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Sarah-1997 Author

Level 1

1 points

All the content from my iTunes library has disappeared

The other day I went onto iTunes and everything had disappeared from it except for the music in the Cloud. All the music is still intact in the folders on my computer and when I double click any song it reappears on iTunes but without any information like number of plays, and I obviously don't want to do this manually for every song as I have nearly two thousand. I synced my iPod with iTunes again but no message came up and the music is still on my iPod, as if it is only 'hiding' on iTunes. I'm not sure if it's something to do with the fact i got a new iPod a few days ago, but iTunes worked perfectly when I first got it so I'm confused about what's happened.

iPod touch

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 8:54 AM

Best reply

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 9:02 AM

Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash

Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. Note that in iTunes 11 an "empty" library may show your past purchases with links to stream or download them.

In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.

Alternatively, depending on exactly when and why the library went missing, there may be a more recent .tmp file in the main iTunes folder that can be copied and renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to an earlier state. Look for a recent .tmp file that is similar in size to the .itl files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder. If it has happened repeatedly you may want the earliest such file generated since the last iTunes upgrade.

If applicable, see iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.

When you get it all working make a backup!

Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.

I've noticed more of these missing library posts of late and a common factor to most since I started asking is AVG Anti-Virus. It seems in some cases it might be at least part of the reason why the library file disappears. Try excluding the iTunes folder from any AV scanning process.

tt2

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184 replies

Apr 9, 2013 2:46 AM in response to Sarah-1997

User uploaded file

Apr 9, 2013 2:46 AM in response to turingtest2

Hello! I have the same problem, and tried the solution you suggested, by changing an earlier tmp file to the itl file, and renaming the corrupted itl file. However, when I reopened iTunes, it said the itl file was not valid and it re-created the corrupted one from before. Now every time I try to use the itl file I copied from the tmp file, iTunes just goes ahead and recreates the bad file!

How do I get it to use the itl file I copied from the tmp file?? Thanks for your help.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Apr 9, 2013 3:40 AM in response to sweetsoun

Try a different .tmp file or if you can't find one that works copy in the most recent .itl file from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder, rename that as iTunes Library.itl and bring it up-to-date by adding the media folder to the library. If you still have AVG then I suggest removing it, or at least disabling it until you have a working library file and have made a secure backup of it.

tt2

Apr 9, 2013 7:41 PM in response to Sarah-1997

A few days ago, I opened iTunes 11.0.2.26 and nothing there but a "blank new" iTunes interface. .. Following the advice here, I managed to rebuild playlist and restore.. however, it always reverts to "new" iTunes interface (no songs or playlists).. Are there other mp3 music players that won't do this? Media Player?... I've restored 5 times and each time I think I've got it fixed, it reverts to new iTunes upon opening. I appreciate the help on this site! .

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Apr 10, 2013 12:47 AM in response to steve4425

Do you have AVG? If so remove it and switch to Microsoft Security Essentials. The restore a working copy of the database. Your library should remain stable.

Don't forget to make a backup!

tt2

Apr 10, 2013 2:16 AM in response to turingtest2

copy in the most recent .itl file from the Previous iTunes Libraries folder, rename that as iTunes Library.itl and bring it up-to-date by adding the media folder to the library.

Thanks for your reply! In the end, that is what I had to do. It's working so far and I've learned how to Consolidate and make a backup so if it happens again I'm saved! Thank you! This was much more helpful than the 90 minutes I spent on the phone with support, sending diagnostic files to the Apple engineering department! (They are sending me headphones.)

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Apr 10, 2013 2:33 AM in response to sweetsoun

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

sbaj

Level 1

4 points

Apr 10, 2013 10:53 AM in response to turingtest2

I've been dealing with this several times over the last few months. I'm thankful for this finally pointing me to the problem being with AVG.

Maybe I've missed a step or two, but the biggest problem is that podcasts don't seem to restore in a usable format. For most podcasts, I've deleted the one's I've listened to, but for others I have some videos and music that I've kept (yes, I should have just added to the library). Regardless, when I add podcasts back in I have to resubcribe and mark all old episodes as listened to a delete, whether on my computer or just available.

All my music is kept in the media folder or in the cloud, so if the library is gone it isn't a big deal (just time to bring it back and merge the cloud with the harddrive again). The podcasts is what drives me nuts.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Apr 10, 2013 11:03 AM in response to sbaj

Make manual backups of the iTunes Library.itl database and then if something goes wrong you can restore that. It will know all about your podcasts, subscriptions, play counts and everything else that doesn't get stored in tags.

tt2

Zobbo123

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2013 11:12 AM in response to Sarah-1997

Many thanks TT2 - great fix. All sorted until it reappears, but then I've got the answer.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Apr 10, 2013 11:14 AM in response to Zobbo123

🙂

tt2

Apr 10, 2013 12:29 PM in response to turingtest2

I'm having the same issue, including using AVG, but I have a silly question... Where do I go to find where to do this to try to recover my library?

Apr 10, 2013 12:31 PM in response to turingtest2

In case I get this fixed..where can I find this patch?

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Apr 10, 2013 1:40 PM in response to anoopy_58

AVG's update system I would guess, or their website. However it would seem the latest patch to AVG and folder exclusions still isn't helping for some. I recommend you switch to Microsoft Security Essentials, then try restoring the library again. Recovery instructions on the first page of this thread.

tt2

Apr 10, 2013 1:45 PM in response to turingtest2

I will try that. I guess I'm computer illiterate, but where do I go to access how to recover my library?

All the content from my iTunes library has disappeared