Cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode or USB bootable drive

Hi there, you've probably found a solution by now, but in case others have not, I was encountering the same problem and none of these steps worked for me.

What did work for me is using command option R versus just command R. See Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/14xn7jt/cant_reinstall_mac_os_high_sierra/

I was then given the option to install Ventura versus High Sierra and continued on with no issues. This is for my MacBook that I purchased in 2018 and am getting ready to sell.

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support

when you get to this part:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

under: Other MacOS Installation Options:

• On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you might be offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. 

This will be a version tagged only to the serial number of your Mac. Any other source will be tied to your Apple-ID, and will require having that same Apple-ID on the computer to proceed.

to contact the Recovery server via Wi-Fi, your Wi-Fi must be PLAIN.

Common problems include:

Hidden Network-name

required use of a proxy server to get Internet access

required use of a login page to get Internet access

Use of a login server or certificate to get Internet access

Use of PPPoE in the Mac to get Internet access (typically only applies to DSL)

Use of Fixed IP address rather than good old DHCP

Variance of the time by more than five minutes

Failure of Router to provide workable DNS server addresses, or providing 0.0.0.0 [may produce -2002f]

If you have an Ethernet port, you may in some cases be able to move your Mac close to the Router and connect to the Router using Ethernet.

when you start up using Shift-Option-Command-R during startup,

what macOS is offered?

(your Mac originally appears to have shipped with Sierra 10.12.5)

You were fooling around with the Time. It needs to be correct within five minutes:

TIME:

Before 10.14 Mojave:

sudo ntpdate -vu time.apple.com

10.14 and later:

sudo sntp -sS time.apple.com

If you have a web browser available you can also use:

http://time.is

zzlian Said:

"Cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode or USB bootable drive: 'The problem is, I am getting the error "Cannot establish connection with the recovery server.'"

-------

Troubleshooting WiFi Updates:

A. Restart your Router:

There is obviously an issue connecting to Apple's servers. So, power off your router for 30 seconds, and then power it back on.

B. Try Using Ethernet:

If WiFi is not working for you, then try using Ethernet. With no Ethernet port, this is what to use: Apple USB Ethernet Adapter - Apple. You'd plug it directly into the router.

C. Try in Safe Mode:

Boot your Mac in Save Mode, trying this once more. In Safe Mode, settings are placed aside --settings that may b getting in the way here. Go here: Change Users & Groups Settings on Mac - Apple Support

D. Create a New Administrator:

Try creating a new Administrator user. Perform the upgrade with that.

... and you are proceeding and attempting to install it exactly from there, right? not a copy you obtained another way?

This probably does not apply, but: I was seeing Apple support as unresponsive this afternoon eastern time. maybe something was offline?

I have exactly the same problem and I have checked the same things you have (NTP time, etc.) . And I still cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode and I getting the same "The recovery server could not be contacted" error.

Did you get this resolved? How? Please let me know!

Thanks!

Annapolitano

Hi,

I'm having exactly the same issue with the same Macbook Pro Model (13-inch 2009). Yesterday I've erased the HD because I'm selling the laptop, and when I tried to reinstall MacOs High Sierra the issue with the connection to the recovery server always appears. I tried every solution proposed and nothing works for me. Included to plug the laptop to the router via LAN.

Tried to install from provided DVD with MacOS and after a while "doing things" the Macbook ask for restart and over and over the same.

Anyone knows the solution for the connection issue?

Thanks

Nemesys-_- Said:

”Cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode or USB bootable drive: Hi, I'm having exactly the same issue with the same Macbook Pro Model (13-inch 2009). Yesterday I've erased the HD because I'm selling the laptop, and when I tried to reinstall MacOs High Sierra the issue with the connection to the recovery server always appears. I tried every solution proposed and nothing works for me. Included to plug the laptop to the router via LAN.[…]”

———-

Installing macOS High Sierra:

Two Thoughts:

• Create a new administrator, and try it yourself once more.

• Create a Bootable Installer from a different Mac. Have no other Mac? Ask someone else if you may use their’s.

Hi TheLittles,

As I said in the post I've erased the partition then the first option is not available.

For the second option I tried to install from the provided DVD, but after a while the system ask to restart and the installation process never starts.

As I read this may be a Kernel Panic produced by a hardware issue. I've changed the memory but without success. Curiously the computer has been working fine until the erase of the partition, then I was unable to reinstall the MacOS.

I'm stuck with this issue.

Any help will be appreciated.