Fix: The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted – Mac OS Sierra

Fix: The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted – Mac OS Sierra

If you are trying to install Mac OS X (while in mac os recovery mode) onto a new volume on your Mac over your LAN network or Wi-Fi, you may receive an error.

 

The recovery server could not be contacted.

 

A solution provided by a user (Brano) on our site:

1. Launch Terminal and type:

 

ntpdate -u time.apple.com

 

 

Note: If you receive "operation not permitted" put sudo in front of the command.

 

sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com

 


2. Proceed normally.

 


The problem is, SYSTEM DATE is wrong, and CERT validation is failing (https)

First, ensure your Mac is connected to a wired or wireless network. To connect wired network, plug an Ethernet cable in. To connect to a wireless network, go to the top right corner of the screen and choose the wireless icon and connect to a network.





If you are still experiencing the issue, it is very likely that the Apple servers are busy processing download requests for other users. You may also see your installation time rise significantly but come down suddenly over time.

 

If you are currently experiencing this issue, use the comment form below to let us now.

 


* Please use the comment form below. Comments are moderated.*



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Comments 105

Guest - Carl on Thursday, 27 June 2019 17:10

It's probably not the problem you're having but I wasn't connecting to the internet even though I entered my password and it was accepted. While on the phone with Apple tech support, it was suggested that I probably wasn't connected to the internet. I saw that the Wi-Fi symbol in the menu bar was grayed out, selected it, entered my password there and voilà, I was able to reach the recovery server and easily install Mac OS X 10.14.5.

It's probably not the problem you're having but I wasn't connecting to the internet even though I entered my password and it was accepted. While on the phone with Apple tech support, it was suggested that I probably wasn't connected to the internet. I saw that the Wi-Fi symbol in the menu bar was grayed out, selected it, entered my password there and voilà, I was able to reach the recovery server and easily install Mac OS X 10.14.5.
Guest - Steven A on Tuesday, 14 May 2019 11:55

Sorry but I still cannot get rid of the error, I am connected via Ethernet and Wifi and ran the Sudo command several times... I have tried deleting and formatting my HD but the error still happens.

any other ideas

Sorry but I still cannot get rid of the error, I am connected via Ethernet and Wifi and ran the Sudo command several times... I have tried deleting and formatting my HD but the error still happens. any other ideas
Guest - Adam on Sunday, 12 May 2019 16:55

This worked perfectly the first time

This worked perfectly the first time
Guest - Amy on Sunday, 11 November 2018 21:43

THANK YOU!!! This worked for me!

THANK YOU!!! This worked for me!
Guest - Brad Storrs on Monday, 01 October 2018 23:08

I'm still not having any luck after trying the steps mentioned. Still it reads: The recovery server could not be contacted.
Please help!

I'm still not having any luck after trying the steps mentioned. Still it reads: The recovery server could not be contacted. Please help!
Guest - Simone on Friday, 31 August 2018 11:12

Hi, I have tried this a few times now, without success. I am trying to reinstall from Recovery Mode. And always still get the same message. Any more ideas how to crack this? Thanks

Hi, I have tried this a few times now, without success. I am trying to reinstall from Recovery Mode. And always still get the same message. Any more ideas how to crack this? Thanks
Guest - Andrew D on Saturday, 11 August 2018 18:38

thank you this help solve my problem. first I was receiving an issue but it was due to not being connected to my Wifi. thank you for the help.

thank you this help solve my problem. first I was receiving an issue but it was due to not being connected to my Wifi. thank you for the help.
Guest - milanhawkin on Friday, 10 August 2018 21:27

you are such a savior!

you are such a savior!
Guest - Laura on Sunday, 05 August 2018 21:43

I did the terminal reset thing a bunch of times, and still no luck. I also did the hosts suggestion, and still getting the error message.

I did the terminal reset thing a bunch of times, and still no luck. I also did the hosts suggestion, and still getting the error message.
Guest - Barry on Thursday, 02 August 2018 04:43

I needed to run the terminal command three or four times but it finally updated and it works a treat. Thanks!

I needed to run the terminal command three or four times but it finally updated and it works a treat. Thanks!
Guest - J. T. on Wednesday, 25 July 2018 14:07

Brano,
If I could kiss you I would!

Brano, If I could kiss you I would!
Guest - Brandi on Tuesday, 17 July 2018 18:49

After typing ntpdate -u time.apple.com,
It returned with teo messages, Can’t find host nor servername provided
And
No servers can be used, exiting

After typing ntpdate -u time.apple.com, It returned with teo messages, Can’t find host nor servername provided And No servers can be used, exiting
Guest - Pablo C on Wednesday, 27 June 2018 15:42

Nothing works for me from previous comments. Whetever I do I am always downloading a 19mb installer application with the same message "The recovery server could not be contacted".

Nothing works for me from previous comments. Whetever I do I am always downloading a 19mb installer application with the same message "The recovery server could not be contacted".
Guest - Maha on Thursday, 14 June 2018 20:52

I don’t understand what should doing after Waited the command?

I don’t understand what should doing after Waited the command?
Guest - Tim O on Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:24

Worked like a charm


Tim O

Worked like a charm Tim O
Guest - Pirlo on Friday, 25 May 2018 08:00

I did all the steps, but after it said "downloading High Sierra, etc etc etc" it stood there for more than 2-3 Hours.

Please help.

I did all the steps, but after it said "downloading High Sierra, etc etc etc" it stood there for more than 2-3 Hours. Please help.
Guest - Neil on Friday, 27 April 2018 00:35

I get a [-bash-3.2# when I open Terminal. What is that?

I get a [-bash-3.2# when I open Terminal. What is that?
Guest - Richard Dodson on Thursday, 29 March 2018 22:16

Completed all the above steps and nothing works, but i didn't complete one on deleting file bc i never got the message that step suggested

Completed all the above steps and nothing works, but i didn't complete one on deleting file bc i never got the message that step suggested
Guest - Buddy on Wednesday, 28 March 2018 06:01

what i did and it finally worked

1. did the terminal thing which you can find by searching it in the right search bar (did it about 5 times)

2. clicked on the internet symbol and clicked the WIFI name about 3 times

3. checked back on the update and it finally let me through to the terms and conditions page!

probably just luck but maybe just try it out just in case. It might work you never know.

Good luck everyone!

what i did and it finally worked 1. did the terminal thing which you can find by searching it in the right search bar (did it about 5 times) 2. clicked on the internet symbol and clicked the WIFI name about 3 times 3. checked back on the update and it finally let me through to the terms and conditions page! probably just luck but maybe just try it out just in case. It might work you never know. Good luck everyone!
Guest - Tobe on Saturday, 24 March 2018 15:15

Adjusting time did not work for me. I've been working with Apple support for 4 weeks. He is now suggesting I back up my Mac and we wipe it clean and reinstall the OS.

Adjusting time did not work for me. I've been working with Apple support for 4 weeks. He is now suggesting I back up my Mac and we wipe it clean and reinstall the OS.
Wednesday, 09 July 2025