What to Know

You need your Apple ID to log into iCloud and other key services.
To resolve the error connecting to the Apple ID server, install software updates, restart your iPhone, and check your internet connection.
If your Apple ID still doesn't work, check your date and time settings and reset the network settings.

Have you ever tried to log in to your iCloud or other Apple account with your Apple ID, only to see an "Error Connecting to Apple ID, Verification Failed" error message? Or maybe a "There Was an Error Connecting to the Apple ID Server" error message? Don't worry; here's what to check if you can't sign in with your Apple ID.

There Was an Error Connecting to Apple ID Server: Fix It Fast!

Are you seeing the "Verification Failed, There Was an Error Connecting to the Apple ID Server" message when you try to sign in with your Apple ID? Close the app and try to log in again in a few minutes. Next, visit the Apple System Status Page to see if there's an Apple server down. If you still get an error message, install the new iOS update. If your iPhone has already been updated, force restart your iPhone. Finally, turn off your VPN, if you have one, to see if the error connecting to Apple ID server resolves. If your Apple verification fails again, read on to find the fix.

Check for Internet Connection Issues Causing Apple ID Login Errors

If the device you're using isn't connected to the internet, you won't be able to access your Apple services. Make sure that your iPhone or iPad is connected to the internet via a stable Wi-Fi or Cellular network. If this doesn't fix your Apple ID problems, move on to our next suggestion.

check wifi connection if appleid.apple.com refused to connect

Change Your Apple ID Password

It's a good idea to change your Apple ID password from time to time. If the password hasn't been changed in a while, or isn't up to Apple's current recommendations, change your Apple ID password. This can also fix things if there was an error connecting to the Apple ID server, or another iCloud connection error.

reset apple id password to fix appleid.apple.com refused to connect

Still getting an Apple ID server error, or a different error message? Read on!

Check Your iPhone or iPad's Date & Time Settings

One issue that can cause the "You can't sign in at this time" iCloud or Apple ID error message is a problem with your iPhone's date, time, and location settings. Here's how to make sure your iPad or iPhone date and time settings are correct:

Settings app with General screen open and Date & Time marked.

Apple account cannot connect still? Read on to fix this Apple ID login problem.

Do a Network Settings Reset

If it seems like your Apple ID cannot connect to the server because your iPhone or iPad won't connect to the internet, and you've already checked your Wi-Fi and cellular connections, it's time to do a Network Settings Reset. This will reset your Cellular settings, and you'll need to sign back into any Wi-Fi networks you've joined in the past. Here's how to reset your network settings on an iPhone or iPad.

Transfer or Reset iPhone screen with Reset menu open and Reset Network Settings option marked.

By now, you shouldn't be seeing any more "Verification Failed", "There was a problem connecting to the server" or "Could Not Sign In. There was a problem connecting to the server" error messages. If your Apple ID is still not working, contact Apple Support, because your iPhone may have a hardware issue. For more Apple ID tutorials, sign up for our free Tip of the Day.

FAQ

What if I get the "This Apple ID is not active" error message? If you get an error message saying your Apple ID is not active, this means that Apple has temporarily disabled your account, which can happen when you enter a wrong password too many times.
Why is my Apple ID grayed out? If your Apple ID is grayed out, you likely have Screen Time restrictions enabled. Open Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure the Account Changes option is set to Allow changes.
What does the "This Apple ID has been locked for security reasons" error message mean? This message means Apple detected a threat of unauthorized access. Here's how to fix a locked Apple ID.