Ever since I updated my iTunes to the new version yesterday, it keeps freezing. I can play a few songs but it will always freeze in the middle or toward the end of a song and then you can't bring it back to life. When you force quit on cntrl-alt-delete it shows that iTunes is not responding. This happened a number of times on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Windows, Windows 10
Same challenge.
I am on a Win 11 desktop. I have spent a lot of time narrowing down what drives the freeze. This is what I have sound so far. As a note, I had both the Microsoft team and Apple Support teams screen share and watch what was happening and what caused iTunes to freeze. As usual, they both blame each other.
My iTunes 12.12.9.4 app freezes when:
I can play all songs on the apple platform with no issues. I can play all my songs in my iTunes library once the app is restarted and I don't add any new songs.
The bottom line: The iTunes app freezes if you add a new song to your library from their platform.
I also have no problems with adding songs through Apple Music from my iPhone or iPad. This appears to be an issue limited to iTunes 12.12.9.4
All other apps and software on my Win 11 machine run as normal even after the iTunes app is frozen.
I have uninstalled, cleared all apple entries and have the same result. When trying to downgrade, the upgrade will not proceed due to the library. itl file requiring the most current version (12.12.9.4) to access and finish installing. We are stuck using other apple devices to add music until they debug and update this more current release with iTunes.
Latest freeze - looked at Task manager 'Details' in Windows and found 'One or more threads of iTunes are waiting to finish network I/O' so assume something related to getting data from the cloud. It seemed to happen randomly when moving from one playlist to another.
Hi @Chris_2023
I am thinking I may try that as well and saving my current iTunes Library.itl to .old and downgrading to an earlier version allowing the system to create a new .itl.
Which version of iTunes did you downgrade to and have you had a chance to test adding and deleting files outside of your library?
I spent a few hours on this today with Apple technical support. I did not come away with a solution, but I did learn that this issue had only been logged once before in their issues database. So it's now doubled.
I also learned that it takes a large number of users to identify an issue thru tech support before it gets visibility with Engineering.
It was also clear that our Support Community discussions were not impacting any of this.
The tech that I spoke to wanted to get into deep Problem Determination with me on my system, but I did not have the time to do reinstalls and set up shadow libraries etc. Tried to argue that the issue is pervasive and should be recreated in a lab.
Hope this input helps and provides thoughts on next steps.
Vera, please see my post about my discussion with Apple technical support yesterday. If we want them to pay attention we need to raise the issue through their support organization. The Community is not sufficient. It took me over an hour yesterday but I think it was a worthwhile investment to bring visibility to what we are all dealing with.
I've had this issue for years. Literally started 5-6 years ago, and itunes would freeze completely needing a force close, only when I played a movie.
Now today, I thought I'd listen to some music on it, and opened it up for the first time in years. Upgraded to new version. And freeze almost immediately, just browsing the options in the tool bar.
Been happening to me for many months too. Not a laptop memory issue as far as I can see, and have the same issue even after upgrading to a new laptop. As others mentioned, often happens when trying to build a playlist. Songs keep playing on iTunes, but iTunes won't respond to anything, so have to cancel task. Using Windows 11. Using iTunes 12.13.0.9, which I downloaded from Microsoft.
I've reported freezing issues, and it's been happening for quite some time, probably over a year now. I'd increased memory and even purchased a new laptop as well as trying all the suggested workarounds, but it still happens.
A further action that will gaurantee a freeze for me is if I add a song to a playlist after starting itunes on Win11.
Ctrl-Alt-Delete to cancel the task is used numerous times per session.
June 2024. Freezes every time I move a song into any playlist or move a song, I paid for above another. It's not my pc, it's not my malware, it's not me at all. They constantly will say it's us.
I've spent thousands on my collection and that's the only reason I can't go elsewhere.
Not trying to slam iTunes but there is no excuse for this constant freezing.
Only solution
turn off pc-restart or end task in taskbar manager. Every time I move a song into any playlist.
SIGH.
I am experiencing the exact same problem. Win 11, or Win 10. I will have to downgrade as this is unacceptable.
Me too. I can't even build a playlist without it freezing and having to force quit. Constantly freezing up.
Why isn't anyone from Apple/iTunes replying on this one? It's obviously a widespread issue. It needs a fox - PRONTO!
Update: I've switched to Spotify.
So having said that 12.12.10.1 (Windows 11) seemed OK, as soon as I upgraded to the new version 12.13.0.9 it froze almost immediately and has frozen since. So a backward step for me...
same issue, 1st time I add to a playlist it freezes. When I reatart, the 2nd time I can sometimes add multiple songs.
I've had this same issue. I tried downgrading but then got an error message about the older version of iTunes unable to access my .itl file because it was made with a newer version of iTunes.
Anyone have an idea how to access my iTunes library .itl file with an older version of iTunes? Thanks for all recommendations! Can I just rename it and a new iTunes Library.itl file would be created with the older version?
My iTunes 12.9.4 keeps freezing
