Unable to Check for Update

Apple's servers are slammed, happens every time...wait.

I'm having the same problem. For the last 2 hours I've been getting this message, but my wife's phone doesn't have a problem connecting.

Happening to me too, I'm on the iPhone 4

I don't think busy servers is the issue. I still can't get it to work. In the past I have updated my iPhone on the day of the new release without any such problem.

I am pretty sure this is a different issue.

I agree, my friend who has an iPhone 4s can do the update no bother but I'm using the iPhone 4 and can't don't the update at all

It's not a iPhone 4 vs 4s issue. Mine is a 4s and I can't do it either. Trying to do it through iTunes, but new version of iTunes just hangs on load on my PC.

The same problem — can't update my iPhone 4 and iPad direct from iPhone/iPad, no from iTunes.

Same problem here. Can't update my iPhone 4 or iPad 1. I get the same error message.

I have managed to fix it. Steps enclosed below.

1. Backup your iPhone/iPad to iCloud (very important). Settings -> iCloud -> Storage and Backup -> Backup Now (at the bottom)
2. Erase your device. Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content And Settings
3. Device will reset and wipe itself
4. When it restarts follow the instructions on screen and setup your device. You're choices here do not really matter except for restoring from a backup. Do not restore a backup, choose "Set up as new".
5. When complete, the Software Update should now work which will install IOS 5.1
6. When installed, Erase the device again. (See Step 2)
7. Once erased, follow the wizard but this time select that you wish to restore from a backup in iCloud. Select the backup that you took in step 1.
8. Your device should be back to normal and with IOS 5.1.

thanks,

thanks for the suggestion. in my case, still getting the same error message after following your steps. : (

Same here - followed all those steps, and still getting the same message 😟

Sorry that it didn't work for you guys. It worked for me. Not really sure what to suggest now as mine worked and am now on ios5.1

Hope you get a solution soon.

Upgrading through iTunes is probably your best bet.

Same error here, on two iPhone 4s devices and one original iPad. Get the same error when attempting to update via iTunes as well.

Same error also, iPhone 4S and iPad 2 both unable to update OTA. What's going on?

I get the same error on iPhone 4S when I try to update from the mobile itself. When I try to do it from itunes instead, I get stucked on the 'Contacting the iPhone update server' bar, it just keeps trying without giving me any error message..