Prosper42
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: When choosing a song I get a can't locate message

When I select a song from the song list in iTunes I get this message: The song "       " could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it? I've had some of this music for awhile and I am certain that some most if not all of the songs were purchased in the store. I have a Mac desktop.

Posted on Jul 25, 2014 7:35 PM

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Prosper42

Q: When choosing a song I get a can't locate message

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  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Jul 25, 2014 8:19 PM in response to Prosper42
    Level 9 (54,635 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 25, 2014 8:19 PM in response to Prosper42

    When you play a song iTunes looks at a database file which tells it which media file it should play and where that file is located.  Sometimes things happen so that information is no longer valid.  There's dozens of ways this can happen.  The easiest thing is for you to say "yes" when it asks if you want to locate it, then guide it to the file on your computer is should actually play.  Typically this will be located in a logical progression of folders in your iTunes Media folder.

  • by Prosper42,

    Prosper42 Prosper42 Jul 27, 2014 6:21 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 27, 2014 6:21 PM in response to Limnos

    I Followed the pathway into iTunes media and still could not locate the files. It's as if they were never there. I'm back to square one but thanks for the help.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jul 27, 2014 8:38 PM in response to Prosper42
    Level 9 (54,635 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 27, 2014 8:38 PM in response to Prosper42

    Files shouldn't just disappear but people come here claiming they did so who knows?  Again, a dozen possibilities from your computer becoming corrupt to you doing something you didn't intend to.  The easy answer if for you to recover the file from your backup drive, or by re-downloading from the iTunes Store if this was a Store purchase.

     

    Downloading (using iOS or computer) past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519 - enabled with iTunes 10.3 and newer; not all media formats are available in all countries (see: iTunes in the Cloud, iTunes Match, and iTunes Radio availability by country - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085); apps, books (not audiobooks), music, t.v. shows, and movies (some - not all studios have permitted this).  Downloading previously purchased movies and TV shows requires iTunes 10.6 or later.  Discontinued items not available. For items not included in the iCloud list (e.g., ringtones, audiobooks), or locations or computer systems where iCloud is not (yet?) available, you only get one download per fee paid.  Apple recommends,  "... back up your iTunes library. " (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519).