[5 Ways] How to Fix iTunes Error 3194

Updated Nov 23,2018 | by Lane

You may face with iTunes Error 3194 when you are restoring, updating or syncing your iPhone or other iOS devices with iTunes. This problem occurs because iTunes cannot connect to Apple’s software update servers. It is an unpleasing experience to meet the iTunes Error 3194. Here we show you how to fix iTunes error 3194 with 5 ways. 

One Related Article: 5 Ways to Fix iTunes Cannot Read the Contents of the iPhone 2018

When you see Error 3194 in iTunes, the simplest and quickest way is to check whether your iTunes is the latest version or not. If not, update iTunes then restart your computer. Perhaps there is something in the old version of iTunes blocking the connection between iTunes and servers.

Error 3194 is often caused by some security software or some security software, so you need to make sure that the problem is not caused by your network or security software first. To do that, try the following:

•Make sure your internet connection is working.

•Uninstall security software like a firewall, because they will block the connection to certain servers. Do not forget to get it back once you are done.

If the two methods mentioned above cannot solve the iTunes Error 3194, try to use another computer. Then you can exclude the computer as the source of the problem. 

The hosts is a file in computer and it is related to how your computer accesses to the Internet. For most cases, iTunes error 3194 is caused by the modified hosts file. So we need to check and edit the host file to solve the problem. Here we show you how to fix it step by step.

Also Read: 3 Ways to Fix Errors Occurred during Installation iTunes

Step 1: Quit iTunes in your computer.

Step 2: Find and open hosts file.

You can find the hosts file here: c:windowssystem32driversetchosts

Step 3: Open hosts file and edit it.

The error is caused by the presence or lack of this redirection. You can do as the following: 

•If you find “74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com” at the bottom of the file, add a "#" to the front.

•If you cannot find the “74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com”, add “74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com” to the bottom of the hosts file.

Step 4: Save the hosts file and restart your computer. Then you can try to update or restore your iOS device again.

If you find the methods above are complicated, there is a good alternative tool called IOTransfer which can help you do what iTunes does. IOTransfer is an iPhone/iPad manager that can restore or back up all your data, like back up music, photos, videos, contacts and more. You can free download it and get started. 

Step 1: Download IOTransfer to your computer and install it which works in Windows 7/8/8.1/10.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone or iPad to PC with a USB cable and run IOTransfer.

Step 3: All your data are scanned automatically. You can find them on the home. 

Step 4: Select the Transfer Location and then Click Transfer to PC. Then transfer files from your iPhone/iPad to PC with 1-click, including photos, music, videos and contacts. 

The Bottom Line

We introduced how to fix iTunes error 3194 with 5 methods above. In fact, the most efficient way to fix iTunes error 3194 is to use IOTransfer as an alternative tool of iTunes. Because checking and editing the hosts file is fairly complicated, if you are not an IT technicist, try to fix iTunes error 3194 with the IOTransfer in Method 5 now.

Related Readings for Reference