iCloud encountered an error while trying to connect to the server

I have a Windows 11 PC. Since about a week or so ago I have been getting this error:


"iCloud encountered an error while trying to connect to the server".


I noticed my new photos were not uploading my iCloud Photos folder. When trying to open iCloud settings I would also get a similar server error. If I tried to access the web version of iCloud.com I would also get this error.


I have been using iCloud with no problem for years and this happens out of the blue. Uninstalling and reinstalling did not solve the problem.


Another solution I found on a Microsoft forum did work - unticking IpV6 in network properties.


The question I have is - why has IpV6 caused a problem? What is IpV6? I'm assuming it was ticked before and working well. What has changed?

Posted on Aug 26, 2023 12:29 AM

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Posted on Sep 1, 2023 12:44 AM

Another possible cause of this problem is Intel Killer Performance Suite. Disabling Killer Network Service in mcconfig also solves this problem. Intel updated this app in August which is around the same time the problem with icloud began.


As it stands, it appears that something to do with Intel Killer Performance Suit, IpV6 and the iCloud app are not talking to each other properly. One of them needs fixing in a new update.

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Sep 1, 2023 12:44 AM in response to borris14

Another possible cause of this problem is Intel Killer Performance Suite. Disabling Killer Network Service in mcconfig also solves this problem. Intel updated this app in August which is around the same time the problem with icloud began.


As it stands, it appears that something to do with Intel Killer Performance Suit, IpV6 and the iCloud app are not talking to each other properly. One of them needs fixing in a new update.

Aug 27, 2023 09:28 AM in response to borris14

I had the same symptom but in the web version of iCloud.


One way I found to fix it was disabling IPv6 in the wifi adapter settings. You can do that in the Control Panel in Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center\ then click on the network adapter, then click Properties and uncheck the IPv6 item. Not ideal because it's the way of the future and provides improvements over IPv4.


For me another fix was found by comparing two systems, one that had the error and one that didn't, and it was to clear the "Automatically detect settings" in Internet Options. Open Internet Options (Control Panel\Network and Internet) go to Connections tab, LAN Settings, and uncheck "Automatically detect settings". Oddly enough, I was able to re-check it and it also works, so it must have just cleaned up something bad. No idea 🤷‍♂️


Sep 2, 2023 01:39 PM in response to borris14

My bad, I made assumption that shutting the Killer Network Service service off was the same as disabling, but it is necessary to disable startup for the service and logout/login or reboot to have it affect network settings. Then iCloud site works. Thanks for that.


It also found I could keep the service on, but go into the Killer app and toggle the Killer Prioritization Engine to Off. No reboot required, and it persisted after a restart.


In my case really don't think I need that app messing with how apps use my network, so I just uninstalled it.

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iCloud encountered an error while trying to connect to the server

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