I have good news for all the annoyed iTunes users out there with error -3256 popping up all the time. Do you also belong to the people being prevented from streaming music over the network to your AirPort Express while maybe syncing with other devices like Apple TV?
For all the ones who are fed up with it I have a solution that might work (specifically for Mac OS X Leopard):
1. Go to System Preferences. Choose Network, then Advanced…
2. Click on the menu tab TCP/IP.
3. In the drop down list Configure ipv6 choose Off.
Also, make sure that your firewall does not block any incoming connections. If the error persists, turn it off, i.e. activate Allow all incoming connections.
Please feel free to report back here to share your success with us. Maybe you can deliver other good solutions not mentioned here.
I had the same error after upgrading to iTunes 8.
Disabling ipv6 solved the problem for me – Thanks!
I am getting that error -3256 in windows. when i restart itunes i can remotely send music to the 2 aiport express but only once. when i try to do it again the error comes back. i than have to restart itunes for it to work.
I am running Windows XP Pro SP2 and am trying to stream my music to the Livng room from my
PC in my office. I use an Apple Airport Express. I am running iTunes 8.0.1.11on the computer
that isn’t getting the signal through.
I also have music on a 2nd computer and am running iTunes 7.6.2.9 on it. The music gets to
the living room stereo just fine using the same Apple Airport Express. The signal strength on
the computer that is successful in streaming the music to the Apple Airport Express is
“excellent”. On the computer that is not successful, the signal strenth is “low”. Now these
computers are adjacent to each other and the signal has to go through the same wall and
exactly the same distance.
How can it be “excellent” on one and “low” on the other?
I keep getting “unknown error occurred 3256″
Help please. Do I have to do something to the network? or???
Hi Carol
Solution: You gotta change to the Mac!
No, seriously, I could imagine that some settings are inappropriate to your setup. The only problem is that I changed to the Mac back in 06 so I forgot much about PCs. I just know a solution in connection with the AirPort Utility that you could try out: In the AirPort Utility, check “Interference Robustness”. Also, try to use another channel (NOT “Automatic”, but another number), assuming that you are connecting to the internet via the AEX (?), otherwise the option for this setting’s not there. You should do this because sometimes a cordless phone or another network can interfere with the station.
Then, check if you don’t block iTunes with an anti virus software or a firewall (this is important!) on that computer.
If nothing helps, you could still try to reinstall an earlier version of iTunes. You can get older versions like the 7.6.2.9 from here:
http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.htm
Good luck!!!
I have tried all the suggestion I have read so far. I have updated the firmware, turned ipv6 off, allowed all incoming connections and I still get the same error code 3256. Any more ideas?
Did you find a solution?
I have a simple Windows XP set up and running Itunes 8.0.2.220 and get the same Unknown Error 3256 when I try to switch to the Airport Express speakers. What can be done?
Jason,
Unfortunately, I don’t know much about iTunes running on Windows XP.
Nevertheless, I have heard of someone who reinstalled an old iTunes version (7.6.2.9) on her machine and it worked for her (http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.htm). I know that’s not the best solution. Please make also use of the feedback form on apple.com (http://www.apple.com/feedback/)!
Good luck!
finally, a simple solution, why Apple has not figured it out for such a long time, this problem has been bugging so many peopla for a long time
Thanks
thx alot!
I have tried everything. Music cracks, drops out, etc, of the airport express connection. Plays through my computer fine, but when I switch over to the remote speakers and a very strong wireless signal, it only plays for 30 seconds and then starts dropping out irregularly. Sometimes I get the -3256 error, but mostly just dropouts. can anyone help??? All Mac equipment here.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you!
I have exactly the same situation as Dave Jensen. I turned the configure ipv6 off and made sure my firewall allows all incoming connections, and it’s still all the same.
Is it possible it’s just this version of iTunes?
I have exactly this issue.. latest version of itunes, latest update for airport express!
error 3256!! AARRGGHHH
Have tried turning off firewall, changing router security settings, removing router security settings.
am going to download older itunes to see if that is the issue…