Vista “iTunes has stopped working” problem solved.
I have been getting a strange message from iTunes for a few weeks now and haven’t had the time to look into it. The message was “iTunes has stopped working”, and the signature was listed as APPCRASH in the module “QuickTime.qts_unloaded”.
Looking around on the net it seems that its hurting a lot of people. Some were claiming that a QuickTime re-install would work, others were stating that it didn’t (and that was my experience too).
After playing around for some time I finally have a solution based on something that a “Carey Frisch” wrote in a forum. Note that some of these steps might not be needed, but I can’t back out and retry.
- Re-install latest iTunes
- Install MS update 938194 for vista reliability
- Install MS update 938979 for vista reliability
- Run QuickTime install, but choose repair.
- if that didn’t work try a full QuickTime install rather than a repair.
That order worked for me. You might want to ignore step 1 and just try 2,3 & 4 (due to the large iTunes download size), although that might not work if you have a slightly older version of iTunes.
Update: I suspect this problem might be related to Vista Codec Package… or K-lite. Please post a comment if you are using either of these or not. Thanks
Update2: It seems that this solution doesn’t work for everyone. But unfortunately that means I can’t check for a better solution, since mine is working now. However I am curious to know if people that still have this problem can open Windows Movie Maker? I came across this MS Knowledge base article about “Window Movie Maker has stopped working“. It sounds like a similar problem and a similar solution probably exists for iTunes, however it looks like the iTunes related codecs are not accessible through Movie Maker.
But if you are having this problem with Windows Movie Maker or Windows DVD Maker, or Windows Photo Galler, then take a look at the knowledge base article.
Question1: If the first solution doesn’t work, does Windows Movie Maker start? or does it give this same “has stopped working” message?
Question 2: Does any one know how to see what codecs are installed on Windows Vista? It was available in Control Panel > Multimedia in XP, but I just can’t find it anywhere in Vista. (Apart from some codec information in the Windows Media Player > Help > About windows media player - but that only appears to be related to Windows Media Player).
My Guess: Try uninstalling any codec packages you have and then repairing QuickTime. It sounds like this “has stopped working” message relates to incompatible codecs.
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August 14th, 2007 at 6:44 am
would this work for the windows xp as well, and if not, do you know how to or know anyone who does??
August 14th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
The MS updates are for Vista only. However you could try just updating QuickTime, that works for some people.
August 14th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I to am having a problem with Itunes. Everytime I try to log in it says error correct. I also tried to access Quicktime but that as well says it has an error . I followed all the steps you’ve given me and I’m having no luck.
Any other sugestions??!!
I don’t think the problem is from my computer but rather from the new update.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Adam, your problem sounds very different to the “iTunes has stopped working problem”. It sounds like you can’t connect to the iTunes store?
If so my debug steps would be:
- internet connection working? I assume yes.
- firewall? maybe windows firewall or zone alarm is blocking itunes. Try disabling the whole firewall for a short period to confirm. Once confirmed try and remove the block for iTunes (don’t just run without the firewall).
- router problems? Unlikely, but you never know.
Do you have any more information?
- what operating system?
- what is the exact error message? And when does it happen?
- when was the last time it worked, and what had you done from when it last worked?
- have you uninstalled iTunes and then updated to the new version? Or just updated over the top?
August 16th, 2007 at 5:36 am
Hi, I have the same itunes problem “itunes has stopped working…”. I followed the step 2, and when I went to step 3, a box appeared and said that this updoate does not apply to my system. Anyway I followed step an4 too. When I tried to launch itunes I received the same ugly message. Any other suggestion???
August 16th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Hey there
I’m having the same problem and using Vista Codecs except I was using them for quite a while before iTunes stopped working on me. I think QT is at fault though, I just wish I knew how to solve the problem (right now reformatting the hard drive seems like the way to go then reinstall an easier version of itunes and never ever update again)
August 17th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Lesley, my method did not work for you?
August 17th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Speaking of Vista Codecs…
Has anyone else had problems with Vista hanging applications that are using directories that have videos in them? I’m talking gib time hang. my core 2 duo machine keeps going because only one core hangs, but I can’t even kill the process. Then once it happens to my second core it requires a hard power down.
For some reason Vista Codec’s has a problem with the video files that my Pentax camera produces. I ended up un-installing Vista Codecs and installing K-lite.
August 17th, 2007 at 11:54 am
I have got the “iTunes stopped working” problem, and for me, I found out after much trial and error that K-lite codec pack turned out to be the problem for me.
Apparently, if you have any software that is set to be the default application for files that iTunes and Quicktime are supposed to be the default (e.g. .mov quicktime files), then you get the “iTunes stopped working” problem.
This is true at least for the installation or update of iTunes in vista, so if .mov is linked to k-lite instead of quicktime, it prevents quicktime from being properly installed or updated, and therefore stops iTunes from working properly since it needs quicktime to be working.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
please help… I’ve done everything that I could think of. Even went through your steps and it still does not work. I have windows vista home premium 32-bit.
The only thing I could think of that might have messed up my itunes is a codec pack I downloaded and installed. ACE MEGA CODEC. I erased it and on the next day I tried opening itunes and the same message keeps on appearing.
iTunes has stopped working. Windows will notify if there is any solution.. bla bla bla..
Please anyone! Help
August 21st, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Did you choose to repair QuickTime or re-install?
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:15 am
thanks alot…this worked perfectly for me
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Hi i have a codec pack installed and then i tunes broke i have since unistalled the codec pack and i tunes and then i reinstalled i tunes but it still coms up with “iTunes has stopped working” error message i have the latest version of i tunes.
Can anyone help to suggest a diffrent program to use?
August 24th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Silentreidy, did you repair QuickTime as per the instructions?
August 25th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Unfortunately your directions did not work for me. I had the Vista Codec Pack installed yesterday but it was also uninstalled yesterday. At this point I only have the Xvid and Divx codecs installed.
Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!
August 25th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Got it working - I installed strictly Quicktime via this suggestion (http://www.thecomputerforums.co.uk/f52/itunes-has-stopped-working-vista-5974/) and it worked great.
Thanks.
August 25th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
It worked for me.thatnks for the help.does anybody know if again is gonna stop working? or im done with this error?
August 25th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
i have now got a new codec pack and it works fine, i found out that i had two versions of quicktime that were clashing. Hope this might help other people as well.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:21 am
I fixed my problem - reinstall JUST Quicktime and it should work just fine.
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Yes, I’m using a Codec Pack, called ACE Mega Codec Pack (wich is almost the same as K-Lite). Codec packs are causing a lot of trouble ;).
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I tried your solution, but it didn’t work. After that I deleted my Codec Pack, and guess what, it works :). Just uninstall the Codec Pack and iTunes will work.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Run QuickTime install, but choose repair.
Thanks, that worked for me.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
It WORKS, whoa, thanks alot.
Stupid codecs :’)
September 10th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I can’t install both of the updates to my computer.
September 15th, 2007 at 5:49 am
It worked for me. I’m sure it was the
Quicktime repair. Thank you =)
September 19th, 2007 at 6:44 am
just went to programs, quicktime, hit quicktime and it asked to install, said yes. it wanted to upgrade and launched Apple.com, wanted to install the latest version of itunes for vista with quicktime, said no, exited. started itunes and it worked….go figure…. quicktime error
October 4th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I got the latest update for itunes and i tried both updates but i was told they weren’t required or something along those lines. I then repaired quicktime and yet when i fired up itunes i still got the same dreaded message. I need some help here.
October 6th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Why Can’t I Install Step 2. After I Tried To Install , It Came Out With A Message Said That ‘The Update Does Not Apply To Your System’, Why It Came Out With That Message, Please Help, Thanks.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:35 am
How do I delete the codecs from Vista? I have tried going to program manager to uninstall my Quicktime, it goes through the whole process but quicktime does not uninstall.
I am also getting the itunes has stopped working message. Additionally if I try to open just quicktime I get a buffer overrun error message. I am at my wits end on this itunes crap.
Any ideas? I have tried the repair of quicktime, I’ll check but pretty sure I have both of those vista updates also.
October 14th, 2007 at 5:08 am
Well part of the problem is that Ace installs quick time alternative. Some people have been able to go into the dashboard and deactivate the quicktime and realtime alternative and fix it. I uninstalled the codec pack and went with k-lite but that didn’t fix it. Neither did uninstalling and reinstalling all day. What finally worked for me was deleting everything in my windows system 32 folder that said quicktime including the folder that was named apple quicktime. Then I went to c:/documents and settings/username/application date/apple computer and deleted the quicktime folder. I did the same for the c:/documents and settings/all users/application date/apple computer quick time and installer cache folder. Then I did a repair install on quick time and tested it. When it worked I reinstalled i-tunes. I never deleted the itunes folders so I didn’t lose my data. K-lite doesn’t install the qicktime alternative so it shouldn’t cause this problem.
October 18th, 2007 at 12:08 am
1. Uninstall Itunes.
2. Uninstall QuickTime
3. Remove Itunes and QuickTime directory from C:\Program Files\
4. Rename the QuickTime directory to anything other than “QuickTime” in C:\Windows\System32
5. Reinstall iTunes w/ QuickTime
November 10th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I had the “itunes has stopped working” message as well. I just deleted quicktime entirely by uninstalling it, then going into the Windows32 folder on my c-drive and deleting the quicktime folder. Itunes works fine now. Thanks!
December 17th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
4 easy steps to get rid of this issue in case you have installed vista codec pack or ACE Codec Packs.
1. uninstall itunes/quicktime in case you still have it
2. uninstall the codec packes
3. restart your system
4. install latest itunes+quicktime package again and all should work like it was before
Enjoy!
December 24th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
so does anyone know a codec pack that will work with itunes?
January 5th, 2008 at 1:44 am
None of the above has worked for me. Have also tried installing QT alt and QT lite, but same itunes has topped working or quicktime has stopped working. Where do i find codecs to uninstall - as far as i know only the vista updates have been applied to my pc - no other 3rd party codecs. i’m sure problem is with QT, but no idea how to fix. Even went back to original version(4.x) of itunes, and while that does work, it no longer connects completely to the ipod - recognises, but won’t sync.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:45 am
you can try QuickTime 7.1.1 its from Apple. Need to say more!
January 31st, 2008 at 8:36 am
Worked perfectly! Solution on the Apple website was crap! Thank you so much!
February 17th, 2008 at 7:29 am
I’ve tried everything posted here so far and no go. It just stopped working recently… I’m on Vista Ultimate.. Only thing installed recently is a definition update to Windows Defender, a Outlook Junk Mail filter update and something about a Office Enterprise 2007 install.. But I didn’t touch my Office install.
Help!
March 4th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
My credit card was expired. Once I changed it to the new expiry date, iTunes worked fine.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I’ve gone through the 4 steps mentioned above, but nothing changed - itunes displays the same message: “A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available”. Surprisingly enough, I cannot play video files in Windows Media Player either, it says: “Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file. For additional assistance, click Web Help.”
I’ve got Windows Vista operating System. And I’ve gone through downloading the latest versions of itunes and Quicktime for several times now. Pease HELP?
Thanks a lot!!
March 18th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Something kinda major in Vista doesn’t work and the fix is geeky. That is news to me I thought Vista was perfect. NOT!
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Javait le meme probleme avec itunes apres desinstallation des codecs ace, j’ai réussi a ouvrir mon itunes; J’ai desinstallé autant itunes que quicktime, je suis allé sur système 32 et éliminé tous les fichiers quicktime (ne pas juste le folder), en suite, j’ai éliminé dans programs files le folder de itunes et celui de quicktime. Pou en finir, jai downloadé itunes-quicktime et réinstallé.
Merci à vous puisque ce que j’ai fait c’est parce que cétait écrit sur le forum.
(windows xp familiar)
March 24th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hi Guys just updated to service pack 1 vista thinking great this will sort out well no it did not the only way i get itunes to work is by clicking repair on QT evry time this is a bummer what a waste of time is there a version of QT i can use which is stable ?? even unistaled vista codecs and installed again ah well back to the drawing board so they say
August 7th, 2008 at 12:55 am
I have fixed the problem of “iTune has stopped working” on my Vista OS. And this is how I did….
1. Uninstall the QuickTime program at “Control Panel > Programs and Features > select QuickTime and click Uninstall. (Accourting to iTune needs QuickTime to open the iTune program and the problem on the iTune stopped working may cause by QuickTime also, so just uninstall QuickTime at first.
2. Uninstall the iTune program.
3. Uninstall the kLite Program. (If you have install this program)
4. Uninstall the Bonjour Program. (It’s a program to control the iTune Video)
5. Goto Apple.com and install the latest iTune + QuickTime.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
It works to me, hope it works to you too!