Some iTunes songs missing

I recently got a new computer, moved all my stuff from old to new. But when I try to access my iTunes library, it can't find half the songs I had on my old computer (there were thousands, some downloaded from CDs, some purchased and downloaded from Amazon, some purchased and downloaded from Apple). When I click on Edit/Song Info - it says the "original find could not be found, do you want me to locate it?". When I say yes, it points to an unrelated document file, which makes no sense at all. How can I get my library (and playlists) back, short of re-downloading all my CDs and repurchasing the other items? Frustrated!


Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Oct 29, 2023 6:30 PM

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1 reply

Nov 2, 2023 2:51 AM in response to TigressP81

The first thing to do is see whether the missing songs are on your computer. Use Windows File Explorer to look for any one of the missing songs. The filename of a song is usually the song title (or at least, the filename contains all or part of the song title).


If you do find the file, go back into iTunes and use the "Would you like to locate it it?" (You have to locate it, not iTunes). Then navigate to the correct location. If you successfully locate one track off an album, then iTunes should be able to locate the remainder of that album (it will ask you if you wish to use that location {the same folder} to look for other missing files).


If the songs are not on your new computer, then it sounds as though your copy was unsuccessful. Try again.


If you're still having issues, try to work out what sort of music is missing:

  • Amazon files may be in a different folder (one named Amazon MP3)
  • purchases from the iTunes Store require that your current iTunes is signed into the same Apple account that you used to buy the songs originally
  • CD rips may be in different parent folders as Apple changed the location from iTunes Music folder to the iTunes Media folder. You may also find file for CD rips in My Music\iTunes\Previous iTunes Libraries\iTunes Media\Music. Why? Who knows? All I know is that over the years, my iTunes programme has used all three locations


iTunes is like all other software, is has its quirks and on occasion, it is frustrating (I know).

Some iTunes songs missing

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