Are you encountering error code 54 on iTunes while using your PC? This error typically occurs when syncing or transferring content between your iPhone or other iOS devices and Windows with iTunes. When triggered, it displays an error message similar to the one below
This post will discuss why this error may occur and how you can fix it. So, let’s find out below.
What is iTunes Error 54?
iTunes error 54 is a permission issue that frequently occurs when attempting to sync files with a locked computer or when the computer isn’t authorized to access iTunes files or content. Alongside error 54, other unknown iTunes errors like error 0xE8000015, error 3194, and error 3150 are also quite common. In this guide, we’ll primarily concentrate on troubleshooting tips for iTunes error 54.
Fix iTunes error code 54 on Windows
If you are getting error code 54 while syncing files between your iPhone and Windows PC using iTunes, here are the solutions to fix the error:
- Update your iTunes app.
- Consolidate your iTunes library.
- Check for third-party software interference.
- Try syncing fewer files at a time.
- Delete and then re-import your content.
- Exclude PDF files from the sync process.
- Change iTunes folder permission.
- Use an iTunes alternative.
1] Update your iTunes app
Sync errors like this can often occur if you’re using an outdated version of the iTunes app. Therefore, the initial step to resolve this error is to update your iTunes app. You can do this through the Microsoft Store. Simply open the Store, navigate to your Library, and click on the “Get updates” button to download and install any available software updates for iTunes as well as other outdated apps.
2] Consolidate your iTunes Library
You may have your content, such as audio, video, and other media files, saved in various locations. If you encounter this error while attempting to sync iTunes content stored in different folders, it could be the cause. In such a case, you can consolidate your iTunes library and then start the syncing process. Here’s how to do it:
- First, open the iTunes app and go to the File menu.
- Now, move to the Library option and select the Organize Library option.
- In the prompt that appears, tick the Consolidate files checkbox and press OK..
- When done, try syncing files between iTunes and iPhone and see if the error is gone
3] Check for third-party software interference
This sync error could be caused by interference from some third-party applications, especially antivirus software. So, you can temporarily disable or close third-party security and other software running in the background, and then try syncing files to see if the error is resolved.
4] Try syncing fewer files at a time
If you attempt to sync a large number of files between your iPhone and PC using iTunes all at once, you may encounter error code 54. To resolve this, try syncing a smaller number of files at a time and check if the error persists.
5] Delete and then re-import your content
If the content you are trying to sync is not from the iTunes Store, try deleting the content. You can then re-import the content from its original source. See if it helps.
6] Exclude PDF files from the sync process
This error may occur when attempting to sync problematic PDF files from Apple Books on your computer. If this situation applies to you, try emailing the PDFs from the Books app to yourself. Afterwards, delete them from your iPhone to see if the error is resolved.
7] Change iTunes folder permission
Another potential cause of this error could be that your iTunes folder on Windows is read-only. So, change its folder permissions and see if the error is fixed. To do that, you can use the below steps:
- First, open File Explorer using Win+E and navigate to the Libraries > Music folder.
- Now, locate the iTunes folder and right-click on it.
- From the context menu, select the Properties option.
- Next, uncheck the Read-only box from the General tab and press the OK button.
8] Use an iTunes alternative
If you continue encountering this error, you can opt for an alternative to iTunes to sync files between your iPhone and Windows. There are free software options available such as MediaMonkey, iExplorer, AnyTrans, and CopyTrans, which allow you to transfer media files between your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch and PC seamlessly.
