How to Fix iTunes Keeps Skipping Songs on Windows & Mac

Part 1. Why iTunes or Apple Music Skips Songs

Most issues are tied either to unavailable songs, cloud syncing problems, or misconfigured features and settings. Once you know where to look, you can usually fix skipping issues easily:

1. Unstable or Weak Internet Connection

Your iTunes or Apple Music playback relies on a stable internet connection. If the connection is weak or keeps dropping, songs may skip or fail to load entirely. This often happens while streaming playlists online. Even a brief slowdown can make the app jump to the next track before the current one finishes.

2. Corrupted or Incomplete Song Downloads

Downloaded songs can also cause skipping. If a track didn't finish downloading properly, or the file is corrupted, iTunes won't play it. Large albums or older songs that were interrupted during download are common offenders. Re-downloading usually fixes this issue quickly.

3. Library Syncing Errors Between Devices

If your library is spread across multiple devices or accounts, iTunes or Apple Music can struggle to keep everything in sync. The app may be waiting for data from the cloud or another device, which can cause tracks to be skipped.

4. DRM or File Authorization Problems

Sometimes iTunes skips songs because the program can't load them. This usually happens when a track is no longer available - maybe it was removed from the store, temporarily inaccessible in the cloud, or restricted by DRM. Songs that require verification may fail to play and be skipped automatically.

5. Unauthorized Device or Account Sign-In Issues

Skipping can also be linked to account or device problems. If a device isn't authorized, or there's a sign-in error with your Apple ID, certain songs may not load.

6. Outdated iTunes, Music App, or Operating System

Outdated software - whether iTunes, the Music app, or your operating system - can introduce bugs that make songs skip unexpectedly. Keeping your apps and system up to date helps prevent these issues.

7. Limited Storage Space or Conflicting Playback Settings

Low storage can prevent songs from downloading or caching properly, which may cause skipping. Conflicting playback settings can also interrupt tracks unexpectedly.

8. Bluetooth or Audio Output Glitches

Sometimes skipping isn't caused by the song at all. Bluetooth interference or problems with audio devices can make it seem like tracks are skipping, even when the app is functioning correctly.

Part 2. How to Fix iTunes or Apple Music Skipping

Key steps include refreshing your library, re-downloading problem songs, updating software, and checking device performance. On desktop, deleting the "SC Info" and "adi" cache files can fix stubborn issues, but it should be done carefully to avoid affecting your iTunes authorizations. Following these steps in order usually resolves skipping problems. Instructions cover both iTunes on desktop and Apple Music on Mac or iOS devices.

Part 3. Alternative Ways to Fix Specific Skipping Issues

If only certain songs are skipping, the problem is often with those files themselves. Following methods focus on the files themselves, addressing issues that standard troubleshooting can't fix.

1. Reimport Ripped Songs from CD

If the skipped tracks were ripped from a CD, the original files may be incomplete or corrupted.

Step 1 Insert the CD into your computer's CD/DVD drive.

Step 2 Open iTunes. The CD should appear in the left sidebar under Devices.

Step 3 Click the CD name to view its tracks.

Step 4 Click the Import CD button in the top-right corner of the window.

Step 5 Choose your preferred import settings and click OK.

Step 6 Once imported, check your Songs library to confirm the tracks appear correctly and replace the old, problematic files with these newly imported ones.

2. Redownload Songs from iCloud or Store

For purchased or cloud-based songs, skipping may happen if the files didn't download correctly.

Step 1 Open iTunes (or the Music app on Mac/iOS).

Step 2 Locate the skipped song in your library. If it has a cloud icon with a downward arrow, it indicates it needs redownloading.

Step 3 Delete the problematic song: right-click the track and select Delete from Library. Confirm when prompted.

Step 4 In iTunes, click Account > Purchased from the top menu, then select Music. On iOS, open the Music app, tap Library > Purchased.

Step 5 Find the song and click the download icon (cloud with downward arrow) to redownload. Check that it fully downloads before playing.

3. Convert and Reupload Unmatched Files

Sometimes, iTunes marks songs with an exclamation point (!), meaning it can't locate the original file or it's incompatible.

Step 1 In iTunes, go to Songs in the left sidebar.

Step 2 Click View > Show View Options from the top menu and check Cloud Status.

Step 3 Scroll through your library to find songs marked with an exclamation point (!), indicating iTunes can't locate the file.

Step 4 Right-click the song and select Locate. A dialog box will appear.

Step 5 Navigate to the correct folder on your computer and click Open to reconnect the file.

Step 6 Drag the converted file into iTunes or use File > Add to Library to re-add it. Confirm the track now plays smoothly without skipping.

Bonus. How to Convert Your Apple Music Library

To prevent skipping and ensure your music is always available offline, consider converting your Apple Music library. Tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter let you save songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, and your entire library directly to your computer.

With ViWizard Apple Music Converter, you can choose output formats such as MP3, M4A, M4B, FLAC, AIFF, or WAV. The software delivers high-fidelity output and keeps metadata intact, so track information, album art, and playlists remain organized. This approach not only helps prevent skipping and playback errors but also makes it easy to back up your music, transfer it to other devices, or manage a large library more efficiently.

Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter

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• Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
• Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
• Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
• Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details

Step 1Install and Launch the Converter

Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer. Once installed, open the program and sign in with your Apple Music account. This allows the tool to access your full music library, including playlists, albums, and any downloaded tracks that may be causing playback issues.

Step 2Set Output Format and Preferences

Go to the settings panel and choose a standard output format, such as MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, or AIFF. You can also adjust sound quality by setting the bit rate or sample rate to your preference. Make sure to keep ID3 tags and metadata intact so that titles, artists, album artwork, and playlists remain organized after conversion.

Step 3Select Songs to Convert

Browse your Apple Music library within the converter and select the tracks, albums, or playlists that have been skipping or won't play properly. Adding them to the conversion list ensures even songs affected by temporary glitches, DRM, or syncing errors are prepared for smooth playback.

Step 4Start the Conversion and Access Your Files

Click Convert to begin. When the process is complete, open the output folder on your computer to locate your converted files. These tracks are now in a standard, DRM-free format, allowing you to play them on any device without interruptions, transfer them freely, and enjoy consistent playback without worrying about Apple Music app errors or network issues.

Summary

When you finish reading this article, you should not be bothered by iTunes skipping through songs anymore. The most common problem is a network problem. You can pick the one that suits you from the above methods, go ahead and try it out. Don't forget that ViWizard Audio Converter can also help you solve the problem of songs skipping on iTunes, it also helps you to easily play your iTunes Music playlists on any device. Click the button below to start trying it out.