iTunes syncing: unknown error (-50)

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Level 1

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iTunes syncing: unknown error (-50)

Whenever I plug in my iPod Shuffle to sync my music a pop up comes up saying 'iTunes could not copy {song name} to the iPod {iPod name} because an unknown error occured (-50).' It happened after it asked me something to do with iTunes Store purchases that were on my iPod but not on my PC? Thanks in advance

Message was edited by: Nick Bor

Posted on May 17, 2010 9:29 AM

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Answer 1

planb77

Level 7

32,446 points

May 17, 2010 9:39 AM in response to Nick Bor

Hello Nick,
And welcome to Apple Discussions!

Have you had a chance to look at this Apple support document related to this error message? If not, it would be a good place to start.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1539

B-rock

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Answer 2

Nick Bor Author

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8 points

May 17, 2010 9:42 AM in response to planb77

I have, but my operating system is Windows Vista; I tried Solution 1 earlier anyway but it didn't work

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Answer 3

planb77

Level 7

32,446 points

May 17, 2010 9:56 AM in response to Nick Bor

Hmm. Have you tried completing uninstalling and re-installing iTunes using the steps outlined in this Apple support document?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1925

B-rock

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Answer 4

Nick Bor Author

Level 1

8 points

May 17, 2010 11:57 AM in response to planb77

I tried reinstalling but that didn't work. I don't really want to uninstall it completely because I don't want to have to organize my library again. If it's any help I've found that it won't sync only a certain foreign album. If I untick it and have 'Sync only ticked songs' on then everything else syncs fine. Could it be something wrong with the files themselves?

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Answer 5

planb77

Level 7

32,446 points

May 17, 2010 12:04 PM in response to Nick Bor

If it's any help I've found that it won't sync only a certain foreign album. If I untick it and have 'Sync only ticked songs' on then everything else syncs fine. Could it be something wrong with the files themselves

Aha. Could be the missing link here. Were these files imported to iTunes from an outside source or downloaded from the iTunes store?

If they are imported from outside of iTunes, try removing these tracks and re-ripping them if at all possible. What format are they in?

B-rock

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Answer 6

Nick Bor Author

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May 17, 2010 3:22 PM in response to planb77

Still not working, they're MP3 files by the way

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Answer 7

Nick Bor Author

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8 points

Jul 6, 2010 6:10 AM in response to Nick Bor

Just in case anyone else encounters this problem, I (seemingly) managed to fix this problem by unticking the 'Convert higher bit rate songs to 128kbps AAC' box. For some reason certain tracks refusted to sync as 128kbps it seems, or something.

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Answer 8

Jul 15, 2010 4:50 AM in response to Nick Bor

Sounds like fantastic advice. I've been tearing my hair out trying to solve this problem, but tell me, where is this option? I'm running the latest itunes on Windows XP and there's nothing about bitrate that I can see. thanks

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Answer 9

Nick Bor Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 27, 2010 10:52 AM in response to theydonboy

If you click on your iPod under devices (when it's plugged in) it should be one of the check boxes under 'Options'; hope it works for you as I know how frustrating it can be!

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Answer 10

Aug 12, 2010 4:06 AM in response to Nick Bor

I recently activated the option to "convert higher bit rate..." and since have had this problem with a couple tracks. Both involving tracks I ripped from a CD I have. At first it was one track so I deleted it from the playlist to avoid seeing that error every time I synched. Now it's happening with another track from that same playlist.

Guess I'll have to uncheck the "convert..." option. Grrr! It really saved room on my iPhone.

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Answer 11

Aug 27, 2010 8:00 AM in response to ragtagsav

It clearly is the "convert higher bit rate songs to 128 kbps AAC". I have had this problem for some time. However, it's a really nice feature and saves me a lot of space on the iphone. I am assuming it has to with the fact that iTunes cannot convert certain encoders, bit rates etc. Anybody know exactly what is going on here?

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Answer 12

Sep 6, 2010 8:42 AM in response to lostinsweden

I tried experimenting a bit and the problem comes up when one has used "Apple Lossless audio file" encoded with iTunes v4.5. Could be with other encoders and combinations as well but this one clearly doesn't work.

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Answer 13

Sep 13, 2010 3:53 PM in response to Nick Bor

RE: the error -50 issues

Try the solution here: http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-199420-sync-ipod-shuffle

It worked on my sisters' (yes plural) 2nd gen shuffles. Took all of 20 seconds!!!

Message was edited by: vickielayn

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Answer 14

tombcpa

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2011 8:01 PM in response to vickielayn

I have tried all of these solutions.....numerous times. I still get the error message. I think it might be time to use the hammer. That'll fix it. Fix it good. Very frustrating.

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Answer 15

yfaris

Level 1

4 points

Jan 9, 2011 9:02 AM in response to tombcpa

I too have tried every option listed above, as well as every option listed on the Apple support site (and I mean every option)and still no luck. Two things that changed around the time this started happening (can't be sure of sequence of events), 1) installed ITunes 10 (actual version is 10.1.1.4), 2) Installed AirPort Extreme (to send music wirelessly to stereo reciever). Not sure if either of these things are the cause, but are suspects because they were changes about the time it started happening. Also of note, I have no errors synching my older iPod classic(20GB)and no errors synching my iPad, just having the errors with BOTH of my iPod 2nd generation Nanos. Very frustrating.

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