The “The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” error usually appears when macOS Recovery cannot connect to Apple’s servers. The most common causes are an unreliable internet connection, an incorrect date and time, an outdated macOS installer, or a temporary problem with Apple’s activation and recovery services.
Start by connecting your Mac to a reliable network, checking the date and time in Recovery, and trying again. If that does not work, use the troubleshooting methods below in order.
Quick Answer
To fix “The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted”:
- Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network or use Ethernet. 2. Restart the Mac and enter macOS Recovery again. 3. Check and correct the Mac’s date and time in Recovery. 4. Try a different network, preferably a personal hotspot. 5.
Why This Error Appears
macOS Recovery is a special startup environment that lets you reinstall macOS, repair storage, restore from a backup, and use Disk Utility. When you choose to reinstall macOS, the Mac generally needs to contact Apple to verify the installation and download the required files.
The error can occur when:
- The Mac is not connected to the internet.
- Wi-Fi requires a sign-in page, such as hotel or airport Wi-Fi.
- The network is blocking Apple’s recovery servers.
- The Mac’s date and time are incorrect.
- Apple’s servers are temporarily unavailable.
- The installed recovery environment is outdated or damaged.
- The Mac cannot reach the correct startup disk or firmware services.
- A VPN, firewall, DNS filter, or security tool interferes with the connection.
The problem is usually a connection or verification issue. It does not necessarily mean that the Mac’s hardware has failed.
Before You Begin
Back up important files
If you can start macOS normally, back up important files before using Disk Utility, erasing the disk, or reinstalling macOS. Use Time Machine or copy essential documents to another storage device or cloud service.
Disconnect unnecessary accessories
Shut down the Mac and disconnect external drives, USB hubs, printers, and other accessories. Leave only the keyboard, mouse, display, power adapter, and any essential wired network adapter connected.
An external drive can sometimes be selected accidentally in Disk Utility or interfere with startup.
Check Mac compatibility
If you are trying to install a newer version of macOS, first confirm that your Mac supports it. You can use this guide to check Mac compatibility before installing a macOS update.
1. Check the Internet Connection in macOS Recovery
A connection that works during normal startup may not work the same way in Recovery. Wi-Fi networks with a browser-based sign-in page are especially unreliable because macOS Recovery may not be able to display or complete the sign-in process.
On an Apple silicon Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears.
- Select Options, then click Continue.
- Select a Wi-Fi network from the Wi-Fi menu in the menu bar.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password.
- Wait a moment for the connection to become active.
- Try the macOS installation or recovery task again.
On an Intel-based Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold Command-R.
- Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
- Select a Wi-Fi network from the menu bar.
- Enter the password and wait for the connection.
- Try the operation again.
If the Wi-Fi network does not appear, move closer to the router or restart the router. If possible, connect the Mac to the router with an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is often more reliable in macOS Recovery.
2. Try a Different Network
Some networks block the traffic that macOS Recovery needs. This can happen on work, school, hotel, public, or managed networks.
Try one of these alternatives:
- Connect the Mac to a different home network.
- Use a personal hotspot from an iPhone or another phone.
- Connect through Ethernet.
- Temporarily disconnect from a VPN or network filtering service.
Avoid public Wi-Fi that requires you to accept terms in a web browser. If a personal hotspot works, the original network is likely blocking or interfering with the Recovery connection.
A hotspot may use cellular data, so check your data plan before downloading macOS.
3. Correct the Date and Time in Recovery
An incorrect date or time can prevent the Mac from securely connecting to Apple’s servers. This is one of the most useful fixes when Recovery reports that the server could not be contacted even though the Mac appears to be online.
Open Terminal in Recovery
- Start the Mac in macOS Recovery.
- Open the Utilities menu in the menu bar.
- Select Terminal.
- Type the following command and press Return:
sntp -sS time.apple.com
This attempts to synchronize the Mac’s clock with Apple’s time server. It changes only the system date and time; it does not delete files.
If the command reports an error, set the date manually. The format is:
date mmddHHMMyy
Replace the letters with the current month, day, hour, minute, and two-digit year. For example, 3:45 p.m. on October 8, 2025 would be:
date 1008154525
Use the current date and time when entering the command. Then close Terminal and try Recovery again.
If you successfully start macOS afterward, enable automatic time setting:
- Open System Settings.
- Select General.
- Click Date & Time.
- Turn on Set time and date automatically.
On older versions of macOS, open System Preferences, select Date & Time, click the lock if necessary, and enable automatic date and time.
4. Restart macOS Recovery
Recovery can occasionally lose its network session or fail to complete a connection. Restarting it gives the Mac a fresh recovery environment.
- Close Terminal and Disk Utility, if either is open.
- Choose Apple menu > Restart.
- Enter macOS Recovery again:
– On Apple silicon, hold the power button and select Options.
– On Intel-based Mac models, hold Command-R while starting up. - Reconnect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Try the installation or recovery option again.
Do not interrupt the Mac while it is installing macOS. Keep it connected to power throughout the process.
5. Use Internet Recovery on an Intel-Based Mac
Intel-based Macs can start a separate recovery environment directly from Apple’s servers. This can help when the local Recovery system is unavailable or damaged.
- Shut down the Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately hold Option-Command-R.
- Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
- Connect to Wi-Fi if prompted.
- Wait for macOS Recovery to load.
- Select Reinstall macOS and follow the onscreen instructions.
You can also try Command-R if you want to use the Mac’s built-in Recovery system, or Option-Command-R to access the latest macOS version compatible with the Mac.
The download may take a long time. Keep the Mac connected to power and do not close the lid on a Mac notebook.
6. Check the Startup Disk with Disk Utility
A damaged or incorrectly formatted startup volume can cause installation problems. Disk Utility’s First Aid feature checks the disk structure and repairs some errors.
Warning: First Aid is generally non-destructive, but it cannot repair every problem. Do not erase a disk or volume unless you have a current backup and understand that erasing permanently removes its contents.
- Start macOS Recovery.
- Open Disk Utility.
- Choose View > Show All Devices.
- Select the internal physical disk or the highest-level item in the sidebar.
- Click First Aid.
- Follow the prompts.
- Run First Aid on the volumes and containers beneath the internal disk if needed.
- Quit Disk Utility and try Reinstall macOS again.
If Disk Utility reports that the disk cannot be repaired, stop before erasing it. Back up data if possible and consider contacting Apple Support or an authorized service provider.
7. Remove a Failed Installer Download
If the Mac can start normally, a damaged or incomplete macOS installer may cause repeated installation failures. Removing the incomplete download allows macOS to obtain a fresh copy.
Look in the Applications folder for an app named Install macOS [version]. If it is incomplete or you no longer need it, move it to the Trash and empty the Trash.
You can also remove a failed update download using the steps in How to Remove a Failed macOS Update Download.
Warning: Do not delete an installer that you still need for another Mac or that you plan to use to create a bootable installer. Copy it to another drive first if necessary.
8. Use a Full macOS Installer
A full installer can be more dependable than relying on the smaller installation package retrieved during Recovery. This method requires access to another compatible Mac or a Mac that can start normally, plus enough storage for the installer.
Apple’s softwareupdate command can download compatible full installers. For example:
softwareupdate --list-full-installers
This lists full installers available for that Mac. To download a specific version shown in the results, use:
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.0
Replace 15.0 with a version listed on your Mac. The installer is normally placed in the Applications folder.
These commands download an installer; they do not erase the Mac or change the installed macOS version. For more detail, see How to Download the Full macOS Installer from Terminal.
Before using a full installer, confirm that the Mac supports that version and that sufficient storage is available.
9. Check Available Storage
A macOS installation needs temporary working space in addition to the installer’s download size. If the startup disk is nearly full, installation may fail or stop partway through.
If the Mac starts normally:
- Open the Apple menu.
- Select System Settings.
- Click General.
- Select Storage.
- Review the recommendations and remove files you no longer need.
Do not delete system folders or unknown files to make space. Move large personal files to an external drive only after confirming that the copies are complete.
For additional guidance, see How to Fix “Not Enough Space” When Installing a macOS Update.
Troubleshooting
Recovery cannot see any Wi-Fi networks
Restart the Mac and try Recovery again. Move closer to the router and confirm that Wi-Fi works on another device. If available, use Ethernet or a personal hotspot.
If Wi-Fi works in normal macOS but not in Recovery, the recovery environment may not include the required network support. A wired connection or bootable installer may be the better option.
The error returns after correcting the date
Try a different network and restart Recovery again. Also disconnect VPNs, network filters, and security devices. If the Mac’s clock repeatedly resets, the internal hardware or firmware may need service.
Internet Recovery is stuck on the spinning globe
Give it time if the network is slow, but do not continue indefinitely. Try another network, Ethernet, or a personal hotspot. If the spinning globe never progresses, use a bootable installer created on another compatible Mac or contact Apple Support.
Reinstall macOS fails but Disk Utility reports no errors
Confirm that the Mac is compatible with the version being installed, check available storage, and try Internet Recovery or a different network. If a complete installer is available, use it instead of the Recovery download.
Can I erase the Mac to fix the error?
Erasing the Mac does not usually fix a server connection problem. It also permanently removes data from the selected disk. Only erase the Mac after making a backup and confirming that you have a reliable way to reinstall macOS.
When should I contact Apple Support?
Contact Apple Support if:
- Recovery fails on multiple known-working networks.
- Disk Utility cannot repair the internal disk.
- The Mac cannot start any recovery environment.
- The Mac repeatedly loses its date and time.
- You see a globe, folder, or error code that does not resolve.
- You cannot back up important files before further troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this error mean Apple’s servers are down?
Not necessarily. The message can result from a local network problem, incorrect date and time, an outdated recovery environment, or a temporary Apple service issue. Trying another network helps distinguish between local and server-side problems.
Will reinstalling macOS delete my files?
A standard Reinstall macOS operation is designed to reinstall the operating system without intentionally removing personal files.
Do I need an internet connection to use macOS Recovery?
Many Recovery tasks work without internet access, including some Disk Utility operations. Reinstalling macOS and using Internet Recovery generally require a working internet connection.
Can I use a phone hotspot?
Yes. A personal hotspot can help bypass a router, DNS filter, or managed network that blocks Recovery traffic. Keep the phone near the Mac and monitor cellular data usage.
What if I do not know whether my Mac uses Apple silicon or Intel?
Open the Apple menu while macOS is running and choose About This Mac.
Final Thoughts
“The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted” is most often fixed by using a reliable network, correcting the date and time, and restarting macOS Recovery.