iTunes won't add mp4 video files to the library

The fix for me turned out to be re-encoding the video with HandBrake.

I had the same problem but found a solution.

I convert files I want to upload to iTunes to the mp4 (iTunes) format using prism video file converter.

mp4 (iTunes) is an alternative to converting a file to just mp4.

WIth the format mp4 (iTunes) a file uploads happily to iTunes.

I like the mp4 format as it gives good resolution for a low file size.

I tried looking in Home Movies like others suggested, no luck. Then I had a look at the file attributes of the .MP4 files I was trying to import and was surprised to see some of them (the ones that wouldn't import) were set to "Read Only". Unticking the "Read Only" box on their Properties and they imported immediately. Hope this helps someone else, I stumbled upon the solution (for me) purely by chance. Would have been helpful if iTunes had given an error message or something instead of just doing nothing....

Had the same problems with adding videos into itunes, tried different conversions and codecs, file names blah blah blah but they should have played fine in itunes/quicktime. Just turned out the files/folders were marked as read only in Windows. Unclicked that bad boy and then worked fine. Hope that helps someone else.

I'm having similar problems (I'm a PC user). I've noticed that when I have a new .mp4 file it won't import into Itunes. However, after 2-3 days it seems to import just fine. I noticed the "Read Only" trick for a few files but others still leave me perplexed. For example, I have .mp4 files that if I select "open with" iTunes they will play in iTunes but still won't show up in my iTunes library. Does anyone have any solutions for those files that aren't "Read Only" or found in the "Home Video" list?

Thanks!

Phil507 wrote:

Does anyone have any solutions for those files that aren't "Read Only" or found in the "Home Video" list?

I have encountered the same problem, all with video files I rendered using Premiere Pro CS6 on Windows 7 (Mac is probably the same). There are actually two aspects:

(1) Some mp4 video files *will* import to iTunes, but will not sync to my iPad 3 (tested in iTunes 11.0.5.5 on both Win7 and Mac OS X 10.8.4)

(2) Some mp4 video files will *not* import to iTunes. (tested in iTunes 11.0.5.5 on both Win7 and Mac OS X 10.8.4)

In neither case is there any error -- it just silently fails to perform the expected function.

The files in question are all H.264 MP4, including 1080p/24, 1080p/30, and NTSC widescreen -- 720 x 480 @ 29.97 fps. The NTSC file uses a Main@L3.1 format profile, some speculated a format profile of 4.1 and higher caused the problem -- apparently not the case.

I have other files I rendered similarly, yet they work. In general files with higher bitrates tend to fail import or fail to sync, but the above NTSC file failed and it's only 6.1 mbps.

I found two export presets which seem to always work: H.264 720p/30 (1280 x 720 @ 29.97 fps), and the Premiere Pro H.264 preset: H.264, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone 4 and newer -- 960 x 540 29.97. I used 10 mbps on the 720p file and 6 mbps on the "Apple TV" file, and they both imported and sync'd to my iPad 3 OK.

I hate having to do multiple exports for the same project, and need a common high-def video file format suitable for both uploading to Youtube and syncing to an iPad.

This is frustrating since the iPad 3 and later support H.264 1080p/30 video in .mp4 format, but there's some problem whereby certain .mp4 files will not import to iTunes or will import but won't sync. iPad 3 Tech Specs: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP647

There is obviously code within iTunes that is checking *specific* characteristics of the video file and rejecting the import or sync. Unfortunately it doesn't tell us why it's failing.

Exactly the same solution for me (Itunes 11.1.0.126, Windows 8). "Just doing nothing" is an apt description.

OMG this solved everything for me! You are my saviour!

That worked! The video added no problem!

iTunes version 11.1.11

You are my hero!!!!!

The simplest solution and it worked!!!! Thx

thanxs man

This worked fantasitic on multiple .mp4 I was having issues with. Thanks!

I was having trouble with a few not working also and realized that the file itself was read only. Unchecking that allowed iTunes to load .mp4s. Every other program would open them and play them but not iTunes. Go file properties and uncheck read only.

Not sre if this is covered but I converted a Youtube video to MP4 then kept trying repeatedly to add it to Itnes. I finally discovered it was adding each time....to Movies. This is never explained so hopefully you will find them there.

Thank you so much Hardlupodd! Thank goodness I read this before taking the time to convert the file formats!