"original song could not be found" HELP

When I try to drag a song in from the library I get original song could not be found. Please how do I fix this so I will be able to listen to the song?

No the songs that I can seem to play or move I got from a friend and might of put them in my library when mt computer was not hooked up to the internet.

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Hello. I have a new Computer and import my mediathek with an externe storage. When opened the new Mediethek in front of every song there is a explanation mark: original song could not been found. I try everything. Whats the Problem??

Hello. I have a new Computer and import my mediathek with an externe storage. When opened the new Mediethek in front of every song there is a explanation mark: original song could not been found. I try everything. Whats the Problem??

But it seems the OP has a setup where the media is on the external drive, and the library files are on the internal. This is what I refer to as a split library, Migrating such from one computer to another is not straightforward. Often iTunes will have some definite idea about where the files should live, and updating the setting of the media folder won't change that. If it requires a drive letter change that is usually not too hard, but sometimes there is another preference file that needs tweaking to indicate which of the old & new layouts for the library is being used. In more extreme cases I have a script for automatically making track by track repairs.
tt2

Original song could not be found

I recently started using itunes after purchasing an ipod. On the itunes library screen about half of the songs won't play when they are clicked on. The message "The song__ could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" is displayed.Also some of the songs have duplicate entries. One of the entries will play when clicked on but the other will diplay the previous message and have a dark circle with an exclamation point inside to the left of the song title. Thanks for any help.

This script will remove all the songs from iTunes that iTunes cannot find:
http://teridon.googlepages.com/itunesremovenotfound.vbs
Download it to, say, your Desktop, then run it in the Command Prompt (Start..All Programs..Accessories..Command Prompt):<pre>cd Desktop
cscript itunesremovenotfound.vbs</pre>HTH,
Rob

"original file could not be found" help needed please

Hello and help...please
i have a new laptop, so i saved my itunes music library to an external drive to transfer it to the new machine. I uploaded to itunes with the simple 'add folder' option and all my songs appeared in itunes everything is great i thought.
However, every single song i click on to play comes up with
"the song "insert title here" could not be used because the original file could not be found. would you like to locate it?"
I have searched long and hard through the itunes help etc and found nothing.
can anyone help me? please?
many thanks for taking the time
phill

for windows version, you have to check the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" in preference pane. then every time you add songs to your library iTunes will copy the original files to your iTunes library folder so you don't have to worry about the original files missing or moved.

The song could not be used since the original file could not be found.Help!

The hard drive in my PC went bad, so I backed up my data, and imported all of my iTunes music back on. Now, it won't play any of it because it states that the original song couldn't be found!!!- How do I use iTunes so I don't have to run from a my backup disc???
Thanks

When that message comes up, you have the option to "locate" the file, right ? You probably need to point Itunes to the exact location - usually --- my music/artist/album/song.
how did you import these songs - straight from the cd to itunes ? Or did you copy the files to the hard drive and use --- add folder under file ? If they are only on the cd, not the hard drive, I think that is the problem.
Copy them to my music,remove from itunes the songs that have that error, and copy them back in with FILE ---ADD FOLDER. GOOD LUCK AND LET ME KNOW...Connie
"husband built" PC Windows 2000

I have movies in my movie library but i cannot play them or drag them into my ipod.There is an exclamation point next to each of them.Then when i click on it to play it it says the movie cannot be used because the original file could not be found.

I have movies in my i tunes library but i canot play them or drag them into my i pod.There is an exclamation point each of them.Then when i click on them to play them on my pc it says this movie cannot be used because the original file could not be found.Help?

Read threads list over on the right under the heading of More Like This
Allan

On itunes everytime I try and play a track the warning 'the song could not be played because the original files could not be found' please can anyone help me? Thanks

Hi. I have been having problems with my PC and recently removed a lot of rubbish to clear it somewhat. I dont know if that is relavant however on top of that I have just received my replacement iPad2 which i had a proble with and thought I would just tidy up my tunes before sycing. The problem is that everytime I click to play a track in iTunes on my PC, whilst the track is showing on my itunes, it comes up with a warning 'the song cannot be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to find it'. I have tried clicking 'locate', but all that appears is 'music Library' 4 different dates. Help i am very confused, can any shed any light on this
Thank you

Sounds like you have somehow moved your itunes music library to a different location to where iTunes thinks they should be. Your music should be in a folder called "iTunes Media>Music". If they are located there, try going into iTunes, right clicking on one of the songs and then "get info". When the box pops up, on the first screen it should give a location line where it thinks the music is located. If it is differen't to where you music is stored, try and match it up to the location line that was in the "get info" box.

I have a new computer that downloaded all of my playlist. but i cannot play all songs. i get a error that say "the song could not be used because the original file could not be found. would you like to locate it? but it does not help to resolve.

i installed itunes to my new computer and transfered all my playlist from the older computer. the software came with the new computer hp link up. the problem
comes in where i want to play a certain song on a playlist and this error pops up "the song could not be used because the original file could not be found.
would you like to locate it? which is of no help.
is there a solution to this problem?

The file path for these songs IS NOT correct per your iTunes Library file.
See: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=listmias for an Applescript to locate these files for re-adding.

HT2953 i-tunes could not be used because the original file could not be found.could not locate.this error occurs on most of my songs in my library and will not play even though they are in my i-pod and play with no trouble.can anyone please help?

i-tunes could not be used because the original file could not be found.could not locate.this error occurs on most of my songs in my library and will not play even though they are in my i-pod and play with no trouble.can anyone please help?

I was not complete clear.
Since you never changed the settings in the advanced section of iTunes preferecnes, you have to chech that your music is really in the location setted in the folders reported in the advanced section. If not you have 2 ways: reset the position of this folders or in the actual disk organisation or in the pointing on the preferences.
If you press the reset button you just give to itunes its default setting as for the position of the music files: probably this will be a good choice if you have never changed any default preference.
But before I would check the folders and see if the songs are really there
In my iTune I have this, and I believe it is the default.
Users/YOURHOMEFOLDERNAME/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music

A song will not play. I have received message: could not be used because the original file could not be found. Will appreciate help on how to retrieve it.

A song will not play.
I have received message: could not be used because the original file could not be found.
Will appreciate help on how to retrieve it.

You will need to go into your Files and locate the song. By default, iTunes saves songs in the iTunes Media Folder which can be found in the following locations:
Mac OS X: /Users/username/Music
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\
Windows Vista: \Users\username\Music\iTunes
Windows 7 and Windows 8: \Users\username\My Music\iTunes
If you locate your song file, when you try to play it in iTunes, you will be given an option to locate. Navigate to the file in the pop up window and iTunes will re-path the file location.
Most people encounter this issue when moving to a new computer or if you have your music saved on an external drive or folder that you have since moved or removed. The imperative part is finding the song so you can re-map it.

Since i download the new version of i tunes i canot play the songs of my library...it say that "the song could not be used because the original file could not be found" what i do to just play the songs directly? please someone help

since i download the new version of i tunes i canot play the songs of my library....it say "the song could not be used because the original file could not be found".
would you like to locate it.i just want to play directly..what i do? please help thanks

This happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. Possible causes are that you or some third party tool has moved, renamed or deleted the file, or that the drive it lives on has had a change of drive letter. It is also possible that iTunes has changed from expecting the files to be in the pre-iTunes 9 layout to post-iTunes 9 layout,or vice-versa, and so is looking in slightly the wrong place.
Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to get info, then cancel when asked to try to locate the track. Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive(s). Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library has simply been moved, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions.
Alternatively, as long as you can find a location holding the missing files, then you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes .
tt2

I recently reset my computer and copy my music from an external hard drive to my itunes library. When I click on a song to play i get an error message that says " the song could not be used because the original file could not be found". need help

I recently reset my computer and copy my music from an external hard drive to my itunes library. When I click on a song to play i get an error message that says " the song could not be used because the original file could not be found". But when I have my external hard drive plug in the song will play with no problem. What do I need to do to play my music without having the external harddrive plug in ???????? Please help

Because the location for each song in your library is on your hard drive. If the hard drive isn't there, how can iTunes play it?
You'll have to move/copy the music from your hard drive to your computer's hard drive.
Basically, EASIEST way to do all this, if you don't care about your play counts, etc...
-Delete EVERYTHING from iTunes, so that your library is now empty.
-Go to "Advanced" inside of the "Preferences" window, found in the "Edit" drop-down. You can also access Preferences by pressing Ctrl+, (Press Ctrl and the comma key)
-Change your iTunes Media Folder Location to something simple, but on your computer. I use C:/iTunes. Make sure "Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized" and "Copy files to...." are both checked. You can close Preferences now.
-Now, drag and drop your music from your hard drive into your iTunes library. iTunes will automatically add the music to your library, as you would expect, and also creates a copy of each file to place into that iTunes Media Folder you just created.
Shouldn't have any more problems...

There are about 8 songs in a playlist on itunes that are listed in the playlist but cannot be transferred to my ipod because it states: "..the original file could not be found." When I try to locate the song I get a list of the different music librar

There are about 8 songs on a playlist that are listed in the playlist library but when I try to transfer them to the playlist, it states that they can't be transferred because the original file could not be found. Then it asks, do you want to locate the file but when I try that I get a few libraries but am not sure how to locate the particular songs. Some of the songs were purchased and some were transferred from a CD. I have seen the same question asked on the help page but haven't found an answer.
Thanks.

Hi dones49,
It sounds like your issue here is that iTunes can not find the files for some of the songs you have brought into it. This happens occasionally even if the songs have not been moved from the location that iTunes places them on import or purchase. When you try to use the song, iTunes prompts you to find the file, as you have seen.
To find the file, use the information in this article to navigate through the iTunes media folders -
Locate and organize your iTunes files
If you are still unable to locate the files, you may need to download them from the iTunes store again, or rip them from your CDs. See this article for assistance with downloading your past purchases -
Download past purchases
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L

On some of my files there is a ! in front of it, if I try to play the song, I get an error message; "The song "_____" could not be used, because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" Then when I click "Locate", I get nothing.

I'm really dumbfounded on this one and it's driving me bonkers!!!! On some of my music files there is a ! in front of it, if I try to play the song, I get an error message; "The song "_____" could not be used, because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
This began to happen when Chuck made playlists2burn on2CD-and then he would delete the playlist; sending all the song files into oblivion. Certain songs have a ! right next to the file name, and as I stated before, i get that error message:
"The song "_____" could not be used, because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
So I click on "Locate". No help. I get a menu with folders that say "catroot" and other folders which names I cannot remember, but I scroll PAST the file folders, & it's just a bunch of ".DLL" files.....I don't understand what any of the names of the folders mean...it's frustr8ing-coz this is my 2nd iTouch, my 1st one got stolen & I can't afford2buy my music back at this time & i NEVER before had a single problem with losing song file locations.
              Is there anyone out there who has been through this frustrating game of chasing your tail?....<that's how I feel>
If so I would be ever so gr8ful if maybe someone with the knowledge would be so kind as 2 tell me how/where 2 retrieve these songs & how to put everything back where it belongs, I would be 4ever gr8ful !!!
I can't afford 2 replace the songs just like I'm unable 2 buy back my old music from my stolen iTouch....man that was an awesome collection-someday I'll be able 2 afford 2 do that & I would like 2 have all the new music that I paid 4 but cannot find when I got my new iTouch....that would just be wonderful.
             I hope someone sees this post that can help me retrieve these files....losing $100.00 of iTunes is a REAL BUMMER!!!!!!
                                                  ThanQ SO very much!
                                                                         [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] .
                                                                                           You can also find me on Facebook, my given name is Tiffinie Trimmer, &
                                                                                            that's my Facebook "handle". ThanQ 4 taking the time 2 read all of this!
                                                                                            hope 2 get a reply someday....I'll B checking all my emails & my Facebook, as well
                                                                                            as marking this page in my FAVORITES so I can find it fast! Take Care!!!

I was not complete clear.
Since you never changed the settings in the advanced section of iTunes preferecnes, you have to chech that your music is really in the location setted in the folders reported in the advanced section. If not you have 2 ways: reset the position of this folders or in the actual disk organisation or in the pointing on the preferences.
If you press the reset button you just give to itunes its default setting as for the position of the music files: probably this will be a good choice if you have never changed any default preference.
But before I would check the folders and see if the songs are really there
In my iTune I have this, and I believe it is the default.
Users/YOURHOMEFOLDERNAME/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music

Library Lost - Please HeIp I tried updating my old ipod & now all 10,000 songs in my library have an ! next to them and I get the error message "song " " could not be used because the original file could not be found" on every song I try to play

Please help - this morning I tried updating one of my old ipods for my wife (this ipod hasn't been updated in 2-3 years). I plugged it into my pc, it was recognized and the software updated. I created a new playlist and tied to sync the ipod. This ipod had never been used on this pc/itunes since the pc is only 2 years old. When I tried to sync the ipod it stated that it would have to erase all the old songs on the ipod prior to syncing. I clicked ok and it proceeded to wipe out the old ipod and sync the new playlist (~1000 songs). When the sync was complete there were only 6 songs from the new playlist (all purchased this morning from itunes) on the ipod and to my horror all ~10,000 song on my pc in itunes now have a ! next to them. Only my recent purchases from itunes do not. When I click on a song with the ! I get the error message "the song " " could not be used because the original file could not be found." How do I correct this issue - I am scared to hook my ipads or other ipods to my pc for fear of losing everything?!?!? I spent 100s of hours burning the 10,000 songs from my cd collection and do not want to have to do it again.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

This "original file cannot be found" thing happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. Possible causes are that you or some third party tool has moved, renamed or deleted the file, or that the drive it lives on has had a change of drive letter. It is also possible that iTunes has changed from expecting the files to be in the pre-iTunes 9 layout to post-iTunes 9 layout,or vice-versa, and so is looking in slightly the wrong place.
Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to get info, then cancel when asked to try to locate the track. Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive(s). Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library has simply been moved, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions.
Alternatively, as long as you can find a location holding the missing files, then you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes .
tt2

"original song could not be found" HELP

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