The iPhone Software Update Server Could Not Be Contacted[Solved]

What Does “The iPhone Software Update Server Could Not Be Contacted” Mean?

As mentioned earlier, you can update your iOS using the iTunes application on your computer. All you need to do is to connect your iPhone to your desktop and authorize the iOS update. However, the process sometimes takes a while to complete due to “The iPhone software update server could not be contacted” error. Many users have already experienced the same issue. But most of them are still clueless as to why it happens and how to repair it.

It only means one thing when iTunes alerts you that the iPhone software update server could not be contacted. The server that provides data about the new iOS is currently unreachable. It’s possible that the issue is originating from the iPhone server itself. But most of the time, it’s not. Below are the possible reasons your iTunes cannot reach the software update server.

• You have an internet connection problem. Your iTunes will surely have difficulty communicating with the Apple server if your internet connection is weak or down. Remember that during the iOS update, you’re supposed to access the software information from an external source. Therefore, a strong and reliable internet connection is strictly required.
• There are probably some misconfigured settings on the iTunes application or your computer. iTunes needs the users’ consent to perform certain actions. It will likely trigger such errors if the preference settings are not tuned up, or specific access is not granted.
• Your anti-virus program is perhaps interfering with your iTunes. Anti-virus is designed to block suspicious activities on your computer. However, it also misinterprets some computer activities from legitimate applications like iTunes and gets in the way. It’s a rare occasion, but it happens sometimes.
• Your host file is probably altered. A host file is a plain yet very important text file on your computer. Simply put, it plays a key role in connecting your IP address to every domain on the web. If the host file is changed in any way, you’ll find it hard to connect to some websites, including iTunes.

Easy Ways to Fix This Software Update Server Issue

Just because such errors are inevitable doesn’t mean it’s unrepairable. It’s not a matter of life and death when the iPhone or iPad software update server could not be contacted. The available solutions to fix this issue are easy and effective. Below is the list of tricks that can help you eliminate this system problem once and for all.

Solution 1: Ensure Your Internet Connection is Strong and Stable

Your network connection is a vital element to the success of the iOS process. iTunes needs to be in touch with the software update server to obtain the necessary data and installer. If the internet is weak or unstable, the entire process will come to a halt until the connection becomes reliable. Hence, check your internet connection first before updating your iOS. Make sure that it is strong enough to contact the iPhone or iPad software update server.

Solution 2: Turn Off Your Anti-virus or Firewall While Updating Your iOS

iTunes is a legitimate computer application. It’s been around for many years now. However, some anti-virus programs see it as a dangerous threat to the computer. Therefore, they tend to block some of its important functions. Try to turn off your Firewall or Anti-virus for a while if your iTunes is having trouble with the iOS update. Maybe that’s all you need to do when the iPhone or iPad software update server could not be contacted.

Solution 3: Restart Your iTunes Application

Perhaps, your iTunes application is just having a bad day. Try to close it and then launch it again after a few minutes. It may start up with the right calibration this time around. If nothing changes, it’s probably your computer that is acting up. Try to restart your desktop and then relaunch the iTunes program.

Solution 4: Update Your iOS From Your iPhone

It should not take long to update your iOS to the latest version. If updating your iOS from your iPhone instead of using iTunes would be much easier, you should try it then. Here’s how to update your iOS from your iPhone in easy steps.

Manually Update Your iOS

• Step 1: Go to Settings.
• Step 2: Tap on the General option.
• Step 3: Click Software Update.

• Step 4: The information about the new iOS will appear on your screen. Check it and then click Download and Install.
• Step 5: Enter your iPhone passcode if necessary.
• Step 6: Terms and Conditions will then pop up on your screen. Read it and then click Agree.
• Step 7: Sit back and wait until the installation process is done. Don’t panic when your iPhone suddenly restarts. It’s part of the process. Your iPhone needs to load up its system to fully implement the new iOS.

Enable Automatic Software Update

• Step 1: Go to Settings.
• Step 2: Click General.
• Step 3: Click Software Update.
• Step 4: Click Automatic Updates.
• Step 5: Switch on the corresponding radio buttons for Download iOS Updates, Install iOS Updates, and Security Responses & System Files options.

Solution 5: Update Your iOS Using Wondershare Dr.Fone

If updating your iOS via iTunes and from your iPhone or iPad are both ineffective, try using a third-party application. Wondershare Dr.Fone is equipped with tools that can help you resolve a number of system-related problems. Here’s how to use it in easy steps.

• Step 1: Download Wondershare Dr.Fone from its official website. Launch the application if you already have it on your desktop.
• Step 2: Click System Repair from the main dashboard or from the Toolbox section on the left corner of the window.

• Step 3: Connect your iPhone to your computer. And then, select iOS from the new window that appears on your computer screen.

• Step 4: Choose iOS Repair from the options provided.

• Step 5: Click Standard Repair.

• Step 6: At this point, Wondershare Dr.Fone will ask you to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode. Tap Trust from your iPhone. Consecutively, click Enter Recovery Mode on your computer. In the event you need additional help with this procedure, click Guide on your computer for further instructions.

• Step 7: While your iPhone is under Recovery Mode, Wondershare Dr.Fone will search for several firmware available for your device. Choose the best one that matches the model and specifications of your iPhone. Click Download.

• Step 8: Wondershare Dr.Fone will immediately download the selected firmware. Sit back and wait until the package has been downloaded and verified.

• Step 9: Wondershare Dr.Fone will inform you once the firmware is ready. By then, click Repair Now.

• Step 10: The system repair and installation of the new firmware will commence right away. Don’t use your phone or computer until it’s done to avoid interruptions.

• Step 11: A notification will appear on your computer screen after completing the process. From there, click Done.

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Conclusion

Does your iTunes say the iPhone or iPad software update server could not be contacted? Don’t frown. As discussed earlier, there are other options you can try to update your iOS to the latest version. You may update it directly from your iPhone or use other tools like Wondershare Dr.Fone. The important thing is you get a hold of Apple’s new features and system improvements.

Wondershare Dr.Fone’s System Repair feature can resolve many issues. And the good news is it’s also available for Android. Aside from system repair, it can also perform other procedures like data recovery, phone backup, password management, and many more. So waste no time and download it now on your computer. You never know. You might need it someday.