How to Fix iTunes Error 9006

Dec 26, 2016 - 12 Comments

Fix iTunes Error 9006

iTunes error 9006 may appear when attempting to download, restore, or update an iPhone or iPad. Typically you’ll see an iTunes error message that states something like “There was a problem downloading software for the iPhone. An unknown error occurred (9006).” or you’ll notice an “err = 9006” message alongside a stopped or failed download of an iPhone software update.

Usually iTunes error 9006 can be resolved with some simple troubleshooting steps, allowing the user to update iOS on their iPhone or iPad without incident rather quickly.

Though not always the case, error 9006 is typically triggered by an inability to connect to the iOS software update servers, either causing a failed download or interrupting a download. This is why software firewalls and anti-virus apps are usually the first thing to blame, though sometimes the issue can be a broader internet problem or even specific to a computer, iTunes version, OS version, or network.

Resolving iTunes Error 9006

Try the following tips to resolve error 9006 in iTunes if you encounter the error problem when updating iOS system software.

  1. Insure that you have an active network connection and are connected to the internet
  2. Quit out of iTunes
  3. Update iTunes and also install any available software updates to Mac OS (or Windows, if applicable)
  4. Reboot the computer (Mac or PC)
  5. Temporarily disable any and all software firewalls, including anti-virus (if applicable)
  6. Try using a different USB port on the computer and updating again

Usually simply disabling any third party firewall and antivirus software along with updating to a new version of iTunes is sufficient to remedy the update error. If the

Option 2: Manually Intervening in iTunes to Fix Error 9006

A more advanced solution is available for users who are comfortable using IPSW files and getting deeper into the weeds of iTunes, essentially it’s two parts; removing the failed IPSW file and then re downloading a new one and using that to update the iPhone or iPad.

error 9006 in iTunes

If after using IPSW files you continue to get the 9006 error in iTunes, it may be the network itself has a strict firewall blocking some of Apple server IP addresses, or it’s possible the computer has a hosts file that is blocking necessary IP addresses, thus;

  • Wait to update iOS software until you can connect to a different wi-fi network
  • Use a different computer to install the iOS software update

Did the solutions work to resolve the iTunes error for you? Do you know of another method to fix iTunes error 9006? Let us know in the comments below.

.

Related articles:

Posted by: Paul Horowitz in iTunes, Troubleshooting

12 Comments

» Comments RSS Feed

  1. Susan says:

    Hi,

    A couple of years ago my iPhon6 Plus died. I had ignored doing updates, my phone will filled with photos and videos and all of the sudden it crashed. I was heart broken because with it, went 100’d of recordings of my boy and my Dad over time and precious videos of my boy and my Dad. My Dad passed away, which makes this so heartbreaking. I took it to the Apple store and told them my problem. They couldn’t do anything. I am faced with having to pay about $2500 to a company that does data restore to get all of the data back. I’m hopeful there is another solution. Can anyone help?

    I plug in my phone because it just displays the picture of the iTunes logo and the charger cord. When I plug into my computer it and try to do an update, it say, Unknown error
    9006 but I don’t know what to do with that.

    I desperately would like to save these precious videos and audios and pictures of my family and my Dad and son.

    Can anyone help? Are there any fixes for this? Please help.

    Thank you!

    • htn says:

      Do you have a backup of the iPhone 6 with those pictures? If so, restore that backup to a new different iPhone and you could get those pictures.

      Try plugging the iPhone into iTunes on a computer if it has the iTunes logo on the screen. The article here discusses error 9006 which is usually a network error, you might try connecting it to a different computer but don’t restore unless you have the backup because that backup is where the data is.

      If you have a backup of the iPhone you might be able to get data off of that too

  2. Chung says:

    Hi,
    Just had my iPhone 6 having an issue with the Touch ID not functioning. Any way to fixed it? I was wanting to re-install iOS, but couldn’t get it re-install too! >_<

    Regards
    Chung

  3. Ekuma says:

    Thanks for the information. For the past few weeks I have been having error-1 and have not been resolved

  4. Ormond Otvos says:

    Great. Download while connected to the internet with NO firewall or virus protection!

    What was that number of seconds from connecting to the internet and the first malware attack again?

    • Luis says:

      it says to disable just the firewall portion of the antivirus, not to completely disable the antivirus.

    • Ian T says:

      Antivirus software does not protect against Malware. That’s a big misconception. It also interferes with Mac updates because it thinks it’s an attack. Indeed, it can come bundled with Malware itself or be toxic to the Mac – think Mackeeper! If malware is the problem, install Ghostery and Adblock plus and use Malwarebytes Antimalware App (free) to get rid of any.

    • Edward Guzman says:

      Perhaps that is relevant with a Windows PC if you are browsing oddball things and downloading gibberish. But with a Mac or a Windows with careful browsing, you can avoid most junkware, malware, virus, etc.

      But you are missing the point here, which is to download the iPhone update with the firewall turned off, then install the iTunes update. Then you can re enable your firewall if you want. If the firewall is causing you download problems, what else are you going to do?

  5. 1978ord says:

    Works for me! Thanks, after having trouble for quite a few weeks.

  6. Ogles of Kansas says:

    Antivirus and firewall is often the problem for updates. Macs don’t need antivirus.

    • Asashii says:

      Macs don’t need anti virus, no they need anti malware, Mac keeper is malware on macs, so is the malware that sets up a users account and keeps you from getting online, I have to fix so called macs don’t get viruses on macs everyday :).

Leave a Reply

 

Shop on Amazon.com and help support OSXDaily!

Subscribe to OSXDaily

Subscribe to RSS Subscribe to Twitter Feed Follow on Facebook Subscribe to eMail Updates

Tips & Tricks

News

iPhone / iPad

Mac

Troubleshooting

Shop on Amazon to help support this site