If you z. If, for example, you want to install an operating system using the recovery mode of the Apple Mac, this can lead to an error The recovery server could not be reached come. There are various reasons for this and, accordingly, various possible solutions. In this guide you will find help for eliminating the error so that the desired installation of macOS works. If your solution is not included below, please leave a comment so that I can add it.
Chapter in this post:
Causes: The recovery server could not be reached
The Mac OS error or macOS error that throws the message "The recovery server could not be reached" can have various causes. If a cause from the following list could apply to you, you will find the corresponding solutions under the next subheading:
- Internet connection was interrupted, for example the WLAN connection
- The system time (and time zone) does not match the current time
Solving the Mac error for a clean macOS installation
Whether it's reinstalling the original Mac OS that came with the Mac, iMac, or MacBook, or installing the latest macOS onto an empty, newly installed hard drive - there are many situations in which the named error could occur. If you cannot install the Apple operating system, you can use the following solutions.
Reconnect to the Internet, ideally via LAN
Since the current models of the Apple Mac no longer have a DVD drive, the operating system is loaded from the Internet during the restoration. If the server cannot be reached, this may be due to the internet connection. So checks whether the WLAN network can be reached and data can flow. If necessary, deletes the WLAN connection and re-establishes it by selecting the network and entering the password. Alternatively, you can connect the Apple Mac to the router using a LAN cable - this is the best solution for a permanently stable connection and a fast macOS download.
Set the system time in the system settings or via the terminal
Do you have access to the system settings, then call it the point Date / time on. Is the date and time correct? And if the information in the tab is correct time zone? If not, then correct that - best (with an existing Internet connection) by ticking "Set date and time automatically" and selecting "Apple Europe (time.europe.apple.com)". If that doesn't help or you can't access the settings, just use that Port. In recovery mode you can do it via menu bar -> Utilities -> Port call. In it give the order
ntpdate -u time.apple.com
or the command
sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com
and confirms it with Enter. The system time should then correspond to the server time again and access to the recovery server should work. Isn't that the case with you? Feel free to leave a comment with your installation problem and / or your solution for it;)
- Rieger, Jörg (Author)
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Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de
The command ntpdate has been removed from Mojave. How do I get on here?
Hello Flix! What exactly do you need Maybe someone else has an installer for the macOS you're looking for. ;-)
Hi! Do you have a solution for this? I'm sitting on it too ...
Hello Karol91! What do you need?
Can't read Apfelot?
The command line command “ntpdate” has been removed under Mojave!
So “ntpdate -u time.apple.com” is no longer possible!
Right, you are right. Now you can
sudo sntp -sS hostnameas an alternative tosudo ntpdate -u hostnameuse.It doesn't work that way for me either, have you found a solution?
Also look for the current Terminal command in macOS Mojave to set the time zone. Otherwise I cannot restore the MacBook
Hello Rebekah! Take a look at the post here: https://www.sir-apfelot.de/os-x-cant-be-verified-und-error-occured-while-preparing-the-installation-26722/ It explains how to set the time with the terminal.
How do I set up or set a LAN connection in the boot menu? There is only WLAN selectable?
Hello Stephan! The Mac recognizes a LAN connection immediately without any settings. Just plug in the cable and you're done. : D
Mr. Appleot you know that I followed the instructions exactly and made sure that the LAN cable was connected well, but I entered the process ntpdate -u time.apple.com to start the recovery but there is me the same error message, i read the comments and i put the one that was “updated” but not what can be done because i don't want to take it to a technical service.
Hello Lino! Unfortunately I can't help you remotely. Also because the translation doesn't seem to be that good. Unfortunately I do not understand your question correctly.
I followed all the instructions but I get the same message, what should I do?
Maybe there is another reason for you? Unfortunately I have no idea how to help. The instructions helped me.
Mr Jens! I found the solution which is to use the commands (Command+Option+R) which will bring you to a dialog which is the internet restore and it would be the same process as a clean install anyway thank you thank you thank you thank you Mr .Jen
Hello Lino! Oh, I already knew that it existed, but I didn't understand where you got stuck, so I couldn't really help. But glad your problem is fixed. That makes me happy!
Hello, Jens
I'm trying to reinstall a 2011 MacBook Pro using Recovery Mode High Sierra. The connection is equipped with a stable and high-performance LAN connection to the Internet. The date/time is correct, but I still get the message that the recovery server cannot be reached. Is it possible that Apple no longer offers High Sierra at all? Other manufacturers also throw away access to old data carriers after a few years. Do you know anything in this direction?
Greetings Ralph
Hello Ralph,
I'll jump in at this point because Jens is on vacation.
If you have another Mac handy, you can create a boot stick on it to install High Sierra. To do this, you can use the macOS either manually download it from the App Store and then create an installation medium with it (explained here using Mojave as an example). Or you use ANYmacOS, where the latest version macOS 10.13.6 is available. With the app you can not only complete the download, but also create an installer directly on a boot stick.
Best regards
John