iTunes won't let me add songs to playlists

Question

iTunes won't let me add songs to playlists

Hello,

I am running iTunes 10.0.1 and when I try to add songs to any playlist (whether it is on my computer or on my iPod), I can't add to the list. I tired uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes as well as verifying and repairing permissions. Next step is to try to find an older version of iTunes and install that to see if that will resolve the issue.

Any idea on what might be going on here? The problem seems to have arisen since I updated iTunes....

Thanks!

MBP 2.53 GHz, 4GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 12, 2010 10:34 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 20, 2010 7:52 AM in response to ArcticTeacher

I've just noticed that playlists won't accept songs as you've described. Hasn't been an issue previously. I can select songs and when I drag them over the target playlist, nothing happens. VERY frustrating... all songs are playable and within my iTunes library - SOS

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Answer 2

Nov 20, 2010 8:26 AM in response to ArcticTeacher

Is it a regular playlist or a smart palylist? You can't add songs to a Smart Playlist. The content is governed by the rules you set.

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Answer 3

Nov 20, 2010 8:31 AM in response to Diane Wordsmith

Good question, but these are NOT smart playlists. I've got 300,000 + tracks in my library and use it all the time. Today is the first time I've been frustrated in what I'm calling locked playlists. No logic to it.

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Answer 4

Nov 20, 2010 8:36 AM in response to Gary Apter

Just curious...when viewing the playlist, do you have the column browser turned on? If so, you could be limited the tracks you're able to see within the playlist.

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Answer 5

Nov 20, 2010 11:12 AM in response to Diane Wordsmith

I use list view and use the fields I prefer. None of this is any different than last week. Something has changed. I'm making an appointment at the Boise Apple Genius Bar ASAP - thanx

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Answer 6

Nov 20, 2010 11:22 AM in response to Gary Apter

You might check permissions on your iTunes folder. Make sure it's Read AND Write. Also...unlock the padlock and apply to all enclosed items. Permissions could be off on any individual folder and cause a problem. And repairing permissions will not fix this.

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Answer 7

Nov 20, 2010 11:28 AM in response to Diane Wordsmith

Diane,
Thank you. I think I looked at the iTunes folder within my user name. It shows I have R&W permission. I've got an appointment at 13:30 at the Apple Store. I'll let you know. This one is really annoying. I've got my library (again same as last week) across 2 driver, internal & external. Just using the internal doesn't make any difference. I ran Onyx on permissions & crons and no improvement. Maybe iTunes just doesn't like 300,000 + songs.

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Answer 8

Nov 20, 2010 11:57 AM in response to Gary Apter

You said it shows R&W on permissions. Did you Apply to All Enclosed Items? That could be the key.

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Answer 9

Dec 23, 2010 9:47 PM in response to Gary Apter

Hi Gary -

I just started having this same problem and I can't find the cause/solution anywhere. Did you ever get your issue resolved?

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Answer 10

Fe3C

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2011 8:30 AM in response to lostshepherdess

I had this problem for a year before I got it straightened out. A few discussion groups had mentioned that it was probably a permissions problem but I thought I'd set all of them to read and write...and I had for the "system" and "admin" but the "everyone" category was set to read only for all my folders. Since I'm the only one who uses this computer I changed those to read and write. I changed the permissions on the iTunes application and for all the folders that contained any music I wanted to transfer. That did the trick. You may also have to change the folder that contains your iTunes library.
I also have sharing turned off on this computer, so no one at work can get to my files, so you may want to make sure your computer is secure before you open up all your permissions to read and write.
Hope this helps.

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Answer 11

lorinbk

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2011 9:05 AM in response to ArcticTeacher

Was having this issue, I went in to Preferences>Advanced and unchecked "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library." That fixed it for 1 song. I have my permissions set to read & write. This is seriously annoying.

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Answer 12

Dec 21, 2012 11:34 AM in response to ArcticTeacher

I am seriously upset over this! I can't add anymore songs to my bedtime playlist. I am upgraded to 11.0.1.12. I have 163 tracks and can add nomore. it was 163 when I realised what was happening. I deleted one and that worked - 162, but I just can't add. What gives? Using Windows 8.

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Answer 13

blehFTW

Level 1

0 points

Jan 2, 2014 1:13 AM in response to ArcticTeacher

ok so I had the same problem. The fix for me was right clicking the playlist on the left side of the screen, then selecting the option "edit playlist". After I did this I could add songs then click "done". I hope this helps.

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Answer 14

TLotus

Level 1

0 points

Jan 31, 2015 5:18 AM in response to blehFTW

You, my friend, are a freaking genius. I could KISS you! Totally fixed the problem. Why oh why do Apple change such stupid things Grrrrrr!

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Answer 15

SarahC89

Level 1

0 points

Jun 14, 2015 2:24 PM in response to ArcticTeacher

Okay, so I needed to update my very old Ipod using new Itunes update - all playlist options were grayed out. I went onto my main music home screen and selected 'playlists'. I clicked on one of the playlists already provided and selected 'file' on the top left. It will then let you edit or add a new playlist.I added a new playlist and dragged this into my Ipod folder - didn't think it would work but it let me then drag and drop songs into the folder like normal then sync like normal on the main screen. Hope this helps.

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