MacBook trying to use Internet recovery even after I've connected install media
- 2021 MacBook Pro (has not been linked to my account yet)
- Intel silicon (90% certain on that)
- Terminated employee, had to erase the drive because we did not have their credentials
- Was running Monterey, trying to reinstall Monterey
- Attempted internet recovery about 10 times, but it failed after about 2-3 hours each time
- Checked my internet speeds, reporting about ~320 Mbps via wifi
- Followed the article to create install media (32GB Thumbdrive, connected via CalDigit USB 3.0 hub purchased from Apple ~1 year ago)
- Prompted to select bootable disk
- Select bootable disk (by clicking up arrow)
- System hesitates for a few seconds
- Prompts me to select wifi network (I've connected to the router via CAT 5e cable, so I don't know why this is)
- Select wifi network, enter password
- Shows that its starting internet recovery again
What's going on? Am I doing something wrong? I've been trying to get this dumb thing to work for over a week now and I'm at my wit's end!