Itunes 11 freezes after I open it. Help please?

Wow...this is truly maddening. Have been using iTunes for years w/ iPod and iPad and had zero issues. Bought an iPhone 5 last week and all still worked fine.

Yesterday I updated iTunes from 10 to 11.0.2.26 and now...iTunes freezes in the middle of syncing regardless of device. With iPod and iPad, iTunes starts to show sync activity after a delay of 10-15 minutes. Have not seen iTunes resume with iPhone 5, but today will allow it to sit longer...up to an hour...to see whether sync appears active. Even if sync does resume, waiting 15-60 minutes for it to happen is not a reasonable expectation.

Absolutely nothing else in my configuration has changed (firewall, etc). As with some other posters, my library is on an external HD; this has never been a problem before. Clearly the issue lies somewhere within iTunes 11.

update: as of 2/25/13

I couldn't wait for a new version or a reply to my issue.

So I decided to uninstall iTunes v11.0.1.12 using the instructions here "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923". I then installed iTunes v10.7.0.21, the install was almost completed when I got a error message saying that it the "iTunes Library.itl" file was newer and could not be updated and the install could not continue.

So after I took a break because I was really mad... I decided to remove v10.7.0.21 using the instructions here "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923". I also uninstalled any other programs that connect to iTunes, i.e. LastFM too. Once everything was uninstalled and got no errors I reinstalled v11.0.1.12. The install complete with no poroblems and after the install iTunes opened normally with no problems.

Yesterday, iTunes had a problem similar to what I reported in my original post and now today it seems to be fine.

I'm hoping the complete uninstall and reinstall fixed whatever has going on.

I had the same problem for days (on a MAC). After about 12 seconds after opening, iTunes would freeze. The famous pinwheel started, and never stopped. I left it for an hour, but still spinning and I had to do a Force Quit to get out of iTunes. I had checked my external drive to be sure it was in tight, but other than that, worked with the Apple folks on several possible fixes. What finally resolved it was first, I ejected the external disk containing my library and completely disconnected it. When it was disconnected, iTunes loaded with no problem (except it, of course, couldn't find any of my songs). I then reconnected my external drive, and iTunes loaded and did not freeze this time. Either I may have somehow loosened the connection or, something caused the external disk to be in limbo. I say this because the connection had been tight, but maybe I just needed to properly eject and reconnect?? In any event, it has been days since I reconnected, and now no problems.

Hope this might help someone!

Same problem this am

haven't added any software or done any updates since last opened

iTunes is usually slow to start, I waited a long time.....this time, itunes window opened then froze, tried four times

the first time I tried to use Task Manger to close it "iTunes not responding", Task Manger couldn't open either, I had to shut the computer down and restart. I've noticed this with itunes, not only does it not perform but nothing else can until I close itunes

I went online to look for solutions, and tried itunes again... then it worked after opening

baffled

hope this is not the start of a new trend in the downward spiral

I still lose more files than I add, eventually it won't matter as much if itunes starts, the library will be empty.

I've given up. I use iTunes as little as possible.

I notice that this forum operates in the same way that most "technical problem"forums do - like a hospital where all the staff have gone home after leaving a note for the patients: "Sort yourselves out from now on."

You know, how sad it is I was happy to receive a response that was not blasting of my inability to "provide the detailed technical specifics" that would enable them to resolve my problem. Would be a clever way to avoid saying they have no idea... but somehow the problem is all our fault

My biggest problem, and a problem for a lot of people, is the rapid loss of itunes files...

I often joke with friends who try to persuade me to by an apple computer, that I can get software problems and poor technical support much more cheaply with Microsoft.

and why does their spell check not recognize the word "response" spelled correctly above?

Same issue here even with iTunes 11.1.2 on an iMac OSX 10.9. All the updates in the world seam not to fix the issues people are having.

Apple seam to have lost the plot with their desire for everyone to play in the same sandbox, the last time I had a sandbox I was 3 and the cat kept crapping in it. Need I say more....

"When it was disconnected, iTunes loaded with no problem (except it, of course, couldn't find any of my songs). I then reconnected my external drive, and iTunes loaded and did not freeze this time."

You mean you copied the "ituneslibrary" file to your HDD, launched itunes, then reconnecting your usb drive?