Reinstalling macOS is usually a last resort for troubleshooting persistent errors. While effective, it can be tedious, requiring backups and GBs of data downloads. The process is generally the same for most operating systems, including macOS, but developers are working to make it easier for users.
Apple, for its part, has introduced the Internet Recovery utility. Internet Recovery is an effective solution for the reinstallation of macOS which relies on an internet connection to successfully reinstall the operating system. This utility cuts down the manual labor involved in the whole process. To use Internet Recovery, the user just needs to hold down the Command + Option + R combination as soon as the Mac chimes while booting up. Once the Internet Recovery mode loads, the computer will start downloading the necessary resources.
After all the required resources have been downloaded to the computer, the user will then be presented with the Internet Recovery menu. The user should select the Reinstall macOS option from the menu, then select the destination for the new installation. Once all these are set up, the installation process will begin. Depending on the speed of the user’s internet connection, the whole process might take an hour to several hours.
Unfortunately, the Internet Recovery method is entirely dependent on your Internet access, which means that any connection problem that arises, such as disconnection or disruption of your internet connection, will lead to a failed installation. For example, you might encounter a crash during the installation process, returning the error code 5010F. This can occur when the user launches the Internet Recovery mode by pressing Command + Option + R, but for some reason, the utility fails to load. This particular problem prevents users from getting to the macOS Utilities menu, thus hindering the reinstallation process becomes inaccessible.
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This error can be quite frustrating, especially when you realize that your last resort is not actually working. How can you fix your computer when the error 5010F is stopping you from reinstalling macOS? The answer is obvious: you need to fix the error code 5010F first before you are able to access the Internet Recovery menu and reinstall a fresh copy of your operating system.
What is the Error Code 5010F on Mac?
The error code 5010F is an installation error that is caused by an interrupted internet connection. This error usually occurs when users are using the Internet Recovery mode to reinstall the macOS. Because the files are downloaded from the Apple server to the computer, a stable and fast internet is required. Depending on the version of macOS you want to reinstall, you will need to download at least 10 to 20 GB of data, which could take a few hours. It is important that the download is not interrupted, otherwise you’ll get the error code 5010F.
The error code 5010F is usually associated with the following error message:
An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.
apple.com/support
-5010F
When users get this error, they are stuck in a loop and can’t proceed with the installation. The case may seem hopeless at first because macOS won’t boot up and there is very limited troubleshooting you can do with a dead Mac.
What is the Cause of the Error Code 5010F?
Before we proceed with the methods to fix this error, let us look at first why this error happens in the first place. Now, when you reinstall macOS using Internet Recovery and the download gets interrupted for some reason, two things can happen: the installer gets corrupted or the NVRAM gets fried. Both of these scenarios lead to the appearance of the error code 5010F.
What are the factors that interrupt the download of the macOS installer? Here are some of them:
- Power surges
- Poor or unstable internet connection
- No power (the Mac ran out of battery or the power cable got pulled out)
- Human error
Aside from these factors, you can’t dismiss the possibility of a malware infection as the cause of this installation error.
How to Fix the Error Code 5010F on Mac
When the reinstallation of macOS fails and your Mac is getting the error code 5010F, you don’t have to worry because fixing this error is a piece of cake. There are actually several solutions you can employ, but you can work your way down the list to make sure you got all possibilities covered.
Here are some of the ways to deal with the error code 5010F on your Mac:
Fix #1: Use a Different Internet Connection.
One of the main causes of the error code 5010F on macOS is when the download gets interrupted because of slow or poor internet connection. Remember that you need to download several GB of data, which means that your internet connection should be stable all throughout. If you think your internet network is unstable, you can try using another network that has a good connection speed. You should also try to move to a location near the modem during the installation to make sure that you get the best Wi-Fi signal.
Fix #2: Reset Your Mac’s NVRAM.
NVRAM stands for non-volatile RAM and it is in charge of storing information about various aspects of macOS, including speaker volume, screen resolution, kernel panic reports, and startup disk selection. When the download of the macOS installer gets interrupted, the NVRAM gets corrupted in the process and causes the error code 5010F to pop up.
If this is the case, resetting the NVRAM should easily resolve this error. To do this:
- Shut down your Mac and then turn it back on by pressing the Power button.
- When you hear the startup chime, press and hold these buttons at the same time: Option + Command + P + R.
- Hold this key combination for at least 20 seconds.
- Release the keys when you hear the startup chime for the second time.
This process should completely reset the NVRAM and enable you to restart the Internet Recovery process.
Fix #3: Reinstall Using macOS Utilities.
If resetting the NVRAM or using a different network does not resolve the error code 5010F on Mac, you can try to do a clean install of the operating system instead. Take note that this will erase all your data, settings, apps, and preferences, so make sure that you have a backup before you do this.
To reinstall your operating system via macOS Utilities, follow the steps below:
- Turn on your Mac while holding down the following keyboard combination: Option + Command + R. Hold the keys until the Apple logo appears.
- Once the macOS Utilities window opens, click Disk Utility to reformat your hard drive and other internal hard disks.
- Choose the name of the drive and click Erase.
- In the format menu, choose Mac OS Extended > APFS.
- Type in a new name for your hard drive, then hit Erase.
Once the hard drive has been wiped clean, go back to the Recovery menu and choose Reinstall macOS this time. Follow the onscreen instructions to install a clean copy of the operating system on your Mac.
Wrapping Up
Fixing the error code 5010F is an easy thing to do if you know what the error is about and what caused it. Hopefully this article has given you enough information on the error code 5010F. If you’re unlucky to come across this error, just refer to the guide above and choose which solution works for you best.
Once the error has been resolved, make it a habit to clean up your system using a Mac repair tool and run your anti-malware software regularly. Keeping your system optimized at all times helps prevent errors like this from happening in the future.