iTunes error -3256

It is definitely i tunes 8. After upgrading I no longer could connect to my airport express (and hence my stereo). I checked with my wife's computer since she still had itunes 7. It worked perfectly on the same system (as did mine) Once I upgraded her computer to i tunes 8 she also got the 3256 message. Anyone know if apple is aware of this and working on a solution?

This error is everywhere. I updated to iTunes 8 and can no longer use airtunes. The support documentation is inaccurate, in addition. Some have managed to fix it by unblocking UDP, but I don't have that option in 10.4.11. Sorry.

You can unblock UDP in 10.4.11. I also had this error on one machine that I upgraded to iTunes 8, so I've held off upgrading the other machine until things get worked out.

You don't want to allow all UDP traffic either, just go to (in 10.4.11, not Leopard) Sys Pref, Sharing, click on Firewall. Click New. Port name pull down: Other. TCP Port #s: Leave blank. UDP Port #s: 6001, 6002. Name it what you will (I named mine Airtunes). Click OK.

Can't take credit for it as I saw it in another forum from a while back. But it works. On iTunes 8.01 I will block it again to see if I can get away without the rule.

This is not a firewall error by the look of things. First, reset the airport by pressing the reset button until the amber flashes quickly. Then use Airport Utility to find the Base station. Then reset the base station but do not give it a name, leaving it in its original mode. Airport will then find it and also itunes will. Don't restore the airport express to any old saved formats as the airport utility will not find it when restoring it. itunes will have the base station model in the bottom right corner under the speakers drop down. Just live with the base station not being your name for now.

I can't speak to your answer, but let me describe my situation and what broke/when.

I have two macs, both running 10.4.11. Both are on the same network. When both were running iTunes 7.6.2, both ran Airtunes fine.

One machine upgraded to iTunes 8.0. That machine no longer ran Airtunes after that, giving a 3256 error. The other machine with iTunes 7.6.2 still ran Airtunes both on my upstairs receiver and downstairs stereo. No problems with 7.6.2.

So the only variable was the upgrade to 8.0 on that machine. When I adjusted the firewall UDP ports on the 8.0 machine, that machine then worked.

If there's interest I can upgrade my iTunes 7.6.2 iBook to 8.0 to see if it breaks Airtunes on that mac.

I tried this fix from tbass (Sys. Pref > Sharing > Firewall > New > Other > setting UDP Port #s) with my 10.4.11, and it did not work.

Any other ideas?

My AirTunes (sending from Airport Extreme to Airport Express) worked flawlessly with iTunes 7.7.1 and earlier version. After I downloaded iTunes 8.0.1, it does not work at all. I get the same -3256 error.

Message was edited by: Eliot Hudson

Had the problem 3256 since upgrade to 8.0 and continue to do so with 8.0.1 Nothing helped. Firmware, firewall,nothing. Still managed to stream to airport express and enjoy music by selecting a Radio channel first. Connection is then created (sometimes retry)and then back to my Library. It is not a proper solution and don't know if it will help your end but I enjoyed music all the way since 8.0

NicVoe, Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, that did not work, either, even after multiple retries. The Extreme apparently "sees" the remote speakers. Apple has somehow fouled up the ability to complete the connection.

Apple has realized it has a problem. When I launched iTunes I got a dialog message that my firewall settings would prevent me from using AirTunes. When I clicked "learn more" it took me to the following website:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2278

I followed the directions, and it worked.

My settings were okay, I think, so the solution seems to have been to update my Airport Express firmware. The directions were clear and easily followed once I figured out whether my Airport Express was 802.11g or 802.11n capable (which was in the literature that came with the Express).

Good luck, All!

I upgraded to iTunes 8, and now get the 3256 error. My Airport Express is connected only to my stereo. I use a different router in the basement for the internet. How do I update the firmware? I tried the Apple instructions in the System Prefs for configuring the Airport following the directions for 10.4.11, but it doesn't match what shows up... I have no "configure " button. This is a real PIA.

Help!!! without streaming music it just isn't the same! Leopard, itunes 8.01. I've done everything;
updated airport to 6.3, rebooted, factory reset
enabled the firewall so that access is allowed for itunes
rebooted the mac
Fiddled with the network settings in preferences/network/airport/advanced/TCP IP/configure IPv6. This maybe where I get stuck as the automatic setting just defaults back to off. With manual I don't know where to find the information for the fields.
Someone said; "Allowing traffic through the firewall on UDP port 6002 does the trick." This would be equivalent to open heart surgery with this techless newbie.

Please help, any one out there... Heeeeeeelp!!
Jamie

me again, found a fix with airfoil, but at $us25 I would have rather Apple sustain the functionality that we have all come to depend on in each new version release.
jamie

The only way I have worked around the error is to go to my airport and then to the itunes part and uncheck then check the airtunes. The error still comes up every once in a while but this brings it back to working condition again to my remote speakers. It seems to be a conflict between the airport express and itunes. I have tried the other suggestions with no result, but this seems to work even though it is not a permanent solution.

after trying everything else on this page (including a tramp down ipv6 lane); option 2 worked.

thanks.