Level 1

31 points

iTunes version 12.12.0.6 only works on English-language Windows, crashes on startup when Windows UI is in a different language

As several people (including myself) are currently discussing, the latest iTunes for Windows, version 12.12.0.6, often crashes on startup complaining about missing required files; this only happens with the latest version, and it has been suggested as a temporary fix to install an older one.

After a lot of investigation, it has been discovered that this is a language-related bug: it only happens on non-english systems (Italian and German have been tested); if the Windows UI is in English, iTunes works correctly.

Also, this is specifically related to the Windows UI language: regional settings such as time/date format and keyboard layout don't change the outcome, and selecting any language for iTunes itself during the iTunes setup doesn't affect the issue.

Hope this helps in finding and fixing the bug.

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 6:23 AM

Top-ranking reply

pahill

Level 1

13 points

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 8:08 AM

Note that it's English (United States) that is specifically required as well. The other versions of English also don't work. I have English (United Kingdom) and that won't load either, giving the same error message. I've switched my Win10 20H2 build to English (United States) and am now back in business with this as a workaround until Apple fix this problem and I can switch my language back.

View in context

Similar questions

86 replies

Sep 21, 2021 9:45 PM in response to Chris-Clark

As mentioned several times the only system language not affected by this bug is U.S. English. Install it, set it to default. Takes 3 minutes.

aschb01

Level 1

4 points

Sep 22, 2021 1:41 AM in response to aschb01

12.11.4.15 Version works, too. Apple Software Update has changed to the older version and removed the bad one.

Sep 24, 2021 3:10 AM in response to ofer242

12.12.1 is now available as an update. This one seems to work fine

AcThPaU

Level 1

13 points

Sep 21, 2021 7:35 AM in response to Massimo80

※ Languages in which iTunes currently does not work : Spanish, German, Italian, Korean, French, Japanese, Chinese

Additionally, Korean doesn't work either.

I'm experimenting with major languages(like Spanish, Chinese, etc.) to see if they work.

+ In addition to German, Italian, and Korean, I have confirmed that Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese do not work.

Sep 21, 2021 9:10 AM in response to Massimo80

I'm from Brazil and I'm using Windows 10 and have the same problem with iTunes. I installed iTunes 12.10.11 and it's working for now for now

Sep 22, 2021 12:46 PM in response to Cequela

The link I provided installs an older version so should work. It worked on my laptop. After installation it will prompt you to update to the newest version. Don't.

Massimo80 Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 21, 2021 6:30 AM in response to Scottyboy99

This is possible, I have not tested En-UK. It could be it only works with En-US.

Changing the regional settings is easy, but this seems to be caused by the actual Windows UI language, which can only be changed by installing a language pack.

naywa01

Level 1

4 points

Sep 24, 2021 6:31 AM in response to Cequela

Going from one 12.x release to another should be non-destructive. To restore functionality you can simply reinstall an older version of iTunes and it will pick up the pointer to your .itl library file. Link is here (Apple Support): https://support.apple.com/downloads/itunes

lemarlou

Level 1

8 points

Sep 21, 2021 7:28 PM in response to Massimo80

For now, the best way to solve this problem is to go back to your previous version of iTunes.

Click here and be happy!

https://support.apple.com/downloads/itunes

Sep 23, 2021 3:34 AM in response to PrimeSequence

In case you missed this, it has to be the US version of English for the UI - the UK version, or I think most of the others, won't work.

Sep 26, 2021 10:41 AM in response to MohamedAnis

Hello,

All my language settings, with the exception of the keyboard, which is set to U.S. (English), are set to Canada (English). Two days ago, I once again attempted to install iTunes (with the above language settings) and, what do you know, I had no problems installing iTunes from the Microsoft Store. The version installed is 12.12.1.1 and was identified as an "update". I suggest fiddling with the language settings may be be helpful. Restarting your PC, being patient, and persistent with trying to install from the Microsoft Store, might also be helpful. Good luck.

mr_r0b0t

Level 1

8 points

Sep 21, 2021 9:50 AM in response to Massimo80

You Just have to change the lenguage of the system, just have english installed

hmlai

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2021 2:04 AM in response to aschb01

Yes, I rolled back to 12.11 version and it is fine for Chinese Win 10 now. So do not upgrade to 12.12 if you are using non English Window 10.

Sep 22, 2021 11:05 AM in response to Cequela

This is for a windows install. Uninstall i-tunes after finding it in apps and then download from apple using the following link.

Massimo80 Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 21, 2021 7:04 AM in response to bigklo

Ciao bigklo, al momento non sembra ci sia una soluzione. Cambiare soltanto le impostazioni regionali è inutile, il problema è causato proprio dalla lingua dell'interfaccia di Windows. Sembra sia proprio un bug, quindi possiamo solo aspettare che Apple lo risolva.

Hello bigklo, at the moment there doesn't seem to be any solution. Changing regional settings only is useless, the issue is caused specifically by the Windows UI language. It really seems to be a bug, thus we can only wait for Apple to fix it.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iTunes version 12.12.0.6 only works on English-language Windows, crashes on startup when Windows UI is in a different language