The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created with a newer version of iTunes

Thanks. That worked for me.

close itunes first. then go to search. locate for the itunes library.itl. SIMPLY delete it. then open the itunes now.

this solved mine. previous itunes library will now appear.

Where is the itunes library.itl?

See Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash.

Deleting the iTunes Library.itl file alone will not make your library magically reappear.

tt2

found the itunes library and deleted it. how do I find my previous library - there is nothing there when I open up my shortcut?

See Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash.

Deleting the iTunes Library.itl file alone will not make your library magically reappear.

tt2

I tried this fix to the problem "The file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes" but it didn't fix the problem and I still get the same message. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.

This is slighly updated advice from that in the post linked above. Perhaps you need to copy an older .itl file, or you're not working with the active library.

tt2

Re The file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a new version of iTunes; I was gone and unable to respond to suggestions to fix this problem. When I returned, there was an update available from Apple lthat fixed the problem and iTunes opened up. However, it had an older playlist that did not contain recently purchased songs or the latest playlist. The previous iTunes Library when opened also do not contain these recently purchased songs or playlists. How do I get back to the latest playlist?

Can I check the you used the copy and rename method (or shift-start-iTunes) to access the older library files? Double-clicking .itl files opens iTunes, but not necessarily the file clicked on.

Did you check for .tmp files in the iTunes folder? One of those may have been your most recent complete library. Otherwise without a proper backup the best you can do is use your most recent file from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder and use the suggestions in the tip to bring it up to date with the contents of the media folder.

tt2

THANK YOU! You have saved me from iTunes 11 😀

I tried this. Itunes now opens but i still had no music. I managed to get it back on, but I have lost my playlists which had some fond memories of particular playlists i made for particular events like my wifes 40th party etc. How do I get my playlists back please? Including "my top rated" and "most played"

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.

tt2

I cannot thank you enough!!

Several obsessive hours later & I have more music back.

I had this problem with iTunes not running when going back to 11.0,, all I did was just remove the file from Music/iTunes folder an double-clicked iTunes icon again an the program loaded an created a new file in the folder