What is iPhone 5 error 9?
iPhone error 9 is an error that usually occurs when performing firmware update or restoring your phone through iTunes. Error 9 has something to do with your USB connection, which is causing it to disconnect and stop syncing. It may be caused by hardware or software issue. It has been reported in iPhone 5 and 6 models.
How can you fix iPhone 5 error 9?
Some of the solutions to this error include testing the USB port and cable, and testing the hardware.
Please see our in-depth walk-through solutions below.
1. Test USB port and USB cable
iPhone 5 error 9 may occur if there is a problem with the communication between your iPhone and computer. You might want to test your USB cable and your USB port.
- Remove all USB-connected devices except for the keyboard and mouse.
- Disable any anti-virus installed on your PC or OS X.
- Make sure you use .IPSW 10.3.3.
- Use the iPhone USB cable or a high-speed USB cable to connect to your computer.
- Test all USB ports.
- Borrow a USB cable and try again.
2. Test Hardware for iPhone 5
iPhone 5 error 9 may also occur if your phone has faulty hardware.
Hardware test
NOTE: If the device is out of warranty, go to a cellphone repair shop that has chip-level repair skill especially for the hardware below.
- Dismantle LCD, battery, and camera. Detach the LCD from the iPhone and do a DFU. If it does not proceed, reconnect LCD back, and then disconnect the camera and do a DFU. If one of the detached parts is causing the error, it could be replaced easily. The battery is tested using the voltage meter. Check the voltage output and check the sign in the battery if they are the same. It should be around 3.82volts. If the battery output is 0, the battery is dead.
- The battery is tested using the voltage meter. Check the voltage meter output if it is equal to the battery normal voltage out. If the battery output is 0, the battery is dead.
- The error is also related to corrupted NAND chip, also known as the storage device on your iPhone. Mostly, corrupted NAND chip is replaced to fix the iPhone, but some are fixed by just reballing the chip. Reballing reconnects your NAND chip to your mainboard to remove loose solder joints.
- Another hardware that could cause the error is your iPhone Mainboard. The reason is that the mainboard could not communicate with your NAND chip, or the CPU could not communicate with your NAND chip due to defective Mainboard. Consider replacing the whole Mainboard module or buy a new phone because Mainboard module is very expensive.
- Lastly, a cracked CPU solder joint or if it is disconnected to the mainboard could also cause the error. Reballing and reflowing would fix this error. A common cause of loosening connection of the CPU and NAND chip to the mainboard is due to a physical impact such as falling.
3. Test hardware for iPhone 6
iTunes error 9 in iPhone 6 may be caused by faulty hardware. You might want to remove the part that is removable and try to Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) your iPhone using iTunes.
NOTE: Request for warranty if a faulty hardware is causing error 9 and if it is out of warranty, go to a cellphone repair shop that has chip level repair skill especially if the problem is the NAND chip (storage device), CPU or the mainboard.
**WARNING:**Do this only if you are technically inclined. Otherwise, take your device to a service center.
Test hardware
- Detach the LCD from the iPhone and do a DFU. If it did not proceed, reconnect LCD back, and then disconnect the camera and do a DFU. If one of the detached parts is causing the error, it could be replaced easily.
- You may also want to borrow an original battery and check if the cause of the error is a faulty battery. If you do know how to use an electronic multitester, you could also use it to test the voltage output. If the voltage output is zero the battery is dead, please replace it.
- iPhone error 9 is also related to corrupted NAND chip, also known as the storage device on your iPhone. Mostly, corrupted NAND chip is replaced to fix the iPhone. Some are fixed by just reballing the chip. Reballing is to apply heat to reconnects your NAND chip to your mainboard.
- Next is mainboard, if it could not communicate with your NAND chip or the CPU it will also cause the error. Consider replacing the whole Mainboard module or buy a new phone because the mainboard module may be expensive.
- Lastly, the CPU, if it is disconnected to the mainboard, it could also cause Error 9. Reballing may fix this error 9, please bring your phone to a mobile phone repair shop.
A common cause of loosening the connection between the CPU and NAND chip to the mainboard is due to a physical impact such as falling.