iTunes 12.1 music very crackly and won't play through bluetooth speakers

There is an alternative downloader for 64-bit editions of Windows here:

iTunes 12.1 for Windows (64-bit — for older video cards)

that seems to address the playback issues that some users have been reporting with the full 64-bit version (the alternative installer here is the same architecture as most previous "64-bit" versions of iTunes, i.e., a 32-bit application with a 64-bit installer). The "for older video cards" label appears to be something of a misnomer as some people have reported that this corrects problems found on current / high-spec systems.

Some users have reported that after installing this alternative version it is necessary to adjust the "Play audio using:" selection in Edit > Preferences > Playback to restore glitch-free audio.

Funnily enough, I just bought myself my first bluetooth speaker and had the same problem. I would get a pop at the beginning then nothing. Just fixed it by going iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Playback > Play Audio Using > Changed "Windows Audio Session" to "Direct Sound". Works like a dream!

It seems that, for some users at least, installing the "full" 64-bit version of iTunes 12.1 on Windows 8.1 removes the ability to change that option - only the Windows Audio Session choice is available. The "for older video cards" version referenced above restores the correct functionality in this respect.

Installing a new/different version of iTunes shouldn't affect your library - though that's no reason not to take a backup of it before doing so. Turingtest2's notes on Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy describe an effective method for doing so.

Sorry, I should have also said I re-installed to that earlier version above. Didn't notice whether the full 64bit version only gave you the WAS option. I know that after installing, I had both options to choose from, and that's how it worked for me.

You're welcome 🙂

Awesome!

I had the same problem but I followed these instructions and the problem is fixed. Thank you!

Thanks for the fix!!! Had the same problem after installing the 12.01 update on a notebook that's just a year old running Windows 8.1 x64. Glad to have my bluetooth headphones working with iTunes again! Still having a problem with the playback of .m4v files. Can play them with windows media player but not in iTunes although I used to be able to do so.

I had this same issue with the most current version of iTunes on a new recently released Dell XPS-13 running Windows 8.1. I downloaded iTunes 12.1 for Windows (64-bit-for older video cards) and had to change the settings as demmersify recommended -- going to iTunes>Edit>Preferences>Playback>Play Audio Using>Changed "Windows Audio Session" to "Direct Sound" and it now plays perfectly. Thank you everyone!!

That helped me, too, but I had to close iTunes out and re-open it in order for the change to take effect.

I wished I had checked this forum before I called Lenovo's tech support ! This answer would have saved me about an hour.

"Just fixed it by going iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Playback > Play Audio Using > Changed "Windows Audio Session" to "Direct Sound". Works like a dream!"

You are correct....it works like a dream !! Thanks !!

Perfect!!!!!!! New Lenovo. Windows 10.