Can't add mp4's to iTunes library

I had the same problem, then i checked the properties of the movies i wanted to add to itunes to sync on to my ipad, and my files were "read-only" files, and when i unticked that box and dragged them to the itunes library it worked, so i suggest you check the attributes of the file 😀 Hope it helps!

MP4 is a media container format which can be encoded with many different video and audio codecs like DivX, Xvid, H.264, H.263, MPEG-4, AC3, WMA, AAC, etc. While iTunes only support few video and audio codec like MPEG-4 video codec and AAC audio codec; H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. If the MP4 video is encode with iTunes unsupported video or audio codec, iTunes will not add and play it.

Sometimes, even if the MP4 is in the right video and audio codec that iTunes supports and we can successfully add and play MP4 in iTunes, but if the MP4 video does meet the technical specifications for iOS devices like video size, bitrates, sample rate and etc, we will fail to sync and transfer the MP4 video from iTunes to iPod, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and etc.

To solve can't add MP4 to iTunesfor playing MP4 in iTunes or transferring MP4 to iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, a recommended solution is to convert iTunes unsupported MP4 to a more compatible MP4 video format.

iTunes can handle just about any file format that works with QuickTime and will play any file purchased or downloaded from the iTunes Store. If you've got video files that end with a .mov, .m4v, or .mp4 file extension, you can import them to iTunes with ease. However, the video especially the MP4 video must meet the following specifications: it must be encoded as 540 kbit/s (minimum) MPEG-4 video (H.264) with an approximately 128 kbit/s AAC audio track or encoded as 1.5 Mbit/s (minimum) MPEG-4 video (H.264) with a minimum 128 kbit/s AAC audio track. If not, you will fail to import MP4 to iTunes.

In order to successfully add MP4 to iTunes as well as sync MP4 to iPod, iPhone, iPad, we have better convert the MP4 files to both iTunes and iOS supported MPEG-4 format.

I recommend you a blog which introuduce a guide about how to easily handle this issue.

You can right-click the file once it is shown in Movies tabin iTunes, click on 'Get Info', go to 'Options' tab, you'll see the file listed as 'Movies', change it to 'TV Shows'. you're welcome

Right Click On Mp4 File go to Properties then uncheck Read Only
this worked for me
by:
http://www.laptop-spec.com

@Crusadees Cheers, this was exactly the little thing that had been wondering what was going on 🙂

The reason of iTunes won't import MP4, no mater by dragging and dropping or by selecting Add File to Libray... from iTunes menu, is iTunes supports most of MP4 and MOV files, but not All. iTunes use the same technology as QuickTime to play media files, it has the same limitation on media file formats.

In order to solve the issue of "can't add MP4 to iTunes" or "can't transfer MP4 to iPhone, iPod, etc via iTunes", we strongly recommend converting MP4 to iTunes supported formats. To do this, you need a powerful yet easy-to-use MP4 to iTunes Converter.

did u solve it?

Now i can fix the problem after i try to fix it many way i have the same the problem ...but after i try to download QuickTime Player and drag all the MP4 in Itunes and it work ... hope you guys can fix it too

I too have the issue unfortunately the MP4 files i have from old laptop that I'm transferring them from the hard drive using a hard drive enclosure are all audio and i can't convert them into MP3 audio on my late 2006 OS X 10.7.5 MacBook Pro. I tried the conversion apps that are compatible for my MacBook Pro from the app store and still getting errors that they are not able to be converted to MP3, i tried using it under video instead of audio along with using Quicktime and even that wouldn't be shown nor playable. Quicktime couldn't recognize the MP4 audio files. I'm thinking of waiting for my other MacBook Pro (Late 2008 OS X 10.9.2) and use that hard drive with the hard drive enclosure and get the original files that match what the MP4 audio files are from.

Same thing happens to me. I can't add the videos to Home Videos as I used to. Very easily. Now they freeze my mac and my itunes and I have to restart the conputer. Please advise.