iPhone won't connect to iTunes on Windows 8.1

Hey there Hunter0612053,

It sounds like your phone is not recognzied in iTunes anymore. I recommend the troubleshooting steps from the article named:

iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1538

Start with these 3 steps and there are more if you need them in the article:

1. Update iTunes

Check that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. In iTunes, select "Check for updates" in the Help menu.

2. Check the USB cable

Verify that the 30-pin to USB cable or Lightning Connector to USB cable is free of debris and not damaged. If another cable is available, test with that cable instead.

USB cables that are bundled with third-party products or accessories might support only charging those products (and not transmitting data) or they might work only with the product with which they were sold. Using one of these cables to sync could cause issues. If you are using a third-party case, such as an extended battery pack, try removing the case and connecting the Apple-supplied USB cable directly to your device.

3. Verify that Apple Mobile Device Support is installed

iOS devices require Apple Mobile Device Support, which should be automatically installed with iTunes. To verify whether it is installed, follow the steps appropriate for your Windows operating system below.

• Windows XP: Click Start and choose Control Panel. Open the "Add or Remove Programs" control panel and verify that Apple Mobile Device Support is visible in the list of currently installed programs.
• Windows Vista and Windows 7: Click Start and choose Control Panel. Click "Uninstall a program" (or if using Windows Vista's Classic View of the Control Panel, click "Programs and Features"). Verify that Apple Mobile Device Support is visible in the list of currently installed programs.
• Windows 8: Move the cursor to the upper right corner, click the magnifying glass, type Control Panel,and press Return. Click "Uninstall a program". Verify that Apple Mobile Device Support is visible in the list of currently installed programs.

If Apple Mobile Device Support is not listed, remove iTunes, QuickTime, Apple Software Update, Apple Application Support, and then reinstall iTunes. Follow the steps appropriate for your Windows operating system below:

• Reinstall iTunes for Windows XP
• Reinstall iTunes for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

If after reinstalling iTunes Apple Mobile Device Support is still not installed, follow steps in Trouble installing iTunes or QuickTime for Windows.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Regards,

Sterling

Thanks for the update. I know you said that you've removed and reinstalled iTunes, but there are other components to uninstall as well and they need to be uninstalled in the correct order. I would start there,

Reinstall iTunes for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8

And, would also use the additional 3 steps in the article above that expand on the troubleshooting some more.

4. Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service

5. Verify that the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed

6. Check for third-party software conflicts

My pleasure! I'm glad to have helped 🙂

Sterling