Can't update iPhone 4S to iOS 5.1 through iTunes or phone itself

This morning I received a note to update my iphone. When I did the update it started but then stopped with the wheel frozen. I tried holding the home button and the on/off switch to reboot it but nothing. It remained frozen all day. When I tried to connect it to itunes my message was that it was unable to find the software to restore my phone. I call apple today and they said the server was over loaded and to try again tomorrow. This is my first cell phone and I am deaf. I can't even talk to apple without another person to talk on the phone for me. What happened to their chat window?

I have another appointment with them tomorrow and hope we can try to restore it again.

Just another example of Apple morphing into Microsoft. Tehy are making so much money now on overhyped products that real customer service is an afterthought. Been through this before. I imagine the underpowered server has been overloaded with iPhone 4s units trying to update. Give up, and try again tomorrow. Probably be able to download the update without much of a problem. Patience, after their through raking in cash from nes iPad sales, they'll get around to us.

This has happened to me as well. Trying to update either an iPhone 4S or an iPad2, I'm getting the dreaded "waiting for update server" message. 80billion in cash and you can't build data centers to match what Amazon and Facebook seem to have no problem doing?

Here's a new problem. The update to iTunes 10.6 downloaded no problem. But guess what? The latest versions of Pages and iMovie will only run on iOS 5.1 sooo they won't update on your devices. And don't get me started on how Siri was ruined from its original implementation as an independent app into the slow piece of non-understanding junk it has become today.

The update to iOS 5 was a nightmare that failed over and over until I finally had to search through online geek forums - something that I am not supposed to have to resort to with Apple products - in order to find out how to trick my devices into overcoming what essentially amounted to poor quality control before release on that install.

Now I'm going through the same experience. Again. I am reminded of the 90s before Jobs returned. It's clear now that his presence was needed as the final quality controller, and no one exists who can fill that role as of yet. Big doors of opportunity are opening up to people who can get the customer component right, again.

i'm getting the same problems STILL. People keep telling me to wait until the server traffic dies down, but it's been 4 days now since the update was released and i still can't connect the update server on my iMac OR my iPhone 4s.. this is complete crap...the update simply doesn't download.

Me too - same old same old 'cannot connect to update server' Yet another crap Apple experience.

I was getting the same dreaded waiting for server message when using my home wifi. My wifi is provided by our local telephone company with their internal defaults set. (Usually no problem)

I tried to change the firewall settings on my home wifi with no positive results.

Tried a different tact. Turned off wifi in my local computer and turned my iPhone into a hotspot by connecting phone to computer with a cable and changing the settings. Note I have unlimited data with tethering plan.

The update connected to the server and started downloading within seconds. Still have 23 minutes to go on the download.

The iPhone is an amazing machine. I am using it to post this update, download the iPhone update to 5.1 and talk on the phone.

Bob

I'm new to Verizon since Sprint booted for too much roaming.. ugh! So, now as of Friday, the 9th, I can say that I'm a "proud" user of the IPhone 4S. I have been on the phone everyday with Tech Support Tier 2 and no help. Phone doesn't work, drops calls, Siri is unavailble, and now can I download what the tech support at Both Verizon and Apple tell me: to do the download that I need and it will all be better!! Ok, I tried and I'm getting the same as everyone else.. server is overloaded, just keep trying and Itunes (I uninstalled all Apple and reinstalled), it doesn't recognize the server... I'm frustrated and I have 14 days of cancelling.. will it take 14 days to fix?? After that, I have to continue with Verizon or go elsewhere....

Getting the same message on my iphone, unable to update to iOS 5.1. Trying it through Mac, the contacting server logo remains there till "the sheep come home". What is going on??? Does TIm Cool know about this problem. If they cannot handle this traffic, i do not know what wll happen when further new versions of the phone come through. One solution would be to allow this update only for iphone 4 or 4S.

I cannot get the update either. I called Applecare, and was on hold some 30 minutes? Their answer? Keep trying. Really? That's all you got?

This is as bad a microsoft trick, releasing a product that is not ready, or "they" cannot handle. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. This is unacceptaple. Why did bother to buy Applecare?

This is unacceptable from apple. Applecare phone support tells me the servers are busy, just keep trying. They suggest trying at different times of day and night, do to the overal interntional demand. Really?

So my midnight is someone else's noon. It would still be busy. Idiots!

What a waste of my money applecare was.

All my A.T.&T. iphone friends got the update. Is this somehow linked to Verizon iphones only?

The "experts" at applecare say no. Now they tell me to go to an Apple Store.

That is not an answer. Why can't I do it from my home, with my imac?

So, as directed on the other forum, i changed my DNS to 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4

That's all it took. why didn't applecare tell me this?

Worked for me thank you!!!!!