Error 3253 when downloading anything

Today is my lucky day. Not sure how many of you have Verizon Fios, but after weeks of troubleshooting I have finally solved my issue. Here is what I did. I normally keep my library on my network drive so for troubleshooting I created a local copy of the itunes library. I then disconnected my FIOS router and used my Verizon MiFi instead of Wifi. Using this method, eliminating the router, everything worked like a charm. When the Verizon tech came out I showed him the problem and he immediately switched out the old Westell Wireless G Router and put in the new ActionTec N router. I mapped back to my old library on the network drive and went to iTunes store to run an update on all Apps, about 112. Simultaneous downloads was enabled as well and everything went through without a single error. I hope this helps some of you.

It does, actually. This combined with a problem I was having with the Dropbox desktop app is starting to paint a slightly clearer picture of things for me. I used to live in MN for a few years and I had Comcast there, and I used my own router. Whenever I put a large file in my Dropbox folder, it would sync, no problem.

Since I moved back to MD, I have FiOS again, using their older G Actiontec router (from the sound of it, you have a newer model.) Now if I put a large file in the Dropbox folder, it brings the whole network to its knees, not just my computer. Both inbound and outbound connections are choked. If I restart the router and stop/start DB syncing, sometimes it'll behave itself again, other times it will only last for a few seconds before flaking out again.

I think the issue may be with the router's inability to properly schedule large numbers of outbound packets. The router freaks out, and a backlog of waiting packets builds up until it all boils over. Since TCP/IP requires an acknowledgement packet to be sent when one is received, that means downstream connections that are expecting responses won't get them (because of the backlog) and will attempt to re-transmit their packets and will eventually timeout or reset the connection as being unreachable.

If iTunes was too aggressive in sending its return packets for multiple simultaneous downloads, it could have been overwhleming my router, just like Dropbox was (is). It's just a hypothesis, but it fits the facts. When I have some time (and money) I'll try replacing my FiOS router temporarily to see if that resolves the issue with both applications.

Ok, here's what you do to fix the 3253 error:

http://appletoolbox.com/2010/09/itunes-10-the-network-connection-was-reset-fix/

Once I made the changes to the DNS server addresses, I no longer has download issues.

This is most definitely a software issue and not a network issue as others have suggested, although I am curious what in fact did trigger that change. My network is 100% normal, I have FIOS but already use OpenDNS & a rev I. actiontec as suggested. Is there anywhere we can submit bug reports for itunes? Maybe a way to provide more debug info?

This problem just appeared on my laptop, and there is no network drive involved. I replaced my laptop's hard drive (by cloning it) with an SSD, and moved media content to a secondary drive (SATA, not USB) since the SSD is smaller than the old hard drive. The configuration is now that %USERPROFILE%\AppData is on the SSD, and %USERPROFILE%\Music is on the SATA drive. I get the 3253 error regularly, and forcing downloads to be single-threaded does improve the problem significantly. (Actually, it went away, but I didn't bother doing testing to determine whether it's "rarely" or "never" now.)

I suspect that the common thread here is that access to AppData files is much faster than access to music and iTunes library files - that is true of this configuration and all of the configurations described in this thread that use a combination of local and network storage. Apple, that should be a big clue. Fix it now, please?

At least for Apps, there is a partial solution. You need to uncheck the Allow Simultaneous Downloads box. From iTunes, you would first click Download All Updates...Then monitor your downloads, which is on the left under the iTunes Section....then Click on Downloads....you then will be presented with the downloads screen...You will probably see 2-3 apps in process of downloading....on the bottom right, click the Pause All button...then go to the bottom left and uncheck the Allow Simultaneous Downloads box.

This at least let me download some of my 200 app updates successfully. However, many still bombed out with error 3253....however, i went back to the ones that got the error 3253 and tried downloading them again...ususally successfully, and they appeared to pick back up where they left off and finished OK.

I suspect iCloud is choking on the volume and an auto time out is killing them. With iCloud recently going fully on line, every day purchases of apps, music, movies, etc., plus Mountain Lion downloads and app updates, plus MBP Retina app updates, etc. They are probably getting hammered and are needing to throttle the download activity.

i am having the same issue when dowloading itunes.... before it was working and i decided to reformat my laptop then after that when i install the iTunes i have the same error Windows Error 3253....

I'm having the same issue with both the simultaneous downloads and the shortened song previews. I sent an email to Apple support, received a confirmation email saying a rep would get back to me within 48 hours. I then went to view the case on apple.com and it showed a status of "Case Closed" with the date closed as tomorrow, August 20. I'll update this if I get a response, but based on that, I don't expect to.

I was having all of the same issues on my W7 105 Mb Comcast line. I was able to fix the problem by disabling the secondary network adapters I have on my system. Just tested re-downloading a 20 song album and not a single failure. The additional adapters on my machine are actually virtual as I run VMware but thought this might also resolve the issue for those of you still suffering from it. It seems a lot of the people who have this issue have high-speed lines and for sure iTunes started throttling the download speed a few months back. I did not touch my firewall, anti-virus or any other settings just disabled the second and third adapters and poof problem gone.

Good luck

Why would it have to do with Mac or PC.? When would customer care tell you that you need to buy a mac? Ridiculous... always insecurity with PC only "guys". Little buffer huh. Focus on the issue MINI-P some of use both and are sick of the debate in every post.

Hi tbirenba, I have FIOS and a newer Actiontec so I don't think the old router was the issue although I suspect when the new one was installed the setup included the router adjustments to deal with the "throttle". I thiink watice and jfa888 are correct and people should check out the link WonEyeBri gives ... read the comments on the page as well to avoid repeating mistakes or assumptions.

hey shouldbecoding, I also have VMWare adapters, as well as one or two TAP adapters for VPN stuff on the laptop I was having this issue with. Unfortunately, disabling these adapters did not fix this issue for me. (and yes, I disabled all of the ones I wasn't currently using).

The write cache theory seems to be the forefront cause. At least to/for me.

I just had Verizon Fios installed... I am using an Airport Extreme w/ a network HD to store my music. After purchasing a new macbook I decided to redownload the music library via itunes "purchased". I have noticed that if "allow simultaneous downloads" is checked the songs generate errors -- with it unchecked it downloads the songs but at a VERY SLOW speed (I have 50 Down & 35 Up).

BTW my firewall and firevault are all off including on the router.

Is this something to do with the network drive? It's extremely frustrating!

Okay, changing to OPENDNS has fixed the error issue with simultaneous downloads... However, it's still crawling along at a slow speed. How come I am not getting the dowloads speeds I pay for? Is Apple really this slow on their end?

The DNS change worked for me as well--thanks!