just got a macbook air and when i try to sign into FaceTime/imessage it says "error, cannot sign in at this time." my network connection is fine and apple id info is correct. pls help, thanks
MacBook Air, iOS 9.3.1
See if this helps:
Get help signing in to Messages, FaceTime, and Game Center
FaceTime for Mac- Troubleshooting FaceTime
If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime
Be sure that you have configured iCloud preferences with your Apple ID and password.
i signed into iCloud but it still didn't work. my internet connection is fine, the operating system supports this feature, my info was entered correctly, but it still says "you cannot sign into iMessage at this time." I'm not using two-step verification, theres no firewall. thank you
Is it a new Macbook Air? What OS version are you using?
Try a restart.
Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.
Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.
Isolating an issue by using another user account
If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.
Hi,
http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/ report and iCloud issue 12 hours ago.
As new iMessages user it may not have been able to confirm your ID. I say "may not" as the iMessages are separate apart from checking with the Apple ID servers that the info is correct.
If you go to the Apple Icon Menu top left and About this Mac and then click on the line that tells you the OS it should eventually (at the second click) show you the Serial Number of the Mac.
If you are using Yosemite or El Capitan the About this Mac pane shows it in the Overview tab.
If the Serial Number is missing then iMessages and FaceTime will not be able to Login.
You will have to visit an Apple Store to have it corrected. (I have not heard of anyone being charged for this).
It normally happens if the Mother/logic board has been replaced during a Repair or Refurbishment and someone forgot to "flash" the number back to the board.
7:57 pm Monday; May 9, 2016
just got a macbook air and when i try to sign into FaceTime/imessage it says "error, cannot sign in at this time." my network connection is fine and apple id info is correct. pls help, thanks
