Error -2003F error during macOS reinstallation after incorrect password attempts

Question

Level 1

4 points

Error -2003F error during macOS reinstallation after incorrect password attempts

I received this error after trying to reinstall macOS on my Mac. Here's the story: I entered the login password incorrectly several times, and my access was blocked. When I tried to enter the password in Disk Utility, I got a message saying that the account was temporarily locked. I left it for a day, but it was still blocked, so I decided to reinstall macOS.

After starting the reinstallation process, the loading bar reaches about halfway, then it stops and shows the error -2003F, as seen in the picture. I understood from the call center that the laptop needs to be sent to an authorized repair center along with the proof of purchase, but I bought the laptop from a friend who no longer has the invoice.

So, just because I entered the wrong password a few times, now I have to throw away the laptop? What can be done in this situation?

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Error -2003F

MacBook Pro 15″

Posted on Jul 15, 2025 03:13 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 15, 2025 08:14 AM in response to iulian146

In Internet Recovery, these low negative thousands error messages indicate that your provided Wi-Fi Network is inadequate in some fashion, and cannot be used (for this purpose) in its current state. We have seen -2000 to -6000 reported, often with a letter appended.

Common problems include:

Hidden Network-name

required use of a proxy server to get Internet access

required use of a login page to get Internet access

Use of a login server or certificate to get Internet access

Use of PPPoE in the Mac to get Internet access (typically only applies to DSL)

Use of Fixed IP address rather than good old DHCP

Variance of the time by more than five minutes

Failure of Router to provide workable DNS server addresses, or providing 0.0.0.0 [may produce -2002f]

If you have an Ethernet port, you may in some cases be able to move your Mac close to the Router and connect to the Router using Ethernet.

The higher the number, the more obscure the problem.

Reply