How to Fix Your iTunes When It's Frozen
iTunes typically makes it easy to listen to music on your computer or transfer files to an Apple device like an iPod. Unfortunately, in some cases something goes wrong and your iTunes screen will freeze. Often a simple reboot of iTunes -- closing it and then opening it again -- will resolve the problem. Other times, you may need to investigate what other files on your computer may be affecting iTunes.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Safely eject any device that is currently connected to iTunes. Click on the icon of a thumbdrive with a check mark on it, located in the bottom right corner of your computer's taskbar, and choose "Safely Remove Hardware." Once your device is safely ejected, unplug it from your computer and press "Control" and "Alt" and "Delete" on your computer keyboard. Open the task manager, highlight iTunes in the list of running programs and hit "Delete" on your keyboard. Reopen iTunes to see if it will load properly.
-
2
Check for a virus on your computer and the status of your anti-virus software. First run your anti-virus software to detect any viruses and remove them. Then temporarily disable the anti-virus software, as sometimes a third-party anti-virus program can cause iTunes to unexpectedly stop working.
-
-
3
Reinstall iTunes if you recently upgraded to a new version. It is possible that an improper installation of the software is what caused it to freeze. Go to the Control Panel on your computer and then "Remove/Uninstall" programs. Highlight iTunes in the list of programs and choose "Uninstall." Once iTunes is removed, return to the Apple website and re-download the program. Your music files will still be on your hard drive, and can be moved back into your library.
-
4
Get rid of third-party iTunes plug-ins. Plug-ins might cause iTunes to stop working, especially if they are not compatible with a new version of iTunes. Navigate to: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins on your computer and delete any plug-ins in the folder.
-
5
Test the preference files for iTunes to see if they are causing the problem. Go to: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes on your computer's hard drive and move the folder to your desktop. Open iTunes and see if it can function normally. If it does, delete the preferences folder from your desktop. If the problem persists, move the folder back to its previous location and go to: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes and move that folder to your desktop. Test iTunes again.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
