What is "safe mode" and how do I fix it?

Question

Level 1

9 points

What is "safe mode" and how do I fix it?

Ever since a recent update of iTunes, I get the following message every time I launch iTunes:

*iTunes is running in safe mode.*
*Visual and device plug-ins you have installed have been temporarily disabled.*

Great, but I have no recollection of ever having installed any "visual or device plug-ins" for iTunes. Where would I find these so I can rip them out?

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 10, 2010 12:21 PM

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Answer 1

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Apr 10, 2010 12:28 PM in response to macswe

hmm ... _*safe mode*_ is usually employed as a means to troubleshoot Mac OS. did you by any chance hit the "Shift" key during sartup ?

only other reference to +iTunes safe mode+ i could dig up is this rather old article: http://tech.kateva.org/2008/07/itunes-keyboard-shortcuts-safe-mode.html.

J GG

edited by the Jolly Green Giant (where Green stands for environmentally friendly)

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Answer 2

Limnos

Level 10

411,217 points

Apr 10, 2010 12:30 PM in response to macswe

As Jolly Giant suggests, you may have accidentally started your computer in Safe Mode. Did it take a long time to start up, perhaps with an added message? Restarting normally should restore things to usual.

Safe mode disables plugins and iTunes probably uses a bunch to keep you connected to its online services.

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Answer 3

Apr 10, 2010 12:38 PM in response to macswe

iTunes "safe mode" is used to diagnose problems caused by external plug-ins. Normally, safe mode is invoked on a Mac by launching iTunes while holding down the command + option keys. If it consistently launches in safe mode, you might have some stuck keys on your keyboard. Otherwise, I have no idea why this keeps happening. Try rebooting your Mac.

FYI, the plug-ins are found in your user account/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins folder.

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Answer 4

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Apr 10, 2010 12:50 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

you live and learn, sir 😉

strangely, google didn't bring anything up for me. is there an Apple KB on the issue ?

J GG

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Answer 5

Limnos

Level 10

411,217 points

Apr 10, 2010 12:52 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

Thanks Jim, new one on me! 🙂

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Answer 6

Apr 10, 2010 1:07 PM in response to Jolly Giant

I haven't found a kb article. The safe mode is referenced at the bottom of the iTunes Help menu > Keyboard Shortcuts page.

Also see: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10368618-263.html

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Answer 7

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Apr 10, 2010 1:13 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

great stuff, thanks !

definitely worth a solved (if i was the OP) 😀

J GG

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Answer 8

macswe Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 2, 2011 11:34 PM in response to macswe

I'm going to throw the best post a bone for all the work put into it. But in reality, I forgot about this issue ever having been posted here -- the message went away by itself, and I never did anything either to cause or resolve it.

To answer an earlier question, I'm positive I was not starting my Mac in Safe Mode -- I am fully familiar with what that is and how to use it.

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Answer 9

Mar 24, 2011 6:34 AM in response to macswe

If you had previously put your Mac to sleep using the Alt-Cmd-Eject key combination it's possible that when it wakes up iTunes will think its running in Safe Mode.

This has happened to me when I put the machine to sleep with that key combo and later the machine woke up for a timed Audio Hijack recording event using iTunes.

-Steve

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Answer 10

Mar 24, 2011 10:39 AM in response to Steve Hoge

Sorry, "Alt-Cmd-Eject" should have read "Option-Cmd-Eject" - I'm on a Windows keyboard.

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