If you have trouble burning a CD or DVD

Here are things to note and try:

  • Make sure you’re trying to burn a playlist (a list of songs). You can’t burn a disc directly from your library, the Radio, a shared playlist, or your iPod. For more information, search help for “creating playlists.”

  • If you burn a CD or DVD but the right songs aren’t copied, or if nothing happens when you click the Burn Disc button, make sure the correct songs are checked in the playlist.

  • Make sure the correct disc format is selected after you click Burn Disc. To create a CD with any type of audio file that iTunes supports (MP3, AAC, AIFF, and so on), try choosing “Data CD or DVD.” If the playlist you’re trying to burn includes AAC files, make sure MP3 CD is not selected.

  • If your playlist includes iTunes Store purchases, you may have exceeded the number of times (seven) you can burn this playlist.

  • If CD burning stops at a particular song, the playlist might include iTunes Store purchases that haven’t been authorized to play on this computer. To authorize this computer, double-click the purchased song (where CD burning stopped) and enter the information for the account that purchased the song. You can authorize up to five computers at a time. For more information, search help for “authorization.”

  • If your blank CD or DVD doesn’t appear in the iTunes window or if your burning preferences aren’t being saved, make sure you have the appropriate privileges to burn CDs on your computer.

  • If your computer or display goes to sleep while you’re burning a CD, try increasing the sleep timing settings in the Power Options control panel.

  • If a burned CD stutters when you play it in an external CD-RW drive, try an internal drive or a stereo system.

  • If your CD burn is unsuccessful and your external drive becomes unresponsive, turn the drive off and on to reset it.

  • Use Windows Update to make sure you have the latest Service Pack for your computer installed.

  • Check your computer or drive manufacturer’s site for firmware updates and install any that are appropriate for your computer and CD or DVD drive.

  • Even if your computer is new, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video and sound cards, and other peripherals. Check the manufacturers’ sites for updates.

  • Try using a different brand of media or a different type of disc (for example, CD-RW instead of CD-R).

  • Try choosing a lower burn speed.

  • Movies purchased from the iTunes Store can’t be burned to a DVD or VCD that will play in a DVD player or Video CD.

  • Some CD-RW drives don’t work with iTunes. After you click Burn Disc, If your drive is shown next to CD Burner, it works with iTunes. If your drive isn’t shown, it might not be supported or the correct drivers might not be installed. To install the appropriate drivers, reinstall iTunes.

For more troubleshooting information, click the links below.


Related Topics

Creating a playlist

Authorizing a computer to play iTunes Store purchases

About burning CDs and DVDs

Open

iTunes Support website

iTunes for Windows: Additional troubleshooting for burning issues

If you have trouble burning a CD or DVD