Error (-50) appeared when downloading video

If anyone is still having this issue, try(PC Windows 7) searching for the download name, for instance if you get the error on South Park, search "South Park". It'll probably come up with a few but one should be in the itunes file "Downloads". in this file you will see a list of items that appear on your download screen. Find the one, or more, that arn't working, right click, and click delete/remove. This clears it from your HD, this should,if not will, work. You can just go to whatever the item is listed and redownload it or check for downlaods to get it to reappear on your list. In regards to if you have multiple downloads throwing erros, uninstall and ensure your itunes is unblocked, this will make you reinstall, if you will, all your songs/movies/etc... back to it, but you won't throw another stupid error.

In regards to Marc, I always thought you had to directly download from an iTunes server? For the cause of viruses, and such to your computer. If i'm not mistaken, in the EULA Terms... it says cleary you "shouldn't" download from third party software. Unless I misunderstand you. My advice, don't use third party software for any downloads that directly relate to Itunes Store/android market, this case is because these third parties have no reason they can't take your info, which is why these stores exsist so you can get your movies and games from secure/safe downloadable content.

Hope this helps everyone with this issue,

~Tyler~🙂

Hi Tyler,

I use iTunes for downloading my purchases on iTunes. What I noticed is, that in the end the content is downloaded by iTunes from Akamai servers (which makes sense, since such content has to be distributed). At that point I had no idea what it could be so I went into every direction.

Anyhow, I solved this issue in my case: it was the router I got from my ISP.

I had the same download problems with Mac OS 10.7.3. This could not be installed via "Software Update". In contrast to iTunes content there are direct download links to the OS update. I downloaded it three times and three times I got a file with the same size but different MD5 sums.

After disabling the routing functionality and connecting directly, all downloads succeeded. So, now I have a separate modem and another router between my network and my ISP (see 10.7.3 update - checksum error).

One thing, though. After modifying your network setup you have to restart your downloads completely. That means you have to do the "remove the download, clean your temp folder, spit three times and whatnot" - ritual mentioned before, since the part you already downloaded might be corrupted already.

Best Regards,

Marc

Message was edited by: Marc Winkens (added cleanup)

For those with this error/ problem, my solution was to change the location of the itunes media folder (preferences>advanced) to the hard drive. I typically have my music on an external drive connected to my airport extreme.

Everytime I ran into this error, I switched from my networked attached external drive to my hard drive's itunes music folder and was able to download my purchased music with no issue.

Just tonight, I purchased 6 songs. 2 downloaded fine, the other 4 came up with the -50 error. I switched to my HD's itunes music folder and the other four downloaded with no issue.

A bit of a pain to copy the music back to my external, but a solution for me nonetheless.

This happens to me all the time, but only when I try and download episodes of a TV show out of order. So if I try pausing the downloads of episodes 1-10 but allow the download of episode 11, the -50 error is guaranteed. The only way round it is to just allow iTunes to do its three-at-a-time thing from the beginning of the series. Takes several days to get to the episode I actually want to see, which isn't ideal. Apple really needs to sort this out and quit putting everyone on the ineffective tech support merry-go-round.

I had bought every season of Psych back on February 19 since they were on sale. I had one episode in season one that would not download. I probably tried downloading it 20 times in the last week alone and each time it failed. It would get to 10MB downloaded and restart four times before failing.

The episode finally downloaded successfully all on it's own tonight. I'm watching it now.

I have had Time Warner for years. My internet connection was always 10mbps/512kpbs. I recently decided to upgrade to 50mbps/5mbps so I can upload faster to YouTube. When I did so I started immediately having -50 errors with iTunes where before I didn't. These errors didn't even occur with my router hooked up before, but now they do. I've found they happen with more frequency if my Avast! Internet Security is turned on. When Avast! is turned off it's a crap shoot as to whether the -50 error happens, but it does happen and it's getting frustrating. I have yet to try without my Cisco E2000 router (wired connection). Disconnecting and going direct will be what I try next.

The Apple support database says it occurs when there is a timeout connecting to the server. However, the download is receiving data at a fast clip and writing constantly when the error pops up, which doesn't make sense to me unless the timeout for a connection is a fraction of a second. In a day and age when p2p technology is foolproof and the Apple iCloud service, I find having to delete my download files and retry a bit flimsy a fix on Apple's part. I know they can do better. If it's a server timeout then software needs to be altered to allow for those timeouts, not just ruin the whole download and have to start over. If free p2p apps can resume flawlessly then surely Apple can fix this problem.

It's disappointing.

Just for more edification, in trying to download a TV show episode (in this case, MAD, the cartoon, Season 2, Ep. 1, a 12-minute episode, about 350MB):

On my 12-core tower, Time Warner Ultra Fast Wideband (up to 50 Mbps), ethernet connection, external drive - no luck.

On my 12-core tower, Time Warner Ultra Fast Wideband (up to 50 Mbps), ethernet connection, internal drive - no luck.

On my MacBook Air, Verizon High Speed, Wi-Fi connection (0.55 Mbps), external drive - no luck.

On my MacBook Air, Verizon High Speed, Wi-Fi connection (0.55 Mbps), internal drive - seems to work.

So, my question is: huh?

Update with itunes 10.6 on windows 7: I have this issue only when i'm trying to play and download at the same time. Seems to me like itunes doesn't make the difference between network disconnection and a busy hard drive. This could be resolve by a better ram buffering on the downloads.

TooDarkPark - that describes my situation perfectly. 10MB point it resets - probably a few times before I eventually get the error. It never goes past 10.1MB.

It seems you had to wait several weeks and I may have to as well. I have exhausted everything except email/phone support... it looks like I may have to wait too.

One episode in the middle of a season missing is annoying to say the least.

This fix works about 80% of the time:

If you encounter this issue while accessing iTunes Store:

See iTunes 9: "One Moment Please" or "Error (-50)" message when accessing iTunes Store

If you encounter this issue while while downloading something from the iTunes Store:

Delete your iTunes Downloads folder, located in:

Mac OS X:
 ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Downloads Note: "iTunes Media" may appear as "iTunes Music. Also, the tilde (~) refers to your Home directory.

Windows Vista:
 \Users\username\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Downloads\

Windows 7:
 \Users\username\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Downloads\

Windows XP:
 \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Downloads\

After locating your iTunes Downloads folder:

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Delete the Downloads folder on your computer.
3. Open iTunes.
4. Choose Store > Check for Available Downloads.
5. Enter your account name and password.

If you encounter this issue while while downloading Digital Copies using Windows:

Use MSCONFIG (directions for Windows XP and Windows Vista/Windows 7) to disable conflicting software.

If using MSCONFIG steps resolves the issue, you may want to use the System Configuration Utility to turn on the third-party System Services and Startup Items one at a time (restarting your computer after turning on the item or items) to identify which System Service or Startup Item is causing the conflict.

You can turn all of them back on by selecting the Normal Startup option under the General tab of the System Configuration Utility window, but please note that this may cause the issue to reoccur.

If you are able to isolate the issue to a particular third-party software, you may wish to contact them to let them know of the conflict.

From Advanced iTunes Store Troubleshooting

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3297

Had the exact same problem as everyone else. Fortunately, I have access to multiple broadband accounts with different ISPs and was able to resolve it by starting the file with one account, pausing the dowload, connecting to another (much slower) account and resuming. Bypassed the problem area of the file, paused the download again, then reconnected to the faster account and resumed.

Apple, if you're reading this, know that I'll not be using your service ever again and regret having done so in the first place.

Actually I have two different services at home, too, and it seemd to make no difference, ither service, external or internal drive, Mac Pro 12 core Tower or Macbook Air. I noticed certain times of the day (for me in NYC, 2 or 3am) seemed to work better, but it was never foolproof.

Funnily enough, the best luck I had in the last few weeks was in a hotel in Bermuda.

So, either it's completely random, or it points to problems waaay downstream, like the files themselves, or the servers. Certain "problematic" files (a bunch of "Fringe" episodes) seemd to finally come through while in Bermuda, but the Extras reel that came with "Thor" is still stuck out there.

The promise and theory is great, the implementation, not so much. Please either fix or give us more info, I'm always willing to claim Operator Error! 🙂

Ok, after troubleshooting this for awhile I decided to eliminate my router from the equation and run direct from the cable modem. Before doing this I was trying everything... shutting off my firewall, verified the ports were being allowed through the router, etc.. and I was getting -50 errors like you wouldn't believe. After removing my router I was able to download my first download fully, but I still got a -50 error on my second download--which may just be botched cache/warnings causing a stopping point. My third download completed normally. UPDATE - After clearing my cache and warnings, all the rest of my episodes downloaded without issues. Luck? You be the judge. lol

My opinion... The trouble is at least partially the cause of the iTunes server and client code, which could be done so much better than it is. In this day and age, downloads that don't auto-recover seamlessly is shoddy programming and unacceptable.

For the PC - A naked connection, no firewall and FAT32 hard drive is probably the best option for consistent downloads without the dreaded error -50.

Agreed. Also, I just don't think we should have to do SO much tech troubelshooting and maintenance. I mean, we're all used to a little, of course. But wow, dismantling our connections, playing with routers, setting up alternate networks with no firewall, etc. etc. - most of us probably have pretty busy lives already. Whew!

It's great, though, that so many of you guys are willing to at least take the (additional) time and write downstuff to help others, so thanks all for that!

Still getting -50 errors, but not near as much as I was; at least I have a pretty good chance now of getting a complete episode before it tanks. What's disappointing is the iTunes way of watching shows and getting music is so convenient. I hope Apple fixes their issues eventually. If there was an alternative, I'd be inclined to use it.