Can't get into iTunes store

Problems connecting to the iTunes Store often stem from issues with the Windows firewall or a firewall in a router, a privacy filter (such as McAfee Internet Privacy Service or Norton Internet Security), an antivirus/antispyware utility, or a download accelerator. Start here:

iTunes for Windows: iTunes Store Connection Troubleshooting

iTunes for Windows: Connection Issues when using Internet Filters, Accelerators, or Firewalls

Tunes for Windows could not establish a secure connection to the iTunes Store

iTunes for Windows: Possible iTunes Store Errors

for some basic tips to start isolating the cause of the problem. What you may need to do is temporarily disable any such service and see if that fixes the problem. If so, then if it's a firewall/Internet filter that's causing the problem and you'll need to set the offending service to allow iTunes to connect to the iTunes Store.

Hope this helps.

The Fix (& It's NOT Your Firewall)

A. Symptoms

When you try to connect to the iTunes Store you may receive the alert message "We could not complete your iTunes Store request. An unknown error occured (-9808). There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later."

B. Resolution

Check your computer's date, time, and time zone. Set the correct date, time, and time zone if needed. If your computer's date, time, and time zone are all correct and you still see this alert message, this issue can be resolved by modifying certain settings in the Internet Options control panel:

1) Go to the Start menu and choose Control Panel.

2) Select Internet Options.

Note: If you are using Windows Vista you may need to select Classic View on the left before you can see Internet Options.
Note: If you are using WIndows 7 you may need to change "View by" to either Large icons or Small icons before you can see Internet Options.

3) Click the Advanced tab.

4) In the Settings box, scroll down to the Security section.

5) Deselect the option to "Check for server certificate revocation (requires restart)."

6) Select the options for "SSL 3.0" and "TLS 1.0."

7) Apply the changes and restart your computer.

Disclaimers
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

Article source: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2753

Okay since this seems to b a common problem on all these threads about itunes store they need to fix it. Us people with no errors and the bar only going halfway seem to have no fixes no matter what troubleshooting and articles posted. no one seems to get it. this is very frustrating for us.

Fixed the 306 error on our Windows Vista box

We were unable to access the ITunes Store and getting the 306 error on our Windows Vista PC.

We had already followed the other fixes at this site including:
1. replacing the hosts file
2. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1527
3. setting Mcafee and the Windows firewall properly
4. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2753
5. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1424

In testing we noted that Safari (which we do not use, but IS installed) saw a similar 306 error.

Here is how we fixed both.

I. Upgrade to latest version of Safari and ITunes

II. Turn off proxy setting in Safari
1. Display a menu of General Safari settings
(select the gear wheel in upper right corner)
2. select Preferences
3. select Advanced Tab (also a gear wheel)
4. at Proxies - click on CHANGE SETTINGS
5. select LAN Settings
6. Under the heading Proxy server
Uncheck the box: Use a proxy server for your LAN
7. select OK
8. select OK

III. Test

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Looks like the 306 error is related to a proxy setting. So if this fix doesn't work try looking at proxy settings on your other web browsers.

Best of luck.

I have not updated to the latest version of iTunes in a log time, because I seem to recall having a lot of trouble afterwards once I did. But today I did because I received a message saying I had to update to the newest version in order to get the new Mary J Blige video, which is being offered for free. So I updated and then I could not enter the store. I called Apple, talked to nice guy by the name of Matthew, he got me started but then said he would send me an email on un-installing all of the componets of iTunes (because it had to be done in a certain order) which I did. I re-installed iTunes AND I STILL CAN'T ACCESS THE STORE. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So now what?

I had the same problem and tried everything. When I ran the diagnostics test it passed & said I was connected to the store. I started playing around with the View and when I changed it to 'Show Column Browser', there it was. I was on it all the time, just couldn't see it. I hope this works for you.

I had this problem for months with the bar only going halfway and not connecting to the store. If you have Computer Associates security software running, this solution worked for me: right click on the CA icon on the bottom of the screen, go to parental controls, then login. You want to login as administrator. If the login is set to default, you can't access the store. This problem pops up every time my computer restarts, but changing the login to "administrator" solves it. Good Luck

ginagina909
+have no fixes no matter what troubleshooting and articles posted. no one seems to get it. this is very frustrating for us.+



I imagine it is frustrating. It's frustrating from my side, too - the #1 problem for accessing the itunes store is security software blocking it. Since there are dozens of security software packages around, it is up to the PC owner to know what they have and check into it.
I do "get" it, but I'm not a mind reader! My first suggestion is always Norton/Symantec, since that comes pre-installed on almost every HP, Sony, Dell, Gateway, blahblahblah new PC. Even if you haven't run the trial version, it can block the itunes store.




Did you see cchp's post? On their PC, it was CA Computer Associates security software that was blocking itunes. Somebody else might be running Zone Alarm. Somebody else might be running McAfee. Somebody else might have ESET.....

i have been working with apple with the bar only going half way problem. They are extremely helpful but nothing is working so far, we will see what they come up with. Maybe theres help....eventually

Hey i think i have the same problem as well i have tried everything the help has recommended and nothing is working, checked firewalls they all good also. It was working a few days ago and all of a sudden it tries accessing itunes store but it only loads half way and does nothing. It doesn't help when there is no error message coming up. I hope there is some way to fix it.

Thanks for the post. Had the same problem with the iTunes store connection bar going halfway across and errors displaying the images and text once connected. Your suggestion was the fix I needed.

hey, thanks for your suggestion. it did work for me. but is there anyway to not have the column view but still access itunes store. would prefer the classic view but nothing suggested in the itunes help or the discussion board has helped.

"I had the same problem and tried everything. When I ran the diagnostics test it passed & said I was connected to the store. I started playing around with the View and when I changed it to 'Show Column Browser', there it was. I was on it all the time, just couldn't see it. I hope this works for you."

OMG, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I played around too, clicked on view and stuff and now I can at least see something!! Thank you so much! My God, such a COMMON UNSOLVED problem so many of us are having here, and yet such a simple easy solution!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!1

Thankyou so much. I wish I had never set those parental controls, every time I move to a new webpage it asks me for my password. Do you know how to remove them?

The simplest and first step to take is to "Run Diagnostics" under the Help menu in iTunes. Run the "Network Connectivity tests." If you get a yellow or red alert, follow the steps on the Help button that appears adjacent to the listed problem.

I ran the diagnostic check when I couldn't access the store, and I ran into a problem with the "Internet Connection Verified," under the iTune Store Connectivity category. Apparently I had a problem with my LAN settings using a proxy. Once the proxy was turned off, problem was solved.