Q: What is unknown error (8268) - songs will not download from iTunes.

Sorry no help here just to say that I have the same issue but the funny thing is the song file in iTunes and the finder library has no issue it's there and it plays fine, I even deleted and re downloaded from iTunes match but still get the error message.

So in the end the message itself is the problem because it is not reporting a real problem with the song file.

If you are getting that error message it means that there is a phantom download stuck in your queue. All you need to do is contact AppleCare (800) 275-2273 and speak with someone in the iTunes Store department and ask them to clear out your pending download queue. After they do that for you, just quit iTunes, re-launch, and the error message goes away.

And to those of you who don't have AppleCare or it has expired like mine contact iTunes through email support and tell them you're getting this error and they will give you a song credit.

I used this to purchase a new version of the song that was giving me the error.

I deleted the old track completely from my computer and cleared it from my "Purchased" section and downloaded a fresh version from the iTunes store.

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact/

Because I don't have Apple Home Care Service I sent them an email thought the Apple Support and then used the "call me" option which they did (immediately I might add) and they just removed this download from my queue from their side and that cleared it up.

The dialogue box in iTunes Preferences has changed and "Download Pre-Orders When Available" seems to have gone.  And now I have the problem back.

Any new solutions?

Thank you

Again this issue reappeared in which I spoke with Apple and they advised me to log out of iTunes and restart my machine. On doing so I re-opened iTunes and logged back into my account and finally this seems to have fixed the error message.

Many thanks for your speedy response.  And I tried the solution but:

Any other ideas?

Happy New Year

I had the same error. The issue is server side at Apple and results from a phantom entry in the download queue. To get it resolved i contacted Apple (via chat) and requested that they delete the phantom from my download queue. It helps to have the specific name of the problematic download when chatting to them. It's also worth checking whether the download was ever successful (I.e.take a look to see if it's in your library)  as, if not, you'll need to ask for a credit for the track (I.e. so you can repurchase it)

What a ridiculous thing to say! Of course iOS is supported by Apple! iOS is Apple's software for iPads, iPods, and iPhones.  It seems like you didn't call and actually speak with an advisor.

SteffieLynn0519
"What a ridiculous thing to say! Of course iOS is supported by Apple! iOS is Apple's software for iPads, iPods, and iPhones.  It seems like you didn't call and actually speak with an advisor."

So in response to my frustration with poorly supported and managed iOS / OSX service is to expect me to *pay* for a phone call to the company that I already pay a premium to for their software and products?

Firstly if you'd read the thread you'd notice that others have called Apple with no resolution. You expect me to call them to repeat that?

Secondly the purpose of these forums is for people to share solutions and discuss faults. Not for YOU to go round insulting people for asking those questions.

If I am going to have to repeatedly call Apple for support on the increasing number of faults I am encountering then as I stated I may as well go to Android because they offer the same limited support.

Do let me know if you have something positive to contribute though as I'd appreciate some actual help.

Still have this problem.

Have attempted to report this issue to the iTunes team and have been going round in circles as they ignore all the information I'm giving them and try to make me dig through thousands of tracks to find the three ones that are at fault. The emails are standard issue and utterly lacking in investigating the issue.

They haven't made your iTunes purchase list searchable which is incredibly frustrating; since it clearly *is* searchable for the system to spot the downloads that are causing the problem.

They have also clearly been angling to blame my ISP when it's an issue that occurs on multiple internet connections.

There is a fault in the iTunes database management and Apple don't have a means for reporting or handling this. I suspect because as usual iTunes are being dishonest with the rest of the company on reporting faults (as happens in so many tech firms). It's a real shame because whenever I finally get hold of a genuine support person from Apple they are incredibly helpful and good to talk to.

iTunes is the awful product of Apple that may eventually drive me away from what is an otherwise fantastic company to work with.

For a flagship product this kind of simple problem shouldn't be as difficult to resole.

Worked for me. Excellent!

This does not work!

I have an update for everyone on the iTunes 8268 error code. This about something not able to be downloaded, in your account you will see "1 Item waiting to be downloaded" which you can't download so the error persists, in my case for a year and a half.

I called Apple about this and after a few hours we were able to determine that this error code does not emanate from your computer.

This can ONLY be removed by calling Apple and telling them this info, I did screen sharing and numerous things were tried and he eventually went to people over his head who within a minute made the error go away, it emanates from the iTunes Store via a Download Error, where you have a song, video or podcast can't be downloaded.

A year and a half of constant 8268 error code pop up windows for every single song, podcast, movie or App Updates ever played!

Oh, and fixed no-charge!!!

(using a 5 year old iMac)

This is what I had to do as well. Years of time wasted, then solved with a call to the iTunes Technical Support Department. Took about 45 minutes. No more errors.