How to Resolve Error Code -2003f on Mac

Reinstalling macOS is the last resort for fixing Mac errors. It can be done via the Recovery menu, which can be accessed by holding Command + R during startup. You can use a bootable USB drive or Internet Recovery, which is faster and more convenient, but may not be a good option if your internet connection is unstable. The error code -2003f can occur during reinstallation, causing the installation to fail, as reported by some Mac users trying to reinstall macOS Sierra or other versions.

What Is Error Code -2003f?

Error code -2003f happens when users try to re-install macOS using Internet Recovery after reformatting the drive. The error may cause your Mac to freeze and the installation of the operating system to fail. Aside from an unresponsive machine, you might also see a spinning globe or a blank screen that means the reinstallation process got stuck. You might even lose all access to your computer because of the bug.

Some users who were trying to install macOS Sierra but got error code -2003f reported seeing a flashing folder with a question mark before the error appeared. The flashing folder with a question mark means that your Mac cannot find its system software, making it impossible to proceed with the installation.

What Causes Error Code -2003f?

A poor internet connection is the leading cause of this error. Negative error codes in this range are usually associated with Wi-Fi problems. This means that your internet connection is not sufficient to successfully complete the process. The error often happens when you’re doing internet recovery over Wi-Fi connection.

Aside from an unstable internet connection, other factors that could lead to error code -2003f include virus infection, hard disk errors, and incomplete installation of macOS. We’ve listed here several ways to resolve this problem and get rid of this error code.

How to Fix Error Code -2003f

Fixing error code -2003f is simple, especially once you’ve narrowed down the real cause of the problem. Getting rid of the junk files on your Mac with the help of Mac repair app can help rule out other factors that might be causing the error. Scan your Mac with your antivirus software as well before doing any troubleshooting to make sure that viruses are not wreaking havoc on your computer.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you can then proceed with the fixes below.

Fix #1: Switch to Wired Connection.

Since the main reason behind this error is a poor internet connection, switching to wired connection should be your first course of action. Disconnect your Wi-Fi connection first, then restart your router. Next, use an Ethernet cable to connect your Mac to your router, then try running Internet Recovery again to see if the error has been resolved.

Fix #2: Reset PRAM and NVRAM.

Another way to fix error code -2003f is to reset the Parameter RAM (PRAM) or Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM). NVRAM, which is the modern version of PRAM, stores system settings, including serial port configuration and definition.

To reset your Mac’s PRAM/NVRAM, follow the steps below:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. When you hear the startup sound, hold down Command + Option + P + R immediately.
3. Hold this combination for 20 seconds, then let go to continue booting up.
4. If you have an older version of Mac, keep holding the keys until you hear the second startup sound.

Try reinstalling via Internet Recovery again to see if you can complete the process successfully.

Fix #3: Run Disk Utility.

A damaged or defective hard drive can lead to several problems for your Mac, including the error code -2003f . You can use macOS’ built-in disk utility to repair a damaged or defective hard drive.

Follow these instructions to run the disk tool to restore your drive:

1. Launch macOS Utilities by restarting your Mac and holding down Command + R.
2. Release the keys when the macOS Recovery page loads.
3. Click on Disk Utility from the options, then hit Continue.
4. Click View, then Show All Devices.
5. Choose your installation disk from the sidebar.
6. Click the First Aid Button > Run.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the disk.

Once the hard drive has been repaired, check if you can reinstall macOS without encountering the error code -2003f .

Fix #4: Use a Bootable USB Installer

If reinstalling via Internet Recovery doesn’t work, you can use a bootable installer instead to install the Mac operating system. This allows you to install macOS even with poor internet connection.

To create your bootable installer, follow the steps below:

1. Download your preferred macOS. For macOS Mojave, you can get it directly from the App Store.
2. For older versions of macOS, check the Purchased tab of your App Store and download the installer from there.
3. When the installer loads after downloading, quit it immediately.
4. Find the installer file in your Applications folder. It should be named Install ‘[macOS version]’>.
5. Connect the USB device or external hard drive you are going to use as the bootable media to your Mac. Make sure it has at least 12GB of free space and is formatted as Mac OS Extended.
6. Launch Terminal from the Utilities folder.
7. Type in the command that corresponds to the macOS version you want to install:
   • Mojave: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume
   • High Sierra: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume
   • Sierra: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume –applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app
   • El Capitan: sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume –applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app
8. Hit Enter to execute the command.
9. Type in your account name and password to proceed.
10. Press Y to erase the volume.
11. Wait for the process to be completed, then eject the volume afterwards.

To use the bootable installer to reinstall macOS, edit your startup preferences using Startup Manager and choose your USB or hard drive as the startup disk. Your computer will then start up to macOS Recovery. Just click the Install macOS button and follow the on-screen instructions from there.

Summary

Getting error code -2003f while reinstalling macOS via Internet Recovery can be irritating because it compounds whatever problem you are experiencing instead of fixing it. Fortunately, the methods above should help resolve this error and allow you to finish the installation process successfully.