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iTunes: ‘The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read’ Fix

iTunes: ‘The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read’ Fix

by 79 Comments

After upgrading Apple iTunes and restarting my computer, I received a strange error message when starting the application:

The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes.

I have had problems with the iTunes Library.itl file in the past. This one is strange because I was fully upgraded to the newest version of iTunes, yet still got this error. To solve the issue, I had to do the following steps.

Note: You will have to rebuild your iTunes library after performing these steps. All ratings, playlists, etc will be lost. The media files you own should still be available on your hard drive though.

  1. Navigate to where the iTunes Library.itl file is located.
    • MacOS – /Users/username/Music
    • Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music
    • Windows Vista – C:\Users\username\Music
    • Windows 10, 8 or 7 – C:\Users\username\My Music
  2. Delete the iTunes Library file.
  3. Start iTunes. Your music database will now be blank, but your music files should still be available in the iTunes Music folder located in one of the locations noted above.
  4. Drag and drop the iTunes Music folder and any other folders that contain your music files to the iTunes application window. iTunes should then take some time to rebuild the database of music.

This fix may not make you completely happy since there is some loss of data, but it’s the only solution I could find for myself.

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Comments

  3. Sumesh says

    Hold down the Shift key while trying to launch iTunes. You should see a dialog box asking you to Choose or Create a library. Click “Choose library”

    Browse to the default location of your iTunes Library.itl file:

    Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\

    Windows Vista: \Users\username\Music\iTunes\

    Windows 7: \Users\username\My Music\iTunes\

    … and doubleclick the file.

  5. William Cruise says

    My Ipod classic will only sync music. Not syncing movies, and photos. How can I fix this ?
    Sad Apple owner.

  7. Xander says

    I really wish these corporations would be more honest when they do this. “We’re screwing you, because we’re rich so what do we care….” I might respect the honesty then. Sadly, my whole issue started with their “Library” not synchronizing correctly. The music had the labels for Artist, Album, and whatnot…yet 2 of 3 (of a particular one to give an example) never bothered to even display in the Library…because that would imply doing what it’s SUPPOSED to.

  13. Jielica says

    Finally, I got the right solution…It’s been months and gave up with this issue on my iPhone4 coz the software is outdated. Thanks. I’ll try now to download an app.

  20. Lanre says

    Thanks, it worked for my computer been trying to get it started for a month , tried every method I read online
    But I stomped on your site and decided to give it a try .
    Thanks once again

  21. Alicia says

    THANK YOU! After hours of trying to find a solution to my problem on Microsoft Help, Apple Help and various other sites, this worked! (Feb 2020)

  25. Meuh says

    You’re a life saver, couldn’t even back my phone up since itunes wouldn’t start… Now it’s all good, thanks so much!

  27. Bob Kentridge says

    Pure genius. I had struggled with all sorts of complicated recipes for fixing a broken itl file and this just works perfectly with one drag of a folder!!! This is in May 2019 with the latest MacOS and iTunes.

    thanks!!!!

  29. Daniel Mills says

    Working with windows 10 on Hp product.

    Installed 64bit iTunes straight from applesupport,
    I then searched pc for itl. File
    Proceeded to delete, iTunes Works!

    Outdated software was able to download apps yet certain apps only run on there newest versions… very disappointing.

    it was a yes for me and good luck for you!

  41. Rugamba Daniel says

    oohhhh God it worked easily thank you very much .

    I have been wrestling with this but thank God he gave you a good heart to help others in need.
    thank you and thank you a million times

  42. Bill says

    Thanks so much, I have been working on this for hours and have been getting nowhere.

  46. and111 says

    Hey Zevie, did you find a way to do it?`or does anyone else know? 12.7. is so bad in many ways, I want to go back. They also removed iTunes U in 12.7. :(

  47. Kieu Anh Tran says

    oh my gosh thank you so so much i have tried many ways that i found on the internet but this is the easiest and fastest way and it worked very well to me, thank you again

  49. Andrew says

    I have had big problems with iTunes 12.7.4 version syncing photos very slowly or effectively failing because its ridiculously slow.

    Now I reverted back to 12.7.3 and then deleted the itunes library as described.. now my syncing of photos of working correctly.

    basically itunes 12.7.4 is a fail. I realise i am still on ios7.1.2 which may be an issue but reverting back to 12.7;3 is now working and compatible with my phone.

    moral of the story is, dont update apple software ever and your phone and computer will last forever.

  54. Locke Nguyen says

    THanks so much, it really works, everything back to normal now with new version of Itunes.

  57. VintageGamer says

    Thanks, Worked after a week with out itunes, the new update hindered my pc useless I almost gave up but came across this to roll back to previous version of itunes and i’m back in business..

    Thanks.

  59. Zevie says

    This sort of helped. I deinstalled iTunes then went back to 12.6.3.6 because 12.7 separated the books from iTunes. I could no longer see my books because they are in a separate application ibooks and there is no equivalent. When I installed 12.6.3.6 on my PC, I was getting the iTunes: ‘The file “iTunes Library.itl” cannot be read’ error. I have fixed the error, but my library is still not showing on iTunes because I have a PC. I would prefer to sync with my machine then icloud for personal and economic reasons. Do you have a suggestion?

  61. Jamie says

    Instead of deleting the file, rename it to iTunes Library.OLD (just in case you need it), then look in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder. Copy the library file with the newest date, and go back to the iTunes folder where you just were and paste the file you just copied. Then rename that file ( just take out the date part of the name so it says “iTunes Library.itl”) That should fix everything.

  70. Mel Lyon says

    Thank you it solved my problem also …wish I would have found you before wasting 3 hrs searching apple for a solution.

  78. Letícia says

    ”Delete the iTunes Library file”

    lol I can’t delete the file cause its corrupted [erro 0x80070570]

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