macOS App Store Error 113 — Cannot Connect Fix

What it means

Mac App Store error 113 means the App Store application cannot connect to Apple's servers.
This is a network connectivity error — the App Store reaches out to Apple and gets no response.
It is most commonly caused by a temporary Apple server outage, a local network problem, or a firewall or security software blocking the connection.
In most cases, waiting a few minutes or restarting your router fixes it.

Affected Models

MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
Mac mini
iMac
Mac Pro
Mac Studio

Common Causes

Apple's App Store servers are temporarily down or experiencing heavy load
Your internet connection is working for general browsing but DNS or port settings block the App Store specifically
A firewall, VPN, or parental control software is blocking connections to Apple's servers
Your Mac's date and time are set incorrectly, causing Apple's security certificates to fail validation
A corporate or school network restricts access to Apple's content delivery network

How to Fix It

Check Apple's System Status page first. Visit apple.com/support/systemstatus in a browser. If the App Store row shows a yellow or red indicator, Apple's servers are having issues. Wait for them to resolve — no action needed on your end.

Apple service outages are brief, usually 15 minutes to a few hours.
Checking this first saves unnecessary troubleshooting.
Sign out of the App Store and sign back in. Open the App Store, click your name at the bottom of the sidebar (or go to Store > Sign Out), sign out, then sign in again with your Apple ID.

A stale App Store session can get stuck with a broken connection.
Re-signing in forces a fresh authentication and connection.
Check your Mac's date and time. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Date and Time. Make sure 'Set time and date automatically' is turned on. If the date or time is wrong, the App Store cannot verify Apple's security certificates.

This is a surprisingly common cause of App Store connection errors.
An incorrect year or timezone can break certificate validation.
Turn off any VPN software temporarily and try the App Store again. VPNs can route your connection through servers that have App Store access blocked or heavily filtered.

If the App Store works with VPN disabled, check your VPN's split tunnel settings to allow Apple's domains, or contact your VPN provider.
Restart your router and modem. Unplug both for 30 seconds, then plug back in and wait for the lights to stabilize. Try the App Store again.

Local network glitches can cause specific services to fail even when general browsing works.
A router restart clears most of these.

When to Call a Professional

If all steps below fail and other Apple services (iCloud, Apple Music) also have issues, the problem is likely network-level.
A network administrator can check if Apple's CDN domains are being blocked or filtered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Error 113 just started happening today — did Apple change something?

Possibly.
Apple occasionally updates its server infrastructure or security requirements, which can temporarily disrupt App Store connections for some users.
Check apple.com/support/systemstatus to confirm.
Also, macOS updates sometimes break the App Store connection temporarily.
If you recently updated macOS and the App Store stopped working, signing out and back in usually fixes it.

Can I download apps without the App Store if it is broken?

Yes, for apps that are available outside the App Store.
Many Mac apps (like Chrome, Firefox, VLC, and others) can be downloaded directly from the developer's website.
Apple's own apps (like Xcode, Final Cut Pro, or Logic Pro) are App Store exclusive and cannot be obtained another way.
For App Store-exclusive apps, you will need to wait until the connection is restored.

I am at work and the App Store never works. What is happening?

Corporate networks frequently restrict access to Apple's content delivery network (CDN) as a network security policy.
The App Store requires access to specific Apple domains including itunes.apple.com, apps.apple.com, and multiple Akamai CDN domains.
If your company's firewall blocks these, the App Store cannot connect.
This is a network-level decision made by your IT department.
Using the App Store on a personal hotspot or home network will confirm whether this is the cause.