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If you want to Fix “iTunes Library.itl Cannot be Read” Error checkout this article. If you’ve used iTunes for a while, you’ve probably seen the problem message “The file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read.” Most of the time, they happen when you update iTunes or when you reinstall it on a new computer.
The error makes it so that iTunes can’t get to your music. It is a deal-breaker, but it’s not too hard to fix. The mistake seems to be caused by two library files that don’t match up. As was already said, this can happen when you move iTunes to a new computer or restore an old backup of your music.
There was also a problem when iTunes took away the App Store for a while, and some people downgraded their version of iTunes to get it back. If a person went back to an older version of iTunes, any library files they made with the newer version wouldn’t work. You can also go to the official Apple support site to know more information.
How to Fix “iTunes Library.itl Cannot be Read” Error On Mac
Rename the File
- In the first step, Uninstall the available iTunes and install it again.
- Type ~/Music/iTunes/ by selecting Command+Shift+G.
- Change the name of the iTunes library file to iTunes Library.old
- Enter into the iTunes library and copy the new library file. You can find the latest file by its date.
- Now, paste the file in ~/Music/iTunes/.
- Change the file name to iTunes Library.itl
- Restart iTunes once the process is complete.
Reinstall iTunes
- In the first step, Uninstall the available iTunes and Install it again.
- Type ~/Music/iTunes/ by selecting Command+Shift+G.
- In this step, Remove the iTunes library file.
- Reopen the iTunes library after some time. Since you have deleted the file, the database should be empty. But all audio files remain stored in the iTunes Music file.
- Now, launch the iTunes Music folder in the system.
- Copy and paste this folder to the iTunes application window to restore the music database. Wait for some time so that database is rebuilt in the desired location.
How to Fix “iTunes Library.itl Cannot be Read” Error On windows
Reinstall iTunes
- In the first step, Uninstall the available iTunes on your PC and then Install it again.
- Launch This PC and search for the Users folder.
- Now, click on the username displayed in this folder.
- Here, click on My Music. Your iTunes Library.itl file is located here.
- In this step, remove the iTunes library file.
- Reopen the iTunes library after some time. Since you have deleted the file, the database should be empty. But all audio files remain stored in the iTunes Music file.
- Now, launch the iTunes Music folder in the system.
- Copy and paste this folder to the iTunes application window to restore the music database. Wait for some time for the database to rebuild itself. Soon after, you will be able to play audio from your library.
Rename the file
- In the first step, Uninstall the available iTunes on your PC and then Install it again.
- Navigate to the following location using the File Explorer navigation bar:
C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music
- Change the name of the iTunes library file to iTunes Library.old
- Enter into the iTunes library and copy the latest library file. You can find the latest file by its date.
- Now, paste the file in \My Documents\My Music
- Change the file name to iTunes Library.itl
- Restart iTunes once the process is complete and you are all set.
FAQs
Go to /Users/Username/Music/iTunes/ to find your iTunes music folder. Search for the iTunes Library. itl file, right-click it and choose Rename from the menu. Add “old” or “broken” to the end of the file name and drag it to your Desktop.
Since they are library files, they have lists of songs, ratings for each song, and the playlists and notes that users have made. Both Windows and MAC working systems can run Apple iTunes, but the way they save ITL files is different.