The Ultimate Guide to Resolving the Mac Error: The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted

The "recovery server could not be contacted" error may occur due to a temporary server issue, so it is advisable to wait for a while. Firstly, ensure that your internet connection is active and properly connected. Additionally, verify that the time settings on your Mac are accurate. If the problem persists, you can attempt to manually install macOS using a USB drive. Are you encountering an unhelpful error message while trying to restore your Mac or reinstall macOS? The “recovery server could not be contacted” error commonly appears in Recovery Mode but can also affect the macOS upgrade and installation process. Here are some potential solutions to resolve the issue.

Check You’re Connected to the Internet

Being disconnected from the internet will prevent your Mac from accessing necessary servers for recovery, updates, or macOS installation. To verify your Wi-Fi connection, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of your screen. However, being connected to a local network doesn't necessarily imply internet connectivity. To confirm if the internet is functioning, test it on other devices connected to your network.

If you suspect that the issue lies within your network hardware or local internet connection, attempt to resolve it by power-cycling your modem and router. To do this, turn them off, wait for about 30 seconds, then switch them back on and attempt to connect again.

Make Sure the Time and Date Are Correct

Apple’s servers may occasionally refuse to cooperate with a Mac if the time and date are incorrectly configured. Verify the accuracy of your Mac’s clock. For a typical modern Mac desktop, navigate to System Settings (or System Preferences) > General > Date and Time. Ensure that you have selected the option "Set time and date automatically" to synchronize your time with Apple’s servers.

If you’re stuck in Recovery Mode, you can use a Terminal command to set the time manually. First launch Terminal under Utilities > Terminal.

date mmddhhssyy

To set the time automatically on macOS 10.14 Mojave or later, you can also attempt using the following Terminal command:

sudo sntp -sS time.apple.com

If you’re running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or earlier you can instead use:

You will need to authenticate with your admin password when using the sudo command to run the following:

ntpdate -u time.apple.com

After ensuring that the time is accurately set, attempt again.

Install macOS Manually via USB

Instead of depending on your Mac to download the software at the time of installation, it is advisable to download macOS on your own and install it using a USB. Refer to our comprehensive guide for performing a USB installation (which also provides assistance for older versions of macOS), but keep in mind that you will require a functional Mac to accomplish this.

Alternatively, Wait and Try Again Later

If you decide not to erase your drive before installing macOS, your current user data will be preserved. However, if you prefer a completely fresh installation, there are two options available: you can easily erase your Mac or utilize Disk Utility in Recovery Mode to erase the macOS partition. In case you choose this route, it is crucial to back up your data first using Time Machine, whenever possible.

Server errors can occasionally occur due to temporary glitches. In the event of server maintenance or high traffic, you may encounter an error indicating unavailability. If feasible, it is advisable to wait for approximately an hour or two before attempting the operation again.

If restoring your old Mac via USB is the sole alternative, it may be worth contemplating the installation of an unsanctioned macOS version.