iTunes Frozen/Unresponsive

Try the following in turn until iTunes opens normally:

• Locate the shortcut for iTunes, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator. Doing this once may fix certain launch issues.
• Try holding ctrl+shift as you launch iTunes so it opens in safe-mode. Again doing this once may sometimes help.
• Delete the iTunes shortcuts from the start menu, desktop, task bar, or similar, then repair iTunes from the programs and features control panel.
• Try Fix unexpected quits or launch issues in iTunes for Windows - Apple Support and test the behaviour in a different user profile or with a different library. If the problem only exists in your profile it may be possible delete some of the iTunes preference files which it would seem that iTunes may be choking on.
• Finally see the second box in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for detailed tear down and rebuild advice.

tt2

Here is a rehash of the rollback process:

Use the programs and features control panel to uninstall each of these items in this order:

1. iTunes
2. Apple Software Update
3. Apple Mobile Device Support
4. Bonjour
5. Apple Application Support 32-bit
6. Apple Application Support 64-bit
   Then:
7. Reboot the computer
8. Use Windows Explorer to open your iTunes folder inside your user's Music folder
9. Select the file iTunes Library then press F2 on the keyboard and rename it as iTunes Library (Old)
10. Open the Previous iTunes Libraries folder
11. Select the file iTunes Library 2017-mm-dd and press Ctrl+C to copy it, the exact filename will be when you updated
12. Go back to the iTunes folder
13. Press Ctrl+V to paste
14. Press F2 to rename and change the filename to iTunes Library
15. Follow the iTunes installers link and choose the relevant 32-bit or 64-bit version of iTunes 12.5.5.5 to reinstall, download it & install

If you have already reinstalled iTunes 12.5.5.5 then the "empty/corrupt thing" is given in the steps 8 through 14.

tt2

For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.

The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. When reinstalling right-click on the setup file and use the run as administrator option.

Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.

The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment.

Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.

tt2

Thank for the reply. However, I've gone through the steps in the second box, but to no avail. I've also looked for the iAdCore.dll but that does not seem to be present. I've looked for the itunes6464.msi but it does not appear to be there, but I do have itunes64.msi. Is that the cause of the the problem?

Is the behaviour any different with a new library or user profile? Do you run any anti-virus software and if so which?

The troubleshooting tip contains a number of sections which describe possible symptoms and a suggested fix or workaround. If you don't have the symptom you can ignore what follows. If a full tear down and rebuild hasn't helped then you can consider reverting to the last build of iTunes that worked normally for you as set out in the section iTunes installers.

tt2

There is something else at play here which I've yet to put my finger on. I've got two machines with almost identical hardware, running the same build of iTunes. One connects to the store, one doesn't. 😕

See Re: Latest iTunes update taking 10 minutes to open.

tt2

It would seem that among other issues (bugs with Get Info and reset plays) Tunes 12.6.0.100 has problems accessing the iTunes Store for some users, which can make it freeze on launch. See the iTunes installers section of Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for links to the 12.5.5.5 build and roll back advice.

tt2

For general advice see Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.

The steps in the second box are a guide to removing everything related to iTunes and then rebuilding it which is often a good starting point unless the symptoms indicate a more specific approach. When reinstalling right click on the downloaded setup file and use run as administrator.

Review the other boxes and the list of support documents further down the page in case one of them applies.

The further information area has direct links to the current and recent builds in case you have problems downloading, or want to revert to an older version if the current one won't work properly for you at the moment. 12.6.0.100 in particular may not work correctly for everyone, in which case rolling back to 12.5.5.5 is a realistic approach.

Your library and device backups should be unaffected by these steps but there are links to backup and recovery advice should it be needed.

tt2

First look around your computer to see if you can locate your media. Troubleshooting steps should preserve your data while attempting repairs. One strategy they might have used would be to rename your original iTunes folder to something like iTunes Old so that a new empty library is created. If you can locate the media I should be able to talk you through reconnecting it to a restored .itl file. If not then the user tip Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device describes how to recover your media from your devices.

tt2

I also have this same problem with 12.6.0.100. All was running well prior to this update. I've uninstalled and reinstalled itunes, nothing. I'm running Windows 7 as well and updated with all the latest patches, then reinstalled itunes again, nothing. Tried starting in Safe Mode, nothing. I have tried starting iTunes without a internet connection, it still didn't start, but did have a different startup screen.

Grrrrrr.

Having the same problems as you are, Seems like every time they come out with a new update, it's a crap shoot on weather or not it creates a ton of headaches and problems, or if it will improve the program at all!

I've also done a complete removal of 12.6.0.100 and installed 12.5.0.95, but still have the same problem (in safe mode, as admin, with no internet connection, security off etc). I have found that if I open iTunes, then press play on my keyboard shortcut, then shut the iTunes using the Task Manager, the iTunes application will then start up, and start playing a song (the first one in my song list each time), but I still can't control the application as it is still frozen from a UI perspective. If I press the 'next song' keyboard short cut I have, then when I close the application down again using Task Manager, it starts up again automatically, but doesn't play anything.

Do you know of a log file that I can pass to Apple so that they can diagnose the issue?

Incidentally, if you go to Start (Windows Logo)\iTunes\Shuffle all music (under Tasks), the music plays, but still no UI control. And it only plays one randomly selected song, then stops. Very frustrating, but at least I have tunes while I work now. Hopefully Apple can sort it out soon

Just curious - what is your hardware setup. I'm using a Toshiba Laptop, on a docking station. The hardware is Intel Core i5-2520M, 4Gb RAM, 64 bit Windows 7 OS Service Pack 1.

I don't think the sound card configuration is an issue because I can still play audio using other applications.