How to Fix iTunes Error 4013/4014 When Restoring iPhone
What error 4013/4014 means
Errors 4013 and 4014 are iTunes (or Finder, on newer Macs) errors that strike during an iPhone restore or iOS update. The progress bar starts moving, then everything halts and the error appears: the iPhone could not be restored, an unknown error occurred. Your iPhone is left in recovery mode, showing the computer-and-cable screen.
These codes are communication errors: data stopped flowing reliably between the iPhone and the computer in the middle of the delicate restore process. The most common cause is boring — a worn-out cable, a flaky USB port, or a USB hub in the chain. Software causes include outdated iTunes, interference from security software, and a glitched iPhone that needs a deeper restore mode.
Less commonly, persistent 4013/4014 across different cables, ports, and computers points to a hardware problem in the iPhone itself — often the storage chip or a board-level fault. But don’t assume the worst: the large majority of cases are fixed by the cable, port, and software steps below.
Common causes
- Faulty or non-certified USB cable: the number-one cause — worn or cheap cables drop data mid-restore.
- Bad USB port or hub: underpowered ports and hubs interrupt the connection.
- Outdated iTunes or macOS: old software mishandling the restore protocol.
- Security software interference: antivirus or firewall blocking iTunes’ communication with the device.
- iPhone hardware fault: failing storage or board issues — suspected only after everything else is ruled out.
How to fix error 4013/4014 — step by step
Start with the cable and port — they cause the large majority of 4013/4014 failures.
- Change the cable and USB port. Use a genuine Apple or MFi-certified Lightning or USB-C cable — cheap uncertified cables are the single most common cause. Plug the cable directly into the computer: no USB hubs, no keyboard ports. Try a different USB port too, preferably a rear port on a desktop PC. Then retry the restore.
- Update iTunes or macOS. On Windows with the Microsoft Store apps, open the Microsoft Store > Library and install updates for the Apple Music and Apple Devices apps (or in classic iTunes, go to Help > Check for Updates). On a Mac, open the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Restart the computer after updating, then retry.
- Force-restart the iPhone. On iPhone 8 and later: press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. (On iPhone 7: hold Volume Down + Sleep/Wake together. On iPhone 6s and earlier: hold Home + Sleep/Wake.) Then retry the restore from iTunes or Finder.
- Temporarily disable security software. Pause your antivirus and firewall: on Windows, go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings, and temporarily turn off real-time protection and the firewall. Retry the restore, then re-enable everything immediately afterward.
- Try a different computer. Restore on a different computer with a fresh iTunes or Finder install. If the restore works there, your main computer’s USB subsystem or software is the problem — not your iPhone. This one test saves hours of guessing.
- Do a DFU-mode restore. Connect the iPhone to the computer. Press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then hold the Side button for 10 seconds. While still holding Side, press and hold Volume Down for 5 seconds, then release the Side button but keep holding Volume Down for about 10 more seconds. The screen stays black — that’s DFU mode. iTunes or Finder will detect a device in recovery and offer a restore. Note: this erases the iPhone, so restore from an iCloud or computer backup afterward.
Did this fix it? Quick checklist
- Using a certified cable plugged directly into the computer
- iTunes or Finder and the computer’s OS fully updated
- The iPhone force-restarts cleanly to the Apple logo
- The restore completes without 4013/4014 (or the DFU restore succeeds)
If 4013/4014 survives new cables, new ports, a different computer, and a DFU restore, the iPhone likely has a hardware fault — book an appointment at an Apple Store or authorized repair provider. Mention the error code; it’s a recognized diagnostic clue.
Frequently asked questions
What does iTunes error 4013 mean?
The restore connection between your iPhone and computer broke mid-process. It’s usually a cable, port, or software problem — and only occasionally a hardware fault in the iPhone.
What’s the difference between error 4013 and 4014?
Practically nothing. They’re sibling codes for the same communication breakdown during a restore or update, and the same fixes apply to both.
Will a DFU restore delete everything on my iPhone?
Yes — DFU mode wipes the iPhone completely. Restore your data afterward from an iCloud backup or a computer backup. Make sure you know your Apple ID password before you start.
Can a cheap cable really cause error 4013?
Absolutely — it’s the single most common cause. Non-certified cables often can’t sustain the steady data transfer a restore demands, and the connection drops halfway through.
Should I just keep retrying the restore?
A couple of retries with a new cable and port is fine, but dozens of failed attempts won’t help and can deepen a hardware issue. If three clean attempts fail, move to a DFU restore — then to professional repair.