Can't connect to remote speakers via AE

I just finished reconfiguring my home network. I believe the Airport Express is happily connected wirelessly to the network (though it doesn't seem to be making the signal to the iPad any stronger) since its light is green and it can be seen on both the iBook (running 10.4.11) and the iMac (running 10.6.8). I use the iBook almost exclusively to play music which is stored on an external HD on a set of external speakers directly connected. iTunes on the iBook is 9.2.1 (5). Re configuring the home wireless network freed the AE to be moved to the home theater setup and I want to play my music on those speakers using airtunes. The AE is plugged into a power strip which it doesn't share, its light is green, an audio cable connects it to the in port on the speakers which the manual indicates is the correct port. The speakers are on, that port is selected. I can see the speakers in the speaker list in iTunes and they are selected. When I select a piece of music, it says connecting to the speakers then says the network connection failed. Can anyone point me to where to look or how to find where the connection failed?

I am also experiencing this. However it is going one device at a time. I have an iMac and macmini close to (cable connected) to a timecapsule. First the iMac showed this (just not accepting connection to express/airport speaker). Then the macmini and now 1 of 2 iPhones. The MacBook air does still connect though. At one point I did see an error message briefly, -100056 I think.
Anyone got any ideas?

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After iTunes update, can't connect to remote speakers via Airport Express

I updated to iTunes 10.1.2.17 the other day, and ever since then, I can't connect to my stereo via my Airport Express. I get this message: "An error occurred while trying to connect to the remote speaker 'Airport Express'. The network connection failed."
My Airport Express firmware is up to date and I have not changed any settings since the iTunes update.
Anyone else have/had this problem? Any ideas?

I run Vista and I had the same problem after updating to the latest version of iTunes: Apple TV would indicate "Loading Library" for ever and nothing would happen. This had never happened before.
I tried different tricks like turning on/off home sharing on both iTunes and Apple TV (didn't work), unplugged/plugged Apple TV (didn't work), restore Apple TV (didn't work).
Eventually the solution was actually very simple: go to Firewall settings and make an exception for iTunes. I don't know why that was not necessary before the update, but it made the trick.

ITunes Error -3256 can't connect to remote speakers

iTunes is behaving erratically. I get a -3256 error when the app tries to connect to remote speakers via an AirPort Express.
Restarting iTunes allows me to connect. iTunes then works until my computer goes to sleep. When I wake the computer it hangs with the -3256 error again. Restart iTunes and it negotiates the network connection perfectly.
I ran AirTunes with no problem for years until version 8 of iTunes was released.
I'm running iTunes 8.0.2

I'm having the same problem with my macbook pro (OS 10.5.6, iTunes 8.0.2) but NOT with my imac flatpanel 15". I get "An error occurred while connecting to the remote speaker "Stereo". An unknown error occurred (-3256)." Restarting iTunes does NOT work for me.
My airport is administered by the older imac flatpanel. My girlfriend's computer - an older macbook pro - does NOT have this problem. Has anyone gotten an answer yet on this?
Is this a known bug since so many of us seem to be seeing it?

ITunes 8: I can no longer connect to remote speakers via Airport Express

Cannot connect to my remote speakers, worked before iTunes 8"
I have restarted the computer, iTunes, QT 7.5.5, run disk utility
I get the following error code (-3256) Apple KB research says:
AirTunes: Error -3256 when streaming to multiple AirPort Express units  You may see this message: An error occurred while connecting to the remote speaker speaker_name . An unknown error occurred (- 3256 ).This occurs with iTunes 6.0.2 or later.SolutionIf you use a third-party firewall or router, make sure that it is configured to permit UDP traffic. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303157
I followed the KB link, tried KB solution, then I sent this off to Apple.
"Mac G5 2.0 Ghz, OS 10.5.4 just installed iTunes 8, one (1) Airport Express connected to remote speakers. Firewall under Sharing in System preferences does not offer firewall access. Firewall is under Security but "Advanced" is grayed out.
Cannot connect to my remote speakers, worked before iTunes 8"
I have restarted the computer, iTunes, QT 7.5.5, run disk utility, unplugged the airport express.
My G4 PowerBook running an earlier version of iTunes connects without problem.

I just got off a 30+ minute phone call with an Apple Support rep about this. I'm getting error -3256. The rep was patient and tried hard to solve the problem, but was basically clueless. I have a case number and was encouraged to call back tomorrow to speak with a product support specialist.
This stinks. AirTunes is my primary way of playing music from my computer. With no obvious way of rolling back to iTunes 7, this is a big deal.

ITunes can't connect to remote speakers PLUS Airport Express p/word problem

I am running iTunes 7.4.1 and have previously been able to play iTunes through remote speakers via an Airport Express . After upgrading iTunes some time ago, I am unable to connect to the AE any more. The AE shows as an option in my iTunes window, but when I select it from the drop down option box bottom right, it just doesn't choose it.
I have read other discussions pertaining to this, and have followed all of those solutions, but to no avail.
I have done a hard reset on the AE restoring it's factory settings thinking I should just start again, and it has been renamed "Base Station Oa369f" so I know this has worked, but when I try to reconfigure it through Airport Utility, it asks for a password. I tried it's old password, and also tried the generic one "public" as stated in the AE setup guide, but it rejects both.
I am keen to figure this out as I'm about to buy a new printer and another AE so I can print wirelessly, but don't want to have the same issues if it's an AE bug that can't be fixed, I would be left with no printer!
I know this is two quite separate problems, but if anyone has any ideas for either I would be really grateful.
Thanks very much

I have exactly the same problem which has been driving me nuts for the last couple of days. However I am able to access the dropdown list of speakers. I have mine set to multiple speakers, and now it WILL play through my Airport Express again, but only when playing through the internal speakers at the same time. When I try to play solely through the Airport Express it just hangs.
Come on Apple, you need to be regression testing your upgrades far better than this, for something so basic to go wrong.

ITunes can not connect to remote speakers after upgrades

I recently downloaded the new version of iTunes and I am no longer able to connect to my remote speakers. I get a random error message when trying to connect. I've rebooted the airport station and modem. Didn't solve the problem.
Can anyone help? I'm stumped...

I have a MacBook, airport express and appletv. All three were working with airtunes on itunes 7 without issue. Since itunes 8, airport express works great, but the itunes keeps reporting that my appletv speakers are no longer available.
Problem will occur on sleep/wakeup and whenever itunes decides it is angry, even though my appletv is listed on the bar and is syncing. Sometimes it will play for about 10 seconds and then the music stops, but itunes indicates it is still playing. Pause/play will sometimes resolve the issue, but other times will report the appletv speakers have disappeared, but itunes is still listing the apple tv. Rebooting appletv makes no difference.
Workaround has been to restart itunes. For the music stopping after 10 seconds, if restarting itunes results in the same problem, reboot computer. My firewall is disabled, so my opinion .
Also - I love the remote app on my touch, but when play fails due to a speaker error there is no feedback. Instead I get no music and after a delay the icon changes from pause to play again. Of course itunes was complaining about unavailable speakers. Someone should add some intelligence to report such errors to the remote.

Still can't connect to remote speakers in iTunes (throu AX)

The option to switch around from Computer to Airport Express/remote speakers has disappeared from iTunes. Any ideas?

I had this happen to me on the odd occasion but now have it sorted. If I'm going to use my Airport Epress(s) I first make sure that my PC is connecting to the AE before I even turn on iTunes.
A problem I was having was that my PC was connecting to my wireless router by default (specifically when my laptop was turned off) and not to the AE. As a consequence when iTunes started it greyed out the remote speakers and sometimes the button was not even showing up.
Now that I ensure my PC is talking to the AE everytime I do not have a problem.
I do have one annoying thing with the AE setup though, if I'm playing music over the AE and I unplug any USB device (printer, USB Key, External drive etc) the wireless connection is broken and I have to start iTunes. I suspect it is a hardware issue relating to my particular HP PC as I have just reformatted and reinstalled Windows XP and it still happens. I can live with it.

HT4587 I can't locate airport express icon in itunes to connect my remote speakers wirelessly, can anyone help please?

Can anyone help please? I am trying to connect my remote speakers to my i-tunes library using Airport Express. Everything is connected and working using mt OS device (Ipod Touch 5th Generation) that works fine. I have tuned on home sharing and it says in itunes preferences that I am paired but according to the light on the airport express base station I am not connected to my existing wi-fi network. I cannot find the itune airplay icon anywhere in itunes nor can I find the network link by hovering my pointer of the network connections as suggested in the instructions that came with airport express. Would apprecaite some help please you can give. - thank you.

hmmmmm.
i'm not trying to get rid of you here, but it might be worth also checking-in/reposting over at the Airport for Windows forum. when Airtunes things get sticky, i generally defer to iFelix or RJ in WI, and they spend a lot more time over there than they do here.
(traffic is so heavy in here at the moment that this thread might be buried out of sight before an AirTunes guru gets to see you.)
here's a link through to the Airport for Windows forum:
Airport for Windows

ITunes error when connecting to remote speakers

I recently downloaded the new version of iTunes, 8.0.1. I am now unable to connect to my remote speakers via the Airport Express base station and get an error message each attempt.
The error reads, "An error occurred while connecting to the remote speakers. An unknown error occurred (-3256)."
I've power cycled the base station, checked all the wires, and secretly hoped Apple would release an update that fixes the issue. So far nothing.
Anyone know how to fix this? I'm stumped.
thanks...

I have the same problem since downloading the update. I'm running 3 Airport Express base stations around the house, all connected to different speaker systems. What's really weird is that one works no problem and the other two give me this -3256 error message when I try to connect. I've done all the usual resets but to no avail. I'd hoped that the latest update may have solved this problem.
Sorry that I can't offer a fix, but if you have any luck I'd be grateful to hear.

Remote speakers via Airport Express no longer working on one iTunes instance

I have iTunes on my iPhone, Windows desktop, and Windows laptop. At one time they all connected to my Airport Express with remote speakers attached. At some point, after a version upgrade, my laptop no longer sees the remote speakers while the other devices work fine. I can connect to the Airport Express from the laptop, there is no connectivity issue. I can even use the Apple Utility to read/change the settings.
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Thanks, Andrew

Hello Andrew,
Thank you for the details of the issue you are experiencing with AirPlay through iTunes on your laptop. I found an article with things you can check when you are not able to AirPlay.
I recommend following the steps in the section titled "If the AirPlay icon doesn't appear" in the article below, but this step specifically stands out to me for the situation you described:
Temporarily disable firewalls (both network and local) and security software. Security software and firewalls may block ports that AirPlay uses to stream content. You can often resolve issues with security software by updating, correctly configuring, or uninstalling security software.
You can find the full article here:
Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4215
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Can't connect to remote mini

I have a headless remote Mini in which I was hoping to reduce bandwidth consumption by following the knowledge base note HT3789 (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3789), "Mac OS X v10.6: Disabling mDNSResponder will disable DNS" which is a method to stop Bonjour service advertisement.
Now I can't connect to the Mini via SSH, screen sharing, sftp, smtp or anything else.
Any thoughts?

I took it to the Genius Bar and after checking/confirming that the hard drive was ok they reinstalled the OS. All seems ok now. I was then able to shut off Bonjour advertising without creating any problems.
I don't know what caused the Mini to become unbootable but I suspect when I rebooted it after the first attempt at shutting off advertising a critical boot file got damaged.
Unfortunately, after all that hassle, I still have the original high-traffic problem that seems to be related to port 5353.
Message was edited by: msbohn

Connecting to remote speakers

Have brand-new MacBook. Was connected to remote speakers. Now connection has vanished from airplay icon pull-down list. Tried connecting twice. No luck. Any suggestions?

Yes, this problem is known since iTunes 9 and Apple does not fix it yet. I am ****** off. I have tried everything, change settings, restart both mac and Airport, change settings of wireless connection, but still iTunes connects to speakers randomly and today I can not connect, I am really ****** off!

Upgrade to iTunes 7.2 broke connection with remote speakers

There have been a few discussions about the inability of iTunes to connect to remote speakers in the past, and I found one that was answered regarding an upgrade to 7.0 back in September 2006 - b noir recommended the help article posted on his page: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304371
My issue is the same as the one posted in Sept. 2006, but it only started when I downloaded the upgrade to iTunes 7.2. I see the remote speakers greyed out in my iTunes speaker list but can't select them. The fix in the help article above of configuring IPv6 doesn't help. Has anyone else run into this/have any suggestions for me? My wireless network consists of 2 Airport Expresses; the extension is the one hooked up to my speakers.
Many, many thanks!

I'm experiencing something similar where my remote speakers are working well from my Macs (wired) and Windows Vista laptop (wireless) but do not show up at all from my Windows XP desktop (wired).
I do have Symantec Personal Firewall running, but I have (1) trusted my local internal network, (2) explicitly opened ports 3689 and 5353 and (3) tried it with the firewall disabled with no luck. I do not have Windows Firewall running, and I don't believe I have anything else that would be limiting network traffic. I do not have Bonjour or Rendevous services running. I can ping the AEs just fine (I have 3 AEs), and I am on the same subnet. I have selected LOOK FOR REMOTE SPEAKERS in the iTunes settings, and I am running the latest version of iTunes (7.2). I have also not tried downgraded to an earlier version of iTunes, but for now I'd rather get this fixed in another fashion as 7.2 works well from my other machines.
I hope the above description (with fixes recommended by other users in other threads) is helpful. I appreciate any input or feedback people may have.

Can't connect to airplay speakers from iTunes

I suddenly can't connect to airplay speakers from iTunes on my new Macbook Pro - they are visible but cannot be selected. I can connect to them from other Macs and iPads. Can anyone help, pls? I have set the whole network up several times, rebooted system ie.

I had this happen to me on the odd occasion but now have it sorted. If I'm going to use my Airport Epress(s) I first make sure that my PC is connecting to the AE before I even turn on iTunes.
A problem I was having was that my PC was connecting to my wireless router by default (specifically when my laptop was turned off) and not to the AE. As a consequence when iTunes started it greyed out the remote speakers and sometimes the button was not even showing up.
Now that I ensure my PC is talking to the AE everytime I do not have a problem.
I do have one annoying thing with the AE setup though, if I'm playing music over the AE and I unplug any USB device (printer, USB Key, External drive etc) the wireless connection is broken and I have to start iTunes. I suspect it is a hardware issue relating to my particular HP PC as I have just reformatted and reinstalled Windows XP and it still happens. I can live with it.

ITunes cannot connect to remote speakers / Airport Express

Hi Guys
This is a quick post with a problem & solution.
I've been searching for ages tonight to find a solution to my problem:
'iTunes suddenly cannot connect to my Airport Express Speakers" and could not find one answer on here, only a mixture of replies all over the net.
So, just incase some people are still looking for an answer:
What I did...
1. Go to System Preferences, Network.
2. Click Advanced, on the TCP/IP tab, set "Configure IPv6" to Off.
Open up Airport Utility, go to the Music tab, set a password (I did this just for the sake of seeing whether iTunes noticed that the Airport was now password protected, then atleast you know it's talking!)
3. Open iTunes, go to preferences.
4. Click on the devices tab, untick "Look for remote speakers connected with Airplay, Allow iTunes control from Remote Speakers, Forget All Remotes.
5. Close iTunes
6. Open iTunes, retick "Look for remote speakers connected with Airplay, Allow iTunes control from Remote Speakers, Forget All Remotes.
7. Connect to remote speakers worked!

thanks Simius,
I just tried what you said to do, i had it in Automatic, but when I momenterely switched to manual the fields were all blank so I left them that way and turned on to automatic as you said and left it in auto, then tried to change itunes speaker to remote airplay and it didn t work.
so i don t know what else to do, I read alot about this in the last few days the bug seems to be related to the newest itunes upgrade and with the presence of the IP6V not turned off completely.
in the old system one could turn it off completely, now the off button is gone.
there are work around using terminal, I tried that but it doens t recognize my commands, so it didn t work either.
anybody has any idea?
thansk a lot
D.

Can't connect to remote speakers via AE

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