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User profile for user: danbrice
danbrice Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

iTunes for Windows 10 does not start

iTunes was working fine for many weeks until I tried to start it today and it wouldn't start.


I installed it from the Windows Store, iTunes version 12123.5.56009.0


I tried:

  • Ending the process from Task Manager (but it wasn't running)
  • Restarting the PC
  • Start iTunes using "Run as Administrator", which gives me the dialog with the Restrictions settings but closes iTunes after I click Ok.
  • Under app settings turn off iTunes Mobile Device Helper, restart PC.
  • Under app settings clicking "Repair"
  • Under app settings clicking "Reset", then a restart. When I tried to open it I was presented with the Accept Terms Dialog, but once accepting that, iTunes closes and is not running.
  • Uninstalling, PC Restart, Installing again from Microsoft Store
  • Uninstalling, completely deleting <home>\My Music\iTunes folder, Installing again from Microsoft Store, PC Restart
  • Uninstalling, following directions from Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Wi… - Apple Community to remove everything apple related (except iCloud Drive, as I didn't want to uninstall that), then installing an old version found on that page: iTunes 12.9.1.4 for Windows (64-bit), PC Restart, still had the same behavior (I could get it to show the Accept Terms Dialog but once I accept, iTunes shuts down). Followed the same instructions to remove everything again, then installed from Microsoft Store again, same issue iTunes won't start.
  • Under app settings tried clicking "Repair" and "Reset" again
  • Turned off wifi (i.e. no internet access) and tried starting iTunes
  • Looked in the Windows System Even viewer, didn't see anything in there each time I try to start iTunes.
  • Windows Update says I'm up to date


Is there any log I can check to diagnose this problem further, or anything else I should try?


I'm glad to see there is a web version of apple music now, but I'm keen to get the Windows App working.


Thanks,

Dan.

Posted on Mar 23, 2022 2:07 AM

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User profile for user: danbrice
danbrice Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Posted on Mar 23, 2022 12:01 PM

Thanks turingtest2, here's what I tried, I had success on step 3:


  1. Shift + Control click to open iTunes - that just took me to the Restrictions settings page, I clicked Ok and it quit.
  2. Shift click to open iTunes - it asked me to pick a new library folder, I created a new one (even though the existing folder was empty, so maybe this step didn't make any difference as iTunes promptly quit anyway after I did this.
  3. Control click to open iTunes - at this point iTunes actually did open and I was able to sign in with my apple id. I got the purple "apple music, we've run into a problem" dialog which doesn't close when you click Ok, but does when you click the X. Then I was able to use iTunes as per normal. On restarting iTunes I saw the "apple music we've run into a problem" dialog again, but then on the third restart of iTunes I didn't see that dialog and iTunes appears to be running fine now.


So I think Control Click did the trick.


Thanks,

Dan.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: danbrice
danbrice Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Mar 23, 2022 12:01 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks turingtest2, here's what I tried, I had success on step 3:


  1. Shift + Control click to open iTunes - that just took me to the Restrictions settings page, I clicked Ok and it quit.
  2. Shift click to open iTunes - it asked me to pick a new library folder, I created a new one (even though the existing folder was empty, so maybe this step didn't make any difference as iTunes promptly quit anyway after I did this.
  3. Control click to open iTunes - at this point iTunes actually did open and I was able to sign in with my apple id. I got the purple "apple music, we've run into a problem" dialog which doesn't close when you click Ok, but does when you click the X. Then I was able to use iTunes as per normal. On restarting iTunes I saw the "apple music we've run into a problem" dialog again, but then on the third restart of iTunes I didn't see that dialog and iTunes appears to be running fine now.


So I think Control Click did the trick.


Thanks,

Dan.

Reply
User profile for user: turingtest2
turingtest2
User level: Level 10
274,806 points

Mar 23, 2022 7:10 AM in response to danbrice

Looks like you've tried some of these already, but review the list before we try to look elsewhere.


If iTunes is apparently installed correctly try the following in turn until iTunes opens/closes/reopens/connects to the store normally:


  • Remove any SD card that might be in a card reader.
  • Exit the BTTray.exe Bluetooth utility if installed.
  • Locate the shortcut for iTunes, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator. Doing this once may fix certain launch issues. Some users were finding that with the 12.6.1.25 build, for example, they had to use this method every time and modified the shortcut accordingly.
  • Try holding ctrl+shift as you launch iTunes so it opens in safe-mode. Again doing this once may sometimes help.
  • Try disconnecting your computer from the Internet before running iTunes.
  • Delete the iTunes shortcuts from the start menu, desktop, task bar, or similar, then repair iTunes from the programs and features control panel.
  • Try Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support (document retired, archived copy) and test the behaviour in a different user profile or with a different library. If the problem only exists in your profile it may be possible to delete some of the iTunes preference files which it would seem that iTunes may be choking on. We can go into details later if the issue is limited to your own profile.
  • Temporarily disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus and see if that has any impact on the behaviour.
  • See the second box in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for detailed tear down and rebuild advice. Disable any non-Microsoft anti-virus software when reinstalling and run the installer as the administrator.
  • If you installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store you may find the traditional iTunesSetup.exe installer works better for you, or vice versa.
  • Or see the iTunes installers section of the troubleshooting tip and reinstall the last version that worked correctly for you. Links to the latest builds are now at the very bottom of the user tip.


tt2

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iTunes for Windows 10 does not start

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