What does this mean? I’m trying to reinstall macOS High Sierra! Can’t get past this error message “the recovery server could not be contacted”
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Solved.
In my case I was trying to do a re-install of the OS form the startup utilities and kept getting this error.
The trick was to set the clock. Start the Terminal app from utilities to get a bash terminal. Type `date` to display the current date/time. In my case it was set to January 1st. I remember it was common with Windows Update to fail to update your system if the system clock was not "close" to the correct time.
Set the date with:
date 1114125317
(this example sets the date to November 14th, 12:53 2017)
Re-run the recover OS option and it should work.
Resetting the time didn't work for me. This did>
https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-reset-restore-hosts-file-to-its-original-versi on-in-mac-windows/
I had the same issue. No luck upon many retries. Same error message. What worked for me was simply restarting the computer. Not a techie guy! Glad the easy street worked for me.
Thanks.
Setting to the correct time and date fixed the first error message issue
Wi-fi is available, however, you’ll find the fastest (and likely most secure) connection will be found by directly connecting your machine using an Ethernet cable directly to your modem (or router).
I had this issue. I plugged the macbook pro 15in into my network with a usb to ethernet adapter and plugged it into the network. Then it worked
check your wifi. check your wifi. check your wifi.
I just came across the same issue. It appears that at that screen your wifi settings need to be entered as it is a new setup screen. This just worked for me and I’m now installing the macOS.
PLUG YOUR COMPUTER INTO POWER. I was having this issue, and as soon as I plugged it in to charge, it worked.
Try using a different network and check again. It might work.
This discussion string is misleading—Apple shows that their servers being busy "solved" this problem. Jo's answer here solved the problem for me. It seems if your computer does not have the correct date and time it can't properly connect to the server. Thanks Jo. This worked.
I hope this will help those who don't have the clock issue.
It's really very simple but Apple somehow doesn't make it clear.
You need to log onto your WiFi, if not using an Ethernet cable. To do so click the icon in the top right corner of the screen, choose your network, and enter your password...
Cheers all
This totally worked for me. Your mouse won’t work (as no WiFi yet) so just start typing and using scroll keys on keyboard to select your WiFi, then select recovery HD. It takes you through the process from there. Thanks for solution.
For me it was that my WiFi was not connected along with my Bluetooth mouse so I got a usb mouse and clicked on the WiFi symbol in the top right and went thru the steps to connect including typing in the pw.
I suggest you contact Apple support directly. I had to find someone who had the actual thing on a flash drive and downloaded it that way but Apple support should be able to guide you through it
Hi, I suspect there’s something yo7 missed. Please double check the step when you enter the date command and make sure it’s the correct format. Thanks and hope it works
"Recovery server could not be contacted" Error Message
