iTunes stream keeps stopping

[musicfan]

Hey all,

I updated my iTunes to the latest version, 10.6.3, a couple weeks ago when it was released. Now, it seems that whenever I try to play something in the iTunes store, the stream stops suddenly for no apparent reason.

This keeps happening when I try to listen to an album stream from one of my favorite bands. I can't even get through the first song without the stream stopping. This happens when I try to listen to song samples as well.

I've tried re-installing iTunes with no luck. I did some research and some sites said there was interference from other wireless devices, so I turned off my wireless and used ethernet. Still no results.

This problem started after I updated iTunes. I've never had this problem before, and I've been using iTunes for years.

Does anyone know about a fix?

Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated !

[kornchild2002]

When you re-installed iTunes, did you completely uninstall the previous installations of iTunes and EVERY other Apple program on your computer through the Windows Control Panel (assuming you are running Windows, over 75% of iTunes users run it through Windows)? Then did you download a fresh iTunes setup .exe file and run that?

[musicfan]

I only uninstalled iTunes, nothing else. And yes, I did download a fresh copy from the Apple website.

I'm running Win7 Pro SP1 x64. Do you think I should try uninstalling all the other programs that installed with iTunes? And maybe I should try something like Revo Uninstaller......

[musicfan]

I uninstalled and reinstalled every Apple application and then installed a fresh iTunes copy from the Apple website.

After everything was finished, I noticed that iTunes still had all of my settings. I was still signed into my account in the store.

I tried streaming again and it seemed to play without stopping. But, I then tried to listen to the sample of another song, and I ran into the same problem. I couldn't get through the 1:30 sample without it stopping.

Is there a way to completely remove iTunes settings? I have a feeling that if I reset everything it might work.

[musicfan]

Sorry for multiple postings but I'm still having this issue. Another thing I tried was turning my wireless router off for 30 seconds and then turning it back on. Still no results.

I also noticed that when I tried playing things in the iTunes store on another computer, signed into another account, I still have this problem.

This is telling me that it may be a problem with my network, or a problem with the latest iTunes update, 10.6.3. I've got Verizon FiOS, and I don't have any new devices that could be interfering with the network. I think my next step would be to install iTunes 10.6.1, and see if that helps. I'll report back when I'm done.

[kornchild2002]

The settings are actually irrelevant as they don't dictate iTunes' streaming abilities. The settings just have information for your iTunes library (playlists, play counts, non-embedded album art, ratings, import settings, etc.) and iTunes Store account information. iTunes actually doesn't rely on that when accessing the iTunes Store.

I should note that sample songs in the iTunes Store are supposed to only be 90 seconds in length with a start position that seems to be randomly set. So that performance is completely normal when previewing a song. Your intermittent playback is not normal when you are actually streaming an album through the iTunes Store (like you can do with Linkin Park's latest release). To me, this indicates that you have a firewall problem with Windows not letting your current version of iTunes fully access the internet (check your Windows firewall settings to make sure iTunes has been approved), a router issue in that it doesn't like the ports iTunes has to go through (you may want to try a wireless router firmware upgrade), or an issue with your ISP and it doesn't like the ports iTunes goes through when streaming content.

[musicfan]

I first noticed this problem when I tried to stream the new Linkin Park album from the store. I have yet to be able to get through the entire album without the stream stopping. This also happens with the 90 second song previews.

I checked my firewall settings and iTunes appears to be ok:


But the fact that I still have this problem on another computer/account, makes me think it's a router issue. I will check my router firewall and check for any updates. What confuses me though is why this is happening now, when I've been using iTunes for a long time with this same router. I'll report back when I check things out.

Thanks for the help !

[musicfan]

There appears to be no firmware upgrades for my router. My router is an Actiontec M1424-WR if it matters, with Verizon FiOS.

Please let me know if you have any more ideas, but if not, thanks again for trying to help !

[kornchild2002]

Apple is constantly adding new ports to their streaming services and changing thing. A few of them have been mapped out but new ones do come up from time to time. Apple may have also changed some underlying way in which iTunes accesses online streaming that your router doesn't like. There isn't really anything you can do aside from contacting the manufacturer of your router and nicely complaining. They might have something you can do that I haven't mentioned. If not, the next step would be buying a new wi-fi router. That probably isn't what you want to hear but a nice 802.11n (2.4GHz) single band wi-fi router will set you back by $35-$45. Dual-band 802.11n (5GHz) wi-fi routers cost considerably more at $75-$150 for an OK to a really nice router.

Either way, downgrading iTunes is not the best solution since you will eventually be cutoff from accessing the iTunes Store. Additionally, if iTunes is causing problems, you could have something else (like an iPod touch, iPad, or iPhone) that may eventually start using the same method for accessing streaming content and have your router block that too.

Just one more check though: try plugging your computer directly into your Verizon modem bypassing your router. You should make sure it isn't your ISP that's having issue and that it is really your wi-fi router. Plugging directly into your cable modem (I am assuming Verizon's fiberoptic internet is through a coaxial cable) with a computer and streaming would ensure that it is one or the other.

[musicfan]

Okay, well unfortunately I can't get a new router. So I will try plugging my computer into my modem, and if that works, I will send Actiontec an e-mail.

[musicfan]

Well, that's interesting. I decided to re-install iTunes 10.6.1.

After doing so, I went to the store and attempted to stream the new LP album. To my surprise, the stream was still stopping. I then tried to listen to the samples of the new Smashing Pumpkins album, and I couldn't listen to those either.

So maybe it's not a port issue? I still haven't tried this plugged into my modem yet, but I don't know if it would make a difference.

I still haven't contacted Actiontec, but now I'm thinking about contacting Apple instead.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, I can play song samples just fine through iTunes on my iPod Touch, running iOS 5.1.1.