While trying to import a CD, I receive "An unknown error occurred (-54)"

Question

cd_lovver Author

Level 1

6 points

While trying to import a CD, I receive "An unknown error occurred (-54)"

While trying to import a CD into Apple Music on macOS Sonoma, I get the message:

"Error occurred while converting the file "(track title)". An unknown error occurred (-54).

I've looked at previous posts, for example Repair security permissions for iTunes fo… - Apple Community,

but the permissions are all in order.

I'm using an external Samsung CD player which is connected to my MacBook Pro.

I have previously been able to both rip and burn CDs.

Posted on Apr 2, 2024 8:02 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

6x6

Level 6

11,810 points

Apr 3, 2024 5:26 PM in response to cd_lovver

Not sure this will do the trick but go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders > Music and make sure “Removable Volumes” is on.

Reply

Answer 2

gpg1975

Level 1

14 points

May 15, 2024 2:59 PM in response to 6x6

This worked for me! Thank you very much

Reply

Answer 3

cd_lovver Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 3, 2024 2:05 AM in response to kderosa72

Good question kderosa72. I have a feeling it might be linked to the latest minor Sonoma versions, as it used to work a while ago. Or it's being blocked by my VPN.

Weird thing is, that a folder with the track gets created in "Music" after trying to rip, it even contains the title of the track, but not the track itself.

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Reply

Answer 4

Apr 30, 2024 12:53 PM in response to stampederanch

what does or is this setting supposed to do? working with support I updated this toggle setting and I was now able to import as expected. The technician just said the setting is working as expected. so what is the expected behavior?

Reply

Answer 5

May 6, 2024 5:06 AM in response to cd_lovver

This started to happen to me just after updating to Sonoma 14.4 on my 3 year old iMac the issue remains with 14.4.1, have checked on my 10 year old MBP running Big Sur with the same Superdrive and this has no issues.

Reply

Answer 6

SeanR41

Level 1

8 points

May 18, 2024 1:09 PM in response to 6x6

This worked for me too, thank you! But just curious - I hope Apple reads this - why doesn't the error message just tell the user what the actual problem is and how to fix it rather than some mysterious message that doesn't mean anything??

Reply

Answer 7

Limnos

Level 10

411,457 points

Apr 2, 2024 8:06 AM in response to cd_lovver

All my references for that error are 10+ years old and refer to locked files..

Have you tried simply restarting the computer?

Reply

Answer 8

cd_lovver Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 2, 2024 8:10 AM in response to Limnos

Yes, I have. Rebooted, checked permissions, looked at the folder, all is in order.

Reply

Answer 9

Apr 2, 2024 11:04 AM in response to cd_lovver

How do you fix this? So frustrating.

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 3, 2024 4:17 PM in response to cd_lovver

I have the same issue. The latest iTunes with the latest Mac OS update on a Mac with Apple Silicon now produces unknown error occurred (-54) when importing a music CD.

Reply