"Sync failed to start"

sakau2007 · Oct 13, 2011, 06:13 PM

I was able to sync my phone yesterday but today it's been very hit or miss. More miss than hit.

In iTunes, my iPhone is clearly visible, but when I hit the sync button, it just spins its wheels for a minute (Syncing Steve's iPhone (Step 1 of 6) Waiting for sync to start) and then gives me a message:

"The iPhone "Steve's iPhone" could not be synced because the sync session failed to start."

I've tried it over wifi and also with the iPhone connected via USB.

ms.annette · Oct 15, 2011, 01:00 PM

I'm having the same problem!

SimonCarbon · Nov 6, 2011, 03:44 AM

I'm having the same problem too!

Ah, re-install of iTunes seems to have done the trick.

Voltik · Jan 5, 2012, 08:49 PM

Just updated iphone 4 to ios 5.0.1 unthetered and failed to start sync. Can't get it to work for some reason.

josh-95 · Jan 11, 2012, 03:40 PM

i had the same problem,
turn off idevice, close itunes, turn on idevice, open itunes
should work, if not re-install itunes.

hope this helps.

Talula123 · Jan 14, 2012, 09:12 PM

I had the same problem, too. I actually just closed iTunes, started it up again, and it worked fine.

old-wiz · Jan 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

Same issue. Rebooted the iPhone, and restarted iTunes and all was well.

Killerbob · Jan 21, 2012, 01:45 AM

This has been an issue since IOS5, and sometimes I don't even have to restart iPhone or iTunes, just trying again will sometimes work.

There are a lot of people with this issue, but I haven't seen a solution, just sorting out the immediate issue.

KB

smokkky · May 15, 2012, 06:33 AM

Guys dont worry, this is not even a problem...

Just follow these steps to start smiling:

- Unplug your device from computer.

- Go to Edit > Preferences > Devices

- Delete all backups you see there
(Don't worry, you will be able to backup your device again)

- Click on 'Reset Sync History'

- Click OK and Close iTunes.

- Plug your iPhone, iPad, iPod and itunes will be started again.

Smile when you see your phone syncing in peace

- Hashim Taylor
http://www.HashimTaylor.com

Oct 13, 2011, 06:13 PM	#1
sakau2007 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2011	"Sync failed to start" I was able to sync my phone yesterday but today it's been very hit or miss. More miss than hit. In iTunes, my iPhone is clearly visible, but when I hit the sync button, it just spins its wheels for a minute (Syncing Steve's iPhone (Step 1 of 6) Waiting for sync to start) and then gives me a message: "The iPhone "Steve's iPhone" could not be synced because the sync session failed to start." I've tried it over wifi and also with the iPhone connected via USB.
	0

Oct 15, 2011, 01:00 PM	#2
ms.annette macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SoCal	I'm having the same problem! __________________ Macky-13'' Macbook Pro 2.3 Ghz i5 4GB Ram, Mr.Pink -16GB White iPhone 4
	0

Nov 6, 2011, 03:44 AM	#3
SimonCarbon macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Warwickshire	I'm having the same problem too! Ah, re-install of iTunes seems to have done the trick. __________________ 27" iMac 3.1Ghz Core i5 ; Ipod 3G 40Gb ; iPod 5G 60Gb ; iPod classic 120Gb ; MBP 15" ; iPhone 4S 32Gb ; Apple TV (original) ; Ipad 3 on order
	0

Jan 11, 2012, 03:40 PM	#5
josh-95 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2012	Fix i had the same problem, turn off idevice, close itunes, turn on idevice, open itunes should work, if not re-install itunes. hope this helps.
	2

Jan 21, 2012, 01:45 AM	#8
Killerbob macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008	This has been an issue since IOS5, and sometimes I don't even have to restart iPhone or iTunes, just trying again will sometimes work. There are a lot of people with this issue, but I haven't seen a solution, just sorting out the immediate issue. KB __________________ MP 2.8GHz 8C/16GB/960GB Accelsior/250GB SSD/GTX680 - MBP 15"/2.53GHz/8GB/250GB SSD - MBP 15"/2.66GHz/8GB/250GB SSD - MBA 2GHz i7/8GB/250GB - MMI 2.3HGz/8GB/500GB - TC 3TB - ReadyNAS Pro 6x3TB
	0

Jan 5, 2012, 08:49 PM	#4
Voltik macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2010	Just updated iphone 4 to ios 5.0.1 unthetered and failed to start sync. Can't get it to work for some reason.
	0

Jan 14, 2012, 09:12 PM	#6
Talula123 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2012	I had the same problem, too. I actually just closed iTunes, started it up again, and it worked fine.
	0

Jan 18, 2012, 10:45 AM	#7
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	Same issue. Rebooted the iPhone, and restarted iTunes and all was well.
	0

May 15, 2012, 06:33 AM	#9
smokkky macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2012	Simple Solution Guys dont worry, this is not even a problem... Just follow these steps to start smiling: - Unplug your device from computer. - Go to Edit > Preferences > Devices - Delete all backups you see there (Don't worry, you will be able to backup your device again) - Click on 'Reset Sync History' - Click OK and Close iTunes. - Plug your iPhone, iPad, iPod and itunes will be started again. Smile when you see your phone syncing in peace - Hashim Taylor http://www.HashimTaylor.com
	1


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