Several iOS users have reported that they are unable to update, backup or restore their devices when they use iTunes. If you see an error code when using iTunes to update or restore your iPad or iPhone, there are a few things you can try to identify and fix your problem.
1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes
If not, download and install the latest version of iTunes. You can check for iTunes updates:
Windows: Choose Help > Check for Updates.
Mac: Choose iTunes > Check for Updates.
2. Make sure that your computer’s OS is up to date
New Macs: Mac App Store > Updates
Older Macs: Apple Menu > Software Update and install available updates
Windows: Start Button > type Update in the search box, and then, click Windows Update
3. Restart your computer and your iDevice
To restart your iPhone or iPad, press and hold the sleep/wake button until you see the red slider. Slide the red slider to turn your device off. Then press and hold the sleep/wake button until you see the Apple logo.
4. Make Sure your iPad/iPhone is running the latest iOS software
Check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
How to fix iPhone / iPad backup: when your issue persists
Getting error code: “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build” or “There was a problem downloading the software” Errors 1004, 1013, 1638, 3014, 3194, or 3000-3999
This message and error mean there are communications issues between your computer and iDevice. If you have a Windows computer, please see this article. If you have a Mac computer, see this article.
What this means is that some security software and settings are preventing iTunes connecting to the Apple servers. See this article to resolve this problem.
What this means is that there is a problem with your USB connection and the USB communication to your iOS device isn’t working. To resolve this issue, (a) use a different USB cable, (b) use another USB port on your computer (c) unplug any extra USB cables such as printer etc. Keep only the essentials; keyboard, mouse and your iPad or iPhone.
Reader Tips
Reader Raymond figured out a method that worked for him for error 4500. He opened his device and removed battery then placed back and started up with DFU restore. For Raymond, this time restore went well and completed! Back in working condition
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.
In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.
Error code 4016 Fix.
Put an iPhone or iPad in DFU mode, Open iTunes, plug device, hold down the Volume down button, hit the restore and upgrade, keep holding down the volume down button until you see the firmware/software being transferred over to device (apple logo with loading bar)
in 5-4-3-2-1…….weeeeeeeeee update installed in General>w/e>”Updated” does not exist…slapped my iphone a few times and found “UPDATES” somehow and BAM> update is downloaded..I have no idea how I found it and did it but I did,Your info(plus 3 cups of coffee just got my brain kick started,,,,,,THANK YOU….I’m going back to bed know….
screen got blank > tried restore > faced 4500 error
resolution: opened > removed battery > placed back > did DFU restore > this time restore went well and completed!
Phone was back in working condition…. with no data.
Thank you for sharing this great tip!!! We’ll add it in and hope it helps others too. Good job figuring out a solution that works for you (and hopefully others.)
Please help my iPad is completely switched off and I did everything but my screen is grey.i try to restore it from iTunes but it doesn’t find the device.its iPad Air not 3G and no imei how can I fix it please help
I have an iPhone 6 (Jailbroken) 8.1.2 and I tried to reset my device to take the jailbreak off and I turned it off intentionally, now it’s bricked and couldn’t be restored, everytime I restore it it says error 9006, I also took it to the apple store, same thing, what do I do? Please help ASAP.
I had error 29 and researched it was battery related, changed battery, now i have error 1671. It will not budge from trying to completely restore. i also have a mac.
Any ideas? i am failing to research any answers… does that mean this phone is dead?
sir plz help me if know any one to solve this issue
my iphone 4s is stuck on itune logo ,while restore my phone error 9 occure agiuan an again and i m too much worried about this problem.plz give me accurate ans
Mine also gave the error code 1671. I’ve tried turning off my antivirus as I read on another thread that this worked for someone but it’s still not working.
Would love some help.
Thanks
It is a corrupt Host file in your C:windowssystem32driversetc folder. Move that file to your desktop and try again. Put that file BACK when you are done…
I believe error 52 is due to duplicate music check you music and see that no music tracks are exactly the same and delete any that are and this should clear
It is a corrupt Host file in your C:windowssystem32driversetc folder. Move that file to your desktop and try again. Put that file BACK when you are done…
thank u . worked perfectly.
but after activation process, says hello. asks which country. i choose United States. then asks for wifi network. it’s all good. then it says .
this apple id is linked to s******@gmail.com
what do i do now?
It is a corrupt Host file in your C:windowssystem32driversetc folder. Move that file to your desktop and try again. Put that file BACK when you are done…
after restarting my Ipad 2 i was instructed to connect the iped to the Itune (via the cable to the macbook) which i did in order to IOS 8.2. i got unknown error message number 1671.
I as well. Have lots of pics of loved ones since passed. Hope Apple can get this corrected (as currently they are lost)! Apple was once a great machine and I went all in many years ago. I hope this wasn’t a regretfull decision, for myself and my family. As I said IOS was a great machine.
Hi im from brunei, asia country.. I have problem here my iphone6plus encounter problem “unknown error 56”.. Until now i cant open iphone..only redtune logo pop out..please help me on this..
My iPhone became completely bricked up when I tried to update through iTunes. It stuck me at the restore/update screen, and every time I clicked “Restore” in itunes, it crashed with error 14.
After a couple of hours of beating my head against a wall, I finally realized that my antivirus software was preventing the update. When I put an exclusion for iTunes into my antivirus, it sailed through without any more problems.
Error code 4016 Fix.
Put an iPhone or iPad in DFU mode, Open iTunes, plug device, hold down the Volume down button, hit the restore and upgrade, keep holding down the volume down button until you see the firmware/software being transferred over to device (apple logo with loading bar)
I know there is another tool. I used the TunesKit to fix iTunes error. Maybe, you can try.
in 5-4-3-2-1…….weeeeeeeeee update installed in General>w/e>”Updated” does not exist…slapped my iphone a few times and found “UPDATES” somehow and BAM> update is downloaded..I have no idea how I found it and did it but I did,Your info(plus 3 cups of coffee just got my brain kick started,,,,,,THANK YOU….I’m going back to bed know….
screen got blank > tried restore > faced 4500 error
resolution: opened > removed battery > placed back > did DFU restore > this time restore went well and completed!
Phone was back in working condition…. with no data.
hope this helps someone
thanks
Hi Raymond,
Thank you for sharing this great tip!!! We’ll add it in and hope it helps others too. Good job figuring out a solution that works for you (and hopefully others.)
Cheers,
SK
what is the solution for error code 16 in iPhone 4?really frustrated..
many thanks.
Can anyone help with an Uknown error (5), please?
iPad has been performing poorly for months now : slow, regularly freezes, won’t send emails , then aol stopped altogether .
Please help my iPad is completely switched off and I did everything but my screen is grey.i try to restore it from iTunes but it doesn’t find the device.its iPad Air not 3G and no imei how can I fix it please help
I have an iPhone 6 (Jailbroken) 8.1.2 and I tried to reset my device to take the jailbreak off and I turned it off intentionally, now it’s bricked and couldn’t be restored, everytime I restore it it says error 9006, I also took it to the apple store, same thing, what do I do? Please help ASAP.
my Iphone fail restore “unknow error 52”
trying 3 computers are same
need help !!
Ivan, Take a look at this link. It appears that you may have had some driver changes on your machine due to new s/w.
https://support.apple.com/en-is/HT204095#code52. Good luck.
Try turning off passcode (Settings->Passcode) before trying Restore. That solved 1671 issue for me.
Need help here .. My iPhone 5 has error occurred 9 and they told me its hardware problem…Can Anyone help me that has idea and remedy for this??
Also have the same problem keeps telling me error 1671 i have done everything need HELP!!
I had error 29 and researched it was battery related, changed battery, now i have error 1671. It will not budge from trying to completely restore. i also have a mac.
Any ideas? i am failing to research any answers… does that mean this phone is dead?
Is this problem resolved? Because i have the same problem with yours but mine is iPhone 5 ..
I have tried it many times but I cant get it.
sir plz help me if know any one to solve this issue
my iphone 4s is stuck on itune logo ,while restore my phone error 9 occure agiuan an again and i m too much worried about this problem.plz give me accurate ans
I’m also getting error 1671 and i have tried everything i can think of to fix it. help would be appreciated.
I have same problem – did you manage to resolve this and how ?
No answer for error 1671 in iOS !!
its crazy !
Mine also gave the error code 1671. I’ve tried turning off my antivirus as I read on another thread that this worked for someone but it’s still not working.
Would love some help.
Thanks
It is a corrupt Host file in your C:windowssystem32driversetc folder. Move that file to your desktop and try again. Put that file BACK when you are done…
This isn’t working for me…any other ideas?
I constantly getting the unknown error 52 when I’m trying to restore my iPhone 5 with iOS 8.4
Cannot find any information regarding error 52
Who can help?
I believe error 52 is due to duplicate music check you music and see that no music tracks are exactly the same and delete any that are and this should clear
Same problem please anyone help
i want to restor and updata my iphone but its give me this error (1671)
It is a corrupt Host file in your C:windowssystem32driversetc folder. Move that file to your desktop and try again. Put that file BACK when you are done…
I have a Mac and the same error. How can I fix it? where do I find files to remove?
Thanks!
thank u . worked perfectly.
but after activation process, says hello. asks which country. i choose United States. then asks for wifi network. it’s all good. then it says .
this apple id is linked to s******@gmail.com
what do i do now?
I have los my restrictions passcode, now I’m trying to reinstall ios 8.3 on iphone 4s but after unpacking software itunes says “unknown error (4000)”
How about unknown error occurred 5?
i want to restor and updata my iphone but its give me this error (1671)
It is a corrupt Host file in your C:windowssystem32driversetc folder. Move that file to your desktop and try again. Put that file BACK when you are done…
Eh, I got this 1671 error as well but on my mac.
/Developer/usr/etc/distcc
after restarting my Ipad 2 i was instructed to connect the iped to the Itune (via the cable to the macbook) which i did in order to IOS 8.2. i got unknown error message number 1671.
i will appreciate your help
thanks
I have exactly the same problem once I attempted an IOS9 update – how did you resolve this ?
the same thing for me! i need help pronto
I as well. Have lots of pics of loved ones since passed. Hope Apple can get this corrected (as currently they are lost)! Apple was once a great machine and I went all in many years ago. I hope this wasn’t a regretfull decision, for myself and my family. As I said IOS was a great machine.
Hi im from brunei, asia country.. I have problem here my iphone6plus encounter problem “unknown error 56”.. Until now i cant open iphone..only redtune logo pop out..please help me on this..
I restore the iphone 5s error 4005? need help
My iPhone became completely bricked up when I tried to update through iTunes. It stuck me at the restore/update screen, and every time I clicked “Restore” in itunes, it crashed with error 14.
After a couple of hours of beating my head against a wall, I finally realized that my antivirus software was preventing the update. When I put an exclusion for iTunes into my antivirus, it sailed through without any more problems.