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

Computer "not authorized" to play song, but when I authorize it, it still won't play

The last song I bought won't play. When I attempt to play it I get a pop up that says "this computer is not authorized to play "name of song" would you like to authorize it? I put in my apple id and password and try again and I get the same pop up. I only have 2 computers authorized, all my other songs are working, including this week's free song which I downloaded a few days after purchasing the song in question. Any help would be appreciated 🙂

Posted on Nov 9, 2012 7:10 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 9, 2012 7:13 AM

If you are in a country where re-downloading is possible (check this with iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match Availability by Country - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085), delete the track (and the original file) and download again (Downloading [using iOS or computer] past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519). See tips on downloading in https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4158297?answerId=19097773022#19097773022, especially unchecking the "Allow Simultaneous Downloads" box in the downloads tab of iTunes.


Select the store on the left side of iTunes.
Click on Purchased on the right side under Quick Links.
You can re-download your available previous purchases.


If you cannot download a second time, contact iTunes Store support staff through the report a problem links in your account history or,


iTunes Customer Service Contact - http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact.html > Get iTunes support via Express Lane > iTunes > iTunes Store

20 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Nov 9, 2012 7:13 AM in response to deeneecee

If you are in a country where re-downloading is possible (check this with iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match Availability by Country - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085), delete the track (and the original file) and download again (Downloading [using iOS or computer] past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519). See tips on downloading in https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4158297?answerId=19097773022#19097773022, especially unchecking the "Allow Simultaneous Downloads" box in the downloads tab of iTunes.


Select the store on the left side of iTunes.
Click on Purchased on the right side under Quick Links.
You can re-download your available previous purchases.


If you cannot download a second time, contact iTunes Store support staff through the report a problem links in your account history or,


iTunes Customer Service Contact - http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact.html > Get iTunes support via Express Lane > iTunes > iTunes Store

Jul 7, 2013 6:55 PM in response to deeneecee

I just stumbled across this thread when I ran into the same issue as the OP. In my case a single song on an album I had ripped wouldn't play and the "This computer is not authorized to play "X song" would you like to authorize it?" error message appeared.


Since I have an iTunes Match subscription I opted to delete the song, answered "Okay" when asked to move it to the trash, but NOT remove it from the cloud. That caused the iTunes Match cloud icon with the download arrow to appear. I clicked on it and the song downloaded and played normally after that. Weird.


In any case, hope that helps anyone that follows.

Aug 9, 2013 8:27 AM in response to kylefrombrighton

kylefrombrighton wrote:


If you're using iTunes Match, redownload the song and then delete it again and it will work again.


Per my email above I think you mean the other way around...delete the problematic song (but not from iCloud) then re-download it. That worked for about a half-dozen tracks that were causing problems (both purchased and ripped) for me.

Nov 19, 2013 5:54 AM in response to deeneecee

I had this problem too with a purchased song and re-downloading it would cause the loop—even though I'm an iTunes Match subscriber. Trying to redownload from iCloud would seem to work but then I'd get the authorization loop. Normally, deleting the song and then pressing the cloud download icon works. This time it wouldn't.


The only sulution was to use a third party app and grab it from my iOS device. My iOS device for some reason was the only place I could still play the song. I followed the process on how to recover the song as outlined on this web site. The process took a bit of time, but it worked.

Computer "not authorized" to play song, but when I authorize it, it still won't play

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