Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How do I remove a song from a playlist

I recently copied a number of songs into my iTunes Library. Later I noticed a duplicate file so I deleted one of them using Windows Explorer (iTunes was not running at the time). Now the missing file is showing in several auto play lists with an "!" against it to say the file is missing. How do I remove these entries?


The duplicate file is still there and has a separate entry in the playlist, but obviously I can't go to the library and delete the one that is already deleted.

iPod touch, iOS 4.3.3

Posted on Jul 23, 2011 5:31 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 23, 2011 9:18 PM


I recently copied a number of songs into my iTunes Library. Later I noticed a duplicate file so I deleted one of them using Windows Explorer (iTunes was not running at the time). Now the missing file is showing in several auto play lists with an "!" against it to say the file is missing.

Yes, if you delete the file but don't delete the library entry, the track will show up with a "!" in the library and in each playlist of which the track is a member.


How do I remove these entries?


The duplicate file is still there and has a separate entry in the playlist, but obviously I can't go to the library and delete the one that is already deleted.

Yes you can. If you have duplicate library entries, go to the main Music view, and delete the one with the "!" while keeping the good one.

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 23, 2011 9:18 PM in response to Saturn99


I recently copied a number of songs into my iTunes Library. Later I noticed a duplicate file so I deleted one of them using Windows Explorer (iTunes was not running at the time). Now the missing file is showing in several auto play lists with an "!" against it to say the file is missing.

Yes, if you delete the file but don't delete the library entry, the track will show up with a "!" in the library and in each playlist of which the track is a member.


How do I remove these entries?


The duplicate file is still there and has a separate entry in the playlist, but obviously I can't go to the library and delete the one that is already deleted.

Yes you can. If you have duplicate library entries, go to the main Music view, and delete the one with the "!" while keeping the good one.

Jul 24, 2011 3:26 AM in response to ed2345

I did try that but obviously did not try hard enough. The duplicate track I deleted had no artist in the ID3 tag so I did not find it first time I looked since I went to the artist name and there was only 1 track listed, but I later found it at the bottom of the listing. Partly this is related to my other post since this album has many artists and I am struggling to get it listed as one album without losing the artist info for each track.


Why doesn't iTunes offer a setting to dynamically update the library like all other software I have used with other MP3 players? It makes life much easier if you know everything you add or delete from the folder tree you designate is automatically updated in the library, playlists, and sync options.

Jul 24, 2011 7:16 AM in response to Saturn99


I did try that but obviously did not try hard enough. The duplicate track I deleted had no artist in the ID3 tag so I did not find it first time I looked since I went to the artist name and there was only 1 track listed, but I later found it at the bottom of the listing.

Glad to hear it is fixed.



Why doesn't iTunes offer a setting to dynamically update the library like all other software I have used with other MP3 players? It makes life much easier if you know everything you add or delete from the folder tree you designate is automatically updated in the library, playlists, and sync options.

iTunes, unlike other players, does not have "folder watching" capability," As a result, once a track is in your library, it is best not to directly touch the file, but to do any further changes or removal via iTunes. This has both advantages and disadvantages, but as you correctly observe, is different than many other players and may require getting used to.

How do I remove a song from a playlist

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.