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Error 3194 - Check Your Hosts File

This error occurs when iTunes is not able to talk to the Apple signing servers.


Apple deals with this problem in detail in http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3125.


Before you apply the recommendations (correct date, time and timezone / logged on as admin / latest version of iTunes installed / latest operating system updates installed / latest router and modem firmware installed / correct proxy settings / latest security software installed / security software correctly configured / and so forth), it may save you a good deal of time and effort to quickly check your hosts file to ensure that it does not contain any entries that will point iTunes to a server other than gs.apple.com.


On Windows, the hosts file can be found here: C:\Windows\System32\ drivers\etc\hosts.

On OSX, the hosts file can be found here: /private/etc/hosts.


A standard Windows hosts file should look something like this -


# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost


If you have any lines that point to gs.apple.com, backup the hosts file and delete the lines (using a standard editor such as Notepad). You may need to ensure that you have admin privileges. Reboot and try the iTunes upgrade again.


If your hosts file is clean, you will have no option but to pursue the Apple recommendations - but at least you will have eliminated one of the more common causes of the error.

Posted on May 29, 2011 3:55 AM

Reply
29 replies

Jan 21, 2012 9:00 PM in response to @rchangel

This has been explained already in 100s of posts here and by Apple:


"This device is not eligible for the requested build: Also sometimes displayed as an "error 3194." If you receive this alert, update to the latest version of iTunes. Third-party security software or router security settings can also cause this issue. To resolve this, follow Troubleshooting security software issues.

Downgrading to a previous version of iOS is not supported. If you have installed software to performunauthorized modifications to your iOS device, that software may have redirected connections to the update server (gs.apple.com) within the Hosts file. First you must uninstall the unauthorized modification software from the computer, then edit out the "gs.apple.com" redirect from the hosts file, and then restart the computer for the host file changes to take affect. For steps to edit the Hosts file and allow iTunes to communicate with the update server, see iTunes: Troubleshooting iTunes Store on your computer, iPhone, iPad, or iPod—follow steps under the heading Blocked by configuration (Mac OS X / Windows) > Rebuild network information > The hosts file may also be blocking the iTunes Store. If you do not uninstall the unauthorized modification software prior to editing the hosts file, that software may automatically modify the hosts file again on restart. Also, using an older or modified .ipsw file can cause this issue. Try moving the current .ipsw file, or try restoring in a new user to ensure that iTunes downloads a new .ipsw.

  1. The hosts file may also be blocking the iTunes Store.

    1. If you want to have Windows try to restore the hosts to default, follow the "FixIt" in How do I reset the hosts file back to the default?.
      Note: Work systems may put information into the hosts file. Consult whomever is responsible for supporting Windows on your system before resetting the hosts file to default.
    2. If restoring the defaults did not resolve the issue, you can find your hosts file at C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC .
    3. Select the hosts file. Choose Edit > Copy, and then choose Edit > Paste.
    4. There should now be a duplicate of the hosts file named "Copy of hosts" (Windows XP) or "hosts -Copy" (Windows Vista/7).
    5. Drag the original hosts file to your Desktop. If Windows needs your permission to continue, click Continue.
    6. Drag the "Copy of hosts" (Windows XP) or "hosts -Copy" (Windows Vista/7) to the Desktop.
    7. Right-click "Copy of hosts" (Windows XP) or "hosts -Copy" (Windows Vista/7) and choose Open. You may be prompted to choose the program you want to use to open this file. Double-click Notepad.
    8. When Notepad opens, choose Edit > Select All, and then choose Edit >Delete.
    9. From the File menu,choose Save. Quit Notepad.
    10. Drag the "Copy of hosts" (Windows XP) or "hosts -Copy" (Windows Vista/7) file from your Desktop back into the original location (given in step 2). If Windows needs your permission to continue, click Continue.
    11. Right-click the "Copy of hosts" (Windows XP) or "hosts -Copy" (Windows Vista/7) file, and choose Rename. Type "hosts" (without quotation marks) and press Enter.
    12. Restart your computer and try connecting to the iTunes Store."

  2. Mac OS X

  3. The following steps will delete your network preferences. Most broadband connections do not require any special settings to connect, but if your connection does or if you are not sure, please contact your Internet Service Provider or network administrator for further assistance.

    1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
    2. Choose Go to Folder from the Go menu.
    3. Type: /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
    4. Click Go.
    5. In the Finder window, locate the file named "NetworkInterfaces.plist" and drag this file to the Trash.
    6. Restart your computer.
    7. Once your computer has restarted, you will not be able to connect to the Internet. You will need to refresh your network settings to be able to connect again:
      1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu.
      2. Choose Network from the View menu.
      3. If you're using Mac OS X v10.4, choose New Location from the Locations menu.
      4. Click Apply Now at the bottom right.
      5. If your network connection requires any special settings, you will need to put them back in at this point. You would have received these from your ISP or network administrator


Apr 20, 2012 5:02 PM in response to @rchangel

My host files look like these:


# Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp.

#

# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

#

# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each

# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should

# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.

# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one

# space.

#

# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual

# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.

#

# For example:

#

# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server

# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host



# localhost name resolution is handle within DNS itself.

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

# ::1 localhost



What should I do?

Apr 21, 2012 5:38 AM in response to mirgin

mirgin wrote:


But it shows me 3194 error

You will get error 3194 under several conditions:

  1. Yo don't have the latest version of iTumes for your computer
  2. You have a PowerMac and haven't updated to OS X 10.5.8
  3. You have an Intel Mac and are not on 10.5.8 or later
  4. You are trying to install a version of iOS that is not the current version for your device (4.2.1 for 3G, 5.1 for 3GS, 4 and 4S)
  5. Your phone has been jailbroken at some time in its life

Apr 21, 2012 10:24 AM in response to mirgin

trying to update my iphone 4 to iOS 5.0.1 while preserving baseband

This is not supported and the reason you're getting error 3194. The only valid iOS for updating is the current signed version (now 5.1). Also any attempt to "preserve" or alter the baseband verison that comes with the update is prohibited.


Note that if you have altered the baseband at ANY TIME in the past, you will get error 3194 (or 1015) perminantly, even when trying to update to current. The phone can no longer be updated or restored.

Error 3194 - Check Your Hosts File

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