Q: Error connecting to the Apple ID server

I am having the same problem, unable to connect to Apple ID server. This is only on my Macbook pro. I've sent support emails, and the response has been twice now "we'll be in touch". The suggestions from support to try-make sure you have the latest updates. As my app icon is showing that there are updates ready to install, but I can't install as I can't sign in--

I am able to connect on my PC to iTunes, as well as my phone, (not iPhone) and a tablet. So it is this computer-the macbook pro. I hope this can be fixed somehow soon. My next step will be to go to the Apple store, I think?

I had a similar problem on El Capitan.  My credential worked fine online and on iOS but they would not work on my laptop.  I could not solve the problem by bypassing my work's proxy.  I could not solve this problem by elevating my system privileges.

I was able to resolve this problem by temporarily ignoring problems with certificates.  Inasmuch as this solved the problem, it suggests that there is a problem with the certificate that my laptop could not ignore.

I opened keychain access and then opened keychain access preferences.  Next I selected the certificates tab and took a screenshot of the current page and current settings and pasted it somewhere that I could refer to later.  I set the top two fields - Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP), and Certificate Revocation List (CRL) - to the value of "off".  Then I was able to login to iCloud.

After I logged in to iCloud, then I returned those two fields back to their previous values and drove off into the sunset.

Thank you, have been having a similar issue, and was thinking certificates may be the problem... Your advice seems to have fixed my issues.

I have just done the steps you explain in your post with the keychain access preferences, and it have worked. Now I'm able to connect to iCloud .Thank you so much!

I finally called Apple support, after my emails resulted in nothing other than 'have you tried ... or we are only iTunes support'. I now have my mac back working as it should be. The fix to the issue was as described in the post. Happy days when our toys work!

I cannot connect to iCloud from my Iphone 6. The same message pops up:  there was an error connecting to the apple id server. What Shall I do?????

This worked for me, but i REALLY hate to "dumb down" my certificates. I have at least put mine back to "Best Attempt". And, it still works. In today's world of security breaches and bogus certificates, it is unfortunate that to keep current with the patches and fixes from Apple we have to set these to "off" or "Best Attempt"

Ultimately, I set the top two fields - Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP), and Certificate Revocation List (CRL) - to the value of "Best Attempt", and iTunes and App Store and Message and such seem to be working fine - fingers crossed.

I dumbly updated my apple operating system to OS X El Capitan and I have also updated my Safari browser to Version 9.1.1. Now that I have updated I can no longer login to iTunes or iCloud as I keep receiving the error message "there was an error connecting to the Apple ID server". I do not have Kaspersky on my MacBook Air. Please assist me.

I Had the same issue setting up a new iPhone 6s. I finally solved the problem by FIRST going to ApplePay, select add new credit or debit card, and when the default card popped up having to re-enter the 3 digit security code shown on the back of the card. Hope that will solve your issue as it did mine.

I had the same issue too on windows 10. After struggling with installing icloud 5.2, I couldn't sign in. Then I came across a post talking about solution to people who get blank screen on itune. Apparently, the issue is caused by some other applications competing with Apple's boujour service over some network port. After using microsoft's autorun tool https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx . I was able to see what the conflicting applications are in winsocks tab and uninstalled those applications. Now icloud 5.2 finally works!

spife129 nailed it!  I was unable to sign in to iCloud in Windows 7.  It turns out there was some kind of conflicting DLL that was apparently trying to use the same port as the Apple bonjour namespace provider, whatever that is.  I downloaded the the autoruns tool from Microsoft, looked in the Winsock Providers tab and noticed a bmnet.dll file that no longer exists but it was still still showing as registered on my laptop.  I deleted those lines using the autoruns tool and volia!  iCloud starting working!

Yes!!! This works for me. I have Little Snitch turned off in Silent Mode. I don't have Kasbersky, so this is the cause of it.

Try adding Google DNS to Network in System Preference, this will fix it, at least for me:
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8.8.4.4

@hendricksbj.  Thanks for that.  It reminded that I changed the CRL to be more restrictive to avoid issues with Safari happily loading webpages with revoked certificates - remember HeartBleed!  Set the OCSP and CRL fields back to "Best Attempt" from "Require if certificate indicates" to restore Apple ID server connection.  Not sure why this happens, but use Firefox since the app automatically checks for valid certs.

-ish

Spent hours on this. Called Apple several times and no one could figure out what was wrong with my computer and why I kept having problems signing in. As per an Apple employee, I was told I needed to reboot my entire computer. This process took over 36 hours and was no help at all. I felt incredibly frustrated and gave up doing anything about this issue for months.

...Then I FINALLY stumbled upon your post. I think it needs it's own place because the kapersky stuff is extremely frustrating to read through when you don't have the software on your computer. Your directions took me less than 5 minutes and I am so happy I saw it! THANK YOU!!!