iTunes was stuck on “preparing to sync”. Open task manager, find MDCrashReportTool and end the task. See the pinned comment for a more permanent solution.
That's it! Thanks for the video. Now take it one step further and make it a permanent fix. You could just delete the file and everything should work just fine. I like to be extra carful - create restore points often. When I was in task manager (Win 10 Pro 64 bit) I opened the file location. I created a folder and put it in my documents, named it iTunes MDCrashReportTool. I cut the MDCrashReportTool.exe from it's original location and pasted it into the new folder. That's just in case something goes wrong and I need the file later. Syncing works better than before it started crashing.🙂
Just removed the MDCrashReportTool.exe and the MDCrashReportTool_main.dll file and put them in a separate folder, just in case. Tried syncing and ALL worked well. Thanks for coming up with the idea, what a pain having to open Task Manager each time and end the task. Hopefully an iTunes update won't put them back!
You nailed it! This was driving me crazy. Just a note: MDCrashReportTool (32 bit) does not appear in Task Manager/iTunes UNTIL iTunes arrives at the Preparing To Sync step. And subsequent Sync requires repeating ending the process MDCrashReportTool (32 bit) each time until the Apple Programmer which broke it fixes it. 😠😠
Mate you are a life saver...I know remember why I switched to Samsung 10 years ago...decided to give another shot to apple but now with this itunes ....all over again....I am thinking on going back to samsung, thx for the save nevertheless!!!
You're a rock star! It's been driving me mad all afternoon! iPhone 15/Macbook Sonoma 14.1.2: utility / activity monitor / memory / mdccrashrepporttool / double-click / force quit (synch continues)
Honestly, I had this problem for the longest time and didn't bother looking it up because I figured nobody uses iTunes like me. Apparently I am not alone. This workaround works perfectly. What I was doing before was letting it hang in 'Preparing to Sync' then disconnecting my iPhone from the computer and plug back in to sync while keeping iTunes open, which worked every time.
Thank you so much! I've been trying to make a program that's similar to a Spotify Wrapped but for iTunes and not being able to sync my phone made that pretty difficult. This saved my lots of trouble so I really appreciate the guide!
It worked on my MacMini using IOS Ventura and a new Iphone Pro 15. My Iphone touchscreen stopped working after it automatically updated to latest IOS (˜17.2). Apple said I must restore/reset phone, which I did but I lost all my music which is not in the cloud. MacMini was stuck on preparing to sync all night, till I found this suggestion. I had to force quit the MD crashtool from the menu drop down, which was not obvious.
This was driving me nuts. I thought it was just my PC and kept on trying to fix it myself by doing all kinds of things but it was just this simple lmfao
Thanks. It clears the sync issue, but it doesn't actually sync any data (for me). First, as in your video it completes too quickly to actually transfer any files, in my case, about 500 songs. I double checked this by checking the "Last Played" number in itunes, and none of the numbers changed. So while I think this fix clears the sync stall, it does not actually allow a sync to proceed. At least for me.
In my case, the sync went so fast because I had just synced it about a minute before I started recording. When I’m transferring songs it seems to work just fine. Too bad Apple can’t seem to figure out what’s going on :(
My iPhone is on 17.2.1 and this fix works as well as this fix "quickly unplugging the USB-Lightning sync cable for 1 sec then plugging back in again" but it then iTunes only syncs Contacts and Calendars. It isn't syncing my iTunes Music Library anymore. I assume we have to wait for Apple to fix this issue?
i got a solution guys, windows 11 apple music preview and apple devices apps on the store, you must do the same and the music will sync, the music its more important, for me is working now
I found if I close all the apps on my iPhone 14 Pro Max and plugged my phone in again, using iTunes on Windows, the sync was successful. I haven't tried closing the MDCrashReportTool in the Windows Task Manager yet. Do you have to close the MDCrashReportTool everytime you want to sync or is this a one time fix?
That's it! Thanks for the video.
Now take it one step further and make it a permanent fix.
You could just delete the file and everything should work just fine.
I like to be extra carful - create restore points often.
When I was in task manager (Win 10 Pro 64 bit) I opened the file location.
I created a folder and put it in my documents, named it iTunes MDCrashReportTool.
I cut the MDCrashReportTool.exe from it's original location and pasted it into the new folder.
That's just in case something goes wrong and I need the file later.
Syncing works better than before it started crashing.🙂
Thanks dude!
No issue's now! and I don't have to do the stuff in this video every time!
I didn’t think of that - great idea! I’ll have to do this when I get home.
Just removed the MDCrashReportTool.exe and the MDCrashReportTool_main.dll file and put them in a separate folder, just in case. Tried syncing and ALL worked well. Thanks for coming up with the idea, what a pain having to open Task Manager each time and end the task. Hopefully an iTunes update won't put them back!
I tried this and it didn't work for my iTunes on my PC. Sigh!
Thank you! Deleting the files fixed the problem for me.
I just spent the last hour uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes with nothing changing, and all I had to do was this? Thanks for the video!
Thank you. Just spent over an hour trying to sync my phone. As soon as I killed that task it started syncing.
You nailed it! This was driving me crazy. Just a note: MDCrashReportTool (32 bit) does not appear in Task Manager/iTunes UNTIL iTunes arrives at the Preparing To Sync step. And subsequent Sync requires repeating ending the process MDCrashReportTool (32 bit) each time until the Apple Programmer which broke it fixes it. 😠😠
Great point. There’s a lot of stuff Apple needs to fix with Windows iTunes - it seems like they don’t pay a whole lot of attention to it these days.
You are a lifesaver (and UA-cam LOL). That’s 3 hours of my life I won’t get back waiting for it to get past preparing to synch!
So glad I found your video right away! This issue just popped up today after not syncing for like a month. Thank you!!!!
I can't believe it was that simple :( I've been fighting this all night. Stupid iTunes. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks, worked like a charm. Really loved the tips, no bullshit, just straight to business!
Where's my anointing oil? This man is a blessing!! Thank you.
NICE!! worked for me!! Thanks!!
Mate you are a life saver...I know remember why I switched to Samsung 10 years ago...decided to give another shot to apple but now with this itunes ....all over again....I am thinking on going back to samsung, thx for the save nevertheless!!!
Big big big thanks dude. I posted your video on our local chatroom. Nothing but thumbs-upssssssssss.
You're a rock star! It's been driving me mad all afternoon! iPhone 15/Macbook Sonoma 14.1.2: utility / activity monitor / memory / mdccrashrepporttool / double-click / force quit (synch continues)
Genius! Thank you for sharing this!!! I spent over an hour with apple support yesterday and accomplished nothing!
Million thanks!! I stuck at this problem for almost the wholeday. Luckily it was settled after watching your video!👏👏👏👏
Honestly, I had this problem for the longest time and didn't bother looking it up because I figured nobody uses iTunes like me. Apparently I am not alone. This workaround works perfectly.
What I was doing before was letting it hang in 'Preparing to Sync' then disconnecting my iPhone from the computer and plug back in to sync while keeping iTunes open, which worked every time.
Wow I had this happen to me so much and searched for so long thank you man you are a life saver
Amazing quick fix and straight to the point. Thank you for this video!
Thank you so much! I've been trying to make a program that's similar to a Spotify Wrapped but for iTunes and not being able to sync my phone made that pretty difficult. This saved my lots of trouble so I really appreciate the guide!
omg; this was driving me nuts. Thank you internet stranger!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I hope Apple will bring iTunes to where it needs to be...It's been years and still no improvements
Thanks for finding a solution and making the video quick! This helped me!
Thanks! This solution worked for me after spending 3 hours trying other things.
Thank you so much! I have been struggling with this for days!
worked on Macbook pro as well! thank you.
thats a really stupid problem but it fixed it. thanks!
Thanks... fixed it for me on Iphone 14 Pro
It worked brilliantly - Thank you
Thank you sooooooo much! You have saved my year! I bought an iPhone 14 plus for $1,849 (NZ dollars) and couldn’t sync it. It has been very stressful!
you are the absolute best!! This video needs more likes! Subbed!
Thank you so much, that was driving me crazy.
Worked like a charm
Finally someone figured it out! I've been having this issue for the past 4 or 5 months now.
You sir made my day!
iTunes (on PC) is a garbage piece of software... a necessary evil unfortunately, thanks for showing us how to tame the beast
cheers mate
worked absolutely perfect for me!
Fantastic!! Many thanks. Works a treat after nearly throwing my pc out of the window. Sanity restored!!!!
It worked! Thanx!!!
Thank you. This worked for me!
WOWOW - big thanks - hope Apple issues an update to fix this soon
Thanks. Not even kidding, but this video really helped me.
Thanks a lot. Finally I can fix it with your simple instruction.
Thanks! Also worked for me. Using Windows 11 Pro.
It worked on my MacMini using IOS Ventura and a new Iphone Pro 15. My Iphone touchscreen stopped working after it automatically updated to latest IOS (˜17.2). Apple said I must restore/reset phone, which I did but I lost all my music which is not in the cloud. MacMini was stuck on preparing to sync all night, till I found this suggestion. I had to force quit the MD crashtool from the menu drop down, which was not obvious.
This was driving me nuts. I thought it was just my PC and kept on trying to fix it myself by doing all kinds of things but it was just this simple lmfao
Thank you so much for this. 👍
WOW! thank you for that. I had that problem for the last 4 weeks and could not find a way to fix it.
Life saver! I'm hearing that this is an issue introduced with iOS 17.2, but I'm having this issue even after updating to iOS 17.3...
itunes has always been a pain in the rear.
Sync process completely stops when I delete mdcrash report...Any suggestions? (I am on Windows 11)
same here, so frustrating
You rock!!! Great tip
Thank you! It worked.👍
Thanks. It clears the sync issue, but it doesn't actually sync any data (for me). First, as in your video it completes too quickly to actually transfer any files, in my case, about 500 songs. I double checked this by checking the "Last Played" number in itunes, and none of the numbers changed. So while I think this fix clears the sync stall, it does not actually allow a sync to proceed. At least for me.
In my case, the sync went so fast because I had just synced it about a minute before I started recording. When I’m transferring songs it seems to work just fine. Too bad Apple can’t seem to figure out what’s going on :(
You are the man, this was driving me nuts! Thank you! Subbed!
This is timely - thanks so very much
Brilliant! Thank you so much, your fix worked perfectly.
God Bless You Sir. You are a LIFESAVER! :)
Thank you appletrav. You really got me out of a pickle!
Dearest Ssteopvhan, it is my greatest honor to have assisted you. Come again soon!
Thanks a million! And it works for MacOS too!
Thank You 🙂
Awesome! This worked for me. Thank you.
you can also type crash in the search box if it gets too confusing :)
This was a God send, thank you.
Thank you...I wish I hadn't spent at least an hour waiting for mine to sync before finding this
This worked for me. Thank you.
This worked wonders for me, and I would like to report it worked for Mac as well. Will try the permanent fix as well!
Thanks for the tip. I did what you said and it worked. Thank you very much!!
Thank you so much for your help =) It's worked!
Glad it worked!
Can't imagine how you worked that one out but thank you!
you are the best
You the goat thank you
Only thing that showed up for me in the drop down menu was itunes
That allows the sync to finish, but the calander and on my desktop is not updating to my iphone!
Didn't work. This just cancels the sync. It restarts MDCrashReportTool and stops at preparing to sync again on the next try.
Damn. I wish I knew of another fix for it, but my knowledge of how to do stuff on iTunes is fairly limited.
you have my thanks & full of respect for this great help Sir
Thank you so much -- worked like a charm!
this worked for me , thanks !
Cool, this is fixed for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Thank you, sir.
Thanks man this has been a real headache
Thanks so much! It just worked for me.
My iPhone is on 17.2.1 and this fix works as well as this fix "quickly unplugging the USB-Lightning sync cable for 1 sec then plugging back in again" but it then iTunes only syncs Contacts and Calendars. It isn't syncing my iTunes Music Library anymore. I assume we have to wait for Apple to fix this issue?
Yeah, as far as I know Apple has to do something about it.
i got a solution guys, windows 11 apple music preview and apple devices apps on the store, you must do the same and the music will sync, the music its more important, for me is working now
Can you explain those steps in more detail, please?
Worked for me, thanks for this. How on earth did you spot this?
I think I saw it on a forum somewhere after having this issue for a while. Glad it helped!
Thanks, work like a champ
Dude, You Rock!
I found if I close all the apps on my iPhone 14 Pro Max and plugged my phone in again, using iTunes on Windows, the sync was successful. I haven't tried closing the MDCrashReportTool in the Windows Task Manager yet. Do you have to close the MDCrashReportTool everytime you want to sync or is this a one time fix?
Unfortunately, it has to be done every time you sync it.
THANK YOU. So simple and so fast!
Thank you!!! 🙏🏽
This worked for me, thank you!
brilliant thanx!
You are the man! that is the reason on my computer also!!
Thank You it worked
Live saver bro! thank you!!
OMG! THIS WORKS FOR ME THANK YOU SO MUCH
yes i did this on my Mac and it worked...was pulling my hair out trying to get it to sync as nothing seemed to work.
every time i end task on mdcrash report tool it stops sync right away and pops back up and doesnt sync anything
I get the same. 😕
THANK YOU !!!!
Sir you just saved my life, boom
This worked!!! Thank you so much.
work for macOS as well