Apple Music This Computer Is Not Authorized

Apple Music this computer is not authorized appears when your Apple Account isn’t authorized on that device; authorize it, then play again.

This message shows up when you press play and Apple Music can’t confirm that your computer is allowed to play that file. Most fixes are quick: confirm the account, authorize the computer, and re-try the track.

What This Message Actually Means

“Not authorized” isn’t always a bad password. It’s a device permission check tied to the Apple Account that owns the music.

If the computer hasn’t been authorized for that Apple Account, the app may refuse playback and show the warning.

When You’ll See It Most

These are the common patterns. If one matches, start with authorization steps.

You switched accounts — You signed in with one Apple Account, but the song was purchased or added under another one.
You restored a backup — A copied library can carry older licensing data that doesn’t match this machine.
You hit the computer limit — The account is already authorized on too many computers.
The file is stuck — One track can fail after a partial download or a glitch during syncing.

Streaming Vs Purchases

Streaming tracks rely on your sign-in and subscription status. Purchased tracks rely on computer authorization for the buying account.

If the issue happens on a song you bought years ago, authorization is the first fix to try.

If you see the warning on a mix of tracks, check closely where those tracks came from. Files ripped from a CD, MP3s you imported, and DRM-free purchases usually play on any computer. Older store purchases and Apple Music downloads rely on licensing checks, so they’re the ones that complain first when authorization is off.

Fast Checks Before You Change Settings

Start here. These checks keep you from authorizing the wrong account or chasing the wrong file.

Confirm You’re Signed In Where It Counts

On Mac, iCloud sign-in can differ from the account used for media purchases. On Windows, you can also end up signed in to the wrong account.

Check the signed-in account — In Music (Mac), look in the Account menu. In Apple Music (Windows), open your profile in the sidebar.
Match the buying account — If the track was bought under a different Apple Account, sign in with that one before you continue.

Use A One-Track Test

Pick one song that triggers the message and use it as your test each time you change something.

Try a streaming track — If streaming plays and purchases fail, authorization is the likely gap.
Try a local MP3 — If MP3 files play, the app is fine and the issue is licensing, not speakers.

Check Whether The Track Is Downloaded

Many people only see the error on downloaded copies. Streaming the same song can work because the app pulls a fresh stream instead of using a local file that has stale licensing data.

Remove the download only — Remove the downloaded copy, keep the song in your library, then press play again to stream it.
Download again after authorization — Once the computer is authorized, download the track again so the new copy carries fresh rights data.

Use This Quick Diagnosis Table

What You See	Likely Cause	What To Do
Only one song fails	Corrupt download or stale license	Remove the download, restart the app, download again
All purchased songs fail	Computer not authorized for that account	Authorize the computer, then play the same track
Error appears after a new computer	Authorization limit reached	Deauthorize an old machine, then authorize this one

Apple Music This Computer Is Not Authorized On Mac

On a Mac, authorization lives in the Music app (and sometimes the TV app). Authorize the Mac for the Apple Account that owns the music you’re trying to play.

Authorize This Mac In The Music App

Open the Music app — Launch Music from Applications or Spotlight.
Sign in to your Apple Account — Use Account in the menu bar and sign in if needed.
Authorize the computer — Choose Account, then Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer.
Enter your password — Confirm the Apple Account password when prompted.
Retry the test track — Play the same song again to confirm it works.

If Authorization Won’t Complete

If the Music app shows a temporary error while authorizing, the account is usually fine and the request is getting blocked on this Mac.

Restart the Mac — A clean restart clears background media services that can hang.
Try a different network — Switch Wi-Fi or use a hotspot to rule out router filtering.
Check Screen Time restrictions — If content restrictions block store access, turn them off briefly and try authorization again.

Check How Many Computers Are Authorized

If you’re at the limit, this Mac can’t stay authorized until you remove an older computer from the list.

Open Account Settings — In Music, open Account, then Account Settings.
Find Computer Authorizations — Check the count tied to your Apple Account.
Deauthorize an old computer — Remove one you no longer use, then authorize this Mac again.

If You Can’t Find Deauthorize All

Some Macs show “Deauthorize All” in System Settings instead of inside Music. Check your Apple Account settings under Media & Purchases.

Open System Settings — Click the Apple menu, then System Settings.
Open your Apple Account — Click your name in the sidebar.
Open Media & Purchases — Open its account view, then look for Deauthorize All.
Authorize again in Music — Return to Music and authorize this Mac.

Fix The Same Error On Windows

On Windows, you may be using the Apple Music app, iTunes, or both. Authorize the computer in the app that plays the track.

If you use Apple TV on Windows, it may show the same account area and authorization tools. Authorize in the app where you press play here.

Authorize In The Apple Music App For Windows

Open Apple Music — Launch the Apple Music app on your PC.
Open your account area — Click your name at the bottom of the sidebar.
Choose Authorize Machine — Pick Authorize Machine and sign in if asked.
Retry the test track — Play the same song again.

If You Still Use iTunes

If playback happens inside iTunes, authorize inside iTunes too.

Open iTunes — Launch iTunes on the Windows PC.
Sign in to Account — Sign in with the Apple Account that owns the track.
Authorize This Computer — Go to Account, Authorizations, then Authorize This Computer.
Play the test song — Confirm playback works without the warning.

Check The Computer Limit

Reinstalling Windows can count as a new computer. If you’ve rebuilt a PC a few times, you can hit the limit without noticing.

View account details — In Apple Music for Windows, open your profile and choose View My Account.
Check computer authorizations — If the count is maxed out, deauthorize an older computer, then authorize this one.

Update The Apple Apps

Old app builds can fail sign-in and authorization flows, even when your password is correct. Updating is quick and keeps you from chasing bugs that were already fixed.

Update from Microsoft Store — Check for updates to Apple Music and Apple TV.
Restart after updating — A reboot helps the new components load cleanly.
Sign in again if prompted — After an update, open the app and confirm the signed-in Apple Account.

When Authorization Works But Playback Still Fails

If you authorized successfully and the error still appears, start with the track download and the account token stored on the device.

Refresh The Downloaded File

Removing the download keeps the library entry while clearing the local file.

Remove the download — In Music, right-click the track and remove the download.
Quit the app — Fully close Music or Apple Music on Windows.
Download again — Open the app and download the same track again.

Sign Out And Sign In Again

A stale token can make the app look signed in while licensing checks fail. A sign-out refresh often clears it.

Sign out of the app — Use the account menu to sign out.
Restart the computer — Reboot to clear background services tied to the account.
Sign in again — Sign in and play the same test track.

Deauthorize Old Computers The Right Way

If you no longer have access to an old laptop, you may not be able to deauthorize it directly from that machine. Many accounts let you deauthorize all computers from your account settings, then reauthorize the ones you still use.

Rule Out Clock And Network Blocks

Authorization relies on secure connections. If the device clock is off or the network blocks Apple services, checks can fail.

Set time automatically — Turn on automatic date and time.
Try another network — Test on a hotspot or another Wi-Fi for a quick comparison.

Watch For Account Mix-Ups

You can use one Apple Account for iCloud and another for purchases. If the buying account and the signed-in account don’t match, older purchases may refuse to play.

Switch to the buying account, authorize again, then retry the same track.

A Clean Reset Checklist That Doesn’t Nuke Your Library

If the message keeps returning, use this reset path. Stop after the first step that fixes your test track.

Reset Steps For Mac

Deauthorize and reauthorize — In Music, deauthorize the computer, then authorize it again.
Re-sign Media & Purchases — In System Settings, sign out of Media & Purchases, restart, then sign in again.
Re-download failing tracks — Remove downloads for the tracks that fail, then download again.
Update the system — Install macOS updates, then retry the test track.

Reset Steps For Windows

Authorize in the right app — Authorize in Apple Music or iTunes, based on where you play.
Sign out and restart — Sign out, reboot, then sign back in.
Repair the app install — Use Windows app settings to repair or reset Apple Music, then sign in again.
Re-download the track — Remove the download, then download again after authorization.

Prevent Repeat Problems

Once playback works, keep the system steady and avoid account switches that confuse purchase licensing.

Stick to one purchase account — Use one Apple Account for buying music across devices.
Deauthorize before selling — Deauthorize a computer before you wipe or hand it off.
Finish downloads before copying — Let downloads finish before you copy a library to another machine.

If you see apple music this computer is not authorized again, treat it like a mismatch: confirm the buying account, authorize the computer, refresh the download, then re-test.

Here’s a simple habit that catches problems early when you change computers or reinstall an app.

Authorize right after setup — After a new install, authorize the computer before you download thousands of songs.
Play one purchased track — Test a purchased song before you assume the whole library is ready.
Keep a note of the buying account — If your family has multiple Apple Accounts, write down which one holds the purchase history.