Apple TV can't connect to iTunes Store

I went into settings/general/region and changed to uk (ie where I live) unplugged box and logged into itunes and it worked

Hi all,

I figured the solution lies in between all the replies. What I've found out so far:

1. Region / Time: One of the reasons Apple TV (henceforth ATV) wouldn't connect to iTunes Store is if it's region selection doesn't match your current Address. Secondly, if Apple TV system time doesn't match Internet time, it still wouldn't connect! Sadly ATV doesn't allow user to set its time, it does that automatically from Internet.

2. Router: most routers firewall the ports that are required to update location and time. And so if your ATV System time remains UNMATCHED, iTunes is not going to connect, as mentioned earlier.

So like mixing two bright suggesruins given earlier, 'Restore' the ATV using its menu, and then when it comes alive, connect it to your iPhone's HotSpot. Set 'Region' now (manually or automatically, it doesn't matter), System time will update automatically.

Once done, sign into your iTunes Account. And voila! it should work!

One last step: after confirming the Sign In and all Home-screen icons appearing, remember to disconnect the ATV from your iPhone's Hotspot and connect it now to your regular wifi.

Hope this solves and explains to many! It's albeit sad that ATV doesn't actually tell us what's wrong apart from just complaining: "Cannot connect to iTunes Store". Apple, is better than this!

All this is left to your discovery and your glory! You're all welcome...

Hello gcarvajalino,

I would recommend connecting your Apple TV to your computer and restoring the Apple TV via iTunes, as this will download the latest update on the computer then apply the update.

This restore process requires a micro-USB cable (sold separately), a computer with iTunes, and a high-speed Internet connection. This will install the latest software and revert the device to factory settings.

1. Disconnect the power and HDMI cables from the Apple TV.
2. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes:
   • Mac: Choose iTunes > Check for Updates
   • Windows: Choose Help > Check for Updates
3. Open iTunes on your computer.
4. Connect your Apple TV to a computer (determine which Apple TV model you have):
   • Apple TV (2nd generation): Connect one end of the micro-USB cable to the back of your Apple TV, and the other end to one of your computer's USB ports.
   • Apple TV (3rd generation): Connect one end of the micro-USB cable to the back of your Apple TV, and the other end to one of your computer's USB ports. Connect the power cable from your Apple TV to a power outlet.
5. Click Restore Apple TV from the Apple TV summary page. This step may take some time, depending on the speed of your Internet connection.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Restoring your Apple TV

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4367

Cheers,

Allen

I had the same problem - 'cannot connect to iTunes store'. I tried logging out and restarting, neither of which worked. I then tried unplugging the Apple TV and when I plugged it back in, everything worked fine.

If you have an iPhone, try to create the Personal Hotspot on it and then connect your Apple TV to it via WiFi connection. When Apple TV is connected, then try to sign in to iTunes Store.

After signing to iTunes Store, disable Personal Hotspot on your iPhone and connect your Apple TV to your WiFi network.

If you are successful, then issue is with your Network or some settings on your Router which might be blocking your Apple TV communication with iTunes Store servers.

I had the same problem on two ATV units. Tried several recommended procedures but got both of my units connecting to iTunes Store again by switching to DHCP. My static IP settings were working just fine up until two days ago. Hope this helps some of you.

I'm having the same problem as gcarvajalino. Ever since I updated my Apple TV it hasn't been able to connect to

the internet, either wirelessly or via ethernet. When I try to, it asks for my iTunes apple ID and password. It then immediately says can't find iTunes. I've restored it connected to my computer. I can't test the connection because it wants to talk to iTunes and it can't find iTunes. It shows that it's attached to Ethernet under network, but still won't connect. It sees my wireless network, but again can't find iTunes. Someone help me

Last nite we turned off the two TVs, leaving the two AppleTV's on, as usual.

This morning, Both of them display none of the normal app icons, and the dreaded "Cannot connect to iTunes Store"...

No power failures overnite, no change other than to turn the TVs back on...

AppleTVs are updated to latest IOS 6.1.1

I have restarted, power cycled, switched from manual IP to DHCP, etc.

I could now do a factory reset on one of them, but I have little hope.

PS: all other Macs, laptops and iPads have no trouble getting to the stores or streaming services.

I had just reset the 'settings' of one of the ATVs, and suddenly the second ATV starts displaying all the normal app icons.... and then the first one... all is OK now...

I guess this could be some sort of Apple iTunes store routing, but it is certainly a bother.

I just had this same problem on both my Apple TVs. I don't know why but the automatic (DHCP) address and DNS assignment stopped working. I entered the IP address, gateway, and DNS setting manually and it started working again. Not sure if this Apple TV or AT&T Uverse's network box. Hope this helps.

BertThunder wrote:

Thanks! Came home from deployment and the "can not connect to Itunes" message kept appearing. Spent the last day trying everything I knew and reading forums until I found your solution. Worked just like you said!

Happy that I could help.

You might view this article and check your router settings if required ports are open: TCP and UDP ports and protocols used by Apple TV - Apple Support

I also had this same problem and the icons for TV shows were starting to fail to load as well - i.e., it was getting very buggy - but fortunately just unplugging and plugging the ATV back in did the trick. I guess that was enough to reset the unit. I suggest trying that first before you go to the hassle of connecting it to your computer to do a full reset.

i will be banned before this post lasts five minutes just like someone else five minutes ago (despite the claim that nonApple employees read these forums so who moderates them then? pear?)

but here goes In the name of truth and transparency

I have five Apple Tvs, and have reset them all. Both by way of remote/apple tv menu/reset, and also using the method you describe above. The apole support page for apple tv also conventiently for Apple doesnt load and says something is wrong try later (how strangely convenient).

ANyway. None of the methods i have mentioned work. It cant be fixed, because Apple have screwed up. I own 30,000$ of apple hardware and about 10,000$ of multimedia on apple tv/itunes store.

I Am going to download all the purchased media i have in this marketplace, after which, due to this experience (terrible cant acces my own paid content) i will be laving apple ituns marketplace forever. Meaning, it cant be certain that i will always have access to the digital content, and so, i lost faith, and will return to buying dvds, blurays, and of course, go see blackbeard and co in sweden, which is ten tims more certain than this disgusting user experience. Not to mention five apple tvs at a hundred bucks a device which are now completely useless. Goodby to Apple, this was the last straw. I noticed somebody was banned from posting as i tried to save this comment (stange how everybody who posts something that makes apple look bad or reveals the fact that apple moderators are present on the forum, they get banned, despite the fact that almost every post here has some anonymous 'user, stating that 'Apple dont read these forums' haha so who moderates them and who just banned one of the users? Wow this is becoming a faschist place, and apple are blockong and hiding any posts or links to posts which might reveal just how nasty they really are..

Except im screenshotting every piost before and after bans arrive, and saving them all for a big youtube movie called 'THE TRUTH ABOUT APPLE,

BECAUSE IM SICK OF APPLE'S DISGUSTING CLANDESTINE ACTIVITY

I had an issue with my Apple TV 3, suddenly it would not connect to the iTunes store. This is because the "region" in the iTunes login in, was blank and there were no countries displaying at all. No matter how much resetting, unplugging, reconnecting, updates etc etc. it would still not see a region and therefore would not connect to iTunes. Even performing a factory reset did not cure it, it was also interesting to note that after an alleged factory reset some settings were still in its memory.

Having spoken to Apple they too gave up (after more rests etc) suggesting I take my TV to a Genius Bar.

I come across this link of physically plugging it into my computer and iTunes (using a USB cable and the power lead) and performing a rest and upgrade from iTunes - THIS WORKED, first time and everthying is now back to normal.

Many thanks

Griff

Thanks! Came home from deployment and the "can not connect to Itunes" message kept appearing. Spent the last day trying everything I knew and reading forums until I found your solution. Worked just like you said!