Is your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch not connecting to App Store, iTunes or the Game Center? This Cannot Connect to iTunes Store error has irritated many iOS users across the world. This error appears when a user tries to open iTunes.
This error emerges when there are Internet issues or when you are trying to access the App Store at the time it is being updated. To fix this issue, you can follow solutions mentioned below. Keep your iPhone or iPad handy and fully charged.
How to Fix Cannot Connect to iTunes Store on iPhone or iPad in iOS 11, iOS 10 or iOS 9.X
Fix #1: Adjust iTunes Parental Controls
This method has yielded successful results on many iOS devices, and therefore, we are listing it first.
Step #1: Open iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC.
If you are using iTunes on Windows PC, click on Edit from Menu bar.
Step #2: Click on Preferences from the top menu.
Step #3: Now click on Parental tab from the upper menu of the dialog box.
Step #4: If the iTunes Store check box is clicked, disable this option to allow access to iTunes U.
Step #5: Quit iTunes. Reopen iTunes and if you are landed on iTunes U without any difficulty, you should go back to Parental to enable access to iTunes Store.
Step #6: Again quit iTunes and re-launch it. Here, you should be able to connect with iTunes Store without any glitch.
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Fix #2: Is your Internet working properly?
- Check that you are not out of Wi-fi router range.
- Check your computer whether it is able to access Internet connection.
- Try to reset Wi-fi router by switching it off and then turning it on.
- If this fails to bring any result, you can try to fix this issue by following this procedure.
Fix #3: Start Network Again/Switch from Wi-Fi to 3G and vice versa
Sometimes, we don’t adopt simple solutions to a problem. Restarting network is one such solution. If your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch cannot connect with App Store, you should blame to poor Wi-Fi signals. How can you open iTunes Store when your Wi-Fi is weak?
Simply switch off your network and restart the same.
- Turn on 3G data.
- Leave App Store/iTunes from the app switcher.
- Now launch App Store/iTunes again.
If you are already using 3G data, you can toggle mobile data OFF and connect your device to Wi-Fi.
Fix #4: Change the Date
This one is quite an old trick for iPhone and iPad users; since it is said to be working, experts still suggest to employ this trick.
Step #1: Launch Settings app on iPhone or iPad.
Step #2: Tap on General.
Step #3: Tap on Date & Time.
Step #4: Change the Set Automatically to ON.
Step #5: Exit iTunes and App Store from app switcher and then re-launch the two.
Fix #5: Check Your Software is Updated
You should check that your iOS device is running on iOS 8 or later versions.
Step #1: Open Settings app on iOS device.
Step #2: Tap on General.
Step #3: Now tap on Software Update.
While you are updating software on iOS device, also make sure that your Mac OS X, iTunes and Safari are also up-to-date.
Fix #6: Resolve Firewall Issue
How to fix firewall issue on Mac
Step #1: Your firewall settings may cause trouble while you are connecting to iTunes. At this, you should configure your firewall.
Step #2: Sometimes, keychain issues can cause interruption in connection; you need to reset keychain.
Step #3: If the problem persists, you should consult Internet service provider and get ports and servers enabled over network.
How to fix firewall issue on Windows
If your iTunes Store has nothing inside and shows nothing but a message iTunes Store, you should follow these instructions to solve the issue.
Follow these instructions if you cannot connect to iTunes Store.
Now configure Windows firewall to allow iTunes to access iTunes Store. Follow these steps for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Troubleshoot Windows proxy settings to connect to iTunes Store.
If this doesn’t help, you should contact your Internet service provider and get these ports and servers enabled over network.
Fix #7: Reset Hosts File to Factory Settings
Jailbreakers used to perform downgrades by meddling with the hosts file in Windows; this used to cause troubles with iTunes connectivity. You can reset hosts file to factory settings to connect to iTunes Store.
However, note that if you are using Windows 8, this solution doesn’t work. To create a copy of hosts file and replace it with blank hosts file, you should follow below mentioned steps:
Step #1: Get the hosts file at: C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32DRIVERSETC.
Step #2: Click on the hosts file. You will find duplicate of the hosts file “copy of hosts” (Windows XP) or “hosts-copy”.
Step #3: Now drag the original hosts file to desktop.
Step #4: Right click the duplicate file and then click on Open.
Here, you will be asked to select the program which you want to use to open this file.
Step #5: Double-click on Notepad.
Step #6: Select Edit and then Select All when Notepad opens.
Step #7: Click Edit and then Delete.
Step #8: Click File and Save.
Step #9: Exit Notepad.
Step #10: Right click on the duplicate file, and then click on Rename.
Step #11: Type in Hosts without using quote marks and hit Enter.
Step #12: Finally, you should restart your computer and try to connect to iTunes Store.
Fix #8: Anti-virus Software Check
There are many anti-virus softwares that report iTunes as negative object and therefore, block its Internet access rights. As anti-virus software is a common scenario in Windows PC, users should check anti-virus software on their computers.
Fix #9: Verify Apple Online Server Status
Like Mac users, Windows users should visit Apple’s Server Status web page to check if any of its services are affected at the time of trying to connect to iTunes Store.
Fix #10: Ensure that iTunes is updated
Apple is a stern taskmaster and wants users to keep every software updated; therefore, if you are using a previous version of iTunes, you should update to the latest version.
Fix #11: Reset Router or Modem
Why don’t you take a chance and reset Router or Modem? Whether you are using wireless or wired Internet connection, you should try to reset either connection. If poor Internet connection had caused any issue, it would be resolved after performing this action.
Fix #12: Are there other machines on the same network having similar issues?
If you can single out your device (if the problem occurs only in your device, which is connected with Wi-Fi network), you get to know that your device is throwing tantrums. If other machines also have similar problems after connecting to your existing Wi-Fi network, you need to check Apple’s servers.
Fix #13: Disable Active VPNs
Sometimes VPN are stopping Apple’s digital content stores from working; in this situation, you can try disabling VPN temporarily. Settings → VPN to check whether you can connect or not. If this works, then you should blame VPN.
Fix #14: Reboot
Still there is connection issue? This is the time to reboot your iOS device. Though a hard-reset normally fix the problem, you can also choose rebooting your iPhone. For reboot, press the Home and Power button simultaneously till your phone’s screen goes blank. Once the screen goes blank, press only the power button till the Apple logo appears.
Follow this guide to reboot iPhone X and iPhone 8, 8 Plus.
When you reboot your iPhone, you may face an issue of iPhone stuck on Apple logo. To fix the issue, check out this complete guide on how to fix iPhone stuck on Apple logo.
After following this exhaustive information and instructions, your problem should be solved. Do you like this information on how to fix cannot connect to iTunes store Error. Share your feedback with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.