I think my library is gone

When i opened my iTunes, all of my music was gone. I tried to Import my library but a message came up saying that my library is damaged. Can I recover my songs or is everything gone?

Although your iTunes Library display is blank, your song files are most likely still on your hard drive.
Have a look at this article in the Apple Knowledge Base for some ideas on how to find them, changing file extensions in the search as is necessary (i.e. .mp3 or .m4a.)
The problem is probably with your iTunes Library files which are needed for iTunes to know the contents of your Music Library and where the files that make it up are located.
We've been receiving many reports of problems such as yours recently and although we don't know exactly why it's happening, there is a workaround solution for restoring your Library.
If you don't have a back-up copy of the iTunes library files, you will have to make use of this article in the Apple Knowledge Base.
A few points to pay close attention to:
Step 1: Quit iTunes and, to err on the side of caution, wait one minute before proceeding.
Step 4: you are dragging the iTunes Library.itl file - you can leave iTunes Music Library.xml alone.
Step 8: you will be renaming the file iTunes Library yyyy-mm-dd.itl to iTunes Library.itl.
Note that this method will restore your iTunes Library to the state it was in when you upgraded to v.7. But any changes made since then (eg. songs/playlists added or changes in playcounts or comments), will not be included in the restoration.
Presumably though, that will be an improvement over your current situation. And, if necessary, we can deal with any newer songs later.
And one final point: If you use this method to restore your library, make sure you create a new back-up copy of the .itl file so you're all set to repeat the procedure if the library ever disappears again.

Similar Messages

Help! our library is gone.

We opened up itunes tonight to buy some new songs only to find our entire library is gone. We opened up the itunes music folder in our C drive and found some of the songs (most of the A's and some of the B's) but that's it. We have no idea what happened (nothing else is wrong w/our computer, we haven't lost any other files that we know of, the computer did not crash, etc). Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Hi Smrecek,
This happened to me too and I don't know what caused it. I was doing some major uninstalling of programs (like PowerDVD) for HDD space and my songs (except for the As and some of the Bs) were gone. None of the things I deleted had anything to do with itunes or music. I even lost my pictures and some of my videos. The damage seemed to be confined to the "My Documents" folder. I know they weren't just moved because I checked the available space on my C drive and I had too much.
Anyway, if you have an ipod, there are 3rd party softwares you could use to transfer your songs back to your PC. If you don't have it backed up somewhere, then I'm sorry, I don't think it's possible to recover your music except to re-rip them from CD.

My current project in the events library has gone into list mode. ie a single clip on the left, one above another, so showing only about 7 clips. how can I get it back into normal horizontal mode

My current project in the Events Library has gone into list mode. ie a single clip on the left one above another, so showing only about 7 clips. How can I get it back into normal horizontal mode?

That's about what it's supposed to look.
How do You want it to look ?
a. You can change places by using this
b. May be You changed this top right symbol of an hard disk ?
c. or changed the number of frames to be viewed ?
d. OR - it can (at least for me) be so that You think of how it looks in iPhoto. (To me a very common mistake)
Yours Bengt W

Itunes loses library . I updated to 10.3.1.55 and i open Itunes and my entire library is gone

Itunes loses library . I updated to 10.3.1.55 and i open Itunes and my entire library is gone, put all the music back in itunes then next time i open it the library is gone again.I am using window 7 and after a few weeks of this it is driving me crazy.PLEASE HELP

I am afraid troubleshooting this is difficult if it is intermittent. That is why I suggested making copies of iTunes library.itl and iTunes Library.xml then you can restore these copies if the lirbary disappears. Then you only lose data since you copied them.
You can check for plugins by running iTunes>>Help>>Run Diagnostics. You don't need any of the check boxes ticked. Any plug ins will be shown.
Also you can run iTunes in "safe mode" by holding ctrl shift while starting iTunes. This runs iTunes without plug ins.
Think about other software that uses iTunes data - instant messaging that shows what's playing, and anything that might use the iTunes library.
If the problem occurs every time, you can use MSConfig to look for conflicts, but that is not feasible for an intermittent problem.
I would not expect to see a "saving library" message when closing iTunes, that does suggest that something may be slowing it down.
Are you using the default set up- for iTunes, that is everything on your c: drive or are you using an external drive or network drive?

HT1751 itunes library has gone

itunes library has gone after I added another iphone and backup it up onto the same computer even though through a different apple id and password, how do I get my old library back onto the orginal account. It just now appears to be the same liabary for both phones. Very confusing! Help

This is a terrible thing to happen
It happened to me last year, unfortuneatly I was unable to restore my library to what it was. I ended up using 3rd party software to move songs from the iPod back to iTunes. It worked but not all songs play. Using it also voids a warranty, so I don't recommend doing it in this manner. I think it best that you start from scratch and download all of the music back into iTunes.
I'm at a similar situation now, because all the songs do NOT play, I have restored my iPod back to Factory settings and attempting to empty my library and start over. A lengthy process, but I'll have the satisfaction of a fully working library again.
emac, but have a macbook pro as well Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Every time I open my iTunes - my library is gone. Why does this keep happening?

Hey guys,
The folder with all my music in it is located on my desktop. I've had it like this for years now with never a problem.
Up until the most recent update, my library is gone everytime I open my iTunes.
Thankfully I saved my playlists to text documents, but it is becoming an enormous bother now to keep re-adding them.
I've searched the forums to no avail - anyone have any advice for me?
Much Appreciated,
Andrew

Just want to share my fix for this...... Don't know that computer you are dealing with but if sony, here it is
WOW! Thanks to all who directed me to Sony for this issue. I have downloaded the update http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2715 (which by the way would not run for the first few times stating it was an update for Vista even though I chose the Windows 7 OS and the page showed was for 7.) I have rebooted about 4 times so far and everything is still in iTunes. Oh thank you all.... BTW I had my computer in with the Sony Backstage guys for a tune up a few months ago and I explained this issue to them. They had no idea and recommended I go over to the Apple store in the Mall. I would think they should be versed on various software related issues which can create trouble for users of their products just as they are versed in the nuts and bolts of how to save this, and move that, and make backup disks, and read my email. : ) Keeping my fingers crossed.
All this technology conflict.... Can't we all just get along???

My IPhoto library is gone and I cannot find it. I have found an earlier version witha few photos but the big one is gone. Any ideas?

My IPhoto library is gone and cannot be found. There is an IPhoto in Applications marked "original". I can find the one I'm looking for using Time Machine but when I try to open it it says that it cannot be opened as there is a newer version installed. Any help would greatly be appreciated:-)

Download and use Find Any File to search for the file "Library6.iPhoto" which is in every iPhoto Library package. If you find more than one check both to see if one is your missing library.
OT

HT204406 I bought iTunes Match enabled it on my ipad now the 1800 songs in my library are gone and all I have is the music my daughter purchased from itunes how can I get them back. for her ipad.

I have ipad 3 & daughter new ipad mini with RD. She has nano and I have classic. Her nano syncs to her own laptop and mine to my desktop. I bought iTunes Match and authorised both iPads and both iPods. I have now enabled iTunes Match in my ipad and was warned it would replace my library. I pressed "enable" and now the 1800 songs in my library are gone and all I've got is the music my daughter bought from iTunes. What have I done wrong and how can I get my songs back. When I bought iTunes Match I got 1 e-mail confirming subscription and another providing receipt but nothing else no links etc. any assistance would be appreciated.
Arccctwc

You can only upload music from your computer's iTunes, you can't do it from an iOS device - when you subscribe to iTunes Match on your computer it should have scanned your music library on it and matched or uploaded any non-iTunes purchased music to it.
Do you have copies of those tracks anywhere e.g. on an iOS device or on your backup of your downloads/library ? If they are iTunes purchases then they should be in the cloud. If they were copied from CDs or bought from other sources then if they are only on an iOS device (i.e. you don't have them on a backup) then there are some programs listed half-way down this page which should be able to copy them back : https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
Subscribing to iTunes Match : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4914
Using Match on an iOS device : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5637

I just updated to 8.1 and my library is gone, but still on my iPod touch

I just updated my iTunes to 8.1. I restarted my computer, and when iTunes started again, my library was gone. i was able to get my apps back by using the transfer purchases option, but i have no idea how to get everything else back. please help as soon as possible. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to AD!
Maybe the itunes database file just didn't get updated properly.
Have you seen this article on looking for an ITL file in the Previous iTunes Library folder?
There should be a file dated from today when you upgraded itunes.
iTunes Library 2009-03-28.itl
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967

Help! Whole Iphoto library is gone.

So I have been having a few problems with the computer shutting down lately but I haven't noticed any major problems when rebooting. But then I went to open iPhoto and my entire library is gone. When I go into finder they are all still in folders under the iPhoto library but when I try to resync the folders to the iPhoto library while the application is open but it won't let me. I tried syncing a new set of pictures and it worked and saved to iPhoto but those are the only pictures that show when I open the application please help!!!

Your database has been corrupted.
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 6* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Rolls and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Roll Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD

My iPhoto library is gone

My iPhoto library is gone, and I don't know where.
My system was slow, so I ran the Disc Utility and it told me the disc needed repair. I took it to an Apple Store genius bar.
The "genius" told me the disc was dying, slowly. He got me to buy a portable hard drive. Then he sent me to sit in a theatre seat and told me to copy my important data files onto it.
I copied my documents, seemingly without difficulty. I tried to copy my iPhoto library. But for some reason the most recent 10 rolls of digital "film" did not copy.
Moreover, for some reason the entire iPhoto library is now missing from my original hard drive.
The "genius" wasn't too concerned. He spent 5-10 minutes looking for my iPhoto library, and shrugged. It's a consequence of an aging disc, he said, sending me on my way.
Now I'm at home trying to find my iPhoto library on my still-functioning computer. When I try to open iPhoto, it says, "Your photo library was not found. Do you want to find your iPhoto library folder?"
Yes I do. But where could it be? The "genius" looked in the obvious places. I keep searching under User, Photos, Libraries, things like that.
Any ideas? I could really use some help here.

Search for
library6.iphoto
that's the main database file. Wherever that is, your Library is. Use an app like EasyFind to search the disk. It's slower than Spotlight but will search locations that Spotlight won't.
Regards
TD

My itunes library has gone following a laptop rebuild. I do have my iPod which is up to date - can I transfer from the iPod to the library or will the iPod lose all its data if I snyc?

My itunes library has gone and is empty following a laptop rebuild. I do have my iPod which is up to date with music, photos, apps etc - can I transfer from the iPod Touch to the library or will the iPod lose all its data if I sync to the laptop? PLEASE HELP!

I'm guessing you've got iPod touch 2nd generation
iPod touch 2nd generation only goes up to 4.2.1, so you'll need a newer generation...
iPod touch 3rd generation only goes up to 5.1.1
4th and 5th generation both go up to iOS 6.1.3, wich is the current latest version.
Hope this helps
Stijn

Updated to latest iTunes version now library is gone

Help
I updated my iTunes this morning to the latest version 7.1.0.59
Now ALL the songs in my library are gone. Why did this happen and is there NO way to get the songs on my iPOD back to the iTunes library????

Well, it's possible that it's in a different location on your computer than "My Music".
You might want to try searching your computer for "iTunes" (a lot of results might come up, but just look for a folder called "iTunes", not all of the installation files).
If that doesn't seem to turn up anything, then the best idea would be to transfer the content from your iPod to your computer.
First, you'll need to prevent iTunes from automatically syncing with your iPod and deleting everything off of it.
To do that, follow these steps:
1 - Open iTunes.
2 - Connect your iPod to your computer.
3 - Basically as soon as your iPod begins to display "Do Not Disconnect", begin to press and hold the Shift and Ctrl keys on your keyboard together simultaneously.
Continue to hold these keys for about 20 seconds after your iPod is showing up in the Source List in iTunes.
After you've done this, click on your iPod's name in the Source List, and under the "Summary" tab, tick the "Manually manage" option for your iPod. Click the “Apply” button in the bottom-right corner to save your changes.
Now onto the transferring.
There are a few different ways to copy your iPod's songs to your computer, but probably the most straightforward method is to download a third-party program that can copy the songs from your iPod to your computer.
I would suggest that you try YamiPod. It's free, and I've heard it recommended a lot.
-Kylene

My iTunes library is gone again.

It seems that everytime I restart my PC I lose my iTunes libraby. I usually buy something everyu week or two and each time I go to buy my library is gone. Yes I know how to get it back but it's starting to be a total pain in the butt. That and I end up losing most of my artwork which takes me many hours to get back. NO I am not using a Sony Viao, I am using an HP Touchsmart PC running Windows 7. HELP This really ***** and I'm about at the end of my rope with Apple.

What do you mean your not sure it backed up?
Either you regularly maintain a backup copy of your important info/music/pics/docs ( as everyone should always do) or you don't.
If for some reason you have failed to do this (terrible idea), then you can transfer itunes purchases from your ipod:
File>Transfer purchases

After an upgrade my itunes library is gone, there's more? how do I retrieve it?

after an upgrade my itunes library is gone, there's more? how do I retrieve it?

Restore your iTunes Library from your time machine backup you made just before you did the upgrade.

I think my library is gone

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