iTunes Match error: "The item you have requested is not available for download."
I've seen lots of threads about this topic (going back to 2012 and before), some claiming to have 'solved' it, but no answer is helpful as far as I can see.
Setting
- iTunes library with thousands of songs.
- Lots iTMS bought, lots self ripped from CD and some downloaded through other music services.
- Active iTunes Match account
- Most (99%) of the songs are not stored locally to save HD space
- Play music through iTunes streaming from iTunes Match
Symptoms
- some songs will not play, i.e. are skipped when e.g. playing the full album
- when specifically trying to download or play the skipped song, iTunes gives an error: "The item you have requested is not available for download."
- the 'iCloud Status' column displays nothing next to the affected song, i.e. not 'uploaded' nor 'matched' nor 'Ineligible
- All affected songs were playable in the past
Problem
I have no access to the original CD's anymore and the songs are not available through iTunes (and even if they were, I'm not very willing to pay for them again).
Any suggestions?
MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.14