If a song doesn’t appear in iTunes anymore

If you move song files, you might have to drag them to iTunes again to be able to play the songs. To set up iTunes to copy items you add to your library so that you can move the original files and still play them in iTunes:

If you move songs out of the iTunes folder, you might have to add the songs to iTunes again before you can play them.

If you throw away the iTunes Library file, your songs will no longer appear in your library even though the song files are still in the iTunes folder.

If files have mysteriously disappeared, run a full scan of your computer with up-to-date anti-virus software.

Here are ways to make your songs appear in the library again:

  • Drag your iTunes folder (by default, located inside My Documents/My Music) to the iTunes window. You will see the songs in your library again. If the iTunes Library file was included, you’ll also see your original playlists.

  • If that doesn’t work, your songs may be elsewhere on your hard disk. From the Start Menu, choose Search and search for a song by title or artist. Drag folders containing songs to iTunes to add the songs to iTunes again.

    If you don’t find songs by searching, check the Recycle Bin.

Related Topics

Consolidating your library

Finding where your iTunes files are stored

If a song doesn’t appear in iTunes anymore