iTunes not connecting to NAS music library

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iTunes not connecting to NAS music library

I recently changed my laptop to another more up-to-date Dell running windows 11 Pro. On the old Windows 10 one I had the iTunes skin and pointed the iTunes folder location to my iTunes stored on my QNAP NAS. It worked fine with the iTunes skin on my laptop showing all my 2000 plus CD ripped music and album covers. If I ripped a new CD to iTunes (which I often do) it appeared on my NAS and in iTunes. I also used the same pathway for my Sonos which again worked fine.

So, when setting up my new laptop I authorised the laptop to my Apple account then I again added the iTunes skin and pointed it to the iTunes on my QNAP NAS. But, even though it did not say there was an issue with the pathway (which is exactly the same as used on my old laptop) when I clicked OK nothing happens. iTunes just stays blank. My Sonos using the same pathway has picked up the iTunes on my NAS as before.

I have included a screenshot of the preferences 'advanced' showing the pathway. Any help would be gratefully received.

[Edited by Moderator]

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Oct 30, 2025 6:07 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

277,937 points

Oct 30, 2025 8:13 AM in response to pompeyexile

The media folder setting in preferences control where new items added to the library will be stored, it doesn't trigger any discovery of content that might already be in that location. I presume your old computer or a backup of it holds the iTunes Library.itl file that contains the database of what items have been added to the library. This should be copied to your new computer and accessed by holding down shift as you launch iTunes and using the choose library option. Note the media folder would normally be set to the iTunes Media folder rather than the Music subfolder within it.

See Move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Community for further background. With the media folder on a NAS drive I would maintain the split layout of the library.

tt2

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