Resolution
Create a New User Account When
troubleshooting a variety of issues, it can be useful to determine if
the issue affects a specific Windows user account or all accounts.
Follow the steps below to create a new user account in Windows Vista or
Windows 7:
- From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
- Open Add or remove user accounts (If using the Classic View in Windows Vista, open User Accounts. Then open Manage another account).
- Select Create a new account and follow the instructions to complete the account setup process.
- Once the new account is created, choose Log Off from the Start menu.
- Log into the newly created user account.
- Open iTunes and determine whether the issue you were experiencing persists in this new user.
If you see the same issue in the newly created user account, proceed to the
System-wide troubleshooting section below. If you do not experience the same issue, consult the
User-specific troubleshooting section below.
User-specific troubleshooting If
your issue only happens in one particular user account, some of the
suggestions below may resolve the issue. Before proceeding however,
you'll need to make hidden files and folder visible in Windows. Follow
steps 1-5 in
iTunes for Windows in Windows Vista doesn't open after upgrading.
- Remove iTunes Plug-ins
Third-party iTunes plug-ins can cause many issues, particularly if
the plug-in has not been updated to be compatible with new versions of
iTunes. iTunes plug-ins are stored in the following location:
C:UsersusernameAppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunesiTunes Plug-ins
- Remove iTunes Preference files
Some of the files that iTunes uses to store settings and
preferences may be unusable and cause issues. iTunes has two folders
where preferences are saved. Move one of them to the desktop and test to
see if the issue persists. If it does, move it back and remove the
second folder. The location for the two preference folders are:
- C:UsersusernameAppDataLocalApple ComputeriTunes
- C:UsersusernameAppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunes
- Create a new iTunes Library
- Hold the Shift key while opening iTunes. You will be prompted to Choose iTunes Library.
- Choose
Create Library to create a new one. In the following window you will be
prompted to select a location to save the new iTunes Library.
- Click
Save. iTunes will open the newly created library. After closing iTunes,
you can always select the original library by using the Shift key when
opening iTunes.
- Recreate your iTunes Library
If you iTunes library has become unusable, rebuilding it as described in How to recreate your iTunes Library and Playlists may resolve the issue.
Check for content files with issues
Sometimes a certain audio file can cause iTunes to quit
unexpectedly or stop responding when it is analyzing gapless playback
information. To determine which file(s) may be cause the issue follow
the steps below:
- Quit iTunes.
- Navigate to the iTunes folder:
- Windows Vista - C:usersusernameMusiciTunes
- Windows 7 - C:usersusernameMy MusiciTunes
- Move the iTunes Library.itl file to your desktop
- Open iTunes. You should not see any content in iTunes.
- From the File menu, choose Add Folder to Library.
- Navigate to the folder where your music is located. Typically this is
- Windows Vista - C:usersusernameMusiciTunesiTunes Media
- Windows 7 - C:usersusernameMy MusiciTunesiTunes Media
Note: This folder may be called iTunes Music if it was created with iTunes 8 or earlier.
- Choose an artist, album, or single song to add the to the library
- Wait for iTunes to successfully add the songs to your library and perform the gapless playback scan.
- If successful, continue adding back more songs to your library.
- If
there is an issue with one of your files, you will notice your issue
reappear after you attempt to add it to the library. At this point you
should repeat these steps being careful not to add the files that cause
the issue to occur.
System-wide troubleshooting
When troubleshooting system-wide issues with iTunes, there are a few different suggestion to try.
- Check for viruses
Windows viruses can interfere with a variety of computer functions
including iTunes. Make sure that you have current anti-virus software
installed with updated virus definitions and use it to scan your system.
- Check for anti-virus and/or Internet security software
Internet Security software itself can sometimes cause iTunes to
quit unexpectedly. Try disabling the Internet Security software
temporarily or exempting iTunes from any active scanning done by such
software. If this resolves the issue, check with the maker of the
software for an update to the software or its virus definitions. See the
following article for more information: iTunes for Windows: Troubleshooting security software issues.
- Conflicting processes
Sometimes other programs and start-up items can conflict with
iTunes, look at the following article to troubleshoot such conflicts:
Using MSCONFIG to troubleshoot conflicts in Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Removing iTunes configuration files
Removing unusable configuration files that iTunes uses can resolve launch issues. See "iTunes for Windows Vista or Windows 7 doesn't open after upgrading" for information.
- Check the iTunes and QuickTime installations
An improper installation of iTunes or QuickTime can contribute to a
variety of issues. Follow the article below to learn how to completely
reinstall iTunes and QuickTime:
Trouble installing iTunes or QuickTime software in Windows
- Update the drivers on your PC
Having outdated drivers on your computer can cause strange
behaviour with iTunes, QuickTime, iPod, and other applications. See this link to update the drivers on your computer.
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