[FIX] iTunes Error 5105 on Windows (Your Request Cannot Be Processed)

The iTunes Error 5105 (Your Request cannot be processed) is encountered on Windows when users attempt to update the application when trying to re-download content that they previously deleted from their local library.

As it turns out, there are several different causes that might contribute to the apparition of this particular error code:

Method 1: Running iTunes with Admin Access

If you’re encountering this problem while attempting to update the iTunes application or while attempting to download content locally, chances are you’re dealing with a simple permission issue.

Keep in mind that whenever you want to perform an operation with the potential of changing the structure of the application, you need admin access. If you’re on Windows 10, your operating system should ensure that you have sufficient permissions to perform the operation.

But if you’re on Windows 8.1 or older or you have previously modified the default permissions on Windows 10, you might need to fore iTunes to open with admin access in order to get past the Error 5105.

To ensure that you open iTunes with admin access, right-click on the iTunes executable and choose Run as administrator from the newly appeared context menu.

Once you are sure that iTunes is opened with admin access, repeat the action that was previously causing the Your Request cannot be processed error and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same problem is still appearing, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 2: Restarting the Bonjour sevice

As it turns out, one of the most common causes with the potential of causing this particular issue is the Bonjour service that is stuck in a limbo state (it’s neither opened nor closed). The Bonjour service is a key component that allows Apple application to share music libraries, device information, and more.

Several affected users that have been encountering the same iTunes Error 5105 have confirmed that they were able to fix the problem by using the Services menu to restart the service completely.

If this scenario is applicable, follow the instructions below to restart the Apple Bonjour service and fix the iTunes error code:

1. Close iTunes and any associated instance – Make sure that no background service associated with iTunes is running in the background.
2. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘services.msc’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the Services screen.

   

3. Once you’re inside the Services screen, scroll down through the list of active services and locate the Bonjour Service.

   

4. Once you locate the Bonjour service, right-click on it and choose Properties from the newly appeared context menu.
5. From the Bonjour Service screen, select the General tab from the vertical menu at the top. Next, scroll down to the Service Status screen – If the service is Running, click Stop and then click Start once again to restart the Bonjour service.

   

6. Once the service is restarted, click on Apply to save the modification, then launch iTunes once again and see if the problem is still occurring.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Repairing the Bonjour App

Some affected users that have been seeing the iTunes Error 5105 error have confirmed that in their case, the problem was facilitated by a corrupted Bonjour supporting app. Furthermore, they confirmed that repairing this supporting app via the Apps and Features menu allowed them to finally eliminate the error and use the iTunes app without issues.

If this scenario is applicable to your particular scenario, follow the instructions below to force repair the Bonjour app:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and press Enter to open the Programs and Features menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features menu, scroll down through the list of installed applications and locate the Bonjour app. Once you see it, right-click on it and choose Repair from the newly appeared context menu.

   

3. Inside the repair wizard, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the repair of the Bonjour app.
4. Restart your computer and launch iTunes at the next startup to see if the problem is now fixed.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Reinstalling the Latest Version of iTunes

In case you are unable to update your current iTunes version (or you’re already on the latest version) and you’re still encountering the same error code, chances are you are dealing with a corrupted or inconsistent installation that is affecting certain features in iTunes.

If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue by uninstalling the current iTunes installation along with every supporting software and installing the latest version from scratch.

But keep in mind that there are two different versions of iTunes for PCs. The desktop version is the most popular, but if you’re on Windows 10, chances are you are using the UWP (Universal Windows Platform instead).

So depending on the iTunes version that you’re using, the steps of reinstalling this software will be different. Follow sub guide A if you’re using the desktop version or follow sub guide B if you’re using the UWP version.

A. Reinstalling iTunes for desktop

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘appwiz.cpl’ inside the text box and hit Enter to open up the Programs and Features menu of the Classic Control Panel interface.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features screen, click on the Publisher column at the top to filter the list of installed programs via their publisher. This will make it easier to uninstall the main iTunes application along with every supporting software.

   

3. Once you have a clear view of every product published by Apple Inc., go ahead and start uninstalling them systematically by right-clicking each entry, clicking Uninstall, and then following the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

   

4. After you uninstall iTunes along with every supporting software, restart your computer and wait for the next startup to complete.
5. Once your Windows computer boots back up, open your browser and access this iTunes download page.
6. Inside the download page, scroll down to the Looking for other versions section and click on Windows to download the latest version of iTunes.

   

7. After the installation is complete, open the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest version of iTunes on your computer. You will then be asked to install the supporting software.

   

8. Once the installation is complete, reboot your computer once again and see if the problem is fixed at the next computer startup.

B. Reinstalling iTunes UWP

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘ms-settings:appsfeatures‘ and press Enter to open up the Apps & Features tab of the Settings app.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Apps & Features menu, use the search function in the top-right corner to search for iTunes. Next, click on iTunes from the list of results, then click on Advanced Options hyperlink.

   

3. Inside the Advanced Options menu, scroll all the way down to the Reset tab and click on the Reset button.

   

4. When you get to the confirmation prompt, click on the Reset button once again, then wait for the process to complete.
   Note: During this procedure, your iTunes state will be reverted back to the default state and every component will be reinstalled. But don’t be worried about this procedure affecting your existing library. You will still maintain ownership and you can re-download the content locally once the operation is complete.
5. Once you have reinstalled the UWP version of iTunes, repeat the action that was previously causing the problem and see if the problem is fixed.

In case you are still seeing the same problem, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 5: Deactivating all Authorized PC or Devices in iTunes

As it turns out, the iTunes Error 5105 can also occur due to old computers you no longer have access to that are still linked to your iTunes account. Authorization on iTunes is a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management) that is applied locally.

Every Apple ID can have up to five computers authorized to play DRM-protected content from that particular account. If you have over 5 computers authorized for this account, or you have previously authorized a computer with a bad track record, you might expect to receive the Error 5105 until you clean your account of authorized computers.

If this scenario is applicable, follow the instructions below to deactivate all authorized PC for your iTunes account:

1. Open iTunes on the affected computer and log in with your Apple ID.
2. Once you have successfully signed in, use the ribbon at the top to go to Account and click on View My Account.

   

3. Once you’re inside the Account Settings menu, scroll down to the Apple ID Summary section and click on the Deauthorize All button.

   

4. At the next prompt, confirm your choice to deauthorized every connected computer, then restart iTunes and see if the problem has been fixed.

In case the same problem is still occurring, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 6: Whitelisting iTunes or Uninstalling 3rd-Party Security Suite

As it’s been confirmed by several affected users, this problem can also occur due to some kind of interference caused by an overprotective firewall. This is confirmed to occur with both 3rd party utilities and the built-in Windows firewall (most commonly on Windows 7).

Note: If you’re using a third-party suite, you should search online for specific steps on whitelisting the iTunes app and complimentary services. Depending on the service you’re using, the instructions will be way different.

In case you’re using Windows Firewall, follow the instructions below:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Next, type ‘control firewall.cpl’ inside the text box and press Enter to open up the classic interface of the Windows Firewall.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Windows Firewall menu, use the menu on the left to click on Allow and app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
   

   

3. Inside the Allowed Apps menu, click on the Change settings button, then click on Yes at the User Account Control prompt to grant admin access.

   

4. Once you have admin access, scroll down through the list of items and identify iTunes from the list of items. When you see it, check the associated boxes for both Private and Public before clicking Ok to save the changes.
   Note: In case you don’t see iTunes in this list, click on Allow another app, then add the entry manually.

   

5. After iTunes has been successfully whitelisted, launch the application again, and see if the problem is now resolved.

In case you’re still encountering the iTunes Error 5105 error when trying to download content locally or attempting to update the application version, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 7: Installing QuickTime Player

If you’re encountering this issue on Windows 10 when attempting to play or download video content locally, this problem can also occur due to a missing QuickTime Player installation. As it turns out, iTunes still relies on the QuickTime infrastructure for certain tasks and Apple Software should install the supporting software automatically.

However, if this didn’t happen, you should be able to fix the problem by forcing the installation of the QuickTime Player manually using the official channels. To do this, follow the instructions below to install the missing software and fix the iTunes Error 5105 error:

1. Visit the QuickTime download page and click on the download button associated with the latest version of QuickTime for Windows.

   

2. Once the download is complete, open the installer and click Yes at the UAC (User Account Control) to grant admin access.
3. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the latest QuickTime Player version, then restart your computer.

   

4. After your PC boots back up, open iTunes and see if the problem is now fixed.

In case you’re still encountering the same error code or QuickTime was already installed, move down to the next potential fix.

Method 8: Deleting the Downloads Folder in iTunes Media

If none of the potential fixes presented above have worked for you, you are most likely dealing with some type of corrupted data that iTunes is storing locally. Some users that found themselves in a similar situation have confirmed that they managed to fix the problem by clearing the Downloads folder in the Tunes Media folder.

If this potential problem looks like it could be applicable to your particular scenario, follow the instructions below to delete the Downloads folder inside the iTunes Media folder:

1. Open File Explorer (My Computer on older Windows version) and navigate to the location of the iTunes Media folder. By default, it should be located in :

   C:\Users\*YourUsername*\Music\iTunes\ iTunes Media

   Note: Keep in mind that *YourUsername* is just a placeholder. Replace it with the name of your Windows user account.

2. Once you get to the correct location, double-click on the Downloads subfolder, press Ctrl + A (or select manually) to select everything, then right-click on a selected item and choose to Delete to remove everything inside.
3. Once the Downloads folder in iTunes media has been cleared, restart your computer and s launch iTunes once the next startup is complete to see if the problem is now resolved.

In case you’re still seeing the same problem, move down to the next potential fix below.