While iTunes can be problematic at times, the problem related to authorizing a computer with iTunes is fairly easy to fix using methods as listed below in this post.
Cannot Authorize Computer On iTunes
In case you are having problems authorizing a computer to iTunes it could be due to any of the following reasons.
1. Problem with your Apple ID or minor iTunes Glitch
2. You have too many computers linked to your iTunes Account
3. You have Corrupted iTunes Info Files on your Computer
Let us take a look at all the three situations, starting with the simple solution first.
Problem with Apple ID or Minor iTunes Glitch
Sometimes it is quite possible that iTunes is having a problem recognizing your Apple ID or there is some glitch on iTunes that is preventing it from recognizing your computer.
To fix this problem, just logout of your iTunes Account on your computer and login back again.
1. Open iTunes on your computer and click on the Account tab.
2. From the drop-down Menu, click on Sign out and close the iTunes Window.
3. Now, open iTunes again on your computer and click on the Account tab.
4. From the drop-down, click on Sign In… to sign back in to your iTunes Account. See if the problem is gone now.
Too Many Computers Linked to iTunes
iTunes allows you to authorize up to 5 computers per Account, you won’t be able to authorize any more computers once you reach this limit.
In case you do not have 5 computers, it is likely that you are still exceeding the 5 computer limit due to some old computers being attached to your iTunes Account.
Your Computer count on iTunes can also go up when you do a fresh installation of the Operating System on your computer without Deauthorizing a Computer on iTunes first. In such cases, iTunes counts your single computer as 2 computers.
Whatever may be the case, the problem can be easily fixed by using the option to “Deauthorize All computers” as available in iTunes.
1. Open iTunes on your Computer and Sign in With your Apple ID (in case you are not already signed in).
2. Now in iTunes, click on the Account Tab to open a drop-down menu (See image below).
3. From the drop-down menu, click on View My Account… (See image above).
4. On the next screen, enter your Password and click on View Account button (See image below).
5. You will be taken to your Account Information Screen. On this screen, you will be able to see the number of computers authorized to your iTunes Account under section Apple ID Summary (See image below).
6. Next, click on Deauthorize All button that you can see next to Computer Authorizations (See image above).
7. You will see a popup asking you to confirm that you do want to Deauthorize all computers. Click on Deauthorize All Computers.
Now that you have Deauthorized all computers on iTunes, you can start from a clean slate by Authorizing Computers that you currently use.
In case you need help in authorizing computer to iTunes, you can refer to this article: How to Authorize Windows or Mac Computer to iTunes.
Note: You can use the option to Deauthorize All Computers only once in 12 months.
Remove SC Info Folder
In case above two methods are not applicable in your case or did not help you, it is likely that the iTunes Info Files located on your computer are corrupted.
Reinstalling iTunes on your Computer should fix this issue. In case reinstalling iTunes does not fix the problem you can Remove the iTunes SC Folder from your computer and allow iTunes to build a new SC Info Folder.
SC Info Folder contains the authorization information for your computer to access DRM-protected content. In order access this Folder, you will first need to make hidden files view-able on your computer.
1. Logout of iTunes on your computer.
2. Click on the Windows Start button and click on File Explorer.
3. On the File Explorer Window, Click on View tab and make hidden files view-able on your computer by checking the little box next to Hidden items (See image below).
4. After enabling hidden files, you can access SC Info Folder located on your computer by first clicking on File Explorer > Local Disc (C:) > Users > All Users > Apple Computer > iTunes > SC Info.
5. Next, right-click the SC Info folder and choose Delete from the pop-up menu.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Next, Open iTunes on your computer and try to Authorize your computer in iTunes.
Hopefully, you should have no problem authorizing your computer to iTunes this time.
