iTunes error message reading “The iPhone cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred (-54)” usually occurs while an iPhone, iPad or iPod is trying to sync with iTunes on a Windows computer.
This error can occur due to installation of iTunes on your computer being outdated or corrupted and also due to minor technical problems interfering with the iTunes Sync Process on your device.
Another reported reason for iTunes Error 54 is due to a bug in Windows operating system, which is known to make iTunes Folder ‘Read Only’ on a Windows computer.
iTunes Error 54 in Windows 10/11
If your computer is coming up with an error message reading “The iPhone cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred (-54)”, you can find below the steps to fix iTunes Sync Error 54 in Windows 10/11.
1. Restart Computer & iPhone
Sometimes, the problem is due to stuck programs or processes and this can be fixed by restarting the devices. Hence, restart both iPhone and the computer and see if this helps in fixing the problem.
2. Update iPhone
Make sure that the latest version of iOS is installed on your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. On the next screen, tap on Download and Install (in case an update is available).
3. Update iTunes on Computer
Next, make sure that your computer is using the latest version of iTunes.
1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Once you are in iTunes, click on Help and select Check for Updates option in the drop-down menu.
After updating iTunes, reconnect iPhone to computer and it should now Sync with iTunes.
4. Uncheck Read Only Option for iTunes Folder
Follow the steps below to fix error code -54 on your Windows 10/11 computer (as it luckily did for us)
1. Click on the File Icon in the Taskbar to open File Explorer on your computer.
2. On the next screen, click on the Music Folder in side-menu. In the right-pane, right-click on iTunes Folder and select Properties in the menu that appears.
3. On the Properties screen, uncheck the little box next to Read Only (in Attributes section).
4. Click on OK to save this setting on your computer
5. On the next pop-up, select Apply the change to this folder, subfolders and files option and click on OK.
In most cases, this should fix the problem and you should be able to Sync iPhone to iTunes, without encountering any error message.
If this did not fix the problem, make sure that you have full control of iTunes folder by following the steps below.
1. Open the File Explorer on your computer.
2. On the File Explorer screen, select the Music tab in left-pane. In the right-pane, right-click on iTunes Folder and select Properties in the menu that appears.
3. On iTunes Properties screen, select the Security Tab > click on Edit and provide Full Control to your User Account.
4. Click on Apply and OK to save this setting on your computer.
Note: You may need to login with an Admin Account in order to take full control of iTunes Folder.