Songs cannot be found because original files could not be found, but...

I've just imported over 2,000 songs to iTunes and had my preferences set (Edit/Preferences/Advanced tab/General tab) to copy each file to my iTunes music folder when copying to iTunes library (I thought--at least the box is checked). However, when I moved several hundred of the files from their original location on my hard drive, the link was broken to iTunes. Each time I try to open or play one of these tracks, I get the error message that the file cannot be used because the original file cannot be found. Itunes is looking for the original files in folder(s) outside of my iTunes folder, instead of in the itunes folder. Or so I think; I'm still pretty new at this.
1. What did I do wrong?
2. Is there an easier way to fix this than to delete all 2,000 songs and re-import them?
3. Is it really necessary to re-establish links one song at a time, instead of a group of songs at a time? (UGH!)
4. I want to delete these songs from the other folder once they're copied into my iTunes folder AND FUNCTIONING in both iTunes and on my iPod. Can I do that?
5. What does the exclamation point icon mean that's appeared next to some of my songs (and Why can't I find any info about it in the iTunes help file or on apple.com)? In some cases it correlates to broken links, but some disappear when I open the song.
6. What does the check box mean that's next to each song (and why can't I find an info about it in the iTunes help file or on apple.com)? (GRR!)
7. A friend suggested I drag and drop files from my iPod disk space directly into iTunes, but I have USB1 ports/drivers which are excruciatingly slow. Is her idea better than copying the files from iPod to an intermediary folder on my desktop? I've already copied everything onto my computer, and having the iPod plugged in seems to slow everything down.
I've spent two days trying to fix this and the longer I look for answers on iTunes help and on apple.com, without finding a single one, the more questions I have. Please help!

happyhannah wrote:
I right-clicked on the song to 'get info' and found out that the path is 'file://localhost/users/Hannah/desktop/iTunes' etc. I remembered that I had moved the iTunes library to the desktop as not to forget to back it up.
Hmm, if the active iTunes library knows where to look for files but they have been misplaced then putting them back where it expects to find them should work. However you should only be moving the media folder not the library files, or if moving both you should shift-start iTunes and choose a new library.
Now, I have deleted the iTunes library from the (default) Music folder and have put it on the desktop with the hope that this is now where iTunes will find the original library. However, it's still not working!!! Please help!!! I really cannot lose my whole iTunes library
As long as you have the media files and a copy of the library files from your old system it really should be possible to coax them back into working order.
Are you currently connected to a library which lists your media? If so what is the path given for a sample missing file and where is the actual copy of that file now?
tt2

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Songs cannot be used because original files could not be found.

I had my laptop stolen with my original iTunes Music libary. The library was backed up on office server. When I copied bqackup to new laptop iTune file, the song list shows but all songs will not play with message:
"the song "XXX" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"
Unfortunately, the originals are on stolen laptop? Is there anything I can do!

happyhannah wrote:
I right-clicked on the song to 'get info' and found out that the path is 'file://localhost/users/Hannah/desktop/iTunes' etc. I remembered that I had moved the iTunes library to the desktop as not to forget to back it up.
Hmm, if the active iTunes library knows where to look for files but they have been misplaced then putting them back where it expects to find them should work. However you should only be moving the media folder not the library files, or if moving both you should shift-start iTunes and choose a new library.
Now, I have deleted the iTunes library from the (default) Music folder and have put it on the desktop with the hope that this is now where iTunes will find the original library. However, it's still not working!!! Please help!!! I really cannot lose my whole iTunes library
As long as you have the media files and a copy of the library files from your old system it really should be possible to coax them back into working order.
Are you currently connected to a library which lists your media? If so what is the path given for a sample missing file and where is the actual copy of that file now?
tt2

Song could not be played because original file could not be found

Song could not be played because original file could not be found."
how do I fix/replace a damaged library without reloading all of my 3000+ songs?

Hello bartap,
I would be concerned too if I was not able to locate my music in iTunes. I recommend reviewing the following articles to locate you music files on your computer:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1408
Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

The song could not be used because original file could not be found

I just loaded iTunes on my new laptop running Windows 8. I then synced my iPod Nano hoping existing songs would be imported. Songs seemed to come across but when I try to play on my computer I get message - "The song could not be used because original file could not be found." Can anybody help?

Solution may be found if you search in the "More Like This" section over in the right column.

I want to play songe in itunes bur all i get i "song could not be used because original file could not be found"

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by following this document here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313
and then doing something else at the end.
I followed the instructions from 1-6:
Then rather than importing the XML file I open iTunes, selected "Add to Library" from the File menu then navigated to the itunes library on my external disc then let it do its work.
I guess something got fragged when I changed computer but it's all ok now.
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How can I bulk delete songs from the playlist, if original file could not be found.

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Take a look at my FindTracks script. Download it and test it out on a few tracks first. Use the No option first time around to manually confirm each path that it wants to fix so you can see how it works. When you're happy it does what you want select a larger group of tracks to process automatically.
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"song could not be used because original file could not be found..."

My entire music library files cannot be found. When I click on a song I get a popup that says "song could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" I can't find the files anywhere, can't open any from my Windows Media player, from Quicktime or anywhere and can't find them on my hard drive. I have about 2300 songs downloaded from my CD collection and a handful of songs purchased on itunes. I have searched for all "mp3" files, no luck, searched by "title/artist", no luck. Yikes!!

I've occasionally had an artist or LP go missing from my library, but to have the entire library disappear is incredible!
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or
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Song could not be found because original file could not be located

Hey gang - I'm new to help and can't seem to stumble my way to an answer. i have a regular and an external hard drive. i have two music libraries and wonder if that is my problem on where i originally loaded music. all my songs are showing up on my ipod and playing but in iTunes i get messages on half of them that have an "!" mark and say that they can't be found. as a result i can't play them or move them in to a new playlist. i'm not sure what i should do - please help...

Probably not every one, but you will have to do it several times. Right click on the name of the song, show in window's explorer and when it can't it should give you a dialogue to find the song.
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how can I access my songs?

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tt2

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I think I've fixed this on my machine. If you look in the ITunes folder there is a subfolder called Previous iTunes Libraries. In my case for some reason this contained the one which had always worked and a new one was in the main folder. I closed iTunes, deleted the new one, and moved the old one back to the main folder, then opened iTunes. It then rebuilt the library and it plays correctly. Hope it works for you.

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Hello Turintest2,
I am having a similar problem. I have over 4000 songs giving me this error. I certainily don't want to go in one by one and find them. I know you wrote a script for Windows but I am a Mac user. Is there a fix for me? Here is the info on where the song is currently (used by doing the get info)
Here's a shot of my preferences:
Just FYI, I know that apparently iTunes is looking for this music in the trash. However, if I go here:
Then I find the music there as well. (Which is where it is in my preferences.)
Please help! I don't want to have to go through over 4000 songs and update them one by one.

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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

Songs cannot be found because original files could not be found, but...

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