iTunes is the ultimate choice of every iPhone user to manage photos, and music library Videos, import new content, create a playlist and sync windows PC with Apple devices. But sometimes it causes difficulty while installing and use iTunes on Windows PC, as users report different problems such as can’t install iTunes on Windows 10, iTunes won’t open windows 10 PC, iTunes not working or stopped working after windows 10 update, iTunes not recognizing iPhone or not showing iPhone windows 10, etc. Here in this post, we have covered different iTunes problems causing windows 10 and its solutions.
Can’t install iTunes on Windows 10
If you are getting difficulty installing iTunes on Windows 10 PC/Laptop Try to run the application with administrative privileges. To do this simply download the latest version of iTunes from the official website and right-click on the setup file and run as administrator. The installation should then open without issues and you should be able o install iTunes normally.
If you have installed the latest Windows 10 version 22H2 open the Microsoft store app search for iTunes and install.
- If you have any Apple devices attached to your PC, disconnect them for the moment.
- Also, users suggest installing the pending windows updates from settings -> update & Security->windows update -> check for updates. Once all the pending updates have been installed, reboot your computer and see if you’re able to install iTunes after the next startup is complete.
- Also, disable your Antivirus temporarily since some security utilities can incorrectly flag iTunes as malicious software.
Uninstall any old version of Apple programs at your Programs and Features page in your Control Panel:
- Apple Application Support (both 64 and 32-bit)
- iTunes
- Apple Software Update
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Bonjour
Select each of them and choose Uninstall and once you finish, restart your computer And try to run the latest iTunes setup which may resolve the issue.
iTunes not working smoothly in windows 10
If you notice iTunes not working smoothly on your Windows 10 PC/Laptop then first try to run the application with administrative privileges which allow it to bypass such restrictions and open up as usual. To do this simply right-click on the iTunes shortcut icon and select run as administrator.
Run iTunes in Compatibility Mode
- Right-click on the iTunes shortcut icon, and select Properties.
- Under the Compatibility tab, check the box next to Run This Program in Compatibility Mode.
- Select Windows 8 and click Apply.
- Click OK to save the changes.
- See if it works now.
Update iTunes
Windows 10 receives frequent automatic updates on a regular basis and this may cause enough changes to prevent iTunes from running properly. However, updating it to the latest version of iTunes may fix such issues.
If you have installed iTunes from Windows 10 store simple open the Microsoft store. click on (…) then Downloads and updates, here look for if any updates available and install them.
Launch Apple Software Update. It’s an updater bundled in with iTunes and you can access it from the Start menu. Once you’ve launched the updater, wait for a moment while it checks for available updates. If there’s an iTunes update, select it and click Install to apply the update. Also, make it a point to select any updates for related Apple software as well.
After the update process, attempt to open iTunes. If the issue was caused by a Windows 10 update in the first place, iTunes should function normally now.
Launch iTunes in safe mode
This is another effective solution if you face iTunes won’t launch on Windows 10, iTunes not opening after installing windows updates etc. Simply Press Ctrl+Shift and then attempt to launch iTunes. On the pop-up box, click Continue to accept that you want to open the application in Safe Mode.
If iTunes loads properly, the issue might be caused by an outdated plugin. Now, let’s attempt to isolate the problematic plugin. Before proceeding, exit iTunes. Go to the storage location of the iTunes plugins. To do that, press Windows+R to launch Run. Now, enter %appdata% into the Run box and click OK. You should be inside a folder labeled Roaming. Now, open these folders in the following order — Apple Computer > iTunes > iTunes Plug-ins. Copy the plugin files within the folder to another location – to the desktop.
Once you’ve singled it out, you can either contact the publisher of the plugin for an updated version or permanently remove it from the iTunes Plug-ins folder. For now, proceed with the working plugins to open the application normally.
Repair iTunes
If running iTunes as an administrator, launching it in Safe Mode or applying the latest updates didn’t fix things for you, then it might be time to repair your iTunes installation that fixes corruption on the software level. This applies to any software that offers Repair mode which is not installed from the store.
- Open Control Panel > Program and Features > Select iTunes
- Look for a ‘Change’ option on the top of the listing.
- Click on it, and it will run the installer. It will offer you a ‘Repair’ option.
- Click, and it will fix or repair all the core files required for iTunes to work.
- Once the process is complete, launch iTunes and see if the problem is fixed.
If Itunes is installed through the windows store then Open the Start menu, search for Apps & Features, and press Enter. From the list of app, select iTunes and click Advanced options. Here select the repair option also you can select the reset option to reinstall the app and revert to its default settings.
iTunes freeze at startup (Not responding)
If iTunes freeze at startup, you can kill it and relaunch it again using the Task Manager. So as soon as you see that it’s frozen Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager. If your entire PC is frozen, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to forcibly launch the Task Manager. Under the Processes tab, select iTunes and click End Task. That should take care of the frozen process. You should now be able to open iTunes normally.
Sometimes, certain corrupted files within your iTunes music library can stop it from working properly. That cause attempt to open iTunes while holding down the Shift key. On the pop-up window, click Create Library. Your default library resides within a folder labeled iTunes. To create a new library, enter a filename – iTunes New, for example – and click Save. Now check iTunes opens after creating the new library.
Outdated or corrupt network drivers can crash or stop iTunes from launching at all and you can isolate the issue simply by disabling your Internet. If you are connected via Wi-Fi, simply disconnect from it, and if you’re on a wired connection, consider removing your Ethernet cable.
If iTunes launches properly without the Internet, it’s time to fix your network drivers. Before proceeding, reconnect to the Internet. Right-click on the Start menu select Device manager, and Expand Network Adapters. You should see a list of items listed underneath. Right-click an item and select Update Driver. On the pop-up box, click Search Automatically for Updated Drivers.
Repeat the process for each item listed under Network Adapters. Windows 10 should download and install the appropriate drivers over the Internet. If that fails, you may have to manually download the drivers from your PC manufacturer’s website and install them.
iTunes not detecting iPhone windows 10
- First of all, Ensure the latest version of iTunes is installed.
- Plug your Apple device (iPhone) into a different USB port on your computer using the included USB cable.
- Ensure your device is on the Home screen. If there is any prompt to “Trust“, select to trust the device.
- Ensure the following services are set to start automatically and are started:
- iPod Service
- Apple Mobile Device Service
- Bonjour Service
Open the control panel, Select devices and printers. Your iPhone or iPad should be displayed in the “Unspecified” section. Right-click it and select “Properties“.
Note: If you don’t see your device listed here, ensure you have selected to trust the PC on the device and you are using a supported cable.
- Select the “Hardware” tab, then click the “Properties” button.
- From the “General” tab, select the “Change settings” button.
- Select the “Driver” tab, then select “Update Driver“.
- Choose “Browse my computer for driver software“.
Select “Browse…” then navigate to “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers“. If you don’t have this folder, check in “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers“. If you still don’t see it, try reinstalling iTunes.
iTunes Freezes When iPhone is Connected
One of the common reasons on iTunes freezes when connecting to iPhone may be the Automatic Sync. To disable automatic sync Open iTunes but don’t connect your iPhone.
Choose ‘Edit’ from the drop-down in the upper-left corner of the iTunes application window and choose ‘Preferences’. A dialog box will appear, choose the ‘Devices’ tab and then check the box on the left of ‘Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically’. Press ‘OK’. Connect your devices and see if iTunes still freezes.
Another solution to get rid of this issue is to check the USB cable that you are using to make the connection. This is important as an issue with the wire which doesn’t let a proper connection take place may also result in iTunes being frozen. As loose or broken USB wire can restrict communication between the iOS device and iTunes. Not only that, but you also need to see if the USB port is working alright by inserting other drivers in order to check if the problem is in the wire or the port which as well results in iTunes not working properly.
iTunes Not Syncing Music/Photos with iPhone
If the computer you’re using is not authorized, you will fail to sync music, photos, or other files from iTunes to your iPhone. You can authorize your computer by following the steps below.
- On Windows: Open iTunes and go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer from the menu bar. Enter your password and then click Authorize.
- On Mac: Open iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID. Go to Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer from the menu bar.
Temporarily Turn off iCloud Music Library to do this Go to Settings > Music, then disable the iCloud Music Library.
Try another Apple cable to sync data from iTunes to your iPhone.
If the iTunes syncing works but no music, photos, or apps is imported to iPhone, disable the “Manually manage music and videos” under the Summary tab and force manual syncing data to the iPhone through drag and drop. Enable “Sync Music”, “Sync Movies” etc under the tabs of “Music”, “Movies”, etc. Tab Sync button after checking and unchecking the boxes.
Also if the Sync button is greyed out or no files are transferred to the iPhone that causes try to reauthorize iTunes so that your Mac or PC will be permitted to access your music, photos, movies, audiobooks, and apps.
Did these solutions help to fix iTunes Not Working on Windows 10, iTunes not syncing music, and photos, iTunes not recognizing iPhone or not showing iPhone windows 10. Share your Feedback in the comments below.