All of my music in iTunes Library have disappeared

I have seen this issue asked about here and other places online but none of the suggestions have worked or don't pertain. So here is what I had done and what happened: First I had downloaded the latest version of iTunes on a new laptop and all was fine - songs were all there and I listened to some of them no problem, but a few days later the next time I opened it up I could see all of my songs but only for a brief second and as the pop-up window showing the new iTunes video tutorial came up they disappeared and everything is empty - playlists, library, albums...everything. I closed out and opened it all again but it's still empty. I signed off and signed back on...same thing. I then looked in my iTunes folder on my computer and the library.itl is there but it is only 8 KBs - I have a ton more songs than just 8 KBs worth! And when I opened that library.itl file, my library pulled up and is still empty. It was all there the other day and I have made no changes to my computer at all since downloading the new version. I don't have a "previous versions" folder or a back-up. Most of the songs in my library were not purchased, just added to my library and I have not deleted any of them. How can I get them back?
(My OS is Windows 7 Professional - if that helps to know).
Thank you!

Are all your songs etc. still in the usual folder(s) on your computer? Try holding down the Shift key in Windows when opening iTunes. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to an existing one. The default location for your iTunes library is in C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\ (or C:\Username\Music\iTunes\ in Vista). Look in there and see if you have more than one library file (they have the extension .itl) If you have more than one try opening them in turn, you may find your original library is still intact: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file

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I have just purchased a new mac book pro, and transferred my files from my old macbook. however all the song in my iTunes library have lost their ratings

lost ratings from itunes libarary following transfer to new mac book pro

[user]/Music/iTunes
You'll find the library files there.
iTunes Library Extras.itdb
iTunes Library Genius.itdb
iTunes Library.itl
iTunes Music Library.xml
THOSE files contain your Library information, and the need to be moved to the same folder on the new Mac.

All the content from my iTunes library has disappeared

The other day I went onto iTunes and everything had disappeared from it except for the music in the Cloud. All the music is still intact in the folders on my computer and when I double click any song it reappears on iTunes but without any information like number of plays, and I obviously don't want to do this manually for every song as I have nearly two thousand. I synced my iPod with iTunes again but no message came up and the music is still on my iPod, as if it is only 'hiding' on iTunes. I'm not sure if it's something to do with the fact i got a new iPod a few days ago, but iTunes worked perfectly when I first got it so I'm confused about what's happened.

Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. Note that in iTunes 11 an "empty" library may show your past purchases with links to stream or download them.
In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
Alternatively, depending on exactly when and why the library went missing, there may be a more recent .tmp file in the main iTunes folder that can be copied and renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to an earlier state. Look for a recent .tmp file that is similar in size to the .itl files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder. If it has happened repeatedly you may want the earliest such file generated since the last iTunes upgrade.
If applicable, see iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
When you get it all working make a backup!
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
I've noticed more of these missing library posts of late and a common factor to most since I started asking is AVG Anti-Virus. It seems in some cases it might be at least part of the reason why the library file disappears. Try excluding the iTunes folder from any AV scanning process.
tt2

I have all my music on an external hard drive. I just transferred all my files to a new hard drive . How do I sync all my files with my itunes library without losing all my playlists etc and keep everything intact?

I have all my music on an external hard drive. I just transferred all my files to a new hard drive . How do I sync all my files with my itunes library without losing all my playlists etc and keep everything intact?

Launch iTunes with the Option key held down, click on Choose Library, and specify it. If the external drive doesn't contain the iTunes database files, create a new library there and import that music.
If the library contains any rented movies, they won't play on a different computer.
(109334)

How do I manually transfer music with the new itunes update for Windows? I don't want to sync my library and lose all of my music for what I have in my current library.

How do I manually transfer music with the new itunes update for Windows? I don't want to sync my library and lose all of my music for what I have in my current library.

The same way it was done in every previous version.
Connect the device to the computer.
Right click on the device in iTunes and select Transfer Purchases.
Why would you lose any content by syncing with iTunes?
Is this not the computer that the device is normally synced with?

I have all my songs in my iTunes library on the computer, but when I press the button to sync it, it doesn't put the songs on my iPhone. I have songs from my iPod on here too. How do I get it to put the songs on my iPhone?

I have all my songs in my iTunes library on the computer, but when I press the button to sync it, it doesn't put the songs on my iPhone. I have songs from my iPod on here too. How do I get it to put the songs on my iPhone?

Have you selected the music to sync?

Why after loading all music into Itunes library does it erase every song on there a few days later?

Why after loading all music into Itunes library does it erase every song on there a few days later?

Welcome to AD!
Your signature line shows you have a Sony. Vaio users worldwide are seeing this.
It's some Sony software conflicting with itunes.
Older topic on that:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9345281

I have a few devices on one apple id and would like to switch out one of my phones so they have there own apple id do I have to restore the phone as new or can i somehow switch it without losing all apps and music in iTunes

I have a few devices on one apple id and would like to switch out one of my phones so they have there own apple id do I have to restore the phone as new or can i somehow switch it without losing all apps and music in iTunes?

Hello lynnettefromsk,
The article linked below details all of the locations that you may need to change your Apple ID. This process should not affect the state of anything on the device at the time.
Apple ID: What to do after you change your Apple ID
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5796
Cheers,
Allen

Question I have a dilemma . I added a lot of songs in my iTunes now when I synced my ipod this message appear "Elma's ipod cannot be synced because there is not enough free space to hold all the items in the iTunes library (additiona

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The Sync button becomes the Apply button, if you change the iPod's settings in iTunes. If you are only unchecking songs in the iTunes music library, you click on the Sync button.
When you select the iPod in iTunes, you see the iPod's Summary screen on the main part of the iTunes window. There is a checkbox there for Sync only checked songs. Did you check that checkbox? If you want iTunes to ignore the songs you unchecked when syncing your iPod, that setting needs to be enabled. If you change that setting, you'll see the the Sync botton has changed to Apply. Click Apply.
That method of unchecking songs works, but it may become annoying over time, as you need to uncheck more and more songs. If you want advice on some other more convenient ways to make it work, you can post back.

I have all my music in iTunes and have "Music Match" turned on. Apparently, I also have music on my iPhone 5. I need to free up space on my iPhone. If I delete the music on my phone, will it still be available to me on my phone via the cloud?

I have all my music in iTunes and have "Music Match" turned on. Apparently, I also have music on my iPhone 5. I need to free up space on my iPhone. If I delete the music on my iPhone, will it still be available to me on my phone via the cloud?
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This can happen if iTunes gets confused about what is and isn't on the device. These steps should resolve.
Backup the device.
Restore as a new device.
Restore the backup made earlier.
tt2

All the music in my itunes library has disappeared any ideas how to get it back?

All the music in my itunes library has disappeared any ideas how to get it back?

Hi bjl1767,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
The tips in this article can help with locating your music files:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
If the music is in the iTunes Media folder on your computer, but not in your library, the iTunes library might need to be re-created:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Best Regards,
Jeremy

Why aren't all my songs in my Itunes Library, showing as in Cloud? I have Match on

Why aren't all my songs in my Itunes Library, showing as in Cloud? I have Match on

Hi,
Can you explain what you have done whilst matching your library. I have explained in previous posts what you should expect to see.
The tracks with the download icon are in the cloud but if they have the download icon, this would suggest that the originals are no longer on your computer. Where are the original files?
Your original post was regarding tracks not in the cloud. If you create a smart playlist with any of the following criteria - iCloud status not = matched, not = uploaded and not= purchased, you will establish tracks not in the cloud. What do you see when you have done this?
Jim

HT4913 I have recently purchased a new iPhone, but my husband has the iTunes account on his email. We want to set up separate accounts however we want to share all of our music from iTunes. Is there a way to only share music only (not contacts, apps, etc)

I have recently purchased a new iPhone, but my husband has the iTunes account on his email. We want to set up separate accounts however we want to share all of our music from iTunes. Is there a way to only share music only (not contacts, apps, etc)?

You are most welcome
Each post should have the text "this helped me" or "this solved my question," or something similar. Just click on whichever one applies to that particular post!
This tutorial has more info.
~Lyssa

I erase by mistake my itunes library, then in my trash I foud it and do put it back; but now all the song are in itunes library but they can find any of them. what can I do?

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Have you looked at the settings in iTunes. Is music syncing manual or automatic. More info please. I would try removing all restrictions as an initial test.

I think some tracks on my iTunes library have shortened has anyone experience of this and remedy

I am sure that a few album tracks on my iTunes library have shortened their original play length -has anyone experienced or heard of this happening before ?if so what is the remedy if any. All tracks were originally loaded from genuine original CDs

Hi,
You will need to keep the number of the tracks below 25K. One option is to delete tacks and remove from your library.
If you wish to keep the files in your itunes library, you can manage the itunes match library by creating a second blank library.
You create a second library by holding shift key and choose create new library from pop up box. The name of library usually defaults to itunes1 ( you can rename if you wish). The library will be completely blank until you sign into the iTunes Store and activate match. You will be asked to add this computer. Do so. Once match process is completed you will now see all music that has been matched, uploaded or purchased. Each track will have download icon and you will be able to stream music.
If you delete the track you will get a message telling that it has been deleted from the cloud and any associated devices that you use for streaming but it is important to note that the track has not been deleted from your hard drive.
To verify this log out of iTunes, relaunch holding option key and select original library from pop up. You library will be as before I.e total number in your library has not changed.
You should have iCloud status column added to song view - this tells you if tracks have been matched, uploaded, purchased, duplicate, ineligible and more importantly "removed". The tracks deleted from second library will have iCloud status as removed. Match will ignore this in future scans. Track is still available on your hard drive.
Doing this will enable you to keep all you music in your itunes library on your computer. Whilst the "removed" tracks will be on your computer, they will not be available on ipad.
Jim

All of my music in iTunes Library have disappeared

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