TL;DR:
Error 1671 usually means your computer is still downloading iOS software - wait 15-30 minutes before retrying.
Check the download progress: iTunes - top-right arrow icon; Finder - activity sidebar.
If no progress: update iTunes/macOS, disable antivirus, use an Apple-certified USB cable.
Still stuck? Reset your hosts file or perform a DFU restore (erases data - back up first).
Similar to iPhone or iTunes error 56/6/27/1 and other errors, iPad or iTunes error 1671 also happen when you attempt to update or restore iPhone, iPad or iPod with iTunes. But during updating or restoring, there are some factors interrupt the connection or communication between iOS device and Apple service, which is how iTunes or iPad error 1671 shows up.
So, what are the factors to cause iTunes error 1671? And how to fix iTunes error 1671 or iPad error 1671?
Error 1671 is an iTunes or Finder error that occurs when you attempt to restore, update, or reinstall iOS (or iPadOS) software on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The full error message typically reads:
"There was a problem downloading the software for the iPhone [device name]. An unknown error occurred (1671)."
or
"The iPad software update server could not be contacted. An unknown error occurred (1671)."
Despite the word "unknown error" in the message, this error is well understood - it appears when the software download process from Apple's servers is interrupted, incomplete, or timed out.
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Ongoing download | The most common cause. Error 1671 appears when your computer is still downloading the iOS restore package - wait for it to finish. |
| 2. Outdated iTunes or macOS | Older software versions may not be compatible with the latest iOS version. |
| 3. Unstable internet connection | The download to Apple's servers times out due to a weak or interrupted Wi-Fi connection. |
| 4. Antivirus or firewall interference | Security software blocks iTunes (or the Apple Devices app) from reaching Apple's servers. |
| 5. Damaged or non-certified USB cable | A faulty cable interrupts communication between your device and computer. |
| 6. Corrupt hosts file | The hosts file on your PC or Mac contains entries that block apple.com domains. |
| 7. Jailbroken device | A jailbroken iPhone or iPad may fail during official iOS updates. |
| 8. Hardware issue on the device | In rare cases, internal hardware damage causes the restore process to fail (error codes 1, 3, 11, 12, 13, or 16 may indicate hardware problems). |
Complete these steps first before diving into the detailed methods below:
Do not disconnect your device while the error appears - the download may still be running.
Check for download activity - On iTunes for Windows, look at the top-right corner for a down-arrow icon showing download progress. On a Mac with Finder, check the activity window.
Wait 15-30 minutes - Restoring an iOS device requires downloading several gigabytes of data. This may take longer depending on your internet speed.
Back up your device - Always create an iCloud or local backup before performing any restore or DFU recovery.
Use the original Apple USB cable - Or an Apple-certified (MFi) cable. Poor quality cables are a frequent source of restore errors.
Check Apple's System Status page - Visit Apple System Status to ensure the iOS Software Update service is not currently down.
Try a different computer - If none of the below steps work, test the restore on another PC or Mac to isolate the issue.
Apple's official documentation states that error 1671 appears while the computer is downloading necessary software - it is not necessarily a true failure.
What to do:
Do not close iTunes or Finder.
Look for the download indicator:
On iTunes for Windows - Check the top-right corner for a circular icon with a down arrow and a progress percentage.
On Finder (macOS Catalina or newer) - Look for the activity indicator in the sidebar.
On iTunes for Mac (macOS Mojave or older) - Check the same top-right corner icon.
Click the down-arrow icon to see the download progress and estimated remaining time.
Wait for the download to reach 100%.
After the download completes, click "Update" or "Restore" again.
Tip: If you see no progress after 20-30 minutes, your internet connection may be too slow or unstable. Cancel the download, connect to a faster network (5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and restart the process.
Outdated software is a leading cause of communication failures between your computer and Apple's servers.
Open iTunes.
Go to Help > Check for Updates.
If an update is available, install it and restart your computer.
Alternatively, download the latest version directly from Apple's iTunes download page.
Note for Windows users: On Windows 10 and 11, the Apple Devices app has partially replaced iTunes for device management. If you use the Apple Devices app instead of iTunes, ensure it is also updated via the Microsoft Store.
Go to System Settings > General > Software Update (macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences > Software Update.
Install any available macOS updates.
Restart your Mac.
Open iTunes.
Go to iTunes > Check for Updates.
Install the latest version.
Why this matters: Older versions of iTunes or macOS may not recognize newer iOS versions, triggering error 1671.
A simple restart resolves many communication glitches.
Step 1 - Restart everything:
Restart your computer.
Restart your iPhone/iPad (press and hold the side button + either volume button until the power-off slider appears).
Restart your router and modem.
Step 2 - Check your USB connection:
Use the USB cable that came with your device. If unavailable, use an Apple-certified (MFi) cable.
Plug directly into a USB port on your computer - not a keyboard, external hub, or monitor USB port.
Try a different USB port.
If you are using a USB-C to Lightning cable on a Windows PC with limited USB-C ports, try a high-quality USB-A to Lightning cable instead.
Step 3 - Try a different computer:
If the error still appears, attempt the restore on a different PC or Mac. This helps determine whether the issue is with your primary computer or the device itself.
Antivirus, firewall, and VPN software can block iTunes from reaching Apple's servers.
What to do:
Temporarily disable your antivirus, firewall, or VPN.
Windows: Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Turn off Real-time protection.
Mac: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > (Scroll down to Security) if using a third-party antivirus, open that app and disable its protection temporarily.
Attempt the restore again.
If successful, add iTunes and the Apple Devices app to your antivirus software's allowed list (whitelist). Then re-enable your security software.
Important: Do not leave your antivirus disabled permanently. Only disable it for the duration of the restore, then immediately re-enable it.
Your computer's hosts file can block access to Apple's software update servers if it contains entries that redirect apple.com domains.
To solve iPad or iTunes error 1671 issue, you can edit "hosts" file on your computer, which is a way to disable antivirus program on your computer. After that, you are supposed to bypass the error 1671, but it is really more complex than any other methods above and needs more technical skills.
Open File Explorer.
Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
Find the file named hosts (no file extension).
Right-click the file, select Open with > Notepad (run Notepad as Administrator if prompted).
Look for any lines containing apple.com, itunes.apple.com, mesu.apple.com, or gs.apple.com.
If you find any such lines, add a hash sign (#) and a space at the beginning of each of those lines to comment them out.
Save the file (File > Save). If Windows prevents you from saving, copy the file to your desktop, edit it there, then copy it back to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\.
Alternatively, reset the hosts file to default by following Microsoft's official guide.
Open Terminal (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
Type the following command and press Enter: sudo nano /private/etc/hosts
Enter your Mac's password when prompted (characters will not appear - type it and press Enter).
Use the arrow keys to navigate through the file.
Look for any line that includes apple.com. If found, add a hash sign (#) and a space at the beginning of that line.
Press Control + O to save, then Control + X to exit.
Restart your Mac and try the restore again.
For work computers: Check with your IT administrator before editing the hosts file, as your organisation may have intentionally configured it.
If all the above methods fail, a DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore is the deepest possible restore. This method reloads the device's entire firmware and software, often resolving persistent errors. It is more comprehensive than Recovery Mode.
How to enter DFU mode (iPhone 8 and later, including iPhone SE 2nd/3rd gen):
Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes or Finder.
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the Side button for 10 seconds.
Continue holding the Side button, then press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
Release the Side button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
If the screen remains black (no Apple logo, no "Connect to computer" screen), you are in DFU mode. iTunes/Finder will display: "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode."
Click Restore iPhone to reinstall the iOS software.
Warning: A DFU restore will erase all data on your device. You will need to restore from a backup afterwards. Always back up before proceeding.
For older devices (iPhone 7, iPhone 6s, and earlier):
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down button + Side button for 8 seconds, then release the Side button while continuing to hold Volume Down until your computer detects the device.
iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button + Top/Side button for 8 seconds, then release the Top/Side button while continuing to hold Home.
If you want to fix error 1671 without erasing your device, the third-party iOS System Recovery tool is a good option. This tool works by re-downloading and re-installing the iOS firmware while preserving your data and settings.
It can also fix all kinds of iTunes errors or system errors on iPhone/iPad/iPod, including iTunes error 1671, iPhone gets stuck in recovery mode, iPhone is in black/blue/red/white screen, iPhone shows Apple logo and etc. Besides all generations of iOS device are supported, including the iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12/11/X, iPad mini, iPod touch and etc.
Now, don't hesitate to download the free trial of the software in Mac or Windows version on your computer to fix iTunes or iPad error 1671.
Step 1. After downloading and installing the program, launch it on your computer and connect your iDevice to computer with a USB cable. Then visit "More tool" > "iOS System Recovery"on the main interface.
Step 2. Then the program will automatically detect your device and display the problem of your phone, like Error 1671, Error 27, Screenshot Not Working, Stuck at Apple logo, Recovery mode and etc. Please click "Start" button to continue.
Step 3. Finally, please confirm your device information as asked. If the the information is right, just click "Repair" button to start fixing iTunes Error 1671 issue. If not, just select the correct information and then click "Repair" button to begin repairing.
The program will download the latest firmware version of your device to fix the iOS system issue after detecting your current iOS version.
If none of the above methods work and you cannot perform a DFU restore, a factory reset via the device's settings may resolve the issue - but this will erase all data.
Steps to factory reset (if you can access Settings):
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
After the reset completes, set up the device as new or restore from a backup.
Just select either the Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from iTunes Backup option on "Set up your iPhone" window, then follow the screen to start restoring data from iCloud or iTunes backup. It may take more than 1 hour for the restoration if the size of backup is too large.
If you cannot access Settings (iPhone stuck in Recovery Mode):
You must use Method 6 (DFU restore) instead. There is no alternative way to reset a device that cannot boot to the home screen.
See Also: Simple Guide to Recover Lost Data from Dead iOS Devices
No. Error 1671 is a temporary communication or download issue - it will not damage your hardware. The error simply indicates that the restore or update process could not complete. Your device remains safe to retry.
If the error appears with a download progress indicator, wait for the download to finish. A full iOS download is typically between 4-8 GB and can take 15-45 minutes depending on your internet speed. If there is no progress after 30 minutes, cancel and restart from Method 2.
No. In most cases, waiting for the download to finish (Method 1) or updating your software (Method 2) resolves the issue for free. Third-party tools (Method 7) are optional alternatives for those who prefer a guided repair experience or want to preserve data without using a backup.
Not usually. However, if you have tried all methods including DFU restore and the error persists, or if your device shows other symptoms like a flickering screen or does not turn on at all, hardware damage is possible (especially common with error codes 1, 3, 11, 12, 13, or 16). In this case, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider.
No. Restoring or updating iOS through a computer is required when the device is stuck in Recovery Mode or DFU mode. However, you can try to update your device over-the-air (OTA) before using a computer: go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iOS device. If you can access this menu, an OTA update may succeed without iTunes.
Yes. On macOS Catalina (10.15) and newer, Finder handles iPhone and iPad restores instead of iTunes. The same error code 1671 can appear in Finder with the same meaning - your Mac is downloading necessary software.
If the error recurs repeatedly, there may be a persistent issue with one of these factors:
An old or damaged USB cable
Antivirus software that keeps blocking the connection even after temporary disablement (you may need to uninstall it temporarily)
A corrupt hosts file (reset it following Method 5)
A jailbreak on your device (restore via DFU mode should remove the jailbreak)
Error 1671 = Software download is in progress or interrupted.
Errors 3194 and 3014 = Computer cannot reach Apple's servers (usually a hosts file or network issue).
Error 4013 = USB connection or hardware issue.
Refer to Apple's official error code list for detailed diagnostics.
Click the down-arrow icon in the top-right corner of iTunes. If no progress bar appears, the download may have been cancelled silently. Cancel the restore, restart your computer, and attempt the restore again. If the issue persists, move to Method 2 (update software) or Method 5 (reset hosts file).
Yes. A full factory reset erases all content and settings. Before performing a factory reset or DFU restore, ensure you have a current backup in iCloud or on your computer. After the reset, you can restore your data from that backup.
Keep your macOS (or Windows) and iTunes/Apple Devices app updated.
Always use a high-quality, Apple-certified USB cable.
Avoid interrupting the restore process - do not disconnect the device once the process begins.
Ensure a stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection before starting a restore.
Regularly restart your computer and iPhone to clear temporary cache issues.
If your iPhone displays the Apple logo for more than 15 minutes following a failed restore, it is likely stuck in a boot loop. Force restart your device:
iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears and disappears (about 10 seconds).
Then, put the device into Recovery Mode or DFU mode (Method 6) and attempt the restore again.
This article mainly introduces how to fix iTunes error 1671 or iPad error 1671. Actually, about more error codes, iOS System Recovery can solve them. Download this software to your computer now, let it become your good assistant.
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