Library and Playlists disappeared

They just *POOF* disappeared.
I wasn't doing anything funky on my mac.
I have all my music files on an external HD, and I have just checked the preferences, and the library still points to the same place.
Yet all my songs, playlists, everything is just gone. Just a blank Itunes.
What on earth happened. ?? How do I get them all back ?

Are the files still on the external drive?
If so, then something happened to the library file, which has the links to all those files.
Try this to get things back in order:
close iTunes
go to Music/iTunes/ and move "iTunes Library" and "iTunes Music Library.xml" to the desktop
open iTunes and go File->Import and select "iTunes Music Library.xml" from the desktop
If that doesn't bring your library back, then do this:
close iTunes
go to Music/iTunes/Previous iTunes Library.
Pick the newest file there (by date, if the date is quite old, then it won't bring back everything, but we can fix that with the next option). Copy it and rename it to "iTunes Library", then move it to Music/iTunes/ (replace any file there with that name).
open iTunes
Lastly, if none of these options work, then you'll have to rebuild your library manually:
open iTunes
go File->Add to Library and select your music folder from the external drive.
This won't bring back your playlists, playcounts or ratings, as they are store in the library file, not in the song files.
Make sure to regularly backup your "iTunes Library" file to avoid these problems in the future.

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Updated to 7.7 ... Library and Playlists disappeared

I just upgraded to 7.7. After my computer restarted, I launched itunes. Library and Playlists are gone! The music files are still on computer. How do I get my Library and Playlists back?

I just upgraded to 7.7. After my computer restarted, I launched itunes. Library and Playlists are gone
The following troubleshooting document is worth trying with that:
No music shows up in iTunes after upgrading

Ipod library and playlist disappeared? I got the music back; but where are the playlists; how can i get those back?

Today when i opened my itunes; it didn't have my music library or playlists. I have no idea what happened. I was able to drag the music over to the library, but I want to restore my playlists. How can i do that?

Are the photos you want to send back to your mac on your iPad, iPod, iPhone saved to the camera roll? If you have photos in other albums (not camera roll) share them to the camera roll.
Then connect your device via USB and lauch iPhoto. You will see your device as a camera in iPhoto. Import those photos like you would import from a camera.

Songs and playlists disappearing from iTunes library

I desperately need iTunes help. Anyone an expert out there? I have spent A LOT if time transferring songs from my computer into my itunes library, and creating Playlists. Then I sync my phone, and all seems fine. But when I go back into iTunes to put another song on my phone, all the songs are gone. Everything that I put into iTunes is gone, all playlists, and all the songs. It's as if I was never in there. This has happened twice now. I don't want to recreate my library and playlists every time I open iTunes!!!! But I can't just add one new song to my phone either, because as soon as a sync, everything that is already on my phone will be gone!!! Grrrr!! Anyone know what's going on?? The songs were not purchased through iTunes, if that makes a difference.

Apple's official advice on duplicates is here: Find and remove duplicate items in your iTunes library. It is a manual process and the article fails to explain some of the potential pitfalls such as lost ratings and playlist membership, or that sometimes the same file can be represented by multiple entries in the library and that deleting one and recycling the file will break the other.
Use Shift > View > Show Exact Duplicate Items to display duplicates as this is normally a more useful selection. You need to manually select all but one of each group to remove. Sorting the list by Date Added may make it easier to select the appropriate tracks, however this works best when performed immediately after the dupes have been created. If you have multiple entries in iTunes connected to the same file on the hard drive then don't send to the recycle bin.
Use my DeDuper script if you're not sure, don't want to do it by hand, or want to preserve ratings, play counts and playlist membership. See this thread for background, this post for detailed instructions, and please take note of the warning to backup your library before deduping.
(If you don't see the menu bar press ALT to show it temporarily or CTRL+B to keep it displayed.)
The most recent version of the script can tidy dead links as long as there is at least one live duplicate to merge stats and playlist membership to and should cope sensibly when the same file has been added via multiple paths.
See also Make a split library portable for some thoughts on best practice when it comes to organizing the library and media files.
tt2

ITunes loses my library and playlists for no apparent reason!

I opened up my iTunes today, and my library and playlists are not there! This is the second time it's happened in the last week. The last time I solved it by doing: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967 and it worked temporarily, but it was my old-old playlists and stuff. What can I do to get my most recent library and playlists back? I see them in my folder....why is iTunes not connecting with my folder? I hope you can help.

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 renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to a recent state.
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

Library and playlists all deleted

i accidently deleted a playlist..... so i googled how do i recover deleted playlist's and followed theese steps
1. Quit out of iTunes.
2. Go into your home folder, then into the Music folder, and finally into the iTunes folder.
3. Find a file called iTunes Music Library.xml and drag it out of that folder (to the desktop, or somewhere else that's convenient for you).
4. Delete the file called iTunes Library.
5. Re-open iTunes and go to the File menu. Select Library -> Import Playlists... and choose the iTunes Music Library.xml that you saved.
followed all them and then whole itunes library and playlist's were gone!!
I use itunes for all my music and had so much stuff organised in playlist's ect, im a music producer so it was really important to know what music i had in what playlist's..... im using windows 7 and done a system restore and that did not work.... Can someone please help me out with this asap! thanks heaps

mueller6878 wrote:
That's about the same time all of my music disappeared! Apparently no one has the answer, I am not sure how to retrieve it
Restore it from your most recent backup.
and MAC wants me to pay to talk to tech support....
Who is MAC?
Apple is the company that makes Mac(intosh) computers.

How to Restore Library and Playlists to Newly Wiped Hard Drive

Due to Windows problem, I had to reformat my hard drive.
Before I did, I copied the entire My Documents folder, including My Music and the iTunes music files and the My Playlist text files to a second hard drive - the D drive - in the same tree structure as they existed on the C drive.
I do NOT want the music files on the C: Drive - I want the music files on the new D: storage drive. I want iTunes on the C drive but knowing the music files are on the D drive.
I installed the iPod disc onto the newly cleaned C: Drive and downloaded iTunes ver 6.
Now I would like to have my iTunes library and playlists back just as they were but I am confused over the ADD FILE and ADD FOLDER commands.
Add Folder appears to copy the full music files back to the C Drive, which I do not want.
Add File appears to add the meta data, the library list, and
the playlists to iTunes, but when you go to play a track, the program says it cannot do so because it can't find the music file. To tell each track the new location of the music file listed means I would have to edit over 1200 line items -- even though I already told the program where the
music files would be.
Before trying to add the library and playlists as files, I went into EDIT, Prefences, Advanced and changed the iTunes folder location from
c:\mydocuments\mymusic\itunes\itunesmusic to
D:\mydocuments\mymusic\itunes\itunesmusic
Earlier I had used the Add Folder option and it copied all the music files to the C: drive. I had to delete them and
try something else.
What must I do to transfer just the meta data and keep the actual music files on the D drive?
Dell 8250 desktop Windows XP

The XML file is less important (See the link that Katrina provided above).
First re-install the iTunes program (if you have not already).
Make sure that the music folders and files are copied to the exact same location they were in prior to the PC Restore. If they were running on the C: drive, you'll need to place them there at first, then move them within iTunes.
Then copy the original ITL file you saved into the 'iTunes' folder, replacing the newly created (and smaller) ITL file that was created when you reinstalled iTunes.
Open iTunes and the Library should be as it was prior to the Restore.
To move the files to your D: drive keeping iTunes 'informed' see this link:
http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=721335&messageID=1316838
Post back if you still have questions.

HT4527 I am trying to move my library and playlists to a new computer by burning to CD's. However, I followed the directions by going to File and then Library - then they said to go to burn CD(s) - I DO NOT have that option for some reason. How do I do th

I am trying to move my library and playlists to a new computer by burning to CD's. However, I followed the directions by going to File and then Library - then they said to go to burn CD(s) - I DO NOT have that option for some reason. How do I do this? I have done the library sharing thing but I am getting rid of my primary computer and am afraid I will lose the library.

To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
and select the Library that you moved. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
Your first option didn't work because you imported one Library to another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.
Your second option didn't work because you simply referenced her library on the old machine.
Regards
TD

How can I transfer my iTunes library and playlists from one computer to another?

How can I transfer my iTunes library and playlists from one computer to another?

Copy the iTunes folder (Mac: Home\Music or PC: My Music) to the same location on the new computer. If an iTunes folder already exists on the new computer (it will on a Mac) replace it with one you copied.

The same itunes Library and playlists on the same computer with two systems

I want to have the same itunes library and playlists on the same computer with the two different Os 10.3.9 and 10.4.9 each one on the different disk. without copy this in the itunes folder (because my library its 30Gb)
I have the same user name on the Os. I use the same version of itunes in both systems
I use my ipod to play the library but its not the best solution (i lost my library in ipod twice because I confused from what os was synchronized)

Hello and Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Amalgamate the two iTunes libraries. Then load iTunes and hold down the Option/Alt ⌥ key and then choose "Choose Library" and then point both copies of iTunes to use the combined iTunes library.
regards
mrtotes

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated.

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated. I have followed instructions found online but the library of music doesn't pull in. Thanks!
Nate

Migrate an iTunes library from one computer to another
These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entireiTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one, with ratings, play counts, playlists etc. preserved. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
I'd normally recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library and unlike copying with Windows Explorer the process can be resumed if it is interrupted and it will continue to the next item if there are any read/access errors.
Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should merge the existing data from the device.
If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See Make a split library portable.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then seeRecover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
tt2

HT201272 I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise? 2nd I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer worked great but when I made a disc

I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise?
2nd > I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer> worked great> but when I made a disc to transfer the playlist. I get the music but no album info just 1,2,3,etc. So I have signup both computers to share thinking that would work. But no to that also.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Bob

Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from old computer to new computer.
See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

Can't back up entire library and playlists

I set up my I'Tunes to backup to a DVD drive (I did it with a CD drive before and got no song titles or artist names). I hit back up and when asked I chose to back up the entire library and playlists. The back up gave me 241 of 1100 songs on a DVD which was 4.7 Gbs and the library is 3.99 Gigs. It was not the list of songs that I've added since my last back up. It was a bunch of random songs. All the songs in the library were checked and rated. I had upgraded to 7.3.2. I considered going back to 7.2.after what I've read here. I don't know how, but I know it involves filehippo. I Googled filehippo and found one reference which allowed only an upgrade to 7.3.2. Do I need to have my I-Pod plugged in when I back up? I'm scared to death to do this because I'm seeing all these horror stories about losing all songs. All the playlists are on I-Tunes. Any help is really appreciated.

With all due respect, and I really appreciate your help, I may be slow here, but there are about 100 places to look for Help. I started with the help offered with my I-Tunes library and plugged in "can't backup" but I had no luck at all. I kept looking around for an area called help - and they were all over. I would really appreciate it if you could be more specific or, if you wouldn't mind, if the answer is simple if you could just give it to me. I understand it may not be simple, so I really need some more info pointing me to where it is. Sorry I'm so lame on this. It's just that all this I-Tunes mess with all these tons of questions has me confused.
Thanks a million,
Dawn

Computer crashed- all new now. How to bring library and playlists from Ipod

My PC crashed and was pronounced DOA. All library and playlists were and still are on Ipod Classic (20GB). Obviously wasn't able to follow directions for normal transfer of lib. and p.lists as event not planned. Built completely new PC and loaded up Itunes. I had all my music library backed up on an external and can load, but is there any way I can save my 50 meticulously created playlists back into Itunes? Please say "Yes"!

Other free programs are Pod Player, SharePod and Floola.
If you want to recover just the structure of playlists from the iPod (and not the actual song files themselves), there's iRepo for Windows. which I understand has this feature along with all the standard features for these programs.
iPodRip also has the feature enabling you to reconstruct playlists.

How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive?

How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive? Where are they stored on my computer?

For iPhoto, see > iPhoto: How to move the Library folder to a new location
For iTunes, see > iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder

Library and Playlists disappeared

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