Cant connect to App Store

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Jon Swalby Author

Level 2

171 points

Cant connect to App Store

Since the Big Sur update I can't reach the App Store or the iTunes music store.

The app store did briefly connect yesterday, long enough to let me know that

there is an Etrecheck update waiting. Clicked INSTALL, got a spinner for a couple

of minutes, then the spinner reverted back to the INSTALL button without loading the update.

So far since then, I get a blank App Store page, showing only the menu bar items.

I've run first aid on the drives, reset PRAM and SMC, done a couple of restarts and shut downs/restarts.

Nothing has helped. I sure could use your suggestions!

thanks

Posted on Nov 23, 2020 4:52 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

146,306 points

Nov 23, 2020 6:15 PM in response to Jon Swalby

Please read If you can't connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services - Apple Support.

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Answer 2

Jon Swalby Author

Level 2

171 points

Nov 23, 2020 11:03 PM in response to John Galt

I've been to that page before, John. This time, I DID change my apple ID password

to no avail.

I'm not getting any error messages from the app store. It just flat won't load

anything beyond a basic white page with the menu items in place.

Clicking Software Update in system preferences doesn't do anything either.

It just gives me a spinner, although the other day, it DID tell me that my system

software is up to date. Nothing since.

Trying to get my Password and Security info on the Apple ID page is fruitless. Again

just a spinner seemingly forever, although it did tell me earlier tonight that the info

wasn't available and to try again later. I'm paraphrasing a bit here.

Otherwise, mail works fine, browsers do what they should ... I have web access.

Everything in the dock (except app store) seems to open and operate OK.

It's a head scratcher.

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

146,306 points

Nov 24, 2020 4:47 PM in response to Jon Swalby

I agree. You may need Apple's help with that problem. In the meantime please determine if you can log into your Apple ID account on this page: https://appleid.apple.com

Determine is there is anything amiss with your account information.

Trying to get my Password and Security info on the Apple ID page is fruitless.

I assume that's the problem you're encountering, in which case you're not going to get anywhere with the above. That would only confirm you need to speak with a human being: Contact Support and click through the options until you find the one that leads to a conversation with someone who can help.

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Answer 4

Jon Swalby Author

Level 2

171 points

Nov 27, 2020 6:35 PM in response to John Galt

Jonn I did contact Apple. So far, they're stumped too. The case has been escalated

to a senior tech who is working with engineers to figure out what the heck is

going on. We'll be in contact again next week after some of the tests they took

have been evaluated.

So some really screwy news, If I have my VPN running, I can get to the App Store

most every time. I was able to load the etercheck update. Go figure ~

thanks for all your insight.

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Answer 5

Jon Swalby Author

Level 2

171 points

Dec 19, 2020 4:46 PM in response to Jon Swalby

Well, this problem was solved, thanks to the efforts of 2 Apple senior techs.

It was determined that my VPN had gotten it's tentacles into the new system

when it was installed, and was raising ****.

After several days, many tests, trials and tribulations, the techs decided that the

fix was to do a clean install, mostly because I hadn't really trashed the VPN incorrectly.

The clean install and a backup in Time Machine put everything back in order.

I can now get to the App Store, Mail isn't as laggy and Safari now actually accomplishes

something instead of getting stuck.

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Answer 6

John Galt

Level 10

146,306 points

Dec 19, 2020 5:13 PM in response to Jon Swalby

👍

Thanks for the update. I'll endeavor to ask about VPN use in the future. It comes up a lot.

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