ontop computer. I can play music in My Library but when I click on iTunes, I get the message " iTunes has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify if a solution is available."
    Anyone know what is the cause and if there is a resolution? Have tried to re-installing iTunes and have also tried restoring laptop to an earlier date.

    iPad not appearing in iTunes
    http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/assistant/itunes/
    iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1591
    iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
    iTunes for Windows: Device Sync Tests
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4235
    IOS: Syncing with iTunes
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
    Apple - Support - iPad - Syncing
    http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/syncing/
    iTunes 10.5 and later: Troubleshooting iTunes Wi-Fi Syncing
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4062
    The Complete Guide to Using the iTunes Store
    http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/the-complete-guide-to-using-t he-itunes-store/
    iTunes Store: Associating a device or computer to your Apple ID
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4627
    Can't connect to the iTunes Store
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1368
    iTunes: Advanced iTunes Store troubleshooting
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3297
    Best Fixes for ‘Cannot Connect to iTunes Store’ Errors
    http://ipadinsight.com/ipad-tips-tricks/best-fixes-for-cannot-connect-to-itunes- store-errors/
    Try this first - Reset the iPad by holding down on the sleep and home buttons at the same time for about 10-15 seconds until the Apple Logo appears - ignore the red slider - let go of the buttons.
    This works for some users. Not sure why.
    Go to Settings>General>Date and Time> Set Automatically>Off. Set the date ahead by about a year.Then see if you can connect to the store.
     Cheers, Tom

  • When I try to sync music from itunes library to my ipod touch, it says it can't sync because the connection to the iPod was lost. Please help!

    When I try syncing music from my library to my ipod, I get the message that it lost connection. My ipod is plugged in to the computer though. Does anyone know how to fix this?

    How is your iPod configured to sync music? In other words, what options and configurations do you have enabled from under your iPod's Summary and Music tabs in iTunes? 
    Maybe have a look at this article as well to verify your iPod is set up for syncing music.
    iTunes: Syncing media content to iOS devices and iPod
    B-rock

  • Some music files do not show up in google play music app library.  I did clear cache/data and restarted phone.  The music is stored on the SD card.  Most of the music in the library is in the same folder on the sd card.  I can play the song from file mana

    some music files do not show up in google play music app library.  I did clear cache/data and restarted phone.  The music is stored on the SD card.  Most of the music in the library is in the same folder on the sd card.  I can play the song from file manager, but it still is not in the music library in play music.

    Cyndi6858, help is here! We'd be happy to help figure this out. Just to be sure though, the Droid Maxx should not have an SD card. Is this the Droid Razr Maxx? How did you add the music to the device? Are you able to see the files and folders located on the SD card or device when plugged in?
    Thanks,
    MichelleH_VZW
    Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

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