deeneecee

Q: Computer "not authorized" to play song, but when I authorize it, it still won't play

The last song I bought won't play.  When I attempt to play it I get a pop up that says "this computer is not authorized to play "name of song" would you like to authorize it?  I put in my apple id and password and try again and I get the same pop up.  I only have 2 computers authorized, all my other songs are working, including this week's free song which I downloaded a few days after purchasing the song in question.  Any help would be appreciated

Posted on Nov 9, 2012 7:10 AM

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Q: Computer "not authorized" to play song, but when I authorize it, it still won't play

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  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Nov 9, 2012 7:13 AM in response to deeneecee
    Level 9 (53,951 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 9, 2012 7:13 AM in response to deeneecee

    If you are in a country where re-downloading is possible (check this with iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match Availability by Country - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085), delete the track (and the original file) and download again (Downloading [using iOS or computer] past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519).  See tips on downloading in https://discussions.apple.com/message/19097773, especially unchecking the "Allow Simultaneous Downloads" box in the downloads tab of iTunes.

     

    Select the store on the left side of iTunes.
    Click on Purchased on the right side under Quick Links.
    You can re-download your available previous purchases.

     

    If you cannot download a second time, contact iTunes Store support staff through the report a problem links in your account history or,

     

    iTunes Customer Service Contact - http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact.html > Get iTunes support via Express Lane > iTunes > iTunes Store

  • by Mathmiz,

    Mathmiz Mathmiz Jan 4, 2013 2:59 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2013 2:59 PM in response to Limnos

    Hey, I just had the same problem and it was solved by pretending I was going to purchase the song again. When I did that I received an onscreen box that said I had already purchased it, did I want to redownload it. Cool. Easy.

  • by KarenSelena,

    KarenSelena KarenSelena Jan 4, 2013 3:02 PM in response to Mathmiz
    Level 4 (1,960 points)
    Jan 4, 2013 3:02 PM in response to Mathmiz

    in iTunes, locate a song that won't play.  Right click on it, and select "get info."  This screen should display what iTunes ID was used to purchase it.  Ensure that that iTunes ID is authorized.  

  • by D3IVI0IV,

    D3IVI0IV D3IVI0IV Mar 19, 2013 11:46 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2013 11:46 AM in response to Limnos

    I've got the same problem and have solved it using those instructions. Thank a lot! You've saved me a lot of time.

    By the way does anybody know the source of the problem? It's just a bit strange to purchase the song and have no ability to listen to it.

  • by pepsiaddict2817,

    pepsiaddict2817 pepsiaddict2817 Apr 18, 2013 6:00 PM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 18, 2013 6:00 PM in response to deeneecee

    I had the same problem, and these instructions worked for me too.

     

    It does seem a bit convoluted to delete and re-download a song you've already purchased just to listen to it.  Hope it gets worked out for good sometime soon.  Thank you!

  • by WhitneyZombie,

    WhitneyZombie WhitneyZombie May 12, 2013 10:19 AM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 12, 2013 10:19 AM in response to deeneecee

    With mine, I had to enter the password of a previous ID that I had gotten the song from.  If you try and play it, click to autorize it and see if you can enter an ID/password. I am not sure yet if if autorizes all songs by doing that.

     

    Edit: It does authroize all of them.

  • by richsadams,

    richsadams richsadams Jul 7, 2013 6:55 PM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (84 points)
    Jul 7, 2013 6:55 PM in response to deeneecee

    I just stumbled across this thread when I ran into the same issue as the OP.  In my case a single song on an album I had ripped wouldn't play and the "This computer is not authorized to play "X song" would you like to authorize it?" error message appeared.

     

    Since I have an iTunes Match subscription I opted to delete the song, answered "Okay" when asked to move it to the trash, but NOT remove it from the cloud.  That caused the iTunes Match cloud icon with the download arrow to appear.  I clicked on it and the song downloaded and played normally after that.  Weird.

     

    In any case, hope that helps anyone that follows.

  • by lamBRIghini,

    lamBRIghini lamBRIghini Jul 13, 2013 3:38 PM in response to Mathmiz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 13, 2013 3:38 PM in response to Mathmiz

    worked flawlessly for me! just do what you said and its no big deal anymore!

  • by kylefrombrighton,

    kylefrombrighton kylefrombrighton Aug 9, 2013 6:10 AM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2013 6:10 AM in response to deeneecee

    If you're using iTunes Match, redownload the song and then delete it again and it will work again.

  • by richsadams,

    richsadams richsadams Aug 9, 2013 8:27 AM in response to kylefrombrighton
    Level 1 (84 points)
    Aug 9, 2013 8:27 AM in response to kylefrombrighton

    kylefrombrighton wrote:

     

    If you're using iTunes Match, redownload the song and then delete it again and it will work again.

     

    Per my email above I think you mean the other way around...delete the problematic song (but not from iCloud) then re-download it.  That worked for about a half-dozen tracks that were causing problems (both purchased and ripped) for me. 

  • by kylefrombrighton,

    kylefrombrighton kylefrombrighton Aug 12, 2013 4:47 PM in response to richsadams
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2013 4:47 PM in response to richsadams

    Yeah, that

  • by JohnGlasgow,

    JohnGlasgow JohnGlasgow Oct 20, 2013 10:47 AM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 20, 2013 10:47 AM in response to deeneecee

    I'm getting this message for a song I didn't even buy on iTunes - it was on an album I imported. Every other track is fine to play except this one! Seems to be one problem after another with the new iMac. Wish I still had my old eMac - never had a day's bother with it.

  • by InternetMin,

    InternetMin InternetMin Nov 19, 2013 5:54 AM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Nov 19, 2013 5:54 AM in response to deeneecee

    I had this problem too with a purchased song and re-downloading it would cause the loop—even though I'm an iTunes Match subscriber.  Trying to redownload from iCloud would seem to work but then I'd get the authorization loop.  Normally, deleting the song and then pressing the cloud download icon works.  This time it wouldn't. 

     

    The only sulution was to use a third party app and grab it from my iOS device.  My iOS device for some reason was the only place I could still play the song.  I followed the process on how to recover the song as outlined on this web site.  The process took a bit of time, but it worked.

  • by Shiggity123,

    Shiggity123 Shiggity123 Mar 9, 2014 10:24 PM in response to deeneecee
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2014 10:24 PM in response to deeneecee

    I solved this bit of Apple Weirdness by deleting the song, and turning off Match and then back on again.  Eeeeech

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