A frustrating fault within Apple’s newly-released iTunes update has been identified – the new software has a problem handling any iTunes credit some users may have to hand, a report warns.
Simply put, iTunes users who have credit in their iTunes account from a gift card or voucher need to be warned that this credit may disappear once they have installed the update.
Once you install the patch – which improves stability and performance of the application – you are asked to check your account details and sing-up for iTunes t&c’s, once you’ve completed this and attempt to purchase a song using those outstanding song credits (this doesn’t affect every user), you see the exchange fail and receive the following error message, reports APC Mag.
“Due to a problem with the iTunes Store, your store credit balance is temporarily unavailable for use in purchasing music; you may continue purchasing using a different method of payment”
There’s no word yet from Apple on this problem, but there are a series of Discussion Threads noting its existence on the Apple Support website.
*** Reader Dean G reckons affected users may have a simple fix: “Just close down iTunes and log back in and the credit works again,” he said. Do let us know if this fixes the problem, should you be affected…
** Some commentators are now reporting the problem may have begun in advance of the update’s release, suggesting the problem may not be related to the patch. However, given that this problem has been reported, it may be wisest to delay installing the patch if you have store credit, pending further information.
*** Reader feedback now suggests this may turn out to have been a temporary problem, which appears now resolved. Any confirmation out there?
November 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Just close down itunes and log back in and the credit works again!
November 21st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I’ve never been able to redeem a card because iTunes wants to use my account constantly anyway.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Working fine here, granted I only just installed it so whatever issue there was may have been fixed.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 am
This seems to be related to an iTunes outage. My credits were unavailable last week before the update and again this past weekend for a few hours after the update. I simply waited several hours and my credits were back.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Just had this problem start today. I deauthorised the computer to purchase from iTunes. Shut the program down, opened it up again and tried purchasing a song. The song downloaded OK and when tried to play was told the computer wasn’t authorised to play. To authorised the computer to play and problem now seems to be fixed.
December 25th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Got this problem today, don’t think it’s related to the patch as mine was working 10 minutes earlier and nothing was installed. Have currently found no solution to the problem but will post here when/if i do.
December 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I’m having the same problem, iTunes also wont let me reedem a gift card that I know has £15 credit on it. It’s really frustrating!
December 25th, 2008 at 11:35 am
This has just happened to me, i’m awake early and all my credit has disappeared! Does anyone have a solution
December 25th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Currently there is no solution that works every time, however, some people have found that simply signing out of Itunes, then closing it and opening it again, followed by signing in again, allows them to get their credit back…
Still trying to work on a solution, will post here when/if i find one.
Stuart
December 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Sorted. Kind of… Good news, if you simply redeem that Itunes voucher, I found that that credit then appeared and you could download music again! However, bad news. Any credit you had before you redeemed that is lost. In my case that was 39p so not too much of a loss. If you have ltos of credit on there already, I suggest you wait and call the helpline when it opens. The numbers can be found on the Apple help website, varies for each country.
Merry Christmas
Stu
December 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Happend to me, i logg Back In and Still No Luck
Hope Theres A Patch
i Just Think So Many People Have Tried TO redeem There Servers Are ****** Lol
AnyWay Hope They FIx This
December 25th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Jesssus, i had this problem sorted on my computer, but its now returned! What the hell!
January 17th, 2009 at 12:44 am
Same thing i have $20 from a itunes card and now there all gone what should i do…. and is itunes going to help us…
January 31st, 2009 at 6:41 pm
After many weeks and feeble attempts at signing in/out, close, start, restart, etc., I tried deauthroizing my computer, then closed iTunes. Started it back up, re-authorized and now everything works and my credit is there…
THanks
January 31st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I just not got the error message but I don’t have any store credit I’ve been using my credit card and when I switch to a different form of payment like it suggests it still doesn’t work.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I have the same issue as Matt (1/31/09, 7:45 pm). Wasn’t trying to buy with store credit but with a credit card. Frustrating. Maybe this is a sign that I shouldn’t be spending my money on iTunes. Can you say, Pandora?
January 31st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
It may take a few times, but it eventually worked for me that is. Don’t give up! : )
January 31st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
ok I had a gift card, sorry I forgot to mention that. I’m not sure if it will work the same way for the credit card
January 31st, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Okay, same problem. All of my iTunes credit is gone. poof. it was there last night and earilier today. What’s the problem, and what on earth could be causing it?! And better question: What is Apple going to do about it. This is serious, and they fail to understand the support emails I keep sending them!! Where is our money going, and will we ever get it back?! I have tried all of the suggestions, and none work! I am very ticked off with Apple, this istn’t teh first problem I’ve had with them. This is really serious! People are losing huge amounts of credit!
January 31st, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Yeah, same problem. I use gift cars too.
I restarted my computer,signed in and out, everything, but nothing worked.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Yes, I use gift cards, because I dont like using a credit card, and it’s my mom’s not mine. I’m only 14, so I depend on my giftcards. but frusterating is the wrong word entirely! There isn’t a word for this. Some of that money is my dad’s, not mine, and I don’t want to tell my him, he’ll think I spent it all!
January 31st, 2009 at 10:23 pm
okay, so two minutes ago it started working. i logged out, then stayed logged out for about 5 minutes. finally, i logged back in.
good luck (:
January 31st, 2009 at 11:44 pm
doesn’t work for me yet
February 1st, 2009 at 2:09 am
Just log out, give it a few hours, then log back in. That’s what I did.
February 1st, 2009 at 2:10 am
Just log out, give it a few hours, then log back in. That’s what I did.
February 1st, 2009 at 6:50 am
For those who are still trying to get back their credit, do what Matt did.
Go to Deauthorize computer, close itunes, wait a minute, then authorize computer.
That worked for me. Hopefully it will work for you as well.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:56 am
Okay mines back! nahh, the deauthorize computer thing didn’t work for me, but it came back, so I’m happy now. Just takes a while, and persistence.
March 17th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I’m looking forward for an update. I bought several apps but I can’t add them on the iphone because of the never ending loop. No matter what I tried. I even removed everything from my comp. Even in the config of vista. No word found of “itunes” “apple” or “iphone”. Reinstalled everthing… for a few minutes it was working and DZZZZZZZZZZINGGGG the loop started……… oh my…
March 18th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I think I have a crucial question… “how does ITUNES or APPLE recognizes your computer”. I’m trying to change my computer so I can start all over again with itnes and the never ending loop.
Anybody a clue ?
March 19th, 2009 at 10:42 am
My T-Mobile Iphone 3g is unlocked (costs only 60 euro). Done by T-Mobile. There is a Dutch link: http://www.iphoneclub.nl/14130/tip-legaal-je-iphone-simlockvrij-maken-door-t-mobile/ , maybe you can put on the automatic translation for this page. I think it’s also possible in other countries… I don’t have my authorization problem anymore. After the unlock through itunes (done by itunes and t-mobile). The Iphone works more smoothly….. Questions ??? Just ask with a reply and I will answer if I can.
Regards…… Dirk
May 28th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Mine has just done this and i have lost £70 store credit on the UK store and just over $700 on the us store so a lot of money, going to give it until the end of the day and then i will be contacting apple and if nothing is done i will be taking them to court for my money back.