Error code 5101F usually occurs when Mac users try to open Internet Recovery. If your computer’s startup disk has become corrupted or unreadable, launching Internet Recovery may be the only solution to restore your Mac. Let’s see how you can troubleshoot error 5101F and restore your Mac.
An outdated or incompatible Boot ROM version is a common trigger for this error. To check your Boot ROM version, click on the Apple logo, select About This Mac, click on System Report and then select Hardware.
Your Mac can run on an older Boot ROM or BIOS version. However, it won’t boot from the Recovery Partition if your Boot ROM version is outdated. So, the solution is to reinstall the initial macOS version and then update your OS and BIOS.
Press Shift + Option + Command + R to revert to your computer’s original macOS version. That’s the OS version installed from the factory. It usually takes about 30 minutes to reinstall the earlier version of macOS.
Then go to the App Store and upgrade to the latest macOS version.
Note: The update will take longer than usual. Sometimes, it can take up to two or three hours depending on your hardware configuration.
Once the update completed, check your Boot ROM version to make sure it was successfully updated. Check if this method ironed out the error.
As a quick reminder, the Command + Option + R command installs the latest macOS version available. On the other hand, the Shift + Option + Command + R key combination re-installs the OS version that initially came with your Mac.
You can also use the Command + Option + R command to fix error 5101F. A number of users confirmed this solution worked for them. Maybe it will work for you as well.
Use Carbon Copy Cloner
Another way to bypass error 5101F is to use the Carbon Copy Cloner. This tool preserves your OS files and other data on a bootable volume. If your Mac is unresponsive, you can use the backup to boot your computer.
First, you need to find another Mac that’s running the same macOS version as the problematic Mac.
Note: If the problematic Mac is running Mojave, the drive needs to be formatted in APFS (Apple File System).
Complete the cloning process and check if you can use your Mac and upgrade to the latest macOS version.
Disable Wi-Fi Router Security
As many of you already know, Mac computers are very picky when it comes to the type of Wi-Fi security you’re using. One reason you’re getting error 5101F is that your Mac doesn’t really like your Wi-Fi security configuration. So, temporarily disable security on your wireless router and check if you can restore your Mac. Alternatively, use a cable connection if that’s possible.
Reset NVRAM
Resetting the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) may help you to get rid of error 5101F.
Shut down your Mac computer.
Then press the Power button to boot up the device.
Immediately hold down the Command + Option + P + R keys. Do this while your Mac is booting up.
Keep holding down the four keys for 20 or 30 seconds. Then let your computer power up normally. By the way, if your Mac makes a startup sound, you can release the keys after the second chime.
Conclusion
Outdated Boot ROM versions, corrupted NVRAM issues, and incompatible router security settings may sometimes trigger error code 5101F on your Mac. To fix it, reinstall the macOS version that came with your Mac, reset the NVRAM, or use a cable connection. We hope you managed to fix this error with the help of this guide. Let us known which solution worked for you.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
Thank you for the suggestions; in my case the Mac won’t boot, it goes to the Apple logo and the loading bar, but there’s no progress, it stays there; NVRAM and SMC were reset; after a few tries on internet recovery (the globe would stop spinning, just freeze and stop the process, so no option to reinstall the OS) it finally came to the -5101F code; I tried 2 different HDs, same result; Apple diagnostics to test hardware will not finish, stops and hangs after a few minutes; this is a late 2015 27″ Retina 5K; is the “shift+option+command+R” done as the Mac starts? thanks for any help
Thank you for the suggestions; in my case the Mac won’t boot, it goes to the Apple logo and the loading bar, but there’s no progress, it stays there; NVRAM and SMC were reset; after a few tries on internet recovery (the globe would stop spinning, just freeze and stop the process, so no option to reinstall the OS) it finally came to the -5101F code; I tried 2 different HDs, same result; Apple diagnostics to test hardware will not finish, stops and hangs after a few minutes; this is a late 2015 27″ Retina 5K; is the “shift+option+command+R” done as the Mac starts? thanks for any help
Thank you so much the first option: Press Shift + Option + Command + R to revert to your computer’s original macOS version. Worked like a charm.
Thank you
This is very helpful ,,,,, thanks