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 - Brentt Studio on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 14:48

it's because of network connection issue

SOLUTION : in recovery mode go to TERMINAL and write a command line

ifconfig et1 up

close terminal and try install Sierra again... works for me. Issue seems to to with WIFI or LAN inactive (check your network status)

it's because of network connection issue SOLUTION : in recovery mode go to TERMINAL and write a command line ifconfig et1 up close terminal and try install Sierra again... works for me. Issue seems to to with WIFI or LAN inactive (check your network status)
Guest - Krista on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 11:30

This does not work.

Typed it in the terminal and got this message:

24 Jan 12:29:22 ntpdate[6452]: Can't adjust the time of day: Operation not permitted

Now what? This is ridiculous.

This does not work. Typed it in the terminal and got this message: 24 Jan 12:29:22 ntpdate[6452]: Can't adjust the time of day: Operation not permitted Now what? This is ridiculous.
Guest - Gary on Monday, 22 January 2018 23:40

I am in the process of restoring my iMac. I got to the point where I was prompted to install the new OS. I received the message:"The recovery server could not be contacted.". When trying to change date in Terminal the keyboard was unresponsive. I do not know how to get past this. Do I need a a wired USB keyboard?

Help

I am in the process of restoring my iMac. I got to the point where I was prompted to install the new OS. I received the message:"The recovery server could not be contacted.". When trying to change date in Terminal the keyboard was unresponsive. I do not know how to get past this. Do I need a a wired USB keyboard? Help
Guest - Janine on Sunday, 21 January 2018 20:53

Changing the date worked to the point in the installation where it says "select the disk where you want to install macOS" I have no options on my screen and all it is allowing me to do is click "back" arrow. I have restarted it a few times to get stuck at this point.. Please help!

Changing the date worked to the point in the installation where it says "select the disk where you want to install macOS" I have no options on my screen and all it is allowing me to do is click "back" arrow. I have restarted it a few times to get stuck at this point.. Please help!
Guest - Chloe on Sunday, 21 January 2018 17:41

Typed this: ntpdate -u time.apple.com
Answer: no server suitable for synchronization found
Typed this: sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com
Answer: WARNING: Improper use of the sudo command could lead to data loss
or the deletion of important system files. Please double-check your
typing when using sudo. Type "man sudo" for more information.

To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort.

Password:

What do I do now?

Typed this: ntpdate -u time.apple.com Answer: no server suitable for synchronization found Typed this: sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com Answer: WARNING: Improper use of the sudo command could lead to data loss or the deletion of important system files. Please double-check your typing when using sudo. Type "man sudo" for more information. To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort. Password: What do I do now?
Guest - sergio on Friday, 19 January 2018 10:43

it works. thanks ???

it works. thanks ???
Guest - Dan on Wednesday, 17 January 2018 03:26

This worked for me "sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com"

This worked for me "sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com"
Guest - Paul on Monday, 15 January 2018 16:16

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I had this error and resetting the date allowed me to get around it and install the macOS

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I had this error and resetting the date allowed me to get around it and install the macOS
Guest - Anon73 on Sunday, 14 January 2018 23:10

Worked for me. I also had to delete the "InstallInfo.plist" file from my installer package. If you run into an issue where it says "This copy of Mac Os high sierra is damaged. cannot be used to install mac os" when you try to install from a bootable USB, then you have to delete that file. Here's how...

Step 1. Go to your applications folder.

Step 2. Find the installer for macOS Sierra.

Step 3. Right click on the installer and click "Show Package Contents".

Step 4. Click on folder named "Contents".

Step 5. Click on the folder named "SharedSupport".

Step 6. Delete the file named "InstallInfo.plist".

Step 7. Enter your administer password to confirm.

Step 8. Now open the installer.

Once you get past this, that is when you'll run into the "recovery server" issue. Run that "ntpdate -u time.apple.com" from a terminal window and you should be good to go. It worked for me.

Worked for me. I also had to delete the "InstallInfo.plist" file from my installer package. If you run into an issue where it says "This copy of Mac Os high sierra is damaged. cannot be used to install mac os" when you try to install from a bootable USB, then you have to delete that file. Here's how... Step 1. Go to your applications folder. Step 2. Find the installer for macOS Sierra. Step 3. Right click on the installer and click "Show Package Contents". Step 4. Click on folder named "Contents". Step 5. Click on the folder named "SharedSupport". Step 6. Delete the file named "InstallInfo.plist". Step 7. Enter your administer password to confirm. Step 8. Now open the installer. Once you get past this, that is when you'll run into the "recovery server" issue. Run that "ntpdate -u time.apple.com" from a terminal window and you should be good to go. It worked for me.
Guest - Sumesh on Tuesday, 09 January 2018 03:00

? This is frustrating and disgusting...
Will never buy Mac again in future ???

? This is frustrating and disgusting... Will never buy Mac again in future ???
Guest - Dolly on Monday, 08 January 2018 15:06

My wifi was disconnected. However I now enter my password and get stuck on my start up bar goes to the end then that's it any ideas please.

My wifi was disconnected. However I now enter my password and get stuck on my start up bar goes to the end then that's it any ideas please.
Guest - Eva Baisley on Wednesday, 03 January 2018 22:29

Trying to install macOS High Sierra. Keep getting error, cannot connect to Recovery Server.

Trying to install macOS High Sierra. Keep getting error, cannot connect to Recovery Server.
Guest - Kevin on Sunday, 31 December 2017 11:03

I downloaded Sierra last night and went through the installation process. This morning the computer said it timed out and click continue to restart download. I did and the computer restarted but in 10.9.5. App Store says it is INSTALLED but he the About this Mac says it isn't. So I clicked on the Install icon in the applications and I got the server can't be found. Followed all the fixes here and now it is re-installing but it seems stuck. How long does it take to upgrade from 10.9.5?

I downloaded Sierra last night and went through the installation process. This morning the computer said it timed out and click continue to restart download. I did and the computer restarted but in 10.9.5. App Store says it is INSTALLED but he the About this Mac says it isn't. So I clicked on the Install icon in the applications and I got the server can't be found. Followed all the fixes here and now it is re-installing but it seems stuck. How long does it take to upgrade from 10.9.5?
Guest - Adam on Saturday, 30 December 2017 01:42

BRANO - worked for me. Thank you! Note- I just installed a new hard drive, just for context

BRANO - worked for me. Thank you! Note- I just installed a new hard drive, just for context
Guest - Brian on Thursday, 28 December 2017 14:20

After I did what the above said by putting in the message below under terminal page, I still got same error as before.
ntpdate - u time.apple.com

Then I looked up in right hand corner and seen the Wi-Fi sign.
So I clicked on it, it showed I was connected to my Wi-Fi, but when I clicked my Wi-Fi name it come up requires password.

After I entered my password, it worked. I was able to download to High Sierra

After I did what the above said by putting in the message below under terminal page, I still got same error as before. ntpdate - u time.apple.com Then I looked up in right hand corner and seen the Wi-Fi sign. So I clicked on it, it showed I was connected to my Wi-Fi, but when I clicked my Wi-Fi name it come up requires password. After I entered my password, it worked. I was able to download to High Sierra
Guest - Jimmy on Thursday, 28 December 2017 06:49

It worked for me right away.

Thank you.

It worked for me right away. Thank you.
Guest - Pchy on Tuesday, 26 December 2017 21:33

I cannot update my mac to Sierra too. It showed the server could not be contacted.
Tried the above way by logging into terminal but following error message appeared "Can't adjust the time of day: Operation not permitted". (

I cannot update my mac to Sierra too. It showed the server could not be contacted. Tried the above way by logging into terminal but following error message appeared "Can't adjust the time of day: Operation not permitted". :((
Guest - Carly on Tuesday, 26 December 2017 16:37

Won't work, re-connected to internet, tried the terminal fix almost 20 times. Help? I'm just trying to update to 10 or higher from old mac to connect my ps4...

Won't work, re-connected to internet, tried the terminal fix almost 20 times. Help? I'm just trying to update to 10 or higher from old mac to connect my ps4...
Guest - Sectnet on Tuesday, 26 December 2017 15:54

This fix worked. Thanks!

This fix worked. Thanks!
Guest - Vince on Sunday, 24 December 2017 09:09

Fixed the date, connected to the internet. Still not working. Been going at this for two days.
I have an IP address so I know I'm connected to the internet.

Fixed the date, connected to the internet. Still not working. Been going at this for two days. I have an IP address so I know I'm connected to the internet.
Friday, 29 March 2024