iTunes keeps starting automatically

With 10.9 iTunes keeps starting automatically after few minutes and I don’t know why. I quit it and 3 minutes later, its starts again.

The problem persist after reboots.

This lines show up in the console after a reboot

01.02.14 00:49:49,820 iTunes[4107]: BUG in libdispatch client: kevent[EVFILT_WRITE] delete: "No such file or directory" - 0x2
01.02.14 00:50:29,773 com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[149]: (com.apple.iTunesHelper.108624[403]) Exited with code: 1
01.02.14 00:52:44,576 iTunes[422]: ApplePushService: APSConnection being used without a delegate queue
01.02.14 00:53:11,817 iTunes[422]: Entered:_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:1
01.02.14 00:53:11,817 iTunes[422]: Entered:__thr_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:1
01.02.14 00:53:11,817 iTunes[422]: tid:a203 - Mux ID not found in mapping dictionary
01.02.14 00:53:11,817 iTunes[422]: tid:a203 - Can't handle disconnect with invalid ecid

another time, iTunes started automatically

03.02.14 21:10:47,390 iTunes[4752]: Entered:_AMMuxedVersion2DeviceConnected, mux-device:1
03.02.14 21:10:47,395 iTunes[4752]: tid:3903 - unable to query device capabilities
03.02.14 21:10:52,436 iTunes[4752]: ApplePushService: APSConnection being used without a delegate queue
03.02.14 21:11:20,616 iTunes[4752]: Entered:_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:2
03.02.14 21:11:20,616 iTunes[4752]: Entered:__thr_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:2
03.02.14 21:11:20,616 iTunes[4752]: tid:3a03 - Mux ID not found in mapping dictionary
03.02.14 21:11:20,616 iTunes[4752]: tid:3a03 - Can't handle disconnect with invalid ecid

a third time today, this happens

03.02.14 22:10:54,381 iTunes[18608]: Entered:_AMMuxedVersion2DeviceConnected, mux-device:1
03.02.14 22:10:54,385 iTunes[18608]: tid:3107 - unable to query device capabilities
03.02.14 22:10:58,344 iTunes[18608]: ApplePushService: APSConnection being used without a delegate queue
03.02.14 22:11:27,051 iTunes[18608]: Entered:_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:3
03.02.14 22:11:27,051 iTunes[18608]: Entered:__thr_AMMuxedDeviceDisconnected, mux-device:3
03.02.14 22:11:27,051 iTunes[18608]: tid:14807 - Mux ID not found in mapping dictionary
03.02.14 22:11:27,051 iTunes[18608]: tid:14807 - Can't handle disconnect with invalid ecid

The following suggestions I already tried out

  • iTunes really quits and gets a new PID
  • no iOS device or iPod is connected
  • I checked /Users/username/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins/ and/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins/, there are no Plug-ins installed
  • I checked launchd, but I’m not entirely sure, what I’m looking for
  • iTunes is not set as a login item
  • no mic or speaker connected
  • all iOS devices have Wi-Fi sync deactivated
  • infrared is disabled

    launchctl list

launchctl list

PID Status  Label
7756    -   0x7f9b8a417e90.anonymous.launchctl
7732    -   0x7f9b8a50d950.anonymous.zsh
7731    -   0x7f9b8a50d170.anonymous.login
7728    -   0x7f9b8a411c40.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7727    -   0x7f9b8a50d6a0.anonymous.com.apple.qtkit
-   0   com.apple.serveralertproxy
7702    -   com.apple.Server.v3.5488
7672    -   0x7f9b8a50cec0.anonymous.IMServicePlugIn
7668    -   com.jitouch.Jitouch.62512
7586    -   0x7f9b8a50cc10.anonymous.com.apple.hiser
7580    -   0x7f9b8a418500.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7578    -   0x7f9b8a50a760.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7576    -   0x7f9b8a50c1e0.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7528    -   0x7f9b8a50bf30.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7444    -   0x7f9b8a50c960.anonymous.AppleMobileDevi
7208    -   0x7f9b8a50bc80.anonymous.com.apple.Media
7108    -   [0x0-0x408408].com.smileonmymac.textexpander.helper
7106    -   com.smileonmymac.textexpander.51600
7095    -   0x7f9b8a417be0.anonymous.com.apple.hiser
7089    -   com.apple.iCal.26432
7088    -   0x7f9b8a50b630.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7087    -   0x7f9b8a626550.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
7084    -   com.apple.mail.37520
6835    -   [0x0-0x3d83d8].com.omnigroup.OmniOutlinerPro.MacAppStore
6735    -   com.apple.iTunes.34704
18  -   0x7f9b8a415570.anonymous.configd
6330    -   0x7f9b8a416020.anonymous.com.apple.hiser
6177    -   0x7f9b8a509270.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
5596    -   0x7f9b8a50ae50.anonymous.VTDecoderXPCSer
5595    -   0x7f9b8a413ac0.anonymous.com.apple.audio
5594    -   0x7f9b8a50aba0.anonymous.com.apple.audio
5593    -   0x7f9b8a417010.anonymous.com.apple.qtkit
5526    -   com.tapbots.TweetbotMac.53008
692 -   0x7f9b8a711b20.anonymous.com.apple.Color
643 -   com.omnigroup.OmniFocus.MacAppStore.44912
642 -   0x7f9b8a624380.anonymous.com.apple.audio
641 -   0x7f9b8a50a250.anonymous.com.apple.audio
640 -   0x7f9b8a509ed0.anonymous.com.apple.qtkit
639 -   0x7f9b8a509640.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
503 -   0x7f9b8a509970.anonymous.com.apple.audio
502 -   0x7f9b8a627960.anonymous.com.apple.audio
480 -   com.apple.Terminal.9360
479 -   com.macromates.TextMate.preview.51776
473 -   com.apple.iChat.38576
469 -   0x7f9b8a626f20.anonymous.com.apple.Weath
464 -   com.webinhq.ReadKit.47904
428 -   at.obdev.LaunchBar.35936
401 -   [0x0-0x2f02f].com.apple.AppleSpell
377 -   com.apple.iTunesHelper.108624
348 -   0x7f9b8a4135a0.anonymous.com.apple.WebKi
345 -   com.apple.Safari.4784
332 -   com.apple.ImageCaptureExtension2.10416
261 -   com.apple.systemevents.21856
251 -   0x7f9b8a70eba0.anonymous.com.apple.dock.
243 -   com.noodlesoft.HazelHelper.62160
242 -   com.getdropbox.dropbox.181664
241 -   com.flexibits.fantastical.82752
240 -   com.mizage.direct.Divvy.30128
205 -   com.apple.photostream-agent
206 -   com.dayoneapp.dayone-agent
207 -   2BUA8C4S2C.com.agilebits.onepassword-osx-helper
208 -   com.github.GitHub.Conduit
104 -   0x7f9b8a623140.anonymous.WindowServer
-   0   org.openbsd.ssh-agent
-   0   com.apple.ZoomWindow
209 -   com.apple.wifi.WiFiKeychainProxy
-   0   com.apple.WebKit.PluginAgent
-   0   com.apple.warmd_agent
-   0   com.apple.VoiceOver
-   0   com.apple.UserNotificationCenterAgent
201 -   com.apple.usernoted
158 -   com.apple.UserEventAgent-Aqua
4563    -   com.apple.USBAgent
-   0   com.apple.unmountassistant.useragent
-   0   com.apple.universalaccessd
-   0   com.apple.universalaccesscontrol
-   0   com.apple.universalaccessAuthWarn
185 -   com.apple.ubd
-   0   com.apple.TMHelperAgent
-   0   com.apple.tiswitcher
-   0   com.apple.talagent
166 -   com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent
-   0   com.apple.systemprofiler
-   0   com.apple.syncservices.uihandler
-   0   com.apple.syncservices.SyncServer
-   0   com.apple.SubmitDiagInfo
287 -   com.apple.storeagent
-   0   com.apple.storehelper
5520    -   com.apple.spindump_agent
-   0   com.apple.speech.synthesisserver
-   0   com.apple.speech.speechdatainstallerd
-   0   com.apple.speech.recognitionserver
-   0   com.apple.speech.feedbackservicesserver
-   0   com.apple.softwareupdate_notify_agent
194 -   com.apple.SocialPushAgent
210 -   com.apple.soagent
181 -   com.apple.sharingd
-   0   com.apple.ServiceManagement.LoginItems
-   0   com.apple.security.keychain-circle-notification
703 -   com.apple.security.DiskUnmountWatcher
-   0   com.apple.security.agentStub
-   0   com.apple.scrod
-   0   com.apple.screensharing.MessagesAgent
-   0   com.apple.screensharing.agent
-   0   com.apple.ScreenReaderUIServer
247 -   com.apple.scopedbookmarksagent.xpc
-   0   com.apple.SafariNotificationAgent
-   0   com.apple.safaridavclient
-   0   com.apple.ReportPanic
-   0   com.apple.ReportGPURestart
-   0   com.apple.ReportCrash.Self
-   0   com.apple.ReportCrash
-   0   com.apple.RemoteDesktop.agent
-   0   com.apple.reclaimspace
471 -   com.apple.recentsd
-   0   com.apple.rcd
-   0   com.apple.quicklook.ui.helper
-   0   com.apple.quicklook
-   0   com.apple.quicklook.config
-   0   com.apple.quicklook.32bit
-   0   com.apple.PubSub.Agent
-   0   com.apple.printuitool.agent
6838    -   com.apple.printtool.agent
-   0   com.apple.pictd
-   0   com.apple.PCIESlotCheck
285 -   com.apple.pbs
178 -   com.apple.pboard
-   0   com.apple.parentalcontrols.check
-   0   com.apple.PackageKit.InstallStatus
-   0   com.apple.nsnetworkd
213 -   com.apple.notificationcenterui.agent
-   0   com.apple.NetworkDiagnostics
-   0   com.apple.netauth.user.gui
-   0   com.apple.midiserver
-   0   com.apple.metadata.mdwrite
-   0   com.apple.mdmclient.cloudconfig.agent
-   0   com.apple.mdmclient.agent
-   0   com.apple.maspushagent
196 -   com.apple.Maps.mapspushd
-   0   com.apple.ManagedClient.agent
-   0   com.apple.lookupd
-   0   com.apple.locationmenu
183 -   com.apple.librariand
214 -   com.apple.LaunchServices.lsboxd
6174    -   com.apple.lateragent
-   0   com.apple.java.updateSharing
-   0   com.apple.java.InstallOnDemandAgent
-   0   com.apple.isst
-   0   com.apple.installd.user
-   0   com.apple.IMLoggingAgent
-   0   com.apple.imklaunchagent
216 -   com.apple.imagent
200 -   com.apple.identityservicesd
-   0   com.apple.icloud.AOSNotificationAgent
-   0   com.apple.icbaccountsd
7692    -   com.apple.helpd
197 -   com.apple.gamed
-   0   com.apple.FTCleanup
-   0   com.apple.FontWorker
-   0   com.apple.ATS.FontValidatorConduit
-   0   com.apple.ATS.FontValidator
-   0   com.apple.FontRegistryUIAgent
186 -   com.apple.fontd
-   0   com.apple.findmymacmessenger
167 -   com.apple.Finder
-   0   com.apple.FilesystemUI
-   0   com.apple.familycontrols.useragent
5978    -   com.apple.EscrowSecurityAlert
-   0   com.apple.dt.CommandLineTools.installondemand
164 -   com.apple.Dock.agent
-   0   com.apple.DiskArbitrationAgent
-   0   com.apple.DiagnosticReportCleanUpAgent
-   0   com.apple.csuseragent
-   0   com.apple.coreservices.uiagent
219 -   com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication
-   0   com.apple.CoreRAIDAgent
-   0   com.apple.CoreLocationAgent
-   0   com.apple.coredata.externalrecordswriter
7607    -   com.apple.cookied
-   0   com.apple.ContainerRepairAgent
-   0   com.apple.cmfsyncagent
-   0   com.apple.cfnetwork.cfnetworkagent
-   0   com.apple.cfnetwork.AuthBrokerAgent
192 -   com.apple.CalendarAgent
-   0   com.apple.btsa
375 -   com.apple.bookstoreagent
-   0   com.apple.bluetoothUIServer
-   0   com.apple.BezelUIServer
-   0   com.apple.avrcpAgent
-   0   com.apple.AssistiveControl
-   0   com.apple.assistantd
-   0   com.apple.assistant_service
-   0   com.apple.apsctl
-   0   com.apple.appstoreupdateagent
-   0   com.apple.appsleep
-   0   com.apple.AOSPushRelay
-   0   com.apple.aos.migrate
4782    -   com.apple.alf.useragent
7664    -   com.apple.AirPortBaseStationAgent
-   0   com.apple.AirPlayUIAgent
-   0   com.apple.AddressBook.SourceSync
-   0   com.apple.AddressBook.AssistantService
-   0   com.apple.AddressBook.abd
199 -   com.apple.accountsd
-   2   jp.co.canon.UFR2.BackGrounder
-   2   jp.co.canon.CUPSCMFP.BackGrounder
-   0   com.google.keystone.system.agent
-   2   ws.agile.1PasswordAgent
-   0   com.valvesoftware.steamclean
-   0   com.shirtpocket.backuponmount
-   0   com.shirtpocket.backuponmount-login
71  -   0x7f9b8a500510.anonymous.loginwindow
-   0   com.apple.launchctl.Aqua
7466    -   0x7f9b8a417610.anonymous.com.apple.iClou
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.single.07000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
15  -   0x7f9b8a50b100.anonymous.securityd
6304    -   0x7f9b8a4172c0.anonymous.com.apple.geod
6253    -   0x7f9b8a416570.anonymous.com.apple.MailS
5986    -   0x7f9b8a506790.anonymous.com.apple.lakit
101 -   0x7f9b8a629ac0.anonymous.socketfilterfw
47  -   0x7f9b8a629810.anonymous.usbd
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.mail.01000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.mail.02000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.mail.03000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.mail.04000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
16  -   0x7f9b8a629120.anonymous.diskarbitration
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.32bit.02000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
577 -   0x7f9b8a628590.anonymous.com.apple.appst
498 -   0x7f9b8a414a20.anonymous.com.apple.Chara
403 -   0x7f9b8a505f80.anonymous.com.apple.Input
374 -   0x7f9b8a625f50.anonymous.com.apple.BKAge
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.single.08000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
7729    -   com.apple.mdworker.shared.04000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.shared.02000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
7730    -   com.apple.mdworker.shared.03000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
7711    -   com.apple.mdworker.shared.01000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
296 -   0x7f9b8a504160.anonymous.DataDetectorsDy
275 -   0x7f9b8a6233f0.anonymous.com.apple.Notes
255 -   0x7f9b8a70ee50.anonymous.com.apple.Share
238 -   0x7f9b8a501a50.anonymous.com.apple.IconS
234 -   0x7f9b8a40f990.anonymous.IMDPersistenceA
232 -   0x7f9b8a40f380.anonymous.com.apple.inter
89  -   0x7f9b8a500c70.anonymous.apsd
124 -   0x7f9b8a70d870.anonymous.CVMServer
104 -   0x7f9b8a40e850.anonymous.WindowServer
67  -   0x7f9b8a70d5d0.anonymous.mds
42  -   0x7f9b8a622990.anonymous.coreservicesd
71  -   0x7f9b8a40de90.anonymous.loginwindow
-   0   com.apple.xmigrationhelper.user
-   0   com.apple.TrustEvaluationAgent
182 -   com.apple.tccd
7719    -   com.apple.syncdefaultsd
478 -   com.apple.speech.speechsynthesisd
264 -   com.apple.security.cloudkeychainproxy3
202 -   com.apple.secd
5979    -   com.apple.sbd
-   0   com.apple.pluginkit.pkd
-   0   com.apple.netauth.user.auth
378 -   com.apple.metadata.mdflagwriter
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.sizing
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.single
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.shared
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.mail
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.lsb
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.isolation
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.bundles
-   0   com.apple.mdworker.32bit
-   0   com.apple.mbpluginhost.user
-   0   com.apple.mbloginhelper.user
-   0   com.apple.KerberosHelper.LKDCHelper
-   0   com.apple.FileSyncAgent.PHD
159 -   com.apple.distnoted.xpc.agent
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgentLegacy_x86_64_1
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgentLegacy_x86_64
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgentLegacy_i386_1
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgentLegacy_i386
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgent_x86_64_1
7708    -   com.apple.cvmsCompAgent_x86_64
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgent_i386_1
-   0   com.apple.cvmsCompAgent_i386
162 -   com.apple.cfprefsd.xpc.agent
-   0   com.apple.launchctl.Background

Solution 1:

com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[149] - looks to me like some process is using launchd as user 501 to open iTunesHelper. The PID in brackets is the culprit. What's process 149?

launchctl list will tell you what's loading via launchd. Check the list; if you see any plugins or helpers you know you removed, kill them with launchctl remove name.of.process

Two other things to try: You keep getting error messages about Mux IDs not existing. Kill all the items in the Mux ID list by deleting /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.usbmuxd.plist and reboot.

If that doesn't help, trash iTunes and your iTunes plists, then download and install iTunes 11 fresh from Apple.

Solution 2:

I've had problems with 3rd-party iTunes extensions not keeping up with iTunes updates and causing all kind of weird behavior. In order to figure out if a plugin or extension might be involved, try starting iTunes up in safe mode:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3430

If the odd behavior goes away, then it's just a matter of figuring out which extension is the culprit.

Solution 3:

I do know that an infrared remote can start iTunes if the "play" button is pushed. Have you looked into this possibility?

To disable all infrared remotes, go to System Preferences -> Security and Privacy and click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window. Then check the box labeled "Disable remote control infrared receiver".

To ensure only a specific remote that you trust and control is used with your computer, use the "Pair..." button in the same sheet, to pair your computer with a remote.

IF... you wanted to temporarily test this, without disabling anything, you could place a piece of electrical tape over the IR receiver on the front of your computer. You know... just to make sure that nobody in the office is jacking with you.

Bill