Q: The Apple software Update server could not be found

this seems to be widespread. ASU was working for me and even used it to update iTunes earlier this week, it was even working after this. But this morning that error appears when trying ASU on all our machines. The reason it seems the latest iTunes is to blame is I think as part of its install is to update ASU to latest version whereupon the server issue becomes apparent. I have contacted apple support via Twitter, maybe others should do same to add weight to the issue. from what I have read it seems an AKMAI server issue is to blame. Hope this is fixed soon.

Last night I was attempting to install the iTunes update. It hung up on the download at about 6%, much later when I returned to shutdown for the night I noticed it had failed (I don't recall the exact error, lost connection maybe). This morning when I tried to startup the ASU, I got the ".. server could not be found" message. Thanks for your efforts and report.

TThanks for sharing your feedback too. Something pretty screwed up Apple side then. i have tweeted Apple support but not heard a peep. Maybe if more and more tweet they will take some action. I am sorry you had issues, I was lucky enough to get iTunes updated trouble free earlier this week but this ASU issue makes me extremely dissapointed in Apple

Same here. I get the message that software update cannot find the apple update server. iTunes tells me there's a new version (which I haven't installed yet) but can't download it. Not sure what's going on...

I'm not concerned about updating iTunes, I used iCloud backup for my devices and only sync to iTunes occasionally, but I just like to keep software updated as a rule. I'm curious what is going on, some DNS problem? I Hope it isn't a DoS attack on their servers or anything sinister like that.

i have exactly the same problem. Last night i did a clean install of itunes + apple software update program etc. i restored my iphone 6s to iOS 9.3 and today apple software update program stopped work. i get the message to check internet connection, server could not be contacted 

Well at least you successfully installed iTunes and your 6s before stuff got weird, consider yourself lucky!   Another interesting fact ... I updated my iPad mini to iOS 9.3 when it became available, but hadn't done my 5s yet, so I just tried and it says "iOS 9.2.1  Your software is up to date". Probably the default response when it can't contact the server?  Or, Apple took the update offline to fix things....

if i uninstall iTunes and all related software from apple and do a clean install from the beginning will it solve the problem? Have anyone tried this?

I've tired. No, it doesn't solve it. At least for me.

I Wouldn't recommend this. You'll be wasting time and you only risk unsettling your library or iCloud library. It's blatantly a server issue on Apple side. I tweeted their support earlier today but haven't heard a peep. not impressed.

I get the same message when trying to update apps, then it crashes. Same if I'm searching apps from AppStore.

Otherwise music library still intact and working.

Now... who ever came up with "Apple - it just works"?

I was able to update iTunes last night, but my iPhone 5s still says it is up to date and is at iOS 9.2.1. In searching for a possible explanation I found this article which states that 9.3 has been temporarily pulled for older devices pending a fix: http://www.macrumors.com/2016/03/24/apple-pulls-ios-9-3-older-devices/.