ITunes 5 library damaged on startup

I've had this happen three times now, the first when I installed iTunes 5. It would go through the "processing library" or whatever it does with the progress bar, and then tell me that my library is corrupted. I brought it up, and my library was fine, with exception to ALL my podcasts were gone, and all my "date added" for every song was updated to reflect the current time.
This is EXTREMELY annoying because I have playlists based on new music/date and so everything is messed up now. I like seeing my new music near the top but it's all the same now.
Anyone else having this issue, or that knows how to resolve it? I have a strong feeling it will happen again.

Unfortunately, I can confirm this iTunes 5 behavior as well. First it happened right away after upgrading to v. 5. I was mad, but have rebuilt everything, came in peace with the fact all the podcasts since June have ruined date organizing and thought it was related to the upgrade. It took me more than an hour to organize my files back as I was used to.
And bang, today it happened again!!!!
It looks like Apple has a serious problem to deliver non buggy software recently (iTunes 9 has big problem with recognition of MP2 files).
It looks like the only solution for now is downgrade.

Similar Messages

How do I fix an Itunes Library (Damaged) on a Mac with all current software and udates?

I have lost my main Itunes Library. I have one now that came straight from the music in my phone. All playlist are gone. 75 gigs of music are gone. the only music availible to me is the music that was in my phone. down to 15 gigs I have found a file that says "Itunes Library (Damaged)" but I can't do anything with it. Of course Mac wants $ to fix it. Is there anything I can do to remedy this disaster? Running Imac with OS X 10.8.2, Iphone 4 w/ios6 and original Ipad with all updates. The Iphone seems normal but is missing all playlist. It reorganized the music. The Ipad has no music and over half the Apps have disappeared.
HHHHHHHEEEEEEEELLLPPPPPP! Please!

Assuming you have AVG then yes, a second patch has apparently been released to day which may resolve the issue. See this post for general advice.
If you don't see the .itl file extension then don't add it to the filename of the renamed file.
iTunes Library 2012-09-22.itl > iTunes Library.itl
iTunes Library 2012-09-22 > iTunes Library
My advice has generally been aimed at Windows users, but if you have AVG on a Mac and that too suffers from this issue then it is worth nothing that at one point the iTunes Library on a Mac was stored without any extension. If you match the name of the empty library file you are replacing it should work.
tt2

ITunes Library (Damaged)

Hey guys, using windows i got a blue screen error. booted my PC back up and opened iTunes. a small window come up about the library. i ignored it as i thought it'd say 'Find the directory' or something, but it just went i had no songs in my library. My Library is now damaged. NOT The .Xml File Just The .itl File.
<3 Thanks

Also, when i try to add ANY Library it says
'The File 'iTunes Library (Damaged).itl' cannot be imported because it does not appear to be a valid exported file.'

Repair itunes library (damaged) file. Multiple iTunes libraries on an external harddrive. All libraries have been working fine. Do some "housecleaning" on a one of the large libraries 296GB. iTunes quit and now has damaged file. 296 GB still on HD.

How to repair itunes library (damaged) file. Multiple iTunes libraries on an external harddrive. All libraries have been working fine. Do some "housecleaning" on a one of the large libraries 296GB. iTunes quits and now has damaged file. 296 GB still on HD.

The duplication is unnecessary. Exporting creates a duplicate of the file. So now you'll have a duplicate of a duplicate. Exporting is not "working on" a file.
No it's not merging, it's exporting from one to the Finder and into another. No matter what lose something. If you export the Original you leave behind all the work you've done in iPhoto. If you export anything else, you lose the non-destructive editing and the ability to revert to the original. With merging you preserve that work. Yes, you can trash the old Library when you have completed the manoevre but no it's not the same thing as merging.
This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue. But in brief:
Current gets you the iPhoto Preview, used for sharing via media browsers. It's a jpg, medium quality missing metadata. Original gets the file you imported, unchanged and then you can export different version of the current version at different qualities. If you choose to export anything except the Original you do not get a Raw. There's no such thing as an "edited Raw", and you lose the connection between the original and the exported version. That means you've taken a non-destructive workflow and turned it into a destructive one.
The Tiff will certainly be higher qulaity and less likely to suffer generational loss in future editing but the file sizes are vast, often more than 10 times the size of the jpeg.
Put it this way, it would be cheaper to buy Library Manager than the disk you'll need to contain all the Tiffs. Unless you plan on a lot of editing, I'd go for a high quality jpeg as a reasonable compromise.
To be clear:
So, I guess my new question is, how can I edit the Raw image and keep it in a RAW format that IPhoto recognizes so that I can reprocess without any loss at a future time, or is it that once you edit a RAW image, then it is no longer a RAW image?
Once you edit a Raw it can no longer be a Raw. End of.

What is causing this? The file "iTunes Library.itl" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to "iTunes Library (Damaged) 4". This happens everytime I start iTunes lateley. Help!!!

Everytime I open iTunes lately...I get all my music thrown out of the library and this annoying message come up...The file “iTunes Library.itl” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to “iTunes Library (Damaged) 4”. Is this how an apple works? It doesn't? Why all of a sudden is it doing this? Please help. Thank you.
David

Did you happen to bring this iTunes library over from a windows machine? You might read this kb article to see if it helps http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451

AHH iTunes Library (damaged).itl?

I found a couple of posts about this problem but it was nothing very recent, nor anything very helpful. :/
(read: i'm not very good at computers, and i really don't know what you mean by 'just restore it'. so, step-by-step you're-an-idiot guides are good for me.)
I tried opening up iTunes, and it told me my library file was corrupt. It then started to import my library XML file. When my library loaded, of my <8000 songs and <30 movies, it left only 400 songs. I'm not computer savvy at all and I reallllly don't understand the problem iTunes is having?
My iTunes folder has the following three files in it --
iTunes Music Library.xml
iTunes Library.itl
iTunes Library (damaged).itl
I guess what's aggravating is that I lost all my playcounts/ratings/playlists.
I tried recreating my iTunes library using this guide -- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451 -- but I'm guessing the .xml file is bad, because it only imported twelve songs. What should I do? My knee-jerk reaction is to reinstall iTunes, but that would mean I'd have to import and reorganize alllll my music files regardless. Why is iTunes treating me like crap? Was it something I did? D;
null

See what these setting are on your PC, I found it in a post by forum regular b noir. It has helped folks not get that damaged library message.
+Right-click "My Computer", and select "Properties". Click the "Advanced" tab.+
+Under "Performance", click the "Settings" button. Go to the advanced tab in the window that that brings up.+
+Make sure under "Memory usage" that you've got "Programs" selected rather than "System Cache".+
As for what you can do NOW, since the XML file isn't getting things rebuilt properly and there are no previous libraries? If you have an iPod, you can try getting ratings and stuff off of it using a 3rd-party program. I haven't used one so can't recommend any.
If you don't have an iPod, I'm afraid all you can do is start from scratch. Drag all your music from Windows Explorer into the main itunes library window.
In the future, make regular copies of that ITL file. I put mine on a USB drive, and an external hard drive. I wouldn't want to lose 4 years of ratings and playcounts either.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

My computer The File "itunes library.til" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your itunes library and renamed it to "iTunes Library (Damaged itl)"

My computer crashed when I was using Itunes. I got everything up and running and got this message "The File “itunes library.til” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has attempted to recover your itunes library and renamed it to “iTunes Library (Damaged itl)” Everything loads up put in takes 10 min. then my music playlists are deleted everytime I turn Itunes on. What can I do to solve this problem? Thanks.

Hi shyanne23,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. If your iTunes library file has become damaged in some way, you may want to try recreating your iTunes library and playlists by following this article:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Cheers,
- Ari

Why has this occurred The file "iTunes Library.itl" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to "iTunes Library (Damaged)".

My itunes library suddenly that the file “iTunes Library.itl” does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to “iTunes Library (Damaged)”. I use an external hard drive for my Itunes.

The library file appears to have been corrupted. You say you use your external drive but is the whole library on it or only your media? No matter, you will have to rebuild the library file:
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

ITunes library damaged itl, preventing iTunes download to new MacBook Air

I have a new MacBook Air. It's great. PC to MAC upgrade by my company IT organsiation very smooth,
I am trying to put iTUNES onto it. I already have iPAD2, iPhone3, and iPOD Touch running it fine.
It appears a previous problem on my PC has found its was to me MAC. A number of 'iTunes Library (Damaged) itl.' files sit within my iTUNES. Consequently, when I try to put iTUNES on my Mac, it refers to the damaged itl files, and suggests a software upgrade.
I have since updated all software on the MAc, btu still have the problem.
Has anyone had this problem and can help?
Thanks

Have the exact same problem.
When I started itunes it suddenly started importing library and then complained that the library was damaged and saved a copy to (iTunes Library (Damaged).itl). ALL my playlists and automated playlists are GONE!!!!
I want straight answers from Apple now, how do I fix this problem that you have direct responsibility for due to poor programming????
And why did this problem appear out of nowhere for no apparent reason??????
I have spent YEARS on my library sorting into playlists and so on.

Making my iTunes Library (damaged) my iTunes library again

So my operating system crashed, and when I restarted the computer, everything was back to normal, but when I went to open my iTunes, it was taking forever to load my iTunes library. I finally just hit Stop and was going to try it again, but then it started really quickly going through a bunch of albums and at the end said that my iTunes Library was renamed iTunes Library (damaged) and then it opened up iTunes with none of my playlists (I had 40+) and only 9,363 songs (before I had almost 22,000). All my music files are still there, but it's just I can't get it to load my old iTunes Library file, which I don't think is actually damaged. Can I tell iTunes to use the "damaged" file somehow? Is there another way to get back my playlists and to have it show all my music in iTunes again besides dragging and dropping my iTunes Library folder into iTunes (which would not give me back my playlists)?
Thank you so much for any help!

Sigh I just found out about holding down the option key while opening iTunes to choose a library, and it turns out my iTunes Library (damaged) file is actually damaged. Is there another way for me to recover my playlists and put my songs back into iTunes? Thanks!

ITunes Library Damaged, lost playlists

Hi, we were running iTunes on my wife's computer. The iTunes Library was damaged. When iTunes came up again, the playlists were lost. I was able to recover the playlists, and wanted to share how.
I looked at the Apple help page
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451
which gave me some ideas. I also looked at this thread for Mac users, especially this post:
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/ipod-hardware-accessories/60549-damaged-itunes- library.html#post650277
We were running older copy of iTunes. Sorry, I didn't note which version.
I used the "Help / Check for Updates" feature in iTunes to upgrade to the current version (9.0.1.8). (Warning - reboot required - but this is Windows XP...
I brought up the new iTunes version to make sure it would come up OK. It did, but the playlists were still missing.
I shut down iTunes, then went to the folder "My Music / iTunes". I created a copy of the "iTunes Library (Damaged).itl" file, just for future reference. I then created a Temporary folder and moved all of the "iTunes Library" files into the Temp directory, with the exception of the damaged .ITL file. So I moved the other ITL files, ITDB files, and XML files into the temp directory.
I then renamed the "iTunes Library (Damaged).itl" file to the normal name of "iTunes Library.itl" .
I then crossed my fingers and restarted iTunes. It worked. It said something about recovering the library and showed a progress bar. When it completed, all the music and playlists appeared to be restored and OK.
Inquiring minds may ask why I didn't just use a recent copy of the iTunes Library from the folder "Previous iTunes Libraries". I have no idea why, but iTunes was not creating regular backups of the library in that folder. The most recent versions were from 2008 - which wouldn't have been much help.
I hope this helps some other folks recover their "Damaged Libraries" and playlists. Good luck!

I also considered using these tools to recover the playlists from my wife's iPod. Thankfully, that wasn't necessary.
iDump - see http://download.cnet.com/iDump/3000-2169_4-10407429.html
Pod to PC - see http://www.podtopc.com/

ITunes crashed...now library file: iTunes Library (Damaged)

The file itself is grayed out and is renamed:
iTunes Library (Damaged)
and these two files were moved to the trash:
iTunes Library Extras.itdb
iTunes Library Genius.itdb
Does anyone have any advice on how to repair the library?

You may wish to read through this discussion for pointers
Damaged Libraries - how to delete these?

ITunes Library(Damaged).itl =/

So the library was damaged and the new library it made for me of course has about 1000 of my songs missing. I noticed most of them were ones that I had in my library but were not on my computer but were on my iPod. Is there anyway to possible repair the damaged library .itl file or take the library off my iPod and open it in iTunes?

Have the exact same problem.
When I started itunes it suddenly started importing library and then complained that the library was damaged and saved a copy to (iTunes Library (Damaged).itl). ALL my playlists and automated playlists are GONE!!!!
I want straight answers from Apple now, how do I fix this problem that you have direct responsibility for due to poor programming????
And why did this problem appear out of nowhere for no apparent reason??????
I have spent YEARS on my library sorting into playlists and so on.

ITunes Library (Damaged) - no music left

I was importing some music from a CD when the power went out in my house. When the power came back on and I restarted my Mac and iTunes I received an error message saying that the iTunes Library is Damaged and that it will create a new library.
So now when I open iTunes there is NOTHING left. I see the old library in my iTunes folder "iTunes Library (Damaged)" but have no clue as to how to get it fixed and get my music back. Help please!

Try these steps adapted from a previous post:
- Restart iTunes holding the Shift key in Windows, Option key in Mac.
- Select Choose library. Select the library in the folder "iTunes Library (Damaged)".
This might help too:
How to recreate your iTunes Library
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313

Invalid iTunes library/damaged iTunes library

I created a library for all my media with the option key and iTunes on my external hard drive. All my music, TV shows, podacsts, etc. is stored there and all is intact, except I launched iTunes like normal and I get the message
"The file 'iTunes Library' does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. iTunes has created a new iTunes library and renamed this file to 'iTunes Library (Damaged)'"
I've read other threads. I can't seem to rebuild the library with the .xml file. I tried the drag your library to the desktop thing and that doesn't work.
All my physical data is fine, but I need the library back so I don't have to spend weeks recreating it by hand.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank You!

Indie, I don't understand this part. Do you just mean re-creating your playlists and reassigning star ratings and that kind of thing? I took your "having to play all the files" literally and don't know what that has to do with anything.
I hope the Apple Store folks advised you to make regular backups of the critical iTunes Library file. Some people are wise enough to keep a backup of their iTunes Music folder. Fewer make a backup of the iTunes Library file, but that's how you can recover from an incident like yours with the least amount of work.

Itunes LIbrary (damaged) - appears frequently

For the past few weeks, every 2nd or 3rd time I open iTunes, I get the message:
*The file "iTunes Library" does not appear to be a valid iTunes library file. Itunes has attempted to recover you iTunes librbar and renamed this file to "iTunes Library (Damaged)".*
Thankfully I have time machine and I can restore on the the old library files. While I'm happy I can do this, it's a pain to have to do it so often.
Any solutions?
Is there a size limit for iTunes library? With music and iTunes video, I have about 140 GB in my iTunes folder.
Thanks.

No, this is not an iTunes/Windows only problem. I am having the same trouble with "iTunes Library (Damaged)" here on my iMac. And this issue is discussed in many Mac forums, too.
My only solution in the meantime is to return to a previous Time Machine backup, which takes up to one hour every time. Very annoying. And of course not a solution to the problem at all.
Some say, the problem occurs if you are running Firefox (on the Mac). I didn't see any relationship between these two - until this morning, when I started iTunes while Firefox 3 was open. Boooom: "iTunes Library Damaged"! Coincidence?? Maybe ou have a similar experienceon your Windows machine? Just an idea.
However, I think we all must send feedback to Apple. Someone at Apple has to take care of it. It's really annoying to hold your breath every time you fire up iTunes

ITunes 5 library damaged on startup

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