Trying to restore iPhone 4s, and receive "Connection attempt to firmware update server was unsuccessful. The network connection timed out."

Question

I've tried updating on both my desktop and laptop, neither work. I have the newest version of iTunes as well, so that can't be the problem. When I run diagnostics:
Microsoft Windows 7 x64 Home Premium Edition Service Pack 1 (Build 7601)
Hewlett-Packard HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC
iTunes 11.3.1.2
QuickTime not available
FairPlay 2.6.15
Apple Application Support 3.0.6
iPod Updater Library 11.1f5
CD Driver 2.2.3.0
CD Driver DLL 2.1.3.1
Apple Mobile Device 7.1.2.6
Apple Mobile Device Driver 1.64.0.0
Bonjour 3.0.0.10 (333.10)
Gracenote SDK 1.9.6.502
Gracenote MusicID 1.9.6.115
Gracenote Submit 1.9.6.143
Gracenote DSP 1.9.6.45
iTunes Serial Number 0038BB880CE6FDE0
Current user is not an administrator.
The current local date and time is 2014-09-04 12:48:09.
iTunes is not running in safe mode.
WebKit accelerated compositing is enabled.
HDCP is not supported.
Core Media is supported.
Video Display Information
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., AMD M880G with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
**** External Plug-ins Information ****
Plug-in Name: Last.fm AudioScrobbler
Plug-in Loaded: Yes
Plug-in Version: 4.0.5
Plug-in File Version: 6.0.5.4
Plug-in Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\Plug-ins\itw_scrobbler.dll
iPodService 11.3.1.2 (x64) is currently running.
iTunesHelper is currently not running.
Apple Mobile Device service 3.3.0.0 is currently running.
**** Network Connectivity Tests ****
Network Adapter Information
Adapter Name: {CE989488-FC81-488B-A970-91D722749820}
Description: Realtek RTL8188CE 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter
IP Address: 192.168.254.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.254.254
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.254.254
Lease Obtained: Thu Sep 04 12:18:22 2014
Lease Expires: Fri Feb 25 02:18:22 2022
DNS Servers: 192.168.254.254
Adapter Name: {5E3757D2-481F-4D48-B535-A6A6ACF48517}
Description: Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller
IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway: 0.0.0.0
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server:
Lease Obtained: Wed Dec 31 17:00:00 1969
Lease Expires: Wed Dec 31 17:00:00 1969
DNS Servers:
Active Connection: LAN Connection
Connected: Yes
Online: Yes
Using Modem: No
Using LAN: Yes
Using Proxy: No
Firewall Information
Windows Firewall is on.
iTunes is NOT enabled in Windows Firewall.
Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.
Connection attempt to browsing iTunes Store was successful.
Connection attempt to purchasing from iTunes Store was successful.
Connection attempt to iPhone activation server was successful.
Connection attempt to firmware update server was unsuccessful.
The network connection timed out.
Connection attempt to Gracenote server was successful.
Last successful iTunes Store access was 2014-09-04 12:47:39

Answer 1

Hi christeag,
The only thing I can identify as an issue is that your Windows Firewall is running and iTunes is not enabled in it, so this may be the source of your issue. Here is an article for you that will help you rectify this situation:
How to enable iTunes in Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 firewall
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2553
Thanks for coming to the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden