Unknown error -3256: what does it mean?

A longshot... do you have the firewall enabled on your Mac?

Exact same problem here though I get "Unknown error -15000." Fortunately, I have my music library also on my iMac running iTunes 7.x and can still stream fine. Therefore, it lies with iTunes 8 and AE. I upgraded all firmware so that is not the problem. I just want to go back to iTunes 7. Is there a way to do this without loosing my library? I cant believe I DL the new version the day it came out, shame on me. As with most Apple products and the furious pace at which they want to release new apps, hardware, etc., we become the beta testers.

Same error here in The Netherlands. This morning iTunes/airtunes played fine untill I upgraded iTunes to version 8.

I had that problem after my itunes 8 update until I read information in another message posted on this site and did a firmware upgrade to my AirPort Express. I had v6.2 and after upgrading to v6.3 my Airtunes worked again. You can find the firmware upgrade here:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/airportexpressfirmwareupdate63formacosx.h tml

Seems to be a common theme. I too upgraded to itunes 8 and firmware 6.3 and I am getting error 3256. Has anyone got any bright ideas??

Hey Tim thanks for the post. However, the AirPort Express Firmware Updater 6.3 for Mac OS X was released in Jan 2006, per the link. According to my Airport Utility Im running Airport Express version 7.3.2. I purchased the AE yesterday, which would make me think the firmware is more recent than the 6.3. Albeit, I can not find the version (7.3.2) anywhere as an update on Apples site???? Additionally, when setting up my iMac running itunes 7x (to see if the AE would work with an older version of itunes), the installer automatically ran a firmware update to 7.3.2, which precluded me from determining if it was the firmware or itunes 8. For now Im stuck with having to go into the office to change music, in lieu of networking my MacBook Pro with my iMac - it shouldn't have to be such a pain. I mite try install the 6.3 version to see how that works.

I just noticed that version 6.3.2 must be the AE itself and not the firmware.... Ill try the 6.3 firmware

Fixed for me. I did two things. (1) Upgraded firmware to 6.3. (2) Changes iTunes filewall settings under [System Preferences - Security - Firewall].

iTunes 7 streams fine, however iTunes 8 gives error -3256 while trying to connect to AirTunes.

Firmware is 6.3 and the firewall is not enabled.

Oh dear, anybody with some other ideas, please? 🙂

Cheers,

k.

The upgrade to firmware 6.3 fixed the issue for me. Thanks for the help!

I had the same 3256 error number. i googled "download, firmware 6.3" and 1st link was to apple's site for the download. updated both my airport expresses and presto, it works again. I alerted apple about it as well. I'm sure they'll get the word out.
Apple rocks.

Same with me. I have 6.3 on my airport express, my firewall allows all incoming connections, but still getting error -3256. I tried rebooting my computer and the airport. Any other options?

Same here - I was already on 6.3 and am getting the error

That worked great ... I now have itunes again ... but how about firewall. Do I have to add every service I want to use? That was a goof on APPLES part. Airport Express G