Itunes becomes unresponsive when connecting iphone/going into preference

Hi!

When I open Itunes it works fine, but it becomes completely unresponsive (doesn't crash, just stuck and does not responds) when I either connect my device (which is recognised by my PC W7 62bit) or when I try to go into preference via the edit tab (same results)


It worked flawless about a month or two ago, I didn't sync since then until this time around. Have not changed anything, and I tried restarting multiply times, waiting a few days, updating, repairing and reinstalling. What can I do?

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.5, W7 64 bit

Posted on Feb 26, 2014 1:44 PM

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7 replies

Feb 26, 2014 3:56 PM in response to mystic1337

When I open Itunes it works fine, but it becomes completely unresponsive (doesn't crash, just stuck and does not responds) when I either connect my device (which is recognised by my PC W7 62bit) or when I try to go into preference via the edit tab (same results)


A preference file may have gone bad for you. (That can produce both sorts of symptoms.)


I'd try a rebuild of the preferences files.


First, quit iTunes if you have it open.


Next, you'll need to make sure you are set up to view hidden files and folders in Vista (or 7).


1. From the Start menu, click Open.

2. In the Organize menu, click Folder and Search Options.

3. Click the View tab.

4. In the "Advanced settings" pane under "Hidden files and folders" make sure that the "Show hidden files and folders" option is selected.

5. Click OK.


Next, you'll rebuild the preference files. We'll do it one at a time, testing connection of devices and trying to go into the preferences after each one.


6. In Computer, open Local Disk: C or whichever drive your documents are stored on.

7. Open the Users folder.

8. Open the folder with the name of the Vista user account in which Pat is getting the Books tab hang.

9. Open the AppData folder.

10. Open the Local folder.

11. Open the Apple Computer folder.

12. Drag the iTunes folder out onto the Desktop.


Now you'll rebuild the preference folder and file.


13. Launch iTunes. This will cause iTunes to rebuild that preference folder and file. The license agreement will appear for you again. (That is expected behavior when that particular preference folder and contained file are being rebuilt.)

14. Go "Edit > preferences, and check to see if there's a hang

15. Attach the device and check to see if there's a hang.


If there's still a hang, you can replace the "rebuilt" iTunes pref folder with the one on the desktop again. Then we'll try rebuilding the other preference files.


16. In Computer, open Local Disk: C or whichever drive your documents are stored on.

17. Open the Users folder.

18. Open the folder with the name of the Vista user account in which Pat is getting the Books tab hang.

19. Open the AppData folder.

20. Open the Roaming folder.

21. Open the Apple Computer folder.

22. Drag the iTunes folder out onto the Desktop.


Now we'll rebuild that one ...


23. Launch iTunes. This will cause iTunes to rebuild that preference folder and file. The iTunes Setup assistant will run. (That is expected behavior when that particular preference folder and contained file are being rebuilt.) *Do not add any files when prompted to do so.* Otherwise you'll end up with a library full of duplicates.

24. Go "Edit > preferences", and check to see if there's a hang.

25. Attach the device, and check to see if there's a hang.


Any better luck with rebuilding the second set of preferences? (If no joy, the ones on the desktop now can be swapped out for the rebuilt (Roaming) set.

Feb 27, 2014 1:11 AM in response to b noir

Hello,

I appreciate a lot your help! unfortonatly I still suffer this problem. Tried both of your explanations, and both showed user license agreement and new preferences, but it's still stuck. One thing though. I was playing a song and tried to go into preference, and the song continued to play without any interruptions, but the itunes screen just won't react (the music chart doesn't continue the time length of the song so far).

Thanks, looking forward for more solutions.

Feb 27, 2014 9:21 AM in response to mystic1337

Can you check something further for me? I'd like to see if the preferences hang also happens in a different user account on the PC.


Quit iTunes. Create a new user account with full administrative rights. Log out of your normal account and log into the new account. (Don't use fast user switching to move between accounts.)


In the new account, launch iTunes. (It should open empty ... that's normal. Your content is in your other user account.


Try going in to preferences. Do you still get the same hang?

Feb 27, 2014 1:03 PM in response to b noir

Hi, I created a new windows user account (I hope you meant that?) and tried to open itunes. It first had to configurize it self and then was indeed empty and had to agree license agreements, but oddly enough It STILL doesn't work! I'm doomed without itunes for life. 😟

I really appreciate your patience and help though, can't thank you enough!

Feb 27, 2014 2:02 PM in response to mystic1337

That's interesting ... if it's doing the hang in multiple different user accounts, that suggests this is a program files issue rather than trouble preference files (or library files, or other user-account-specific things.


Doublechecking ... as well as uninstalling and reinstalling just iTunes, did you try a complete uninstall of both iTunes and all the other related software components and then a reinstall? If not, try the instructions from the following document:


Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

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Itunes becomes unresponsive when connecting iphone/going into preference

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