Archived - iTunes 9: "One Moment Please" or "Error (-50)" message when accessing iTunes Store

Products Affected

iTunes 9, iTunes Store

This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.

Symptoms

In iTunes, when you try to access the iTunes Store, you may receive an "Error -50" message or see "One Moment Please" for more than a moment.

"-50" is a timeout message. If you received it while doing something other than trying to access the iTunes Store, please see the additional info section below for related articles.

Resolution

To resolve this issue:

  1. Disable the iTunes Store temporarily in Parental Controls. This is easy but may periodically need to be redone. Use this option if you are uncomfortable using a command line.
  2. Command line. Use the commands given below, this will not reset your iTunes preferences.

Disable iTunes Store temporarily in Parental Controls

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. On Mac OS X: From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
  3. On Windows PC: From the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
  4. Click the Parental Controls tab.
  5. Place a checkmark next to the option to disable the iTunes Store, and next to the option to Allow access to iTunes U
  6. Click OK.
  7. Open iTunes preferences again.
  8. Choose the Parental Controls tab.
  9. Remove the checkmark next to the option to disable the iTunes Store.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Test the issue.

If resolved, it is possible the issue may return in the future. Look for updates to this article or apply future iTunes software updates for a permanent resolution.

Command Line instructions

Mac OS X:
 
  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. Open Terminal (found in your Applications > Utilities folder).
  3. At the command prompt, type:

    4. defaults delete com.apple.iTunes storefront

  4. Press return.

 

Note: If you have iTunes for Windows installed on a drive other than "C:", you will have to use that drive letter.  Verify the path to "iTunes.exe" is the same. The Windows examples here are the default paths for Windows operating systems.

Windows XP:

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. Open the Start menu.
  3. Choose All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
  4. At the command prompt, type the following (including the quotation marks):

    5. "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /removePref storefront

     

Windows Vista, 7:

  1. Quit iTunes.
  2. Open the Start menu.
  3. Choose All Programs > Accessories.
  4. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" from the shortcut menu.
  5. The command to type will differ depending on if you have the 32- or 64-bit version of Windows installed.
    • 32-bit: At the command prompt, type the following (including the quotation marks):

      • "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /removePref storefront

    • 64-bit: At the command prompt, type the following (including the quotation marks):

      • "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /removePref storefront

If resolved, it is possible the issue may return in the future. Look for updates to this article or apply future iTunes software updates for a permanent resolution.

Additional Information

See these related articles if you are getting a "Error (-50)" alert while doing something other than trying to access the iTunes Store.

iTunes Store: "Error (-50)" when downloading purchased content

iTunes for Windows: Troubleshooting security software issues

Update and restore alert messages on iPhone and iPod touch

 

This document will be updated as more information becomes available.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
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