Written by
Sherry SongEncountering the "Activation Lock server cannot be reached" error on your Mac can be annoying, especially when you must bypass Activation Lock or remove this error in macOS Recovery Mode.
I received this error while reinstalling macOS in macOS Recovery Mode. I tried many ways but can't remove this error. -discussion.apple.com
When I need to restart my Mac to install and update, I was blocked at the error “Activation lock status could not be determined, activation lock server cannot be reached”. Now every time in Recovery Mode, I get the same error. -reddit.com
This issue is often related to network connectivity, incorrect system settings, or server-related problems. In this guide, we will walk you through various solutions to fix the error and successfully activate your Mac.
How to fix Activation Lock server cannot be reached
Here iBoysoft summarizes and lists the effective methods that many Mac users have worked out:
# 1 Check Internet connection
Since Activation Lock requires an Internet connection to verify your Apple ID, start by ensuring your Mac is properly connected:
- If using Wi-Fi, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner and select a reliable network.
- If using Ethernet, check the cable connection and try another port if needed.
- In macOS Recovery, choose Utilities > Terminal.
- Type ping -c 5 apple.com and press the Enter key. (This is a connectivity test.)
If you don't receive a response, your Internet connection is likely down or restricted. Then try using a different network, such as a mobile hotspot.
# 2 Set the correct data & time
Incorrect date and time settings can prevent your Mac from communicating with Apple's servers. Let's adjust it:
- In macOS Recovery, choose Utilities > Terminal.
- Type ntpdate -u time.apple.com and press the Enter key.
- If that fails, manually type date MMDDHHMMYYYY and press the Enter key.
(For example, date 031010302025 sets the data to March 10, 10.30 AM, 2025.)
# 3 Change DNS server
Switching to a public DNS server can help bypass network restrictions like the activation server couldn't be reached.
- In macOS Recovery, choose Utilities > Terminal.
- Type networksetup -setdnsservers Wi-Fi 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 and press the Enter key.
- Restart your Mac and try again.
# 4 Check Apple System Status
Apple's Activation Lock servers may occasionally experience downtime, preventing successful activation.
- Visit Apple's System Status page.
- Look for "Apple ID" and "Activation Lock" services.
- If there's an outage, wait and try again later.
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# 5 Reset NVRAM and SMC
Resetting your Mac's NVRAM and SMC can resolve firmware-related issues like the activation server cannot be reached in macOS Recovery, affecting Activation Lock.
Reset NVRAM (Intel Macs):
- Turn off your Mac.
- Turn it back on and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R.
- Keep holding for about 20 seconds until you hear the startup chime twice.
Reset SMC (Intel Macs):
MacBooks with T2 Chip:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Hold Control + Option (left side) + Shift (right side) for 7 seconds.
- Continue holding and press the Power button for another 7 seconds.
- Release all keys and turn on your Mac.
MacBooks without T2 Chip:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Unplug the power cable and wait 15 seconds.
- Plug it back in and turn on your Mac.
# 6 Disable firmware and safety software
Certain security settings or third-party security software can interfere with activation.
- If you previously set up a firmware password, disable it in macOS Recovery: Go to Utilities > Startup Security Utility. Then click Turn Off Firmware Password and enter your password.
- If using third-party antivirus software, disable it temporarily.
# 7 Try Internet Recovery
If you find Mac Recovery Mode isn't working, try Mac Internet Recovery:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it back on and immediately hold Option + Command + R.
- Wait for the spinning globe to appear, indicating that macOS is downloading recovery tools from Apple's servers.
- Once Internet Recovery loads, attempt to activate your Mac again.
The "Activation Lock server cannot be reached" error is usually caused by network or system setting issues. By following the steps above, hope that you can work out your problem. Why not share our post?
