Fix: "Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted" Error on macOS

Encountering the dreaded “Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” error while trying to reinstall macOS can be a frustrating roadblock. This issue commonly arises when users attempt to restore or reinstall their Mac operating system using macOS Recovery. If you’re facing this problem, you’re not alone. Many users have reported this error, and thankfully, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve it and get your Mac back up and running.

Understanding the “Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” Error

The “Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” error essentially means your Mac is unable to communicate with Apple’s servers to download the necessary macOS installation files. This process relies on Internet Recovery, a feature built into Macs that allows you to reinstall the operating system directly from Apple’s servers when your local recovery partition is unavailable or corrupted.

Several factors can trigger this error, preventing your Mac from contacting the recovery server. These include:

Internet Connection Issues: A weak, unstable, or absent internet connection is the most common culprit. Internet Recovery needs a stable and active internet connection to download the macOS installation files.
Incorrect Date and Time Settings: Believe it or not, an incorrect date and time on your Mac can interfere with secure server communication. This is because secure connections often rely on valid time stamps for certificate verification.
Server Overload or Outages: While less frequent, Apple’s recovery servers can sometimes experience temporary outages or be overloaded, especially after a new macOS release.
Incorrect Disk Formatting: In some cases, issues with your Mac’s hard drive formatting or partition scheme can prevent successful communication with the recovery server.
Firewall or Network Restrictions: Less commonly, network firewalls or restrictions might be blocking your Mac’s access to Apple’s servers.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the Error

Based on user experiences and reported solutions, here are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the “recovery server could not be contacted” error:

1. Check Your Internet Connection

The first and most crucial step is to ensure you have a stable and active internet connection.

Wi-Fi: If you are using Wi-Fi, make sure you are connected to the correct network and that the signal strength is strong. Try restarting your Wi-Fi router.
Ethernet: If possible, switch to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable and potentially faster connection.
Test Your Connection: Open a browser and try to visit a website to confirm your internet is working correctly.

2. Verify and Correct Date and Time Settings via Terminal

An incorrect date and time can cause problems with secure server connections. You can use Terminal in Recovery Mode to correct this.

Boot into Recovery Mode: Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo.
Open Terminal: Once in Recovery Mode, go to the Utilities menu in the menu bar and select Terminal.
Check the Date: In the Terminal window, type date and press Enter. This will display the current system date and time. If it’s incorrect (often it will default to an old date like January 1st), you need to set it manually.
Set the Correct Date and Time: Use the date command with the format mmddhhmiyy. For example, if today is October 27, 2023, 10:00 AM, you would type: date 1027100023 and press Enter. Make sure to use the current UTC time for accuracy, which you can easily find by searching “current UTC time” online.
Verify the Date: Type date again to confirm the date and time have been updated correctly.
Exit Terminal: Type exit and press Enter, or simply close the Terminal window.
Try Reinstalling macOS Again: Return to the macOS Utilities window and try to reinstall macOS.

3. Reformat Your Drive Using Disk Utility

In some cases, issues with the drive’s format can cause this error. Reformatting the drive using Disk Utility in Recovery Mode can help. Warning: This will erase all data on your drive, so ensure you have backups if possible.

Boot into Recovery Mode: (Command + R on startup).
Open Disk Utility: In the macOS Utilities window, select Disk Utility and click Continue.
Show All Devices: In Disk Utility, go to the View menu and select Show All Devices to see your physical drives.
Select Your Drive: Select the physical hard drive (usually listed at the top, above the volumes).
Erase: Click the Erase button.
Name and Format:
- Name: Give your drive a name, such as “Macintosh HD”.
- Format: Choose APFS (Encrypted) if you plan to use FileVault encryption, or simply APFS. If you are reinstalling an older version of macOS (like High Sierra or earlier), you might need to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and GUID Partition Map as the scheme. Note: Some older solutions suggest OS X Extended Journaled, but APFS is generally recommended for modern macOS versions unless specifically required otherwise.
Erase: Click Erase and wait for the process to complete.
Quit Disk Utility: Once done, quit Disk Utility and return to the macOS Utilities window.
Try Reinstalling macOS Again.

User Note based on original forum: One user found success by deleting all existing partitions in Disk Utility except “OS X Base System”, then shutting down, rebooting into Recovery Mode, and then reformatting the drive to “Mac OS Extended Journaled.” While this is a more drastic step, it’s worth considering if standard reformatting doesn’t work.

4. Try a Different Network (If Possible)

If you suspect your current network might have restrictions or is unstable, try connecting to a different network. A mobile hotspot from your phone can be a useful alternative for testing purposes.

5. Wait and Try Again Later

If you suspect server overload, especially after a major macOS release, waiting for a few hours or even a day and trying again might resolve the issue. Apple’s servers might be experiencing high traffic, and trying during off-peak hours could be beneficial.

6. Create a New Admin User (Less Likely Solution, but Reported)

One user in the original forum reported that creating a new admin user account on their Mac (if they could access the system at all) and then running the installation from that new account resolved the issue. This is less likely to be applicable if you are reinstalling from Recovery Mode after wiping the drive, but could be a potential workaround in specific scenarios if you can still boot into your OS.

Conclusion

The “Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” error can be a hurdle when trying to reinstall macOS, but it’s usually solvable with the right troubleshooting steps. By systematically checking your internet connection, verifying your date and time settings, and considering drive formatting issues, you can often overcome this error and successfully reinstall macOS.

If you’ve tried these steps and are still encountering the error, it’s advisable to contact Apple Support directly for further assistance. They can provide more specific guidance based on your Mac model and macOS version.

Have you found another solution to the “Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” error? Share your experiences in the comments below to help other users!

Fix: “Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” Error on macOS