Song "Title" could not be used because the original file could not be found

I have been happily running iTunes on my Compaq Pressario 6000 running Windows XP for about 8 months, until I downloaded about 9 new songs from the iTunes store last weekend. The whole library is shown, but anything other than the 9 new downloads returns the above error message.
It then asks if I wish to locate the file. If I answer "yes", I try clicking through the iTunes folder trail, but have never located it. My iPod seems to sync just fine, although I have also noticed some duplicate listings starting to creep in.
I did upgrade to 7.02 not long ago, but I believe I've been able to play my library through my computer since then.
Any hints for how I can locate my library so it will play through my computer?
Compaq Presario 6000   Windows XP  

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  • The song could not be used because the original file couldn't be found

    About a week or two ago I loaded up my iTunes to find that most of my music could not be played. Upon clicking on the songs I got the message "The song '__' could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" This was weird because none of my music was missing from my computer and it was in the same file location that it has been in all along. I went into the preferences and noticed that the iTunes media file location was different and I changed it back to what it was before. This helped with about half of the files but I still have about 1500 that I will have to "locate" in order to play. This is a solution, but unfortunately it is very time consuming. Does anyone have a solution that could ultimately fix this and save me the time?
    Thanks,
    Stunray
    Message was edited by: Stunray

    *Adding new items/removing orphans*
    Try iTunes Folder Watch or iTunes Library Updater. Folder Watch is much faster on the adding files front, can be set to run in the background and includes a useful exclusion feature, however it’s really slow at removing orphans. iTLU is better for this although doing it manually after looking at a list of proposed removals generated by Folder Watch is probably faster still. iTLU can also be set to update iTunes when you've used 3rd party tools to change tag info.
    tt2

  • Continually get pop up box "The song "song title" could not be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it?"

    Continually get pop up box "The song "song title" could not be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it?"

    Hey xxCreepyFiaxx,
    First, I would try the following suggested steps for when you don't see content in iTunes after updating:
    Quit iTunes.
    Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
    Use the Finder (Mac) or Windows Explorer (Windows) to go to the iTunes folder that contains the iTunes library files:
    Mac OS X
    /Users/username/Music/iTunes/
    Microsoft Windows Windows XP and Windows 2000
    \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
    Microsoft Windows Windows Vista and Windows 7
    \Users\username\Music\iTunes\
    Drag the iTunes Library file from the above location to the Desktop.
    Open the Previous iTunes Libraries folder in the iTunes folder.
    Locate the file named iTunes Library YYYY-MM-DD where YYYY-MM-DD is the date you upgraded iTunes (Year-Month-Day).
    Drag this file to the iTunes folder (the enclosing folder).
    Rename this file to iTunes Library.
    Open iTunes.
    You should now see your missing content in iTunes.
    via: No content shows up in iTunes after updating
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967
    If that doesn't resolve the issue, then I'd go through the steps in here:
    iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
    Have a good one,
    Delgadoh

  • Error message when trying to play music on computer states The song ... could not be used because the original file could not be found.  However, my library shows how many items and the GBs used.  How do I locate the files?

    When I try to play my iTunes music on my computer, an error message comes up and state "The song (title of song) could not be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it?
    When I click on Locate It, I cannot find where the music file may be located.  Does anyone have any suggestions?
    This all occurred when I attempted to do a backup to an external hard drive.  Unbeknownest to me, the files did not copy over and do not appear on the external hard drive. 
    When I open my iTunes library, at the bottom of my music list it shows how many songs and the GBs, so it appears that the files are still there; however, cannot be located.
    Thank you.

    Hi angela dfromtx,
    When tracks in iTunes display a it means the file cannot be located; it may have been moved or deleted. You'll have to locate the file manually if it is still available. For more information refer to the following article:
    iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
    Alternatively, if your media was downloaded from the iTunes Store, you may be able to download it again free of charge:
    Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
    Thanks,
    Matt M.

  • The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

    Suddenly unable to access & play music in iTunes,  I have paid for. 
    Frustrating - *** apple?
    Attemps I have made to no avail...
    1)  Choose one specific broken file. Press CTRL+I to Get Info. Navigate song myself...
    This lead me through music>itunes>itunesd media to an Empty envelope with the song name.
    2)  Retrieve song from previous back ups. 
    I went to my external hard drive updated with Time Machine & was again lead to an empty folder with the song name that has an ! beside it in iTunes.
    3) 
    iTunes WILL NOT let me download it again.  It says "play" beside the song title instead of "purchase" (as it should) but even when i try to play it from iTunes says "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
    which of course leads no where.
    4)
    Checked iTunes for songs that needed to be downloaded - nothing.
    5)
    Not in trash bin
    I have not moved or renamed any songs.
    There are not multiple copies of the same song in my music library.
    songs are apparently missing & so not able to be put into a new folder.
    like most, i truly do not have time to take time out to find  multiple songs or  i purchased via itunes .
    so frustrating.
    Help very much appreciated.

    Previous purchases may be unavailable if refunded or if no longer on the iTunes store.
    •Downloading past purchases from the iTune Store, App Store, and iBooks Store:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
    •iTunes - Apple Support:
    http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/
    •iTunes: Apple Support Communities:
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/itunes
    Sorry that your missing purchases no longer appear available.
    Not sure what other recourse you have.
    Good luck & happy computing!

  • The song...could not be used because the original file could not be located

    I just used Garageband this past Sunday, no problem...I open it up tonight and I get this message:
    "The song...could not be used because the original file could not be located."
    I click the OK button and it comes up with another song title, and I have clicked it 20 or 30 times already and it keeps coming up and I can't access anything else and it is frustrating!
    Anyone know how to stop the madness?!
    iMac 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB HD, OS X 10.9.3
    Garageband 10.0.2

    "The song...could not be used because the original file could not be located."
    GarageBAnd cannot find the recorded media or imported audio files, that should be in the Media folder inside your project.
    Crtl-click the GarageBand icon in the Dock and use Force-quit to quit your current project.
    Then ctrl-click the .band file of your current project and select  "Show package contents." open the Media folder inside and check if all recorded media and imported audio files are there and you can play them.
    Have you moved your project or has it been transferred by mail?
    If the media are missing or do not play, there is not much you can do. If all media are there, repair the permissions of the project. If it is on an external drive, move it to your system drive and try there.
    If you cannot rescue the project, copy the media file out of the project, so you can use the recordings to recreate the song.You can launch GarageBand into the file "recent songs" panel to create a new project or to pick a recent project, by holding down  the alt/options key while double-clicking the GarageBand icon.

  • 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

  • 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?
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    -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)
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    Shouldn't have any more problems...

  • This is a new notification coming up with iTunes, why and how do I fix it? The song "Penny Lane" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

    This is a new notification coming up with iTunes, why and how do I fix it?
    The song “Penny Lane” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?
    Max

    Hey xxCreepyFiaxx,
    First, I would try the following suggested steps for when you don't see content in iTunes after updating:
    Quit iTunes.
    Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
    Use the Finder (Mac) or Windows Explorer (Windows) to go to the iTunes folder that contains the iTunes library files:
    Mac OS X
    /Users/username/Music/iTunes/
    Microsoft Windows Windows XP and Windows 2000
    \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
    Microsoft Windows Windows Vista and Windows 7
    \Users\username\Music\iTunes\
    Drag the iTunes Library file from the above location to the Desktop.
    Open the Previous iTunes Libraries folder in the iTunes folder.
    Locate the file named iTunes Library YYYY-MM-DD where YYYY-MM-DD is the date you upgraded iTunes (Year-Month-Day).
    Drag this file to the iTunes folder (the enclosing folder).
    Rename this file to iTunes Library.
    Open iTunes.
    You should now see your missing content in iTunes.
    via: No content shows up in iTunes after updating
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967
    If that doesn't resolve the issue, then I'd go through the steps in here:
    iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
    Have a good one,
    Delgadoh

  • After installing iTunes 10.5 update i get the following message when trying to play any song in my Library "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"  how do i fix this??

    I have an iPod Classic and work on Windows 7.
    i recently installed iTunes 10.5 update and since then i cannot play any of the songs in the Library - i get the following message
    "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it?"
    what happened to all my songs (almost 2000) How can i get them back into my music library?
    Please help - i do not want to spend another week downloading all my cd's onto my computer !!!!!

    Try my script FindTracks. Select a few of the missing files to start with then run the script. Choose No at the first prompt so that you can check how it works track by track, then confirm or edit the location of the media folder where your files are. Once you are happy with how it behaves let it process larger numbers of tracks automatically.
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  • I tried to play my iTunes and suddenly get an error message that says "The song (name) could not be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it now?"  It happens on all my tunes and each one I select ends up with a "?"

    I tried to play my iTunes and suddenly get an error message that says "The song (name) could not be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it now?"  It happens on each tune I select and a "?" appears beside the song.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?

    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

  • ITunes tells me "Could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"  I can locate it and all my other music, but can only open one song at a time.  How do I set it to open all my music whenever I want it?

    iTunes tells me my song selection: "Could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"  I can locate it and all my other music, but can only open one song at a time.  How do I set it to open all my music whenever I want?
    Message was edited by: Woildbill

    I just spent several hours dealing with this when switching to a new PC. It was extremely frustrating as I knew my files were on my external HD but no matter how many times I copied my old iTunes folder over the files were still missing...because dummy me had forgotten to "unhide folders" on my new PC and my old files were actually stored in a hidden folder created long long ago.
    This is how I did it on Windows 7 with iTunes 10
    1. Look in iTunes Advanced Preferences to see where iTunes is saving files. (Edit, Preferences, Advanced)
         Example: C:/Users/Woildbill/My Music/iTunes/Music
    2. Ensure you are able to see hidden files - Control Panel, Folder Option, View, Show Hidden Files
    3. Use Your Computer's Search Function to Locate the Missing File (Start, Search, type name of song - I started my search in "My Music" folder but be sure to expand to entire Computer if not found right away)
    4. In Search Results, right-click found folder and select properties. This will tell you where the file is actually stored.
    5. Use Windows Explorer (right-click start) to navigate to the location of the file. It is likley your other missing files are in the same location.
    6. In Windows Explorer, copy the newly located files to the iTumes location from Step 1 and everything should work again.
    Hope this helps!

  • Recently bought  a new computer and all my music appears in iTunes as well as on my computer in a saved folder. When I try to play the music in iTunes I get an error that reads"the song could not be used because the original file could not be found."

    Recently bought  a new computer and all my music appears in iTunes as well as on my computer in a saved folder. When I try to play the music in iTunes I get an error that reads"the song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" Hope you can help me solve this issue.
    Thanks,
    Shellyboo

    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

  • My partner deleted my itunes (10) library. I use a WD external back-up and retrieved my itunes library, but when i try to play a song i get the message 'could not be used because the original file could not be found Would you like to locate it?'

    My partner deleted, by accident my itunes library. I have an iMac 10.6.7, Itunes 10. I use an WD passport as an external back up and retrieved my itunes library but now get the message "could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" so itunes is not recognised the exclamation marked songs, how do i get the retrieved files recognised. At times I get fed-up with Apple blocking files being used, although I like the product its restrictions are so silly!

    You not only have to retrieve the library file from the backup drive but the actual music files (usually stored within the "iTunes Media" folder) as well.

  • 'The song "xyz" could not be used because the original file could not be found.

    I am quite new to iTunes so please excuse me if the questions seem daft 
    I have recently changed my default iTunes Media folder location from my local C:\ drive to my home network storage device
    (my PC is permanently mapped to this NAS storgae drive)
    Now When I go to play a song in itunes I get the message 'The song "xyz" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it"
    Looking in the new iTunes Media folder, I can see the following folders and they are mostly empty:
    Automatically Add to iTunes
    Downloads
    Mobile Applications
    Music
    Note that I have music that I bought from iTunes and music from other sources \ given to me by friends
    Questions:
    (1) How do I get all my music back into this new iTunes Media folder?
    (2) Exactly which files contain my music? (I ask because we have 2 or 3 libraries that I wish to consolidate into 1 master Library for us all)
    If I know exactly which files are required I can delete any other files cluttering up my storage and PC

    Changing the media folder path tells iTunes where to put new media that is ripper or purchased. It may offer to consolidate to the new location when you make the edit, if not iTunes will expect existing content to remain on the original path.
    The "missing file" error 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, one of its parent folders, or 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 click No when asked to try to locate the track. (Due to a bug in iTunes 12 you currently have to say No twice!) 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, a folder renamed, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions. If the difference between the two paths is an additional Music folder in one path then this is a layout issue. I can explain further if that is the case.
    In some cases iTunes may be able to repair itself if you go through the same steps with Get Info but this time click Locate and browse to the lost track. It may then offer to attempt to automatically fix other broken links.
    If another application like Windows Media Player has moved/renamed the files then the chances are that subtle differences in naming strategies will make it hard to restore the media to the precise path that iTunes is expecting. In such cases, as long as the missing files can be found somewhere, you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes. See this post for an explanation of how it works.
    For more background on the typical layout of the iTunes library see Make a split library portable.
    1) It depends on exactly what you have done to break things.
    2) Your media files are where you put them, or where iTunes copies them to when they are added to the library. If multiple libraries use the same set of media folders there can be problems if edits in one library cause content to be moved as the other libraries will no longer see those tracks on the original path, and won't know to look in a new one.
    tt2

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