Can't preview some songs in iTunes Store

Since the last iTunes update (12.12.9.4) I haven't been able to play song previews either - Windows 11 laptop.

I have: restarted the computer, reinstalled the program, disabled Apple Music, reset my router, tried from another location, tried it with a VPN, tried it without a VPN, turned off the firewall, turned on the firewall, disabled anti virus, enabled anti virus, had a friend try on their computer (didn't work for them either), had the friend sign out and sign in as me (didn't work), I signed in as a friend (didn't work), signed in on another computer (didn't work), had a friend use their OLD non-12.12.9.4 version of iTunes - and it worked.

It is an iTunes problem.

Most new albums will not preview. You can still preview any album without an Apple Music account at https://music.apple.com/us/browse?l=en-US but only one track at a time, not all tracks consecutively. They could fix it if they want - they probably think they can make more money with streaming than they can with downloading - or at least better margin. They must be trying to get people to stream - but as a DJ who values his existing library/playlists over streaming platforms and their clunky algorithms that frankly miss the point for many listeners, it'll never be worth it for me to only stream.

My engineers have reported that this issue has been resolved now. 

Please make sure you have update your software (run backup first to prevent data loss). 

See the following Apple articles:

Check the status of your network on Mac

Check the status of your network on Mac - Apple Support

You need to have a good Service and/or Wi-Fi.

If they are On, turn Off Hotspot & VPN.

Charge the battery > 70%.

Turn Off VPN, see -> Change VPN settings on Mac

Change VPN settings on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Make sure you don't have a firewall enabled: Change Firewall settings on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi

If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi - Apple Support

If you can't connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services

If you can't connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services - Apple Support

👉 If you tried all of the above steps and you still can’t connect, contact Apple Support.

I just spent half an hour walking through configuration changes, then finally uninstalling iTunes and reinstalling per the technician's request. It made no difference. Still can't preview most of the new albums. Digging on my own, I found if the album information displays the block with "Apple Digital Master", then it almost never allows the preview. However, it will let you purchase the song from an "Apple Digital Master" without displaying the verification window!

I've also discovered it won't allow me to access the "Complete My Album" function. I think they either released a bugged up version of iTunes, or they're trying to push you to an Apple Music subscription.

Windows 10, 64bit environment.

it seems to be an iTunes issue I Calle another friend of mine an they are having the same issue. It seems to be effecting certain releases after July 23,2023. I have been on the phone with apple three different times

hopefully they will fix it meanwhile if you have a Iphone you can preview there.

You might be right - it may be something that they just haven't figured out how to fix yet. But if a similar problem was happening on their streaming platform, they would find the resources and expertise to get it fixed ASAP.

Yes it's just affecting tracks and albums randomly, but they're all newly posted/uploaded albums.

I don't think it's a conspiracy - I just think it's not a priority for them right now to fix it - especially if it means people will just throw in the towel and start streaming instead. Most listeners need to preview a track before they buy it and don't have time to listen to whole albums and whole songs to figure out what they want to buy.

Songs can still be previewed on their streaming app without a subscription, but just one 30/90 second song sample at a time. You can't "preview all" with one click. Not ideal, but I'm willing to do that. I can't stand streaming algorithms and how much crap you have to listen to until you hear something you like when streaming.

There are also online DJ stores with ways to preview songs - and not always just the 30 or 90 second segments and not purely dance music either. There are other options, but iTunes preview was always the most consistent, reliable way to do it. Not anymore.

I can confirm this for me too - albums with "Apple Digital Master" won't preview, but ones without that designation will.

Check the network connection of your Window laptop.

This has been getting progressively worse over the last few months to the point where I cannot preview 80% of new music on itunes now. Historical music no problems. Have spent hours speaking to apple support, updating, reinstalling, restarting to no avail. Spoke so some senior advisor on Wednesday who said they would get back to me within a week! Very frustrating. They admitted it was a an Apple problem.

This is definitely an apple/itunes store issue. Any songs after July 2023, you can not sample before purchasing. I have a new macbook pro 16" (OS Ventura version 13.0) and no matter who you talk to at Apple (senior or otherwise)- they cant' figure it out. Upgrading your OS or restarting your computer does nothing except waste your time. I see that many people/forums that are having this issue and apple has yet to fix it. They are losing money by not letting you sample the song first. Apple - come on now. Work on this please.

I received this

My engineers have reported that this issue has been resolved now. 

Please make sure you have update your software (run backup first to prevent data loss). 

I am having the exact same problem and I really need to be able to preview songs as I have a radio show. Every upgrade to my Mac seems to cause another problem. I know your frustration - hopefully Apple will fix this issue. You and I know that it's not an internet connectivity problem.

Me too - its almost every new song in the library - old songs come up to preview just fine so absolutely not a connectivity issue. Apple has got to be losing money - previewing is how i decide which songs to buy.

I'm having the same problem with new songs not playing a preview in the iTunes store. I have a brand new MacBook Air M2 running Ventura 13.4, so I know it's not my computer, and it's not my wifi signal because, as others have mentioned, I can play older song previews just fine. It's to point where iTunes is useless for previewing new music since most of the Top200 songs won't play.