iTunes store temporarily unavailable?

Let's all keep this thread alive for all the new posters who are only now discovering the problem and are starting up new threads about it.

Know that you are not alone. 🙂

Adding info to the mix. Cannot connect to store using on desktop system using iTunes 8.2.1.6 on Windows XP SP3. Original error message was +This option not available in the US+ or something similar. Now the message is the ubiquitous +The iTunes store is temporarily unavailable.....+. All security and firewall settings correct according to Apple support notices and posts here. Able to access via Search and able to make purchases. Default browser is FF 3 but same issues if setting default browser to IE 8, Safari 5 and Chrome.

I am able to directly connect to the store on my laptop running Windows 7 Pro and iTunes 9.2.1.5. All functions working correctly on the store home page (all links to Music, Movies, TV Shows, etc. work)

I had the "iTunes is currently unavailable" message for 2 weeks and finally emailed Apple. They checked my account and it seems I had an item in the que to be downloaded that was no longer available. I don't know what it was but they took it out and as soon as I opened iTunes again it started downloading my purchase. Finally get to see episode 3 of Sherlock now 🙂. Not sure if this will help but it's worth checking into if you are having this problem.

I've had the issue myself a week. I've tried all the tricks and no success. I've emailed Apple itunes support and received no response. You would think someone there by now must know what is going on. I get the exact same message as stated above about the store being unavailable when I try to go to the theatrical trailers section to look at trailers. I never make it to the page. Funnily enough I can download music and TV shows, but trailers are blocked out. So saying there's a problem on my end doesn't cut it. There's no block if I can download some content. Also I get a secondary message if I click on Recommendations for you. This one bombs out with the dreaded "An unknown error has occurred 5002" message. The scary thing is that some programmers at Apple have let this out and have been unable to fix it now for several weeks. Since I'm using an Iphone and forced to use this wonderful Itunes service to update features etc. Does this constitute a breach of contract somewhere by something on Apple's end? I'd like to see some answers or guidelines or any feedback by Apple on this. I'm surprised that Apple is letting there reputation get sullied by basically ignoring this so far.

Finally received an answer back from Apple. Basically remove everything. Update windows and reinstall. Already had tried that and already failed to work. So I wrote Apple Rep back and went over all the steps I've taken (Everything in here and above) to hopefully prevent duplication of suggestions. But as of today, my itunes has been limited for a week. I'm going to update this thread until a solution is found. So far Apple is striking out.

I'm curious to know if all the people here are still having issues or if some have been corrected or not?

My issues seem to only affect theatrical trailers and the recommendations for you areas of itunes. I have no idea why.

To answer your question Mr. Warlock, no, this problem has not been fixed yet. I have used iTunes for many years now, and from my casual observations to date (with this issue starting from what I can tell on "New Music Tuesday Nov. 2"), this is the largest technical snafu that affected customers have ever seen in regards to longevity of a particular problem issue without a definitive resolution. One historical problem of the past that I can remember lasted up to a week (or a few days longer perhaps) where customers could access all the pages when running certain store versions, but were not able to make any purchases. That happened on a couple of different occasions over the years. The other historically sizeable problem was immediately starting on the Christmas day following the first roll-out of the original version of the iPhone. During that incident, the store servers were overloaded with so many new customers with new store accounts that no one could buy anything for about a week.

The question as to why the current problem still exist still remains. It is quite obvious that they know of the problem. However, perhaps they do not think it is a top priority to dedicate the resources at this point to fix it. Or, maybe they would like to fix the problem now, but do not know how to do so yet. I have personally have not witnessed this particular problem in the store (with not being able to access certain store pages). Maybe they have not either, and the unfamiliarly of the problem to themselves might be a possibility as to why they can't fix it if they are actually actively trying to do so. Also, it is rather peculiar that this problem started when up against a time change. Reference the iPhone alarm clock problem issue that occurred with the latest time change that made international headlines. I can't help wonder if there are some connections here that would explain this latest store problem, but I'm just speculating.

just received a reply from apple on this issue and I notice it is same lame response they were giving out in the beginning of november

Still having same issue 'store not available...'. For awhile it switched to 'not available in US' but reverted back to this original message. Wish they would fix this so I don't have to upgrade which has caused other issues in past.

This is driving me crazy! ITUNES has been "temporarily unavailable" for the past three days. Anyone know how to fix this? I've tried it on 2 of my computers.

Katmcd wrote:
This is driving me crazy! ITUNES has been "temporarily unavailable" for the past three days. Anyone know how to fix this? I've tried it on 2 of my computers.

Did this just start for you? This has been happening to many of us for over 3 weeks. Maybe that's a clue that Apple can use to fix this. Oh wait, Apple doesn't give a $^&* about this.

I fully expect this never to be resolved. I get in to the store by searching an artist.

Well, here is a response from Apple Support!

+Dear xxxx,+

+I'm sorry to hear that you are unable to connect to the iTunes Store using the iTunes link. My name is Floyd, and I can understand your eagerness to sort this out so you can get back to enjoying iTunes.+

+Some Windows customers have discovered that when they upgraded to the latest version of iTunes, the application no longer has issues.+

+I encourage you to upgrade at this time. The latest version of iTunes can always be downloaded free of charge at:+

+ http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/+

+If installing the latest version of iTunes does not resolve the issue you are experiencing, you may wish to call our AppleCare technical support team. A technical Advisor will be able to tell you about Apple's complimentary and fee-based support options as well as assist you in determining what option might be most helpful in this case. To find the appropriate phone number, please visit:+

+ http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html+

+I hope this information is helpful. Have a great day!+

Sincerely,

xxxxxx
+iTunes Store Customer Service+

I particularly like the invitation to contact AppleCare support and have the option to pay for support on this issue!

I like the part where the rep states that only "some" customers have had success by upgrading. The tone of the rep is golden in terms of a new public admittance about the current state of affairs regarding the issue. It seems now that some in the store are finally admitting that upgrading is not alike to waving a magic wand that solves the problem as many reps originally suggested, and for which most customers knew weeks ago is not always the definitive solution for everyone affected. The tone of the rep also indicates to me that they are now in crisis mode and continue to not be able to figure out what the cause of the problem is, or what is the solution is to fix it. The drama continues.

In the last two days i have lost access to the store. It will load but very slowly and it has non of the formatting. It just appears as a list artists and songs. Whats really strange is that it is still available on my ipad, touch wood.

I've had success in being contacted by Apple now. They've basically instructed me to remove the software and reload (Already done that) So I've responded to them and wrote down every single thing that I did to check and try and correct the issue, as well as some peculiarities I noticed about the software as hints toward what may fix the problem. The answer I got back was again very generic and pointed me to a link to support (not this one) with three messages in it. Which would have helped except I'm running Windows 7 and the link detailed same issue MAC OS. I think first tier problem solvers are having trouble even reading the support emails now if they don't know the difference between MacOS and Windows.

I'm extremely surprised there has been no better answer supplied to the users here. It's almost like it's swept under the rug and ignored. "Problem? What problem?"

Oh and to top it off I'm being directed and advised and told to update my Iphone to it's newest and just released version. Here's a refreshing idea, How about you concentrate and correct issues preventing people from using your products before you go upgrading other products.

Perhaps the Apple iTunes Store servers are experiencing overload from all the recent fraudulent in-app charges that have been occuring recently...