Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Tech News Today
Home»Mac»6 Ways to Fix “iTunes Won’t Open on Mac” Error

6 Ways to Fix “iTunes Won’t Open on Mac” Error

utkarshaBy utkarshaDecember 4, 2022
itunes-wont-open-on-mac

iTunes is like an all-in-one library for Mac users. The iTunes application was relevant for Mac users up until the macOS Mojave (10.14). The collective media library was separated into standalone libraries such as Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Books, etc.

Users who still use the macOS Mojave or before still encounter an “iTunes cannot be opened because of a problem” error message. And, as the message states, you won’t be able to launch the application in this particular session.

Here are the reasons iTunes failing to open on your Mac:

  • Outdated application
  • Low storage space
  • Corrupted properties files

Table of Contents

  • How to Fix “iTunes Won’t Open on Mac” Error?
    • Force Close iTunes
    • Delete iTunes Properties Files
    • Safe Boot iTunes
      • On Intel Macs 
      • On M1 Macs
    • Manage Your System Storage
    • Update iTunes
    • Delete and Reinstall iTunes

How to Fix “iTunes Won’t Open on Mac” Error?

The first thing you can do is restart your computer. This will discard any OS-related glitches and could fix your problem itself. Then, follow all the methods shown below.

Note: Keep in mind that the fixes mentioned below only apply to users who still use the classic iTunes application on their Mac. macOS Catalina (10.15) or later doesn’t support iTunes.

Force Close iTunes

Every time your iTunes application starts misbehaving, you can force close and restart it again. This will prevent any session-related errors and glitches that might have factored into the iTunes error prompt. So, force close iTunes and  jumpstart the application with the steps shown below:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Press Command + Spacebar to bring up Spotlight.
  3. Type and navigate to Activity Monitor.
  4. On the CPU tab, search for iTunes and select it.
  5. Click the ‘x’ sign to close it.
    force-close-activity-montior

Delete iTunes Properties Files

macOS creates properties files of certain applications to store their configurations and profile settings. But, if, unfortunately, these properties files get corrupted, the particular application will fail to work properly.

To prevent this issue in the future, you can clear up these properties files from your system library. Furthermore, the OS will regenerate these files automatically the next time you launch your application.

Here’s how you remove the iTunes properties files:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. From the finder menu bar, click on Go > Go to Folder.
  3. Enter ~/Library/Preferences.
    library-preferences
  4. Delete com.apple.iTunes.plist and com.apple.iTunes.plist.lockfile files.
  5. Then, go to the dock, right-click on your trash can, and select Empty Bin.
    empty-bin-1
  6. Relaunch iTunes.

Safe Boot iTunes

To ensure that third-party extensions and applications are not interfering with your application’s workflow, you can start up your computer in safe mode and launch iTunes in this mode.

The safe mode feature makes use of only the mandatory and minimum required drivers of your computer. So, if iTunes works well in safe mode, it’s almost certain that conflicting third-party applications are the reason for this error message on your screen.

On Intel Macs 

  1. Shut down.
  2. Press Power and turn on the Mac.
  3. As soon as it starts up, hold Shift.
  4. Release it only after you see the login menu.
    safe-boot-mac
  5. Then, log in to your account.

On M1 Macs

  1. Shut down.
  2. Hold Power and turn on the Mac.
  3. Release the key only after you see Options.
    startup-options
  4. Select a bootable drive to boot from.
  5. Then, hold Shift and choose to Continue in Safe Mode.

Once your system has fully booted up in safe mode, launch iTunes. And if the application runs without any problems, you have to remove the third-party kernel extension that was preventing it from operating efficiently in the normal mode. For this,

  1. Press Command + Spacebar to bring up Spotlight.
  2. Type and navigate to Terminal.
  3. Enter this command to view the list of extensions working in the kernel mode:
    kextstat.
  4. Any extension that doesn’t begin with com.apple.* is a third-party extension.
    kernel-exts
  5. Track the extension back to its original application and remove the application from your computer.

Manage Your System Storage

iTunes requires a certain amount of disk space to operate on. So, if you have minimal available free space on your device, chances are that it’s preventing the application from starting up normally.

However, to counter this, macOS provides you with certain storage management tools to optimize your system space. You can access this tool directly from the Finder, and here’s how you do so:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. From the finder menu bar, select Apple > About This Mac.
    apple-about-this-mac
  3. Open your Storage window.
    mac-storage
    Here, you’ll see how much space is available on your device and what files are taking up the most storage.
  4. If you have low space available on your device, Manage your storage.
  5. You now have the option to Store in iCloud, Optimize Storage, Empty Trash Automatically, and Reduce Clutter.
    optimize-storage1
  6. Select the method most suitable for you and manage your system storage.

Update iTunes

If your iTunes application is outdated, it probably has a few compatibility and stability issues. Developers research such issues on their programs and build an update file to patch them up. Furthermore, new security features ensure that your data is secure and well-managed.

So, if there are iTunes updates available for your system, we recommend you install them as soon as possible because this might be the easiest and fastest way to fix your problem.

  1. Open App Store.
  2. Select Update on the sidebar.
    update-imovie
  3. Let your system scan your computer for the list of available updates.
  4. If there is an iTunes update available, click on Update to upgrade the application.
  5. Wait until the installation is complete.
  6. Relaunch iTunes.

Delete and Reinstall iTunes

If none of the aforementioned fixes work for you, you have to delete your application and redownload it. Re-downloading the application installs the latest version of that application, and all the corrupted app data gets discarded as well. So, here’s how you delete and reinstall iTunes on your computer:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Select Applications from the sidebar.
  3. Right-click on iTunes and choose to Move to Trash.
  4. Then, go to the dock, right-click on your trash can and select Empty Trash.
    empty-bin-1
  5. Now, download iTunes for your system.
  6. Re-install it.
fix
utkarsha

Utkarsha is a tech writer who specializes in writing about macOS. He has been using the platform since its earliest days, and has written extensively about its various iterations. He also enjoys watching movies and traveling.

Related Posts

how-to-extend-display-on-mac-1

How to Extend Display on macOS

December 26, 2022
how-to-zoom-out-on-mac

How to Zoom Out on Mac

December 26, 2022
batch-rename-files-mac

How to Batch Rename Files on Mac

December 22, 2022
how-to-airplay-from-iphone-to-mac

How to Airplay From iPhone to Mac

December 21, 2022
how-to-add-printer-to-mac

How to Add Printer to Mac

December 20, 2022
transfer-file-between-iphone-and-mac-1

How to Transfer File Between iPhone and Mac

December 19, 2022
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Posts
how long does a cmos battery last

How Long Does a CMOS Battery Last

January 25, 2023
thunderbolt vs usb c

Thunderbolt Vs USB C: What’s the Difference

January 25, 2023
how to find hidden folder in laptop

How to Find Hidden Folder in Laptop

January 24, 2023
You may also like
watch-twitch-on-roku-tv

How to Watch Twitch on Roku TV

January 25, 2023
hp mouse not working

HP Mouse Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

January 25, 2023
install-kodi-on-firestick

How to Install Kodi on Firestick (Step-By-Step Guide)

January 25, 2023
Recommended
Cookie Clicker Garden Guide

Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed

September 26, 2021
monitor no signal

Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix)

November 10, 2022
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
© 2023 TechNewsToday.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.