iTunes is one of the iconic features of macOS, being the default media player for Macs for two decades. On April 26, 2018, Apple released iTunes 12 for Windows 10/11 devices that allows Windows users to enjoy this Mac app on PCs. And even though Apple has split iTunes into separate apps (Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts) starting macOS Catalina, the original app is still available on Windows computers and macOS versions Mojave and earlier.
However, iTunes is known to be prone to performance issues. Error -45061 is one of the errors you are most likely to encounter when running iTunes on macOS and Windows 10/11. Although this problem occurs frequently on Windows devices, the occurrence of error -45061 on Mac is also observed.
This guide will discuss what this error entails, what triggers it, and what you can do to fix the error and get your iTunes back up and running.
What Is Mac Error -45061?
The error -45061 usually occurs when you’re trying to listen to music on your iTunes. Sometimes the error pops up when you’re trying to download your iTunes music and albums on another device. For example, you downloaded some songs from your iTunes on Windows or iPhone and you want to sync them to your Mac’s iTunes. There seem to be some syncing issues that prevent your Mac from downloading the content from your iTunes account.
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According to user reports, this error usually happens when they are using the same iTunes account on multiple devices. Ideally, iTunes should automatically sync your music and albums across devices as long as you’re logged in. But because of error -45061, Mac users are not able to download their iTunes content from other devices.
If you’ve come across this error and tried to look for solutions online, you’ll notice that there isn’t many resources that will give you more information about this error. So we’ve come up with this guide to help users who are having trouble with iTunes.
What Causes Mac Error -45061?
There are several factors that could be behind the error -45061 on Mac. One of the first things that you should look into is your internet connection. You won’t be able to download your songs and albums on iTunes without a stable internet connection. Or the items you downloaded would be corrupted or incomplete. So make sure that you have a good internet connection when using iTunes.
Another element you should consider is the presence of malware or too many junk files on your computer. These elements can interfere with apps that are running on your computer and cause performance problems, such as the error -45061 on Mac.
You should also check if there are any pending updates that you need to install. Sometimes these errors are caused by bugs that can be fixed by patches released by Apple during updates. So if either your iTunes or macOS is outdated, you need to update it to the latest version to try and fix this error.
It is possible that the error -45061 is being triggered by an issue with your iTunes account. Your password might have changed or you need to update some information with your account. Check also whether your device has set the time and date correctly for your time zone.
How to Fix Mac error -45061?
The Mac error -45061 can be triggered by a host of different factors, so it requires a custom approach. If you can pinpoint the exact reason, then that would make troubleshooting a lot faster. But if you’re not sure what’s causing the iTunes error on your Mac, you can try any or all of the fixes below to find which works for you.
Fix #1: Restart iTunes.
Your first step should be to completely close the iTunes app by clicking Quit from the iTunes menu or pressing Command + Q. Once the app has been completely killed, relaunch it by clicking the iTunes icon from the Dock. If the error was caused by a glitch on macOS, then doing this should easily fix the error.
Fix #2: Reboot Your Mac.
If restarting the iTunes application did not work, you should try restarting your Mac instead. Rebooting should help refresh your operating system and allow you to start with a clean slate.
Fix #3: Delete Junk Files and Malware.
Junk files accumulate over time, and they can cause a wide range of errors on your Mac, not just iTunes. To prevent errors like -45061 from bringing you endless stress and annoyance, make it a habit to clean out unnecessary files regularly using Mac repair app. You should also run a scan using your anti-malware program to delete any threats that might be lurking on your Mac.
Fix #4: Switch to Different Network.
Connecting to a network with a better internet connection is also an easy way to fix this error. If you have a cable you can use to connect directly to your router, that would be ideal. Otherwise, you need to find the area with the best coverage to prevent errors caused by poor internet connection.
Fix #5: Log Out Then Log Back In.
Logging out of your iTunes account may help resolve this -45061 error, especially if it is being triggered by account inconsistencies. Click on your account name at the top menu bar, then click Sign Out. Restart the iTunes app then log back in by entering your account username and password.
Fix #6: Install All Updates.
To check for pending system updates, click on the Apple menu > About this Mac, then hit the Software Update button. If there are any available updates, install them on your Mac.
To check for any iTunes update, click on the Apple menu > App Store (you can also click the App Store icon from the Dock), then go to the Updates tab. Look for any updates for iTunes and install it to resolve this error.
Fix #7: Delete or Rename the adi and SC Info Folders on Windows.
If you encountered the -45061 error on Windows 10/11, the easiest way is by renaming the adi and SC Info folders. To do this:
- Quit the iTunes app.
- Press Windows + S to bring up the search console.
- In the search dialog, type in %ProgramData%, then press Enter.
- Show hidden files by clicking View in the top menu, then choose Hidden items.
- Double-click on the Apple Computer folder to open it,
- Open the iTunes folder.
- Rename the adi and SC Info folders by right-clicking each folder then choosing Rename from the menu. Select Delete if you want to remove them completely.
- Restart your computer and open iTunes to see if the error has been resolved.
Final Thoughts
If the above solutions do not resolve the -45061 error you are experiencing, your last option is to uninstall the iTunes app and reinstall a fresh copy. This would resolve any error or performance issues you might be experiencing with the app.