Command R Not Working

What is Mac Recovery mode, and why does it matter?

For those interested in what is MacBook Recovery mode, we’d say that Recovery mode is a built-in macOS feature that lets users access a suite of utilities from a special startup environment. More importantly, in Recovery mode, you can troubleshoot hardware and software issues, repair or restore your device, and even reinstall macOS–all without relying on the main operating system.

Why is Command R not working on Mac?

The Command + R shortcut is a crucial method to access Recovery mode on Intel-based Macs. However, it doesn’t always function as expected. This may happen for a variety of reasons: a faulty or unresponsive keyboard, a damaged recovery partition, a corrupted NVRAM, hard drive issues, or attempting to use this command on an Apple Silicon Mac (which requires a different startup process).

A note from our experts: 

 

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How to fix Command R not working on Mac?

We know that encountering the message “The recovery server could not be contacted” when trying to fix your Mac can be incredibly frustrating, and our first recommendation is to determine whether the issue stems from the Command + R shortcut not working as intended. To do this, we suggest you perform a few key checks: ensure your MacBook’s keyboard is functioning correctly, try accessing Internet Recovery mode, reset system components such as the SMC and NVRAM, and, if needed, reinstall macOS.

1. Check that your keyboard is working

Our basic piece of advice is to ensure that your Mac’s keyboard is functioning correctly. Based on our experience, this step applies whether you’re using your MacBook’s built-in keyboard or an external one, connected via cable or Bluetooth.

Try our tips to verify your keyboard’s functionality:

• Test all keys on your keyboard, especially Command and R, to see if your Mac responds as expected.
• Observe whether each key you press triggers the correct response from your Mac.
• If you’re using a wired keyboard, try disconnecting and reconnecting it.
• For wireless keyboards, disconnect and reconnect via Bluetooth.
• If possible, connect a different keyboard to test if the Command + R shortcut works.

2. Try restarting and holding Command+R again

Before moving on to more advanced solutions that require some technical expertise, try restarting your Mac first. This simple step can help determine if the issue was just a minor glitch.

Follow these steps to restart your Mac and attempt the Command + R shortcut again:

1. Go to the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Click Restart.
3. Press the Command + R keys again.
4. Release the keys once the progress bar appears on your screen.
5. Check whether your Mac has entered Recovery mode.

3. Check your recovery partition

Our next tip will help you determine whether the issue with the Command + R shortcut on your Mac is due to a problem with the recovery partition. At this point, we’d like to remind you that the recovery partition is essential for accessing key Mac features, such as troubleshooting problems, restoring backups, and reinstalling macOS.

Important: There are several reasons your Mac might not have a recovery partition. On newer devices, you may have accidentally deleted it. On older Macs, the recovery partition wasn’t included by default in those running Snow Leopard or earlier.

This is how to check if you have a working recovery partition in your Mac:

1. Go to Finder and select Applications from the sidebar.
2. Open the Utilities folder and launch Terminal.
3. Enter the diskutil list command.
4. Press Enter.
5. Check whether the first drive has a recovery partition.

4. Use Internet Recovery mode

Mac Recovery mode not working? If you suspect your Mac’s recovery partition is corrupted, we recommend trying the online alternative: Internet Recovery mode. This feature provides the same tools as standard Recovery mode, but works independently of your startup disk or a bootable USB drive.

To enter Internet Recovery mode on an Intel-based Mac, follow our guide:

1. Go to the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Click Shut Down.
3. Wait a few seconds.
4. Hold down the Shift + Option + Command + R keys simultaneously.
5. Release the keys once the spinning globe icon appears on your screen.
6. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
7. Check whether your Mac has booted into Internet Recovery mode.

5. Reset SMC

Our next tips require a bit of technical confidence, but they’re straightforward to follow. First, we’ll explain how to reset the SMC, a component in Intel-based Macs that manages various hardware functions, including some keyboard responses.

Here’s how to reset your Mac’s SMC on your Intel-based Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Choose Shut Down from the dropdown menu.
3. Press and hold Shift + Option + Control and the Power button at the same time.
4. Let go of all keys after 10 seconds.
5. Press the Power button again.

6. Reset NVRAM/PRAM

Based on our experience, another advanced tip worth trying is to reset the NVRAM/PRAM, which is only available on Intel-based Macs. Although this component primarily manages software settings, we also recommend resetting it to resolve unusual keyboard issues.

Follow our instructions to reset your MacBook’s NVRAM/PRAM:

1. Go to the Apple icon, then select Shut Down.
2. Press the Power button, then press and hold Command + Option + P + R.
3. Let go of all keys after 20 seconds.
4. Press the Power button again.

7. Use startup options (Apple Silicon Macs)

Are you certain your Mac is Intel-based? If the previous tips haven’t resolved your issue, we suspect it could be because you have a Mac with Apple Silicon instead. In that case, the Command + R shortcut won’t work, as it’s only compatible with Intel-based Macs.

Here’s how to enter Recovery mode on a Mac with Apple Silicon:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
2. Select the Shut Down option.
3. Press the Power button to turn on your Mac.
4. Keep pressing and holding the Power button.
5. Release the key once you see the startup options on your screen.
6. Let go of all keys after 10 seconds.
7. Press the Power button again.

8. Reinstall your macOS

At this stage, your issue is likely due to a persistent bug or software error. While it may seem drastic, we believe a clean macOS installation is often the most effective solution. Since Recovery mode via Command + R isn’t accessible, you’ll need to use a bootable installer to complete the process.

Once you’ve backed up your data, follow these step-by-step instructions to reinstall macOS on your Mac:

1. Download your macOS installer from the Mac App Store.
2. Connect an external drive to your Mac.
3. Go to the Applications folder, then open the Utilities folder.
4. Launch Disk Utility.
5. Select your external drive from the sidebar.
6. Click Erase.
7. Rename your disk as “MacInstaller”.
8. Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the disk’s format.
9. Hit the Erase button, then click Done.
10. Close the Disk Utility app.
11. Go back to the Utilities folder, and launch Terminal.
12. Enter the following command to create a bootable installer: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MacInstaller and don’t forget that you’ll have to change the macOS name for previous versions.
13. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar and select Restart.
14. Hold down the Power button until you see the startup options.
15. Choose the Install macOS Sequoia disk.
16. Select Reinstall macOS Sequoia, and follow the onscreen instructions.

A question to ask yourself: 

 

Mac Recovery mode not working yet? Check out our handy guide for additional tips.

Mac Command R not working: The ultimate solution

Your Mac starts acting up. You turn to Recovery mode as the go-to solution, only to discover that the Command + R shortcut fails you at the worst possible moment. Before losing hope, check that your keyboard is working properly, reset components such as the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM, or reinstall macOS.

If all this fails or you’re unsure how to proceed, having professional support can make all the difference. MacKeeper’s Premium Services are trusted by millions and deliver expert assistance when you need it most. Developed by Clario Tech, MacKeeper is a leading macOS utility that offers performance monitoring, real-time antivirus protection, and a suite of optimization tools.