Connection Error iCloud encountered an error while trying to connect to the server

Newsflash - found this suggestion from a few days ago (disable IPv6 in internet connection config) and it worked!

freem221

User level:

Level 1

9 points

Aug 25, 2023 5:35 PM in response to BooneKate

I was having this issue on a Windows PC. This video's solution is the only thing that worked for me. In case the video doesn't work for you:

1. 1. Type ncpa.cpl into your Windows search bar. Click on the resulting "Control panel item" which should bring you to this screen:
   2. Whatever your active network adapter is (wireless card, ethernet adapter), right click it, click Properties, then uncheck IPv6 setting, like below. Note: if you're plugged into ethernet and your wireless card is connected, you want to change this setting on whichever connection is active. Typically the ethernet will be active if both ethernet and wireless card are connected.
   3. Try icloud.com again.

I'm not a tech expert, but this seems to suggest Apple has a configuration issue they need to change.

[derB]: well, duh

After struggling for a month trying to find a solution I read somewhere that the "Killer Intelligence Center" installed in almost every Dell system has a feature named "Prioritization Engine" I turned it off. And everything went back to normal with icloud.com and the iCloud Windows app. That little insignificant detail.

Another tip that solved the issues for me:

Try closing background apps one-by-one and see if the iCloud website works.

For me, Adobe's "Creative Cloud" service was somehow intervening with iCloud. After quitting the Creative Cloud background sync process, I could access iCloud without a problem.

This error just began for me today after a couple of years of using iCloud almost daily on the PC with no new updates or software added overnight since my last login. I have tried absolutely every possible solution offered in countless posts and forums on the web - none worked. My iTunes is up to date, Windows is up to date, Chrome is up to date, antivirus on and antivirus off, etc....iCloud login works fine on my iPhone thru the web. Ironically, I can log into OTHER Apple sites with my AppleID (such as this forum.) Tried Chrome and Edge. Finally decided to download and install Firefox and I was able to login in on the first try. I just don't get it???? Anyway, if you are having this problem, try downloading and installing a browser that is not already installed on your PC.

Hey there woncha,

To help resolve issues between iCloud and your PC, start with the steps below:

Things to check first

Before you change your security software's setup: 

* Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are set correctly on your computer. Learn how to update these settings on a Mac or on a PC. 

* Log in to an administrative user account, not a guest account. Learn how to do this on a PC. 

* Update to the latest version of iCloud for Windows or update to the latest version of iTunes.

* Make sure that you have the latest software on your Mac or on your PC.

* Make sure that you set up Windows Hello. Learn how to set it up. 

* Make sure that you only have one type of security software installed. If you have more than one type of security software installed, you might experience performance issues.

Continue along with the additional steps for this here: Resolve issues between iCloud for Windows or iTunes and third-party security software - Apple Support

Take care!

This worked, thank you for posting. HOWEVER, this is terrible that we have to disable the newer IPv6 protocol just to use iCloud. Not acceptable that we have to disable this, please restore IPv6 functionality ASAP!!! Thanks again for the hopefully temporary solution!

Thank you!! Firefox worked. I too started getting this a few days ago after years of no problem. Error was on Windows 11 Chrome and Edge. No other problems on PC. No problem with iCloud on iPad or iPhone. Well, if it comes up again, I guess I'll uninstall and reinstall Firefox until they get their act together. Argh. Thank you all in the forum for saving me many hours.

I think this is actually the best solution for those who have the Killer app, which might be the cause of this problem for everyone who is experiencing. Better to do this solution - works for me - than mess around with Windows settings for network and startup.

Hi woncha,

Been having the same problem since Aug 8 (see separate posts). Like you, tried all suggested fixes w/o success, including talking (chatting) to Apple Support for over an hour, troubleshooting trying various solutions (including downloading new copy of Chrome). That was interesting, and encouraging that someone would invest that much time, but ultimately frustrating - the tech's final comment was, it's a Windows thing, probably your browsers, why don't you talk to them (i.e. Windows - in effect, what do you expect, trying to use an Apple resource from a device linked to the Evil Empire/Dark Side)?

Might try the escalate gambit. Did you try that yet, and if so, how did it go?

Hey woncha,

Thanks for trying! Since the issue persists, your next best step is to get in touch with Apple Support team here: Apple Support

We hope everything works out!

Best regards.

While I appreciate the compliment, the credit goes to freem221 - all I did was repost his/her discovery to this thread.

Agree strongly with Mac2H as well. In fact, I said as much in original comment, but in overly strong language, which the Community moderators edited out (rightly so, on reflection).

This problem has a history that appears to go back at least a couple of years. While the IPv6 issue might be a more recent aspect, Apple Support has not been very forthcoming, given the time span. Of course, they have little incentive to solve it, in so far as it involves software running on devices they don’t sell (as a notably honest tech I chatted with admitted, in closing, after unsuccessful efforts to find a fix), but it seems very small minded.

Thought I’d try a bit of follow up: Anyone hear anything helpful from Cupertino (or the broader Community)? On the “temporary” aspect of using IPv4 (I assume, from list in Settings; no v5), anyone find any drawbacks or problems with the older IP?