Why does iTunes keep showing a -54 error when I sync my iPad?

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Level 1

14 points

Why does iTunes keep showing a -54 error when I sync my iPad?

After failed update (OSX 10.7.3) I ended up doing a complete reinstall of OSX 10.7.2 and updated iTunes. Tried to sync iPad but got the error message that it was synced to another computer (it's not) but I guessed this was due to the re-install of the operating system. When first connected I backed up and transferred new purchases. I recovered all the itunes media from the iPad with DiskAid and synced but the following message "...iPad cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred(-54) ." persisted to bounce up until I chose to ignore it and didn't click ok.Stopped bouncing but stayed fixed to the screen and the iPad synced anyway. What do I have to do to make this go away permanantly?

iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Feb 10, 2012 7:52 PM

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Answer 1

enemdee Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 12, 2012 8:35 PM in response to enemdee

Afer a COMPLETE deletion of iTunes followed by another fresh install I still received the error message so figured there must have been something wrong within the iPad & iPhone (I had used TouchCopy for the first time to retrieve the information etc from both) SO with DiskAid I deleted the iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist via the Media/iTunes and the irritatating error went away. I had to do a restore from a previous backup and have resynced everything and it seems to all be working as it should. It all went belly up with the Software Update OSX 10.7.31!

None of what I did may have been correct but it worked for me.

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Answer 2

Jun 14, 2012 8:33 AM in response to enemdee

I have tried deleting iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist files through DiskAid.

Reset Warning and Cache.

Export and Import Library, but still i am getting same error message.

"Attempting to copy disk "IPhone" failed. An unknown error occured (-54)"

Kindly help me, i am not able to put any songs in my Iphone.

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Answer 3

Feb 17, 2012 12:33 PM in response to enemdee

Thank you for this information, it was exactly my problem (on iPhone 4, 4s and iPad2), after restoring all went well, the error -54 did not come up again. And I also used TouchCopy just before the error -54 story began...!

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Answer 4

enemdee Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 17, 2012 7:07 PM in response to montana26

No I haven't used TouchCopy since as I have restored my MacBook with a clean install of 10.7.2 and got all my media back into iTunes and re-synced both iPad & iPhone sucessfully since (with no more error messages). I prefer using DiskAid and will delete TouchCopy from my Applications. Thank you for your comment.

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Answer 5

enemdee Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 23, 2012 3:35 AM in response to kroup

Using DiskAid (or PhoneDisk which is similar) you can access the files/folders on your ipod/iphone/ipad. Folder→ Media→iTunes→ iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist. I deleted both these files and then restarted itunes, reconnected both my phone and later ipad and resynched them without any errors appearing and have done so a few times since.

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Answer 6

kroup

Level 1

9 points

Feb 23, 2012 8:28 PM in response to enemdee

sorry for being a dumb *** but i dont see anywhere were i can access those files/folders

iam using a trial version of Disk Aid is that why i cant see those files/folders?

i dont want to pay $25 for DiskAid just to solve this problem.

i can access the music,movies and pictures on my ipad but i cant find folder-media-itunes

anywhere.

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Answer 7

enemdee Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 23, 2012 10:06 PM in response to kroup

I went back and had a look. Opened Disk Aid and connected iPad. Showed me File System → Media→ iTunes Control→ iTunes→ iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist. Also had checked Display all Apps... Show Root Path...Show Hiiden Files and Folders in the Preferences Advanced in DiskAid.(My copy isn't registered but I have access to Preferences when I turn Wi-Fi off).

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Answer 8

@Mashiat

Level 1

0 points

Jun 15, 2012 6:48 AM in response to enemdee

@puneetarora82

Ya sure, download DiskAid find it by googling, open it then press( file system-media-itunes control-itunes-then delete iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist.) close diskaid , reconnect ur idevice, open itunes and follow the process and then its done !!!! Make sure that itunes is closed when deleting iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist.Good luck 🙂

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Answer 9

@Mashiat

Level 1

0 points

Jun 15, 2012 7:55 AM in response to puneetarora82

@puneetarora82

Ya sure, download DiskAid find it by googling, open it then press( file system-media-itunes control-itunes-then delete iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist.) close diskaid , reconnect ur idevice, open itunes and follow the process and then its done !!!! Make sure that itunes is closed when deleting iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist.Good luck 🙂

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Answer 10

@Mashiat

Level 1

0 points

Jun 27, 2012 4:34 AM in response to puneetarora82

@puneetarora82

Ya sure, download DiskAid find it by googling, open it then press( file system-media-itunes control-itunes-then delete iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist.) close diskaid , reconnect ur idevice, open itunes and follow the process and then its done !!!! Make sure that itunes is closed when deleting iTunesPrefs and iTunesPrefs.plist.Good luck 🙂

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Answer 11

MacIndia

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2014 10:43 AM in response to enemdee

Thanks @enemdee, it worked.

I am on Mac OS X 10.9.2 and using iPad 4th gen with iOS 7.1 (11D167), used iFunBox to delete the file you mentioned. This is the path for the file:

On iFunBox side panel, selected RAW File System > iTunes_Control > iTunes > Ctrl + Click on iTunesPrefs.plist and delete the file

Now no more of "The iTunes Library file cannot be saved. An unknown error occurred (~54)" observed.

Regards

Deep S

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Answer 12

Jul 14, 2014 1:53 PM in response to enemdee

THANK YOU enemdee. If you are having problems and iTunes is saying that it is a new phone then just click restore from a backup and un plug your phone

From your computer while it's restoring that's what I did and I do not have to restore

what enemaee sad actually works

P.S. If you want to get the program for free just go to the place where all the Pirates hang out

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Answer 13

Sep 1, 2015 9:18 AM in response to traidito

I have the same problem. Just upgraded to Windows 10. My Itunes freezes when connecting my Ipod Touch 5th gen. I tried to plug my Ipod in another computer/Itunes and, instead of freezing, got the -54 error message.

I've read many comments on how to address this issue but I don't get any of them: either they were for Mac or I am just not tech-savvy enough to understand.

Can someone please help us?

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Answer 14

Dec 14, 2015 4:22 PM in response to Normajean

Just updated to iTunes 12.3.2.35, and now when I try to sync my iPad I get the same error when it gets to Step 6, copying files:

Attempting to copy to the disk :Macintosh HD" failed. An unknown error occurred (-54).

Deleted all .plist files for iTunes, and I'm still getting the same error.

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Answer 15

enemdee Author

Level 1

14 points

Feb 11, 2012 6:50 PM in response to enemdee

Same error with the iphone connected.

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