I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore
Apple Support Communities > iPhone > iPhone Hardware > Discussions 35795 Views 35795 Views 35795 Views 35795 Views 8 Repli es 8 Repli es 8 Repli es 8 Repli es Latest reply: Jun 24, 2013 7:50 AM by charliethebear Torben.Busk Torben.Busk Torben.Busk Torben.Busk Apr 22, 2012 12:54 PM It started with the apple logo just flashing on and off. So I went to reset my daughters iPhone by pressing the on/off button and the menu button simultaneously until the iTunes logo and the USB cable was shown on the screen. At that point, iTunes wrote;
'iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes.
I clicked 'OK' and then 'Restore'. ITunes then went on by 'extracting software...' for a minute or two and then 'Preparing iPhone for restore...' The apple logo was then shown on the iPhone and a message box i iTunes;
'The iPhone 'iPhone' could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (21)' The message box leads to 'More Information' that says that the error 21 ' typically occur when security software interferes with the restore and update process'
That's it. I have tried everything. (I think);
Checking for iTunes updates Checking for OS (Win7) updates Restarting the computer Changed the USB cable Changed the computer Ensuring that I have administrator privileges and that iTunes has it as well. Disabling the antivirus Disabling the firewall
If you have any advice, please let me know.
Regards Torben Busk iPhone 4, Windows 7 This solved my question This solved my question This solved my question This solved my question by Torben.Busk on Apr 23, 2012 12:57 PM Thanks for helping out, but I already tried these steps.
I even tried this on a iMac with similar results. The only difference was that the errorcode was called 2001 instead of 21.
Today I took the phone to www.iphoneambulancen.dk. A guy (in Aarhus, Denmark) that specializes in iPhone repairs. I figured, that given his occupation he'd seen most errorcdes. Two hours later, he called me back, and told me that he had replaced the battery.
So, it turns out that a broken battery can cause this behaviour.
But thanks again See the answer in context See the answer in context See the answer in context See the answer in context Categories: iPhone 4 (GSM) I have this question too (11) More Like This Re: An unknown error occurred (1) Unknown error 21 My phone is bricked! Re: I have propleme with ipod Cannot restore iPhone 3GS unknown error occurred (40) Related Articles Resolve issues between iTunes and security software Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 Removing and Reinstalling iTunes and other software components for Windows XP View: Bookmarked By (0) No public bookmarks exist for this content. Legend This solved my question This solved my question This solved my question This solved my question - 10 points This helped me This helped me This helped me This helped me - 5 points Level 1 (0 points) Welcome, Guest Sign in Search I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred...: Apple Support Communities https://discussions.apple.com/message/18198103 1 of 4 3/11/2014 5:31 PM ThatguyfromThatplace ThatguyfromThatplace ThatguyfromThatplace ThatguyfromThatplace Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Apr 22, 2012 2:40 PM (in response to Torben.Busk) Have you tried the steps here? TS3125 will help with anything security related. If none of the steps work, i'd recommend reinstalling iTunes. Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7. Like (0) Torben.Busk Torben.Busk Torben.Busk Torben.Busk This solved my questionRe: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Apr 23, 2012 12:57 PM (in response to ThatguyfromThatplace) Thanks for helping out, but I already tried these steps.
I even tried this on a iMac with similar results. The only difference was that the errorcode was called 2001 instead of 21.
Today I took the phone to www.iphoneambulancen.dk. A guy (in Aarhus, Denmark) that specializes in iPhone repairs. I figured, that given his occupation he'd seen most errorcdes. Two hours later, he called me back, and told me that he had replaced the battery.
So, it turns out that a broken battery can cause this behaviour.
But thanks again Like (0) Fattycoats Fattycoats Fattycoats Fattycoats Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore May 12, 2012 12:04 PM (in response to Torben.Busk) Hey guys, after reading the posts and how this could be a problme with the battery, I set out to test and investigate this claim.
What worked for me was I took off the back plate and disconnected the battery from the iphone. The battery looked intact (no leaks or signs of damage), so I just replaced the same battery and turned the phone back on. It allowed for me to do a restore, and I was able to back up all my info from the cloud.
Hope any one else who has this problem has just an eaasy of a time fixing theirs as I did. Like (1) emdad emdad emdad emdad Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Jul 18, 2012 6:00 PM (in response to Fattycoats) Took the battery out and it restored fine, really stupid i think Level 3 (750 points) Level 1 (0 points) Level 1 (0 points) Level 1 (0 points) I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred...: Apple Support Communities https://discussions.apple.com/message/18198103 2 of 4 3/11/2014 5:31 PM Like (0) hareen_niley hareen_niley hareen_niley hareen_niley Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Sep 6, 2012 7:56 PM (in response to Torben.Busk) Hi I had the same issue, I replaced the battery then it allowed me to restore from my backup. However, One day later I have the issue again. Could please share your experience after fix it or share any one have clue to fix this issue. thanks in advace Like (0) angelzero angelzero angelzero angelzero Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Nov 4, 2012 8:35 PM (in response to hareen_niley) I was getting the exact same error while trying to restore my iPhone. I was able to fix it by using reds0w to do the restore. Like (0) YTHGM YTHGM YTHGM YTHGM Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Jan 4, 2013 7:33 AM (in response to Torben.Busk) I removed the battery and put it back again. Then the problem was solved. My iPhone is back to normal.
If you have this problem, you can try it. Good luck. Like (0) charliethebear charliethebear charliethebear charliethebear Re: I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred 21' while trying to restore Jun 24, 2013 7:50 AM (in response to YTHGM) what if i have an ipod? what do i do? Like (0) Up to Discussions in iPhone Hardware Go to original post Level 1 (0 points) Level 1 (0 points) Level 1 (0 points) Level 1 (0 points) I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred...: Apple Support Communities https://discussions.apple.com/message/18198103 3 of 4 3/11/2014 5:31 PM This site contains user submitted content, comments and opinions and is for informational purposes only. Apple disclaims any and all liability for the acts, omissions and conduct of any third parties in connection with or related to your use of the site. All postings and use of the content on this site are subject to the Apple Support Communities Terms of Use. I keep getting 'Unknown Error occurred...: Apple Support Communities https://discussions.apple.com/message/18198103 4 of 4 3/11/2014 5:31 PM