gsmethells

Q: Photos app shows "unexpected error" when ordering prints

WWhen attempting to order prints in the Photos app in OS X 10.11 every time I select Express shipping I see an "unexpected error occurred" dialo. I verified that the credit card and address are good for the iCloud account logged into System Preferences. I also verified the same iCloud account online and it has the correct credit card and address. Any ideas what is causing the error? Thanks. Greg

Posted on Apr 30, 2016 1:42 PM

Close

Q: Photos app shows "unexpected error" when ordering prints

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Apr 30, 2016 1:54 PM in response to gsmethells
    Level 10 (84,200 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 30, 2016 1:54 PM in response to gsmethells

    sems to be an APple bug - for a week or so changing quantity or shipping has caused an error - no solution that I've seen other than to keep trying

     

    LN

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Apr 30, 2016 3:13 PM in response to gsmethells
    Level 10 (105,731 points)
    iLife
    Apr 30, 2016 3:13 PM in response to gsmethells

    Does the Mac App Store work for you otherwise? Can you purchase some free app from the AppStore? If there should be any problem with your Apple ID or payment mthod it is easier to fix by trying to buy directly from the App Store. 

     

    Are you using two-factor authentication? 

    This can interfere with Photos trying to access Apple's servers.


    If the two-factor-authentication is interfering it usually helps to create an app-specific password for the app you are using, in this case Photos. Then you can keep the two-step authentication active.  It helped in similar cases, for example Mail, see this discussion:

     

    This solution is for those of you using 2-step verification for your Apple ID and are using iCloud as the mail server that you are trying to mail photos with.

     

    I too had this issue. The problem in my case occurred because I had setup 2-step authentication for my Apple ID. If you have done this then you will get the error message "the mail server did not recognize your email/password...". To solve the problem go to:

     

    https://appleid.apple.com

     

    • Click "Manage Your Apple ID"
    • Verify your identity with the device you selected (if this step does not show up then you have not likely set up 2-step authentication and this is not your solution)
    • Click Password and Security in the left column
    • Click Generate an app-specific password
    • Enter iPhoto as the name of the app
    • Copy the password and paste this into the password box in iPhoto where you would normally enter your apple ID (in the mail account section in iPhoto preferences).

     

    And...voila' (I hope)

     

  • by TMcJilton,

    TMcJilton TMcJilton May 1, 2016 7:31 PM in response to gsmethells
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 1, 2016 7:31 PM in response to gsmethells

    I am having the same issue. Pretty annoying since I'm trying to order prints from a recent trip for a mothers day gift.

     

    I also verified payment info in not only the print store account, but also in iTunes. I even tried re entering all my info as well as using a different credit card. (I'm not sure why some have suggested payment information could be to blame) I just ordered cards last week and had no issues, however I didn't try to change to express shipping.

     

    I don't think this has anything to do with 2 step authentication as this only occurs when changing the shipping method.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 1, 2016 8:45 PM in response to TMcJilton
    Level 10 (84,200 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 1, 2016 8:45 PM in response to TMcJilton

    and again

     

    seems to be an Apple bug - for a week or so changing quantity or shipping has caused an error - no solution that I've seen other than to keep trying

     

    You can certainly try Léonie's suggestions or contact Apple using the contact us links at the bottom of this page and if you find a solution pease post it

     

     

    LN

  • by Andy Epprecht,

    Andy Epprecht Andy Epprecht May 2, 2016 7:04 AM in response to gsmethells
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 2, 2016 7:04 AM in response to gsmethells

    Same here. Every time I want to change the quantity of a print order from 1 to 40 (in my case I want to order 40 letterpress cards) in the checkout dialog the 'Unexpected Error' appears. Ordering just one card works and I get straight to the next apple ID 'sign in to purchase' dialog and can successfully order one card.  But that's not what I want. I want to order more than one card.

     

    Same 'Unexpected Error' pops up immediately if I select an additional shipping address and want to select that address.

     

    It looks to me pretty much like serious bugs in the 'Buy' dialogs to order prints from within Photos. Whatever checkbox that I select or what I want to alter produces the UNEXPECTED ERROR.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 2, 2016 7:08 AM in response to Andy Epprecht
    Level 10 (84,200 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 2, 2016 7:08 AM in response to Andy Epprecht

    One person reports that Apple (in the UK) told them as a temp work around to order one and when it arrives call the support number and reorder the needed number

     

    LN

  • by Andy Epprecht,

    Andy Epprecht Andy Epprecht May 2, 2016 7:12 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 2, 2016 7:12 AM in response to LarryHN

    Exactly the same here. I called support (in CH) and they altered my order after ordering one print.

     

    But as the wise Leonie was removing my entry completely it got removed. Thanks Leonie, great job.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie May 2, 2016 7:33 AM in response to Andy Epprecht
    Level 10 (105,731 points)
    iLife
    May 2, 2016 7:33 AM in response to Andy Epprecht

    don't jump  to conclusions. I neither removed your post, - I cannot do that, as I am not a community host, nor did I report it for removal.  My reply to you is gone too.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 2, 2016 7:47 AM in response to Andy Epprecht
    Level 10 (84,200 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 2, 2016 7:47 AM in response to Andy Epprecht

    But as the wise Leonie was removing my entry completely it got removed. Thanks Leonie, great job.

    Exactly what are you getting at? Léonie certainly is wise - that is why you are looking here for help - and she has exactly the same ability to remove a post that you do - none

     

    Your rude and inaccurate comment is totally unnecessary - given the tone of this one I'm sure that your other post was nastier and violated the TOU so was removed by the Apple Hosts

     

    LN

  • by Andy Epprecht,

    Andy Epprecht Andy Epprecht May 3, 2016 4:11 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 3, 2016 4:11 AM in response to léonie

    Leonie, I'd really like to apologise for being rude to you. I mean it, honestly.

     

    In a professional environment I would assume that one first assures that the base to be dealt with is clear. Meaning, one knows exactly what OS and Photos app version the original question is related to, so everybody talks of the same thing. But as no one of you supporters even asked that question, I assume, that you already knew from following other discussion threads that this problem has nothing to do with the OS X version at all. But then why hassle me for just indicating my OS X version? Was this necessary? I didn't even ask for support here, nor did I raise a question. I was simply stating my version in addition and actually, you probably use the very same Photos app version then I do (because it did not change since 10.11.4 yet). My only intention was to let the originator of the message know, he's not alone with that problem.

     

    Now to Larry Something, you remember me of that namesake under MS-DOS, you know, when the Mac's had already 3D graphics displayed. But maybe your own advise in this tread is useful .... keep trying.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie May 3, 2016 4:38 AM in response to Andy Epprecht
    Level 10 (105,731 points)
    iLife
    May 3, 2016 4:38 AM in response to Andy Epprecht

    Apology Accepted . And I am sorry that my dropping a hint about the OS version came over as "hazzle". I just wanted to let you know, that it is really not a good idea to mention OS X versions at all, that have not yet been officially released. If we do that, the posts will vanish in thin air, and the hosts will send a reminder about the terms of use for ASC.

     

    Most of the code of Photos is buried deep in the system, so the system version matters when talking about bugs. What you are seeing in the Applications folder is just a wrapper of only 56 MB  for the system services to be  called.

  • by artofmulata,

    artofmulata artofmulata Jul 25, 2016 5:28 PM in response to gsmethells
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 25, 2016 5:28 PM in response to gsmethells

    I had to verify that the Apple ID/email address you gave Apple and the password were correct. It had to be done on the web just as you said. https://secure1.store.apple.com/shop/account/setup Worked for me.

     

    I also had to create a new entry in the print dialogue of Photos using the add address button. PITA, but it worked.