How to Fix The Recovery Server Could not be Contacted on Mac

I ran into this error recently while installing MacOS High Sierra.

To fix this error:
Check that WiFi is turned on, try to install again.
If that does not work, adjust the time in terminal:

Type in: date -u {month}{day}{hour}{minute}{year}

Should look like this: date -u 0711004322

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#MacOS #Servercouldnotbecontacted #highsierra

[roxydog]

At 1:50 you said we can go back in but you didnt say or show where

[Miks]

Once you put the date in the terminal, press Command + Q. Then go to the disk and attempt to redownload MacOS. Worked perfectly for me.

Thank you for the video.

[RaulJazielEscobar-sdpb]

Thanks so much ! After months of not being able to use my laptop I finally found this video. I have a 2017 macbook pro and Updated the date in terminal, turned it off, turned it back on and pressed (cmmnd)+(option) + R key and mac ventura showed up. Thanks so much!

[GrimaldiSound]

This hasn't worked for me at all :( Are you 'quitting' terminal to get back to the recovery mode screen?

[diegozl]

alright guys so I'm pretty sure 90% of you guys are stuck in the Mac OS Sierra. turn off your your MAC. then when you turn it on press the option+command+R at the same time till you see a Globe spinning (that is first sign its correct) connect to your wifi. the start up screen should have changed from Sierra to Ventura, if not try again until Ventura is the start up.. then you should be set.

[syedbukhari]

Guys when you reboot your Mac, simultaneously hold down these keys Command + Option + R (not just Apple/Command + R). In the 'Reinstalling MacOS' field, it will offer you Ventura. If you only hold down 'Command + R, ' the system takes you to an older recovery setup offering older OS like High Sierra, which Apple no longer supports. That's why you get the message: 'Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted.' So all that changing the time stuff won't help. Good luck 😊

[cannyclever]

At first this didn't work but I did try quite a few times and it's now all installed and working. Thank you for this video - was a huge help!

[opeoluwa]

Bro how did u quit terminal without it cancelling

[namiyoma]

My Wi-Fi is on and I did the terminal for the date, it still didn’t work for me. I got my macOS by installing it in the internet recovery mode. Shut down your Mac, turn it on again and hold option+command+R until you see the moving globe. Once it finishes loading, it’ll take you back to the same macOS utility page. Click reinstall and it should work, just follow the instructions that come up.

Well this is what worked for me at least. Hope this helps you all!

[yewtewbtoo]

You said it now showed the correct date, but I saw no indication it was the wrong date in the first place.

[juanvera]

Dude I want to thank you MUCH!!! I bought a 2012 Mac Book Pro. I got it Thursday. The previous owner had encrypted the hard drive. I tried to clone it, but couldn't due to the encryption. That then caused me to brick my Mac within 48 hours. YOU ROCK!!! Again thank you. You EARNED a new sub and thumbs up.

[my-eroi]

What if I check my wifi and did the date but still didn’t work

[hakimalsaad]

Try this and ignore this help video as it's out of date!

Try this and ignore this help video as it's out of date!
When you reboot your Mac, simultaneously hold down these keys: Apple(Command) + Option + R (ie not just Apple/Command + R). In the 'Reinstalling MacOS' field, it will offer you Ventura or other recent OS and off you go. If you only hold down 'Command + R' the system takes you to an older recovery setup offering older OS like High Sierra, which Apple no longer supports. That's why you get the message: 'Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted! So all that changing the time stuff won't help. Good luck!

[mjum]

I’m still getting the same message again.

[mushp]

How do u go back in after setting the date

[alanpayne]

You don’t have to type the “-u”. Just type date” then a space, then type in date info etc. that was just my case anyway. Thanks for information extremely useful 👍🏿👍🏿

[Patph]

after changing the date and then reinstalling, it is still the message server Could not be Contacted, could you please to give another way?

[williamtinazajr.]

So what will next steps if this both steps is not working to my imac 🖥️

[TorontoRealEstateAgent]

Thank you soooo much Ian for such a helpful video! 🙏🏼 Strangely both troubleshooting solutions did not work for me. I ended up chatting with an Apple Specialist and their recommendation worked which was restarting the MacBook. While the MacBook is restarting (once you see the Apple icon) press and holding the following three keys for several seconds while the computer is restarting: hold down Option + Command + R. This solution worked for me in case it helps anyone else!

[francescocavalli]

Guys, if it doesn't work you have to do this.

- Shutdown
- Turn On and press cmd + Alt(option) + R for a few seconds
- It will return you a new page where you can instal macOS Monterey istead of Sierra