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Network connection timed out.

I'm unable to successfully use the iTunes Store. The following error occurs randomly, though it most often happen when searching and power searching, the progress bar on top will just never stop and the error message will display after about 30 seconds. It sometimes occur when browsing and clicking on links (the page will not load).

Here's the error message :
"We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The network connection timed out.
Make sure your network settings are correct and your network connection is active, then try again."

My internet connection is fine, I'm 100% positive about that. Unless it would have to do with firewall settings?

Something weird I've noticed about all this is that the error seems to happen way more often when searching on less known artists/songs than well know.

I'm using Windows Vista.

Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Posted on Mar 25, 2007 10:52 AM

128 replies

hannoyah

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2007 11:14 AM in response to nbc

Ok strange as soon as I posted a message on this board I went back and decided to try a different approach. I clicked on Store in the top bar then I clicked on Search it opened. So I then clicked the home button next to search and low and behold it opened the store. Then I clicked check for purchases and I'm finally downloading my latest episode of D.H. Really weird?!?

SO not sure if all the flushing and diagonistic running did something or it was pure luck.

Apr 17, 2007 11:32 AM in response to BFARM

Have you run it on Vista Ultimate? My problem is not with XP but with Vista.

nursekez

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2007 3:00 PM in response to den_mother

Well, i have tried everything and canot even get the itunes store. at first i was getting the error message about connection being timed out, now all i get is a blank white screen and nothing else. i have tried trawling the website for an address to complain to and cant find one. your links don't help as i cant even get into the store to begin with.
mightily cheesed off

Apr 26, 2007 9:57 PM in response to nursekez

Hello.
I think I may have the solution!!!

I have had the same problem as everyone here.

I have XP, I would click on iTunes store and would get the cannot connect to itunes error.

For weeks now it hasn't worked...

So I kept digging and reading and this is how I instantly Fixed it...

For some reason there was a listing in my HOSTS file for phobos.apple.com
and at the end, right after .com was a strange symbol.

I just deleted the entire line, phobos.apple.com and the little symbol, saved the file and rebooted the computer.

When I started up again and went to itunes, the store loaded instantly!

you can find your hosts file here...
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

just open the HOSTS file with notepad, delete the phobos.apple.com line, and then save it.

You can try itunes right then and see if it connects to the store, but I had to restart first and then it worked!

I really hope this helps some of you all out there!

Let me know if it works!

Good Luck!

I'm also curious how that got into my hosts file in the first place!

Chris Hu

Level 1

0 points

May 1, 2007 11:33 AM in response to Excandide

Thanks very much, this worked for me

Windows XP

gam2007

Level 1

0 points

May 2, 2007 11:52 AM in response to Excandide

This solution solved the problem for me.
I have no idea why that entry was created in my hosts file. My C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts file had one line:

127.0.0.1 phobos.apple.com

I just deleted it, saved the hosts file and then iTunes connected to the iTunes Store with no problem. Didn't even need to restart it.

IBM Thinkpad Windows XP Pro

BMichel

Level 1

0 points

Jun 29, 2007 4:03 PM in response to Naturewitch

The DNS cache flush solution worked great... thanks a million for posting the solution!

AMikeM

Level 1

0 points

Jun 30, 2007 1:15 PM in response to Community User

I am getting the same problem (i.e., Network Timed Out...)when I try to check for purchases. I emailed iTunes and got the same canned answer:

I understand you have tried to check your iTunes Store account purchase
history and receive an error - "unable to check for purchases -
connection times out". I am happy to resolve this issue today.

I have confirmed that the iTunes Store is functioning and accepting
connections. Therefore, the issue is likely related to your Internet
connection, local network, or computer.

iTunes has a great new feature called Network Diagnostics that can help
you diagnose issues that prevent you from connecting to the iTunes
Store.

First, make sure you're using the latest version of iTunes, which is
available free of charge:

http://www.itunes.com/download

Now follow these steps to use Network Diagnostics:

1) Open iTunes.

2) Choose Diagnostics from the Help menu at the top.

3) Select Network Diagnostics and click Run. A report will show your
Network Interface Status, your Internet Connection Status, and your
iTunes Store Connection Status.

I hope that using Network Diagnostics helps you to reestablish your
connection to the iTunes Store. If not, please respond to this email with
the following:

- The results provided by Network Diagnostics
- The type of Internet connection you use (such as dial-up, cable
modem, DSL, or corporate network)
- The name of your Internet service provider (ISP)
- The name of any firewall, antivirus, or security software installedon your computer

The iTunes Store cannot investigate every user's connection issue, but any information you provide might enable us to investigate issues that could be affecting a group of customers.

Thank you for using the iTunes Store. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Wonderful day... I WILL NEVER GIVE APPLE ANOTHER DIME. They don't even read their discussion boards.

Windows XP

Network connection timed out.