iTunesHelper Is Not On My Computer

Question

Level 1

8 points

iTunesHelper Is Not On My Computer

My iPod touch will not sync or even be recognized in iTunes. I found that iTunesHelper.exe is not installed on my computer. Is it possible to redownload it without reinstalling iTunes?

Windows Vista

Posted on Feb 11, 2010 4:36 PM

Reply

Answer 1

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 12, 2010 12:01 PM in response to rdmarino

I found that iTunesHelper.exe is not installed on my computer. Is it possible to redownload it without reinstalling iTunes?

Have you tried a repair install of iTunes?

Restart the PC. Don't open any applications. Now head into your Uninstall a program control panel, select iTunes and then click the Repair link.

Does the repair install go through okay? If so, do you have an iTunesHelper back?

Reply

Answer 2

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2010 12:22 PM in response to b noir

I have actually tried that, after completely removing and reinstalling everything twice. No luck either. It *****, I can't even sync my iPod without it. :/

Reply

Answer 3

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 12, 2010 12:24 PM in response to rdmarino

Hmmm. Do you get any error messages when you launch iTunes, or start the computer, about iTunesHelper? If so, what do they say? (Precise text, please.)

Reply

Answer 4

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2010 1:14 PM in response to b noir

I was getting an error message before I reinstalled iTunes, but I don't anymore. Now I just can't sync anymore. It has to be for a fact that it's an error with iTunesHelper because that's what allows my iPod to communicate and show up on iTunes, right?

Reply

Answer 5

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 12, 2010 1:26 PM in response to rdmarino

It allows iTunes to launch if an iPod is connected. But a lot of the recognition is also handled by the iPod Service and/or the Apple Mobile Device Service.

Can you check something for me please?

Right-click your Task Bar and select "Task Manager". Go to the Processes tab. Click "Image name" to sort the processes alphabetically.

Is iTunesHelper.exe showing up in the list of processes?

Reply

Answer 6

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 13, 2010 7:15 PM in response to b noir

Yes...

Reply

Answer 7

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 13, 2010 7:48 PM in response to rdmarino

Okay. You do definitely have an iTuneshelper on the PC then.

We'd better start checking to see if there's an issue with Apple Mobile Device Support on the PC.

Quit iTunes if you have it open. Unplug any ipod if you have one connected.

In your Start menu, right-click "Computer" and select "Manage". Expand Services & Applications" and click on "Services". Maximise the window to better see what's going on.

Do you see an "Apple Mobile Device Service" in the list of Services? If so, does its Startup type show as "Automatic" and its Status show as "Started"?

Reply

Answer 8

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 14, 2010 7:30 AM in response to b noir

Yes...

Reply

Answer 9

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 14, 2010 9:36 AM in response to rdmarino

Okay. Let's try stopping and then restarting the Service. Any better recognition after restarting the Apple Mobile Device Service?

Reply

Answer 10

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2010 5:55 PM in response to b noir

No luck 😟
I've tried that like a million times. And I've restarted every other running Apple service multiple times.

Reply

Answer 11

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 15, 2010 6:01 PM in response to rdmarino

Okay. Try posting your iPod/iPhone connection diagnostics for us. Open iTunes, connect the Touch, Go "Help > Run diagnostics", click "Next" and then click "Next" again. Paste the contents of the diagnostics into a reply here.

Reply

Answer 12

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 17, 2010 12:48 PM in response to b noir

Microsoft Windows Vista x64 x64 Home Premium Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 6002)
HP-Pavilion KQ505AA-ABA m8517c
iTunes 9.0.3.15
QuickTime 7.6.5
FairPlay 1.6.16
Apple Application Support 1.1.0
iPod Updater Library 9.0d11
CD Driver 2.2.0.1
CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1
Apple Mobile Device 2.6.0.32
Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.45.0.0
Bonjour 1.0.6.2 (118.5)

iTunes Serial Number EFE335E ***7EE

Current user is an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2010-02-17 14:29:49.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.

Video Display Information

Intel Corporation, Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family

** External Plug-ins Information **

Plug-in Name: Last.fm AudioScrobbler
Plug-in Loaded: Yes
Plug-in Version: 0.0.2
Plug-in File Version: 3.0.2.0
Plug-in Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\Plug-ins\itw_scrobbler.dll

Genius ID: e9d18220774ada901a8d85aeffcb070e

** Network Connectivity Tests **

Network Adapter Information

Adapter Name: {DB76914A-362F-4EB4-8F15-832E5B3FBC01}
Description: Realtek RTL8168C(P)/8111C(P) Family PCI-E GBE NIC
IP Address: 192.168.2.5
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
DHCP Enabled: No
DHCP Server:
Lease Obtained: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 18:00:00 1969

DNS Servers: 68.87.68.166
68.87.68.166
68.87.74.166

Active Connection: LAN Connection
Connected: Yes
Online: Yes
Using Modem: No
Using LAN: Yes
Using Proxy: No
SSL 3.0 Support: Enabled
TLS 1.0 Support: Disabled

Firewall Information

Windows Firewall is off.

Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.
Connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
Secure connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
Secure connection attempt to iPhone activation server was successful.
Last successful store access was 2010-02-17 14:28:39.

** iPod/iPhone Connectivity Tests **

iPodService 9.0.3.15 is currently running.
iTunesHelper 9.0.3.15 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device service 2.50.39.0 is currently running.

Universal Serial Bus Controllers:

Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2934. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2935. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2936. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2937. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2938. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB Universal Host Controller - 2939. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 293A. Device is working properly.
Intel(R) ICH9 Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 293C. Device is working properly.

FireWire (IEEE 1394) Host Controllers:

AGERE OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller. Device is working properly.

Most Recent Device Not Currently Connected:

iPod touch running firmware version 3.1.2
Serial Number: 1A802 *14N

iPhone 3G running firmware version 3.0
Serial Number: 86906 *Y7H

** iPhone/iPod Touch Sync Tests **

No iPhone or iPod found.

<Edited by Host>

Reply

Answer 13

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 17, 2010 7:10 PM in response to rdmarino

iPodService 9.0.3.15 is currently running.
iTunesHelper 9.0.3.15 is currently running.
Apple Mobile Device service 2.50.39.0 is currently running.

That all looks okay.

Windows Firewall is off.

What make and version of firewall are you running on the PC, rd?

Reply

Answer 14

rdmarino Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 17, 2010 9:25 PM in response to b noir

I'm using the latest version of McAfee Personal Firewall for my firewall. I don't know how to find the exact details though (version, etc.).

Reply

Answer 15

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Feb 17, 2010 9:32 PM in response to rdmarino

Let's first make sure that iTunes is being allowed full access to the internet by your McAfee firewall rule for iTunes.

If it is being allowed full access, try deleting the existing rule and replacing it with a new iTunes rule (allowing full access to the internet). Any impact on the iPhone/iPod recognition?

Reply