How to fix ipad error -1004 "could not connect to the server"

You could try these troubleshooting steps:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3694#error1004

hcherry wrote:

Is error 1004 and -1004 the same?

Yes.

Did you follow the instructions in the link I posted?

I have the exact same problem. I don't believe it's something within the iPad OS or in the security settings, as I was able to access my New Yorker account and subscription with no problem; they're both Condé Nast publications and their iPad apps are devised in the exact same way. I've contacted VF about this and hope to hear from them in the next millenium.

JakeP, I'm having the same issue with my Glamour and Allure magazine subscriptions, but not with my other Condé Nast magazine, Wired. Did you ever reach any sort of resolution with Vanity Fair, or did they give you tips that other CN subscribers might be able to employ?

Did you guys actually bother to read the instructions in that link I posted a couple of days ago?

In some cases step 2. may solve the issue.

I haven't heard back from VF yet.

I am having the exact same problem with my Allure and Glamour subscriptions!! Please update if anyone finds a solution. Thanks!!

Okay, my problem got fixed, and here's how:

My boyfriend also has an iPad (a 16 GB Wi-Fi, where mine is a 64 GB), and he recently restored it and updated it to 4.3.5 to fix some other issues he was having. He downloaded the same apps I was having issues with, and was able to proceed to the "Tap to enable tablet access." This is the point where I would normally get the Error -1004, but for him, it loaded the screen to enter in either the name/address or the account number. He entered my account number, and once there, it asked for the email address/password combination already enabled for Condé Nast magazine websites.

I went back to the apps on my iPad and, while I couldn't simply login (it would still show my already-bought issues as needing to be paid for again), I was able to tap on the "Tap to enable tablet access" button in the upper right, and this time, I didn't get an error. I entered my own account number, and then tapped to login with my existing Condé Nast email/password combo, and it worked! I'm able to see my current subscription and download issues.

I assume this will work for other subscription-based apps, as I've seen this error pop up for other non-Condé Nast magazines, like Time Inc.'s Fortune magazine, but I can't be sure.

You can only download one issue per magazine at a time; if you multitask away from the current download, it will automatically pause (and not restart until you press the resume button), but it shouldn't have to start from the beginning if you do pause.

For those of you without access to two iPads, I suggest restoring your iPad via iTunes. Make sure you've synced recently and have backed up everything that's important to you, or else have access to it via the cloud.

Thanks for the tip. Before doing a restore, I simply fully turned off my iPad, then restarted, and I was able to enter Vanity Fair's app and access my subscription through it.

I have the same issue, too. My New Yorker subscription is fine, always has been. But my Conde Nast Traveler subscription won't work. I can get to the screen where you enter your information (either with name and address or subscription number and zip code), but once I press Continue I get the error.

I emailed Conde Nast's customer service, and this is what they said:

Dear Subscriber:

Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience you have

experienced.

We have applied a fix to the app for the server error and you will need

to close and re-open your app. To do so, please double click the "home"

button to close the running app and then re-open your app.

Please let us know if you still experience any problems.

If you should need further assistance, please be sure to include all

previous e-mail correspondence.

Thank you for your interest in Conde Nast Traveler.

Sincerely,

Shar

That didn't work. I tried the restarting the iPad, as someone here suggested, but that didn't work, either. Interesting that this seems to be a Conde Nast issue - my NY Times and National Geographic subscriptions are just fine, too.

I'm afraid I'm not sure what the guidance in this knowledge base article means: "Check security software. Ensure that communication to gs.apple.com is allowed. Follow this article for assistance with security software." How does one do that on one's iPad?

I actually wonder if it's a firewall issue. Are any of you attempting to enter this information at work, for example? I am, and my company has a firewall/proxy that gives me issues sometimes. I'm going to try to find a wifi hotspot at lunch to see if it'll work there.

When you reset your iPad, are you turning it off and on by holding down the Sleep/Wake button, and then sliding your finger across to turn it off, then turning it back on again? If so, try the "hard reset" method, where you hold down both the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. If/when the "Slide to power off" slider shows up on the screen, ignore it. Don't remove your fingers from the button until you see the Apple logo.

If that still doesn't work, you can also try deleting just that app and re-downloading it; I've found that helps when other apps are being stubborn with issues.

While I know those methods didn't work for the OP, sometimes they do, and they're always worth a try before doing something drastic like a restore (which also takes longer).

As an aside, I saw that same knowledgebase article, but it doesn't seem to apply to the iPad; unlike computers where you usually have System Preferences and a place to whitelist certain domains, all that is hidden on the iPad (and for good reason). When I was getting the error, I was using a home network, and I followed the steps I mentioned above and got it to work (at home).

Hi Meredith,

I've tried both, actually, and I just deleted the app and reinstalled it. Same result. Also, I just tried connecting at a cafe that had wifi (i.e., no corporate firewall like my office), and same result. Although for some strange reason there it was able to tell me that my mistyped account number didn't match my zip code, but when I hit continue it still said connection error. (Not sure how it knows they didn't match if it can't connect, but whatever.)

Guess I'll have to wait for Conde Nast to get back to me with a solution. I really don't feel like doing a restore.

At least now I have my subscription number memorized from entering it so many times ...

Mine's working now, but I'm not sure how.

I just got an alert from the app that said "The inaugural digital edition of Conde Nast Traveler is here! Subscribe now or log in to activate your print subscription digitally."

So I did, and it worked. Even with my corporate firewall/proxy. I'm now downloading the current issue. Weird. If it had anything to do with this being a new app, you'd think the Conde Nast people would know.

Anyway, this probably won't be helpful to anyone, since I didn't do anything, but try yours now, maybe it works too.