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Attempting to copy to the disk failed (-54)

When attempting to add music to my iTunes library, either by copying from CD or drag and drop MP3s from the finder I get error:

Attempting to copy to the disk failed (-54)


I have tried restarting, and repairing disc permissions.

Posted on Jun 30, 2019 5:38 PM

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7 replies

Jun 30, 2019 5:42 PM in response to James Rydings

If you see error -54 when you sync with iTunes

https://support.apple.com/HT205597


From an OS9 reference, error -54 is a software lock on a file or a permissions error. (Although there is no formal list of OSX error code some of the old codes still apply to OSX .)


First, try simply restarting your computer.


Try quitting iTunes, then deleting the .xml (not .itl !) version of the library file in the iTunes folder (iTunes will generate a new one).


iTunes Library cannot be saved (Error -54) - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1912814 - various things to try.


Unknown error (-54) while syncing ipod - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1082953 - problem was locked files


Mar. 2016 LincDavis post: https://discussions.apple.com/message/29951885#29951885


Why does iTunes keep showing a -54 error when I sync my iPad? - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3727114


Apr. 2016 Unknown Sync error occurred (-54) - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7245433 - Problem was iBooks


April 2018 - Attempting to copy to the disk "Macintosh HD" failed. An unknown error occurred (-54). Message while syncing iPhone to computer. - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8326991 - Re-authorise Mac



Attempting to copy to the disk failed (-54)

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