Unknown error (-54) while syncing ipod

If you are a Terminal geek like me, here's the easy way to find which one of your 3500 songs is the cause:

just:~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music joe$ ls -loR | grep uchg
-rwx------ 1 joe joe uchg 6881143 Feb 22 22:38 09 Wrecking Ball.m4a

ls = List files
-l = long format
-o = show flags (immutable flag, in this case)
-R = recursive, all subdirectories
| = take the output from that command and give it to the next command.
grep = searches for text
uchg = the "Immutable" flag. This is "Locked" when viewed in Finder.

Found the file in finder and unlocked it. Sync completed successfully. Only took 2 hours to find the cause of the -54 error...

Yeah, I've run across a similar error. No matter which of my three authorized computers I've tried, I keep getting the error message: "iPod cannot be synced. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable." I've tried all of the troubleshooting "R's" except Restore because I have 3500 songs and really don't want to erase them all if restoring the ipod doesn't help. Can someone help me out?? Are there any other possible ways to fix this problem??
Thanks!!

I just had success resolving a syncing problem today. When iTunes told me it couldn't sync due to unknown error, I went to the "photos" tab, unchecked any/all syncing of photos. Then I hit apply. It warned me, then ERASED all of my photos on the iPod (a GOOD thing in this case). Instantly the sync continued of my tunes, etc. It finished successfully -- then I went back and re-activated the photo syncing, and it then re-imported all of my photos. Everything is good.

Seems like there's a confusion of the brain involving photos.

I am also having the same problem. When I connect my iPod, it will sync a few songs and then the -54 error appears, and it won't sync anymore.

- I've turned off syncing for photos, videos (I was also getting an error when syncing video podcasts), movies, and TV shows.
- I've restored and resynced my iPod a couple of times.
- I'm using iTunes 7.3.2
- A scan disk is run on my iPod every time it's connected.

This only started occurring after upgrading to iTunes 7.3

OK. This has been wearing me out for a couple of weeks. I finally took the time tonight to figure out what's going on... Look at this link for the definitions of the error codes.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=9805

Error code 54 indicates "Software lock on file; Not a subscriber"

I figured out that there is a locked file somewhere that was causing the problems. As painful as it was, I restored my iPod and then unchecked all of the blocks so that nothing would sync. I created a new playlist, manually dragged about 4 or 5 artists at a time into it and then synced my iPod. After a while the error 54 popped up. I went into the iTunes folders of the last five that I just synched and looked for a locked file. Sure enough, there was 1 that was locked. I unlocked the file and kept going down the list 4-5 artists at a time to make sure there were no others. Turns out that the one file is what kept causing this error and prevented me from synching my entire library onto my iPod.

I don't think a restore is necessary to do this but you'll probably have to remove all of the songs/pics/vids from your iPod. I imagine a locked file whether a photo, song or movie will cause this error. The whole process took me an hour to go through. I don't have a big library so I feel for those of you who do. It was a better alternative to checking each of the files in finder because the dreaded "54" would pop up when sync encountered the locked file.

Anyway, worked for me and I hope it helps some of you.

I'm suspecting that something's wrong with your library. Hold down the Option (Alt) key while starting iTunes and follow directions to create a new (empty) library. Import one or two "safe" songs into that library. By "safe," I mean something that you've purchased from iTMS or copied from a CD. Then, try to sync that library to the iPod. If it works, our next step is to investigate your other library to find out what's wrong.

I tried erasing all of my photos because it seemed as though as soon as i put them on, the trouble started. That didn't fix the problem unfortunately. And when it comes to restoring, i have 3500 songs on it and if i restore and it still doesn't fix the problem, I might as well just throw my ipod in the trash. i don't want to pay another $200 for them to fix it. But I guess that's all i can really try. I was just wondering if anyone else had that exact same error come up on them...
Thank you for your help

Yes - the locked files are the problem - for me anyway.
I didn't have many - but they were upsetting itunes and in turn upsetting me beyond reason....so after (yet another) restore and 2 hours of search and destroy, I am able to sync all my ipods again...this only started happening after the last itunes update of course...

I had nearly given up on itunes and ipods forever - until I read the above fix.

I have the same problem... but I have a large library 4000 Songs +.

This started happening since I moved my library onto an external HDD. I've gotten around it so far by hitting sync again after the error and it would keep syncing, but the error comes up about 100 times. How do I unlock all files or fix this without going through the whole library? How do files get locked in the first place?

Thanks.

The locking happens when you transfer some files from different volumes, the easiest way to "unblock" but also a little time consuming (if you have large libraries) is to select the drive or volume where your music is, the use the command+f option to bring spotlight, thenin kind just leave music and it will display all your music, then by selecting 3000 songs and then command + I and deselect the block option. Keep doing it until you're done... I went trough 56,908 songs today in 2 hours in a MacBook Pro.

You, my friend, are a god among men. Tracked down seven locked files from an almost 19,000-track library in a matter of seconds, compared to the hours I'd already wasted on other theories. (Not without coincidence, it was Linkin Park that was causing my iPod to drive me to cutting myself.) Works like a charm now, and I can go back to using my byzantine Smart Playlists setup. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I've taken the time to register a forum account just to echo the thanks of the other responder. Great stuff. As an aside, any ideas which component is leaving the files locked? Is it a "known bug" within either iTunes or the synching mechanism? Thanks again!

so, i am clearly not as "with it" as far as this stuff goes. I HAD an original ipod (about 4-5 years old) working perfectly until that error came up.. i actually thought it was the ipod not the computer.. so i went out and bought a new ipod 🙂. 300 dollars later, im still getting the air. Can you explain to me what exactly to do with that fancy code you posted. Im not sure where to type it in etc.

HELP please

Hello!

I am having the same issue as of recently. Plug in the Ipod and get the error message (right away even) that says it cannot sync because files or the directory are corrupt and unreadable.

I am good with following step by step directions, but I don't understand the "Tech Speak" up there^^ that I would like to try! lol

If some of my files are "locked"...how can I get to that list, step by step, so that I can see that? And perhaps fix the issue.

Any directions would be most helpful and appreciated!! Thanks!

If you have an apple computer, it's quite simple. Type 'Terminal' in spotlight, click on the Terminal application and simply type in the code Joe Eversole so kindly posted here. (But only post the first line of the code!)

Thank you so much for solving this problem..!!