How to Fix iTunes Error 3194

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When using iTunes to update, restore, or sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, an error known as iTunes error 3194 may appear. The unpleasant experience of this error is shared by many users. When the iTunes error 3194 occurs, a pop-up window displaying the error message will appear “There was no way to restore the iPhone. A mysterious error (3194) has happened.” When iTunes is unable to connect to or communicate with Apple’s firmware signature verification server, error code 3194 appears.

In the majority of cases, this occurs when users jailbreak their devices and a tweak modifies the hosts file, blocking Apple’s servers. Therefore, checking and making changes to your host files is the most effective way to fix iTunes error 3194. When using iTunes to restore or update your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad device, this error occurs. It appears when you are trying to upgrade the firmware or connecting incorrectly to Apple’s firmware signature verification server and this device is ineligible for the requested build.

Ways to Fix iTunes Error 3194

Try To Update Software

You should update iTunes first, then check the version that is currently running, or uninstall and reinstall from the Apple website. You must take the following actions in order to achieve this.

Start iTunes and select “Help” -> “About iTunes”.

However, to update this, you will need to go to “Help” -> “Check for Updates”.

Fix iTunes Error 3194 with iTunes

If you encounter this error once more even after trying the aforementioned fixes, try adding more paths to the host files.

Check the actual location of that path.

You will need to enter the path specified in the File Explorer menu.

If you still get error 3194 in iTunes, try adding more paths to the host file:

C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts

You can then press Enter to select the program for display and edit the file.

You can then copy the following lines in the “Add-In File” option

#74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com

#127.0.0.1 gs.apple.com

#74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

Check TCP/IP filtering, security software, network

The most common causes of the iTunes error 3194 include network connection issues, firewalls, and TCP/IP filtering that prevent your device from connecting to the update server. To remove any potential latent barriers that could be the error, try the following steps:

Check to see if any firewall or other security software is installed on the Windows computer and temporarily uninstall or disable it.

Check the computer’s Internet connection and verify that it is working properly.

Disconnect from the router, whether wireless or wired, and connect the computer and modem via Ethernet.

Restart your computer and modem.

Check Host File in Primary C Drive

First, we need to see the path where the file is actually located, and to do this we need to enter the path into the file explorer.

C:WindowsSystem32driversetchosts

In the next step, simply select the program for viewing and edit the file.

Here you will need to open the host file in Windows 10 in Notepad.

Finally, here you need to copy the lines as follows

74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com

Now simply save the host file and try to update it with the use of a clean install. And you can also try the option to restore iPhone with the use of iTunes.

What Causes iTunes Error 3194

According to Apple, Error 3194 occurs when iTunes is unable to establish a connection with the software update servers needed to activate iOS during a restore or upgrade. If you can’t get in touch with these servers, your iPhone won’t be able to finish the restore or upgrade. This appears to happen most frequently when there is a problem with the iOS software installed on the device—either the iOS has been altered through jailbreaking or the iOS version is past its expiration date, is no longer supported, or is otherwise outdated.

Final Words

When you have issues, iTunes is a simple way to update or restore your iPhone and iPad. However, some users claimed that when they attempted to restore the device, they encountered the error “iPad can’t restore” (3194). This error may be caused by an unrelated connectivity issue between the client and host server, a spotty internet connection, or an outdated version of iTunes. Sometimes when you upgrade or downgrade your iOS devices, iTunes Error 3194 appears. The inability of iTunes to connect to Apple’s update servers appears to be the root of the issue. We hope our article on “How to Fix iTunes Error 3194” will surely help you to do so.