Summary of some ways to fix 3194 errors during the restore or update iPhone, iPad

Usually, upgrading your iPhone or other iOS device to a new version of the operating system, or restoring it from backup, is a pretty smooth process.

But in the process of restoring, updating the iPhone, iPad to the latest version, many iOS users have 3194 errors. If during the restore, update the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch you have a 3194 error, follow the steps below to fix. Besides, you can apply the following steps to fix some errors: Error 17, Error 1639, error 3000-3020, error 3100-3999.

Error message 3194 is usually in the form “The iPhone” the device’s name “cannot be restored. An unknown error occurred (3194).” same as the picture below:

What Causes Error 3194

Apple says that Error 3194 occurs when iTunes can’t connect to Apple’s software update servers that are used to activate iOS when restoring or upgrading. Activation servers play a crucial role, so not being able to contact them will mean your iPhone cannot restore or upgrade. This seems to occur most often when there’s something wrong with the iOS on the device – either the iOS has been modified by jailbreaking or the version of the iOS is expired, no longer supported, or otherwise out of date.

How to Fix Error 1394

1. Fix error 3194 with the hosts file

An error occurs because iTunes cannot communicate with Apple’s update server. Therefore, you need to check the hosts file to see if there is an address for gs.apple.com.

Step 1: Turn off iTunes.

Step 2: Open the Hosts file

• On Windows, you follow the path: C:windowssystem32driversetchosts
• On the Mac, navigate to: /ect/hosts

Step 3: Open the file in Notepad (or any other similar software), on Windows, you need to open the file with Admin rights.

Step 4: Find the line “74,208,105,171 gs.apple.com” at the end of the file (without the ” ” sign).

Step 5: There are 2 cases:

• First: In the hosts file, there is a line “74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com”: Add “#” (without the ” ” sign) before 74 or completely delete this line.
• Secondly: If you don’t have one, copy 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com and paste at the end of the hosts file.

Step 6: Save the hosts file and try updating iPhone via iTunes. Almost done this way, the error message 3194 is no longer available.

2. Fix bug 3194 with iTunes

After doing all of the above six steps and you still have a 3194 error, fix the 3194 error in iTunes. Still do steps 1 and 2 to open the hosts file, then add the following three lines to the host file:

• # 74.208.10.249 GS.APPLE.COM
• # 127.0.0.1 GS.APPLE.COM
• # 74.208.105.171 GS.APPLE.COM

Close the hosts file and try updating the iPhone again if the error message 3194 fails.

3. Use TinyUmbrella to fix error 3194

In addition to the above methods, you can use TinyUmbrella to fix 3194 error while restoring or updating iPhone, iPad.

• First, download the Firmware file for the iOS device you want to upgrade or downgrade.
• After downloading the firmware, the next step is to download Tinyumbrella software to the device and install it.
• Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer. Note to turn off iTunes if iTunes automatically opens.
• Next, open the Tinyumbrella software that you just downloaded and installed, then click on ‘Start TSS Server’.
•  Once done, you must “put” your iPhone into DFU mode.
• If you are updating the firmware, you must press the Shift key and click the Restore button.

Or if you are using a Mac operating system, you must press the Option key then click the Restore button. Finally, choose the IPSW file that you downloaded earlier.

If performing the above steps correctly, iTunes will restore your device and no more 3194 errors will appear on your iOS device.

How to fix 3194 error when restoring another iPhone

1.Temporarily disable the Firewall or security software: If you do not see the gs.apple.com line in the host file and during the restore process you still have error 3194, in which case you should Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus software on your computer, as well as programs that block iTunes from connecting to Apple servers.

2.Check the firmware file: In the process of upgrading or downgrading your iOS device with a firmware file that Apple has unsubscribed from, you may receive a message “This device isn’t eligible for the requested build”. For example, Apple has just released iOS 8.3 update and has unsubscribed to iOS 8.1.2 or lower firmware files, so when you try to upgrade your device in iOS 8.1.2 or low firmware files more, you will get an error.

 

3.Test connection: Since Error 3194 is often a networking problem, you need to make sure that there’s not something on your network or in its configuration causing it. To do that, try the following:

• Confirm that your internet connection is working. If you aren’t online at all, of course you can’t reach Apple’s servers.
• Uninstall or disable security software like a firewall (make sure to get it back when you’re done!). Firewalls and similar tools can block connections to certain servers.
• Restart your computer and/or modem.
• If you’re using Wi-Fi, try connecting directly to your modem via Ethernet to confirm that Wi-Fi isn’t the problem.

 

4.Restore or update your device on another computer: Assuming that in case you have applied all of the above methods without success, you can try to update or restore your device on one computer other.

5.Get help from Apple. If you’ve tried everything and you’re still getting Error 3194, it’s time to bring in the experts. You need to get support from them. Perhaps the easiest way to do this is to find a reputable Apple service center.