Entire library has disappeared

My entire library of almost 5,000 songs has disappeared. The Itunes folder is also empty.
We recently ran an entire McAfee scan. Could this have anything to do with it?
I am in a complete panic. Please help.

im not in as bad a shape as u guys are in...
i have all my songs, but for some reason when i click on them to be played in my itunes library, i get the exclamation point next to it saying that the file has either been moved or deleted...
this is weird considering that none of my files have been moved or deleted, they are all in the same hard drive...
itunes might have a glitch

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While importing and burning some CDs, my entire library has disappeared. Also, there no longer is a "burn file to disc" command in the File menu. I have downloaded the latest version of itunes which restored only tracks I bought from the iTunes store.

Also, the "burn playlist to disc" command has disappeared from the File options. I downloaded the latest version of iTunes but that only restored tracks I'd bought from the iTunes store. I also tried setting up another logon.

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 & 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

ITunes 8 - my entire library has disappeared!

I admit I am not very tech savvy, but I have successfully upgraded my iTunes in the past. However, when I downloaded iTunes 8, all of my music and podcasts and everything disappeared. My iTunes is empty. I found my iTunes Folder in my owner folder, but now I am stumped. Help!

Is your Library missing, or your physical music files missing, or both? This is an important distinction which you did not explain.
This Article is useful: No music shows up in iTunes after upgrading
As may be the concepts in this one: All of my music is missing after downgrading from iTunes
Perchance you may still have the music files on your PC -- but not seen in iTunes or the PC.
Do a thorough search of your PC for your Music Files using the tips below:
First - Make sure that you enable your Windows Explorer to view 'Hidden' files:
1) Open Windows Explorer
2) Select 'My Computer'
3) On the main Windows Explorer menu: Tools=>Folder Options=>'View' tab
4) In 'Advanced Setting' --> Files and Folders --> Hidden files and folders:
4a) Select 'Show hidden files and folders’
5) Click 'Apply to All Folders'
6) Click 'OK'
Then check using Windows Explorer in 'My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\...' for folders containing your music (or wherever you keep your music folders).
Also check in your Recycle Bin to see if you accidentally deleted it. If so, ‘Restore’ it back to it’s original spot.
Then try running a search using Windows Explorer (or similar) for files with the extensions of: m4a, m4p, MP3, OR with the partial names of the songs you are missing.
Do all the above before you decide that your music files have been completely erased from your hard drive.
IF you can locate the music files/folders, we can get iTunes to recognize it. Try one of these:
If you have a backup iTunes database file available....
1a. Close iTunes.
1b. If you have a backup (or previous version) of the ‘iTunes Library.itl’ database file, then place a copy of that file in the ‘...\My Music\iTunes’ folder (or wherever the current, incomplete file resides). Also look in the ‘Previous iTunes Libraries’ Folder for the backup ITL files saved by iTunes prior to an upgrade. You can use this file as well.
1c. Open iTunes
If you have a full version of the iTunes Music Library.xml file available....
2a. --- Within iTunes: File=>Library=>Import Playlist and browse to the location of the XML file
2b. --- Select the XML file and allow iTunes to Import the music information
If no backup ITL or XML files exists….
3a. --- In iTunes choose: Edit=>Preferences=>Advanced tab. Select 'Change' and browse to the music folder in your PC drive (if it isn’t already). Click OK to save that setting.
Then....
3b. --- In iTunes choose: File=>’Add Folder to Library’ & browse to the music folder in your PC drive. Click OK.
Without the ITL file or the XML file, re-‘Adding’ the music files to the Library will lose you the Ratings, Play Counts, Date Added and Last Played attributes, as well as your Playlists. No real way to recover them if you haven’t made prior backups. Something to consider for the future.
IF your music files are truly gone, and you have some or all of your music files on your iPod, these links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting.
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software (Free trial: Mac & Windows)
PodUtil Software (Mac & Windows)
YamiPod Software (Free: Mac & Windows)
PodPlus Software (Windows)
TuneJack Software (Windows)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
Extremely Simple & Free Method: (just to recover the song files – may not work on a Mac)
1 - Open iTunes
2 - Edit=>Preferences=>’Advanced/General’ tab
2a --- Select ‘Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library’: checked
2b --- Select ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organized’: checked
2c --- Click OK to store changes
3 - Attach your iPod to the PC and hold down the ‘Shift+Ctrl’ keys until the iPod is fully recognized (this will defeat the auto-sync process)
4 - If you get a dialog box to link the Library, decline this option
5 - Within iTunes: Edit=>Preferences=>’iPod’ tab: switch iPod to ‘Manually manage songs & playlists’ – click ‘OK’
6 – Eject iPod
7 – Close iTunes, then reopen iTunes and attach the iPod (it’s in manual sync now)
8 – File=>Add Folder
9 - Browse to and open ‘My Computer’ (click on the ‘+’) and select the iPod (or the lower ‘\iPod_Control’ sub-folder)
10 - Click OK
The music files should start to transfer back into iTunes with its correct information
This will take some time depending on your PC’s speed and the amount of songs on the iPod
No Playlists, or Ratings, Last Played, & Play Count attributes will be transferred from the iPod to iTunes using this method.
If you have problems with seeing the iPod within 'My Computer', try again switching your update method to 'manual', detach the iPod, then reconnect the iPod to the PC.
AFTER recovering your Library, strongly consider developing a thorough backup strategy for just this type of situation.
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
a) One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
b) One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
c) One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a thorough backup strategy:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9095648#9095648
Best of Luck

Installed latest version and now my entire library has disappeared. How do I get it back?

As above. Newest version kept crashing and now I can get it to work but it has installed an empty program Library. I have no idea where my content has gone.

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.
tt2

My entire itunes library has disappeared !!!

Hi all ,
My entire library has disappeared !!
Not sure if it happened during updates or one of my kids did it !!
HELP ...... had over 2000 items in there !!
Thanks

Restoring music is not all that easy.
For iTunes Purchased Music:
> Downloading past purchases from App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
OR
> iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer
For Non-Tunes Music (CDs or Third-Party):
> Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
Hope all this helps.

My iTunes Library has disappeared. Help!

My entire iTunes library has disappeared. From reading other posts I see that this has been an issue. I'm not sure if it's related to AVG antivirus (but I deleted it anyway) or due to iTunes update. I noticed a week or 2 ago but haven't been back in the library since and was hoping that it would correct itself.
I went into my iTunes library and see that all my music is still located there in iTunes Media and iTunes Music folders--neither folder has all music. The previous iTunes libraries are 4 months old and don't have about 70 new songs, apps, books etc. that were purchased. I know that my iPod Classic has all of the music library located on it but doesn't have the apps from iPad, iPods, and contacts from iPhone. What is the best way to restore this. Please help! I am not techy enough to figure it out.

Uninstalling AVG won't repair the damage, though hopefully it should stop it happening again. See this post for repair steps.
tt2

The error message I get on my PC is "The ITunes library file cannot be saved" An unknown error occurred (-50)and my music library has disappeared. I recently tried to copy a CD to my library - it appeared to copy ok but then did not appear in my music li

The error message I get on my PC is "The ITunes library file cannot be saved" An unknown error occurred (-50)and my music library has disappeared. I recently tried to copy a CD to my library - it appeared to copy ok but then did not appear in my music library. The library does not show up even when my iPad is connected to my PC. My entire library is now held on my iPad and I wish to have it in iTunes so I can sync my iPhone to it as well. Help?

Don't know what changed today but it downloaded and installed on the shuffle. So far so good.

ITunes Library has Disappeared

Turned on the Mac Mini this morning only to find my entire iTunes library has disappeared. The finder indicates space on the drive implying the music is gone.
Further it appears that my account has been completely recreated - but empty.
(Desktop back to default - no desktop icons etc..)
I have backed up the library (80Gb) and can restore, but have lost the last two weeks of additions and ratings. Most annoying... Any suggestions?

I moved my iTunes to an external drive, and my library disappeared, although both the library data base and all the files were on the external drive (but no longer on the internal drive). I then went to edit/preferences/advanced and changed the iTunes Music folder location. No result. I then selected files/library/consolidate library with no result. I held shift, started iTunes, and instructed the computer where the library data base file was, but this didn't help. I then read the iLounge artice on Transferring your iTunes library and figured out that this was all wrong and should transfer my files back to their original location on my computer. I did so and the library still doesn't load into iTunes. I've spent hours pouring through these discussion forums and nothing seems to apply or work. Any advice?

I had to buy a new laptop after my old one died, after authorising my new one nearly my whole library has disappeared. How do I get all my songs back?

I had to buy a new laptop after my old one died, after authorizing my new one nearly my whole library has disappeared. How do I get all my songs back?

Likely, because you are now using a different Apple ID and iTunes account. Return to using your old Apple ID and authorize only after you have de-authorized your old computer.
You can de-authorize individual computers, but only by using those computers. The only other option is to "de-authorize all" from your iTunes account.
1. Open iTunes on a computer
2. From the Store menu, select "View my Account..."
3. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
4. Under "Computer Authorizations" select "De-authorize All".
5. Authorize each computer you still have, as you may require.
You may only do this once per year.
After you "de-authorize all" your authorized computers, re-authorize each one as required.
If you have de-authorized all computers and need to do it again, but your year has not elapsed, then contact: Apple - Support - iTunes - Contact Us.
For more information on authorization and de-authorization: iTunes Store- Authorize or deauthorize your Mac or PC.

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

Updated my computer from vista to windows 7. all my itunes library has disappeared?

My computer crashed and was changed from vista to windows 7. since then my itunes library has disappeared. How do I get it back.

Photoshop Elements 10 Direct Download Links: Free Trials, Premiere | ProDesignTools
This may help. Folks who have used this report that it is critical to follow the instructions precisely.

I have just downloaded itunes 10.6 and in the process my "podcast" option under library has disappeared! The files are still on my laptop. I can also see some of my recorded music in my itunes library but can play them - there is an exclamation mark next

I have just downloaded itunes 10.6 and in the process my "podcast" option under library has disappeared! THe files are still on my laptop. I can also see some of my recorded music in the itunes library but can't play them - there is an exclamation mark next to each track. Basically I can't use itunes - is the only option remove and replace? Thanks in advance

Visibility of the Podcasts section is controlled from within the Edit > Preferences dialog.
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. 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.
See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
Missing tracks
Typically this can happen because a file or folder is accidentally shunted to the wrong location. iTunes can also get confused if it expects to be talking to an external drive which isn't there. If will often reset the default media folder location and may have trouble finding files in the old folders.
Select one of your tracks that is missing in action. Press CTRL-I to Get Info. Cancel when asked to try to locate the file, then look at the location given on the summary tab. This where iTunes thinks the file ought to be? Now find out where it actually is. Post back the two locations for comparison. I should be able to give you some steps to reconnect everything once I can determine which of the things that might have gone wrong is most likely in your case.
When you get it all working make a backup!
tt2

My iphoto library has disappeared. How can I get it back?

My iphoto library has disappeared. How can I get it back?

I'm very new to this sort of thing, so bear with me. I had my computer in to the Apple store on Jan 10th, & they replaced Leopard with Snow leopard because of problems. I have iphoto 8.
This morning opening my computer a picture briefly appreared that I had saved to iphoto. I decided to place it in its correct event box, and ! sign appeared. Upon opening iphoto, I found a blank. I've not backed up my files. I've looked everywhere on the system, including Trash, applications, Pictures, all my document files.
Also I had 2 icons of iphoto on my desktop because it had disappeared 2 years ago & came back some months later. Two days ago I decided to clean up my desktop & moved the icons to the pIcture file and a document file. I don't know whether this triggered the disappearance. The main icon is still in the dock.
Does this help?

Hi, I've just upgraded my itunes on my Mac OS and my library has disappeared when ive re-started my Mac?HELP! I still have it on my ipad but where has it gone form my computer?

Hi, I've just upgraded my itunes on my Mac OS and my library has disappeared when ive re-started my Mac?HELP! I still have it on my ipad but where has it gone form my computer?

try if this support article helps.

My entire iTunes library has disappeared from my Itunes (except for 5 songs i purchased yesterday from iStore. Had about 300 songs!! Anyone know how this cd happen? Have Windows Vista. Computer did recent Windows update. Also recently renewed Trend.

My entire Library of songs (over 300) has suddenly disappeared from my iTunes. Only songs there are 5 I just purchased from iStore yesterday. Has never happened before. Windows recently installed some updates. I also recently renewed my Trend anti-virus. I have no idea where the Library went. Have done a Search of computer and checked Recycle bin....the songs are gone. WHAT happened????? Can I get them back from Apple somehow? Can I restore them from my Ipod? (I am afraid to plug in the iPod because if it Syncs, am afraid it will also dump all my songs. What can I do????

a) See: How to rename your iPod.
b & c) If you can still the view hidden files, see this Music from iPod to computer.
"I see LOTS of files - but they all have funky names like XYZAV.mp3"
That's normal. When those files are back in iTunes they'll have the correct names.
Once the files are back to your computer (and only then), you should restore your iPod. It would appear that the hard drive has become corrupt and unreadable.

Entire library has disappeared

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