Fix “secure link to iTunes store failed”

by
iTunes

Are you getting the error message “secure link to iTunes store failed” on your device? Well, this is a common error message when signing in or purchasing items from the iTunes store. It disrupts all iTunes services, making it hard to download music, movies, or apps.

It can be prompted by a variety of reasons; when the Apple system is down, a firewall is running in the background, or when the iOS or macOS is out of date.

This article will equip you with a variety of ways to deal with this error message on whichever device you are using.

How to fix Windows devices

If you are using a Windows device:

Solution 1: Set the correct date, time, and time zone

Make sure that your date, time, and time zone settings are correct. This will ensure that your device can sync with iTunes Store servers. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the Start Menu, then click on ‘Control Panel’.
  2. Click ‘Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options’, and then click ‘Date and Time’.
  3. Make sure that the date and time settings are configured to use the current date and time, then click ‘OK’.

Solution 2: Change Internet Options

The most common reason for this error is a problem with your internet connection. Changing your internet options will fix this issue.

  1. Launch your default browser.
  2. On the Tools menu, click ‘Internet Options’.
  3. Click ‘Advanced’.
  4. Under the Security section, look for ‘Use SSL 3.0’ and ‘Use TLS 1.0’.
  5. Make sure at least one of those options is selected, then click ‘OK’ (you can select both).

Read Also: How to fix to use iPhone with iTunes, install OS X 10.11.4 (or later)

Solution 3: Resetting Network Adapter

Netsh winsock reset is a command in Windows used to recover the computer from any socket errors. The tool also solves a majority of the browsing and network connection issues. To run this command, do the following:

  1. Launch Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Key in ‘netsh winsock reset’ and run the command.
  3. Shut down your computer and turn it back on.

Solution 4: Run iTunes Diagnostics

Diagnostics help in troubleshooting problems that may cause iTunes not to function properly. To run this feature in iTunes, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the iTunes app.
  2. Click ‘Help’ on the menu bar.
  3. Click ‘Run Diagnostics’ from the drop-down list.
  4. Choose the ‘Network Connectivity Test’ from the available tests.
  5. Click on ‘Next’ from the resulting log that is produced.
  6. Check the IE is not set to use a Proxy. All settings there should be unchecked.
  7. Make sure Windows Firewall is off if you have any antivirus program installed on the PC.

Solution 5: Reinstall iTunes

If the error message doesn’t go away after trying the solutions above, you should resort to reinstalling the program. This will make the error message go away.

  1. Launch the Start Menu, then click ‘Control Panel’.
  2. Click ‘Uninstall a Program’ from the ‘Programs’ section.
  3. Locate iTunes and click on it, and then click ‘Uninstall’.
  4. When this is done, head over to iTunes page on Microsoft
  5. Download the latest version of iTunes and install it.

Read Also: Solutions for error 9039 on iTunes

How to fix the error on iOS & macOS devices

If you own an iOS or macOS device, try any of these solutions:

Solution 1: Update iTunes

Whenever iTunes is out of date, it is usually accompanied by a couple of problems; connectivity being one of them.

To fix this, update iTunes to the latest version available.

On iPhone, iPad or iPod

  1. Launch the App Store app.
  2. Search iTunes on the search bar.
  3. Click on ‘Update’ if there is an update available.

On Mac

  1. Launch the iTunes app.
  2. Click on ‘iTunes’.
  3. Click on ‘Install’ if there is an update available.
  4. Restart the PC to complete the update.

Solution 2: Update OS

Apple is known to have bug fixes in each of its new updates. If the password problem is being caused by a bug, the best way to resolve this is by updating your iOS to the latest one.

On iPhone, iPad or iPod

  1. Make sure your charge is above 60%.
  2. Launch Settings, tap ‘General’, and then tap ‘Software Update’.
  3. Tap ‘Download and Install’.
  4. Enter your Apple ID and password to start the update.

On Mac

  1. Launch the Apple menu and click on ‘System Preferences’.
  2. Click ‘Software Update’.
  3. Tap ‘Download and Install’.
  4. Enter your Apple ID and password to start the update.

Read Also: Solutions to “enter the password to unlock your iPhone backup”

Solution 3: Reset Settings

One setting might be the cause of the “secure link to iTunes” error message. To resolve this, you will have to reset the settings. This will undo all the settings on your device. However, all your data will remain intact.

On iPhone, iPad or iPod

  1. Launch Settings.
  2. Tap on ‘General’ and then tap ‘Reset’.
  3. Tap on ‘Reset All Settings’.
  4. Enter your device passcode to start.

Solution 3: Force quit the App Store

On Mac

  1. Press these three keys together: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape).
  2. Select iTunes in the Force Quit window.
  3. Click ‘Force Quit’.

Solution 4: Check Apple’s System Status

There is a chance that Apple’s system is the reason behind the error message. When you check the system status, all the services should have green circles next to them to show that they’re working as expected.

On iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac

  1. Launch your default browser.
  2. Visit Apple System Status
  3. Check whether the iTunes Store has a green or yellow circle next to it.
  4. If it’s yellow, contact Apple to fix it.

Conclusion

These solutions above should help you get rid of the secure link to iTunes error message from your PC and Apple devices. If you have any questions surrounding this topic, let us know in the comments below.

Read Also: Fix iTunes can’t connect. You don’t have permission error