Apple Software Update - "Server could not be found"

Hi, hope someone can help please?


Apple Software Update suggested that I update it (Apple Software Update) to a newer version (which turns out to be Vers 2.2)


I did this and install seemed to go OK, then when Apple Software Update ran again (and every time since) it comes up with an error message: "The Apple Software Update Server could not be found. Check your internet settings and try again."


So my network / internet and everything else on my machine works fine, but for some reason the new version of the apple update app is spitting it's dummy and can't access the internet!


I've re-booted my machine, repaired the application via control panel, checked firewall settings and turned it off all together, but to no avail. Couldn't find anywhere on the apple software download site as to where I can re-download / install it either, or I would have given that a go.

Anyone have any suggestions how I can solve this? It's really annoying!


If not, anyone know how to roll it back to the previous version?


My PCs running Win 7 Professional 64 bit


Thanks in advance all


Psyman

Windows 7

Posted on Mar 15, 2016 3:19 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 10, 2017 2:38 AM

I just encountered the same problem but c0ret3x's solution of enabling encrypted pages to be written onto the disk didn't work for me (like in other reported cases, it was allowed to begin with). BUT, the very same settings window also contains an option to enable SSL 3.0 (located in the "Security" category as well)!


In my case, the problem was that I disabled SSL 3.0, due to security reasons. Apple obviously doesn't care about how insecure SSL 3.0 is nowadays (it's even been officially deprecated for the last two years)...


My setup:

- Latest Windows 10.

- Bootcamp 6.0.

51 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 10, 2017 2:38 AM in response to psyman2016

I just encountered the same problem but c0ret3x's solution of enabling encrypted pages to be written onto the disk didn't work for me (like in other reported cases, it was allowed to begin with). BUT, the very same settings window also contains an option to enable SSL 3.0 (located in the "Security" category as well)!


In my case, the problem was that I disabled SSL 3.0, due to security reasons. Apple obviously doesn't care about how insecure SSL 3.0 is nowadays (it's even been officially deprecated for the last two years)...


My setup:

- Latest Windows 10.

- Bootcamp 6.0.

Dec 1, 2017 10:17 AM in response to psyman2016

Officially fed up with Apple Inc. and it's lack of caring and respect for it's customers. My Iphone 6 has a software issue that caused all of my messages and photos to be deleted. This is detrimental, considering I'm a businessman in sales that had a lot of important information in those texts and pictures. After spending 2.5 hours on the phone, I was told that not only could they not do anything to get that data back, they also wouldn't be compensating me with an upgrade or a new phone of the same make/model, leaving me with the same broken phone. They told me I should back it up more often. But then said if it's a software issue (which 2 different Apple employees diagnosed it as such), the issue would stay with the backup. This leaves me with no possible solutions, outside of spending even more money on one another one of their products. Apple Inc., is a greedy company that seeks to nickel and dime their customers to maximize their profits. Their insurance, warranties, and customer service is completely worthless, but they've been able to monopolize the market through apps such as iMessage and FaceTime. From this point on, I'll be doing what I can to spread the word about this terrible experience with Apple Inc. and the many more I've encountered.

Apr 3, 2016 2:36 PM in response to psyman2016

I had the same problem with Apple Software Update 2.2. I got the error message: "The Apple Software Update server could not be found. Check your Internet settings and try again.".

I went to the Control panel -> Network and Internet -> Internet Options.

In the "Advanced" tab I scrolled down to "Security" and unchecked "Do not save encrypted pages to disk".

Now Apple Software Update 2.2 is working without problems.

Mar 16, 2016 4:35 AM in response to psyman2016

I am one of the ones on another thread with the same problem. It's odd, because my work laptop has no problem, but my home PC does. Both Windows 7 64 bit.


In the meantime, I went back to the previous version. You need to uninstall iTunes and some other things, as shown here:Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows 7 and later - Apple Support


Then, do NOT take the offered 2.2 upgrade.

Mar 15, 2016 3:35 PM in response to MasterofApple

Hi, thanks for the prompt reply!


1. No updates required from Windows update (all up to date)

2. Done - several times

3. I'm not upgrading to Win 10 to fix this - I know this would cause problems with other applications I have on my PC - it's not a credible solution to fix this problem

4. I'm not trying to update any software.. that's the problem! Apple Software Update asked to update itself - which I allowed - and then once it had finished updating the new version doesn't work?!?


Any more ideas?


Thanks 🙂

Mar 17, 2016 7:46 AM in response to psyman2016

I have the same problem.


The update is intended to modify the interface to encrypt the data because a potential exploit has been found.


What happened before the 2.2 update was that the client (the software that was updated) first contacted an Akamai server (a content delivery service provider) which downloaded about 250KB of data. The client then performed a DNS lookup to find an Apple server and the update process continued.


Instead, after the 2.2 update, the connection to the Akamai server and the download takes place but subsequently the client aborts the transaction and displays the error message on the screen. No attempt is made to contact the Apple server.


Who knows why it should work on some machines but not others? Well Apple should but there doesn't appear to be any way to tell them about the problem as the 'Apple Software Update' is an embedded part of other products and doesn't exist in its own right. As a result you don't appear to be able to ask a question about it!


Note that you can return to the older version of the client on Windows without having to reinstall iTunes. The iTunes installer is an 'archive' and can be opened with, for example, the free 7zip program. Within it you will see an Apple Software Update msi file (if you are using the 64 bit installer then it is under .rsrc). If you double click on this the old client will be reinstalled. Make sure that you have used programs and features to uninstall the 'faulty' client first as the msi won't overwrite the newer version.

Mar 18, 2016 5:04 AM in response to owlyn

Yep, I've just done the same. I also suggested that they look at how customers are able (or unable in this case) to provide feedback in respect of applications that are delivered across several main stream Apple products (iTunes, iCloud etc) and as such don't seem to feature anywhere in their Support pages.


The Rep I spoke to was very helpful, promised to raise it as a "Complaint" (so would be guaranteed to be look at by someone senior) and also to flag up the lack of an avenue to raise problems with "supplementary / component software"......

Mar 19, 2016 8:48 PM in response to psyman2016

I keep a lot of restore points on one PC and did roll it back- the only pending updates after doing that was the SAME 2.2 software updates.


Guessing someone will tell us if there is a new version of Cloud or iTunes for Windows - in the past we generally get them on the mac first.


My boot camp Win 7 had the same problem ( all systems using airport extreme and Time-Warner for internet access )

Mar 25, 2016 4:06 AM in response to B0b

Apple software update was working ok for me on all our machines for the new version - I used it to update iTunes earlier this week and confirmed it still worked fine after the updates. BUT this morning on all our machines same error now appears. If it was working ok but now fails then surely an Apple server issue at their end . Very frustrating. I am not prepared to uninstall iTunes , reinstall and risk upsetting my library so will wait it out but as someone rightly pointed out. If they update the software then how can we do it without ASU working in the first place. Another disappointment from Apple, I sincerely hope it's server end fix they can do. They not be more aware of the problems and QA testing needs improving that's for sure


EDIT - reading someone else's post the blame must be this AKMAI server which Apple need to address. God knows why the ASU worked ok for me up until today. Although I hadn't used for a couple days so not sure when problem may of reared its head

Mar 25, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Scottyboy99

It is not necessarily a server problem. ASU is embedded within iTunes, so if the new version of iTunes also contains a new version of ASU you will install that as well. This is probably why ASU stopped working.


There is no point reinstalling iTunes if you have updated it as you will just end up putting the problem ASU back on. As I explained in my previous post you don't need to reinstall iTunes to get back to a working version of ASU - you need to extract the working one from an older version of iTunes. You can download older versions of iTunes from Apple's website.


Just remember not to update anything via the working ASU until a fix is available or you will end up with the problem ASU again.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Apple Software Update - "Server could not be found"

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.