Mac Software Update Not Working | 6 Proven Fixes to Try [Including macOS Monterey]

Are you using an outdated Mac? You shouldn't be, because your precious MacBook deserves software updates for enhanced security. Running an older version of macOS makes your system more vulnerable to virus attacks and hacker invasions.

The older your macOS, the less secure it is! Installing the latest macOS updates is straightforward, but you often encounter the issue of Mac software update not working! If this is your case, this article offers some solutions.

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Users often express concerns about MacBook software update issues, such as grayed-out update options or the Mac getting stuck while checking for updates! To address this, you need to understand why the Mac software update is not working.

The error could be due to an issue while installing the selected updates, insufficient disk space, your MacBook might not be compatible with the latest version of macOS 14, or there could be some problem with the Apple servers.

Why can't I update my Mac? This article will discuss the possible reasons why your MacBook is unable to perform software updates.

Why can't I install Mac software updates?

Did you experience any stalls, freezes, or crashes while downloading the latest operating system, or find that the macOS Ventura update is not showing up? Don't worry – this section will focus on possible reasons why your Mac software update might not be working as it should:

Poor internet connection: You need a stable internet connection to complete a macOS update. If your Wi-Fi is unstable, you won't be able to fetch the latest software updates from the App Store. For instance, if your system can't connect to the upgrade server, you might see an error that macOS Ventura is unable to prepare the software update.

There's a misconception that Mac users need as much free disk space as an installer package is large. So, if you're running low on storage, your MacBook won't be able to install any updates.

Incompatible Macs: Whenever a major new version of macOS is released, Apple provides a detailed list of compatible Macs. If your Mac isn't on that list, you can't update to the latest version.

Unfortunately, if your Mac isn't compatible, don't worry! Check out the steps in this article to learn how to install a version of macOS on unsupported Mac hardware.

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Quick Fixes for Software Update Issues

Keeping your MacBook up to date is essential for maintaining its security and stability. To do this, you'll need to find the Software Update panel, scan for available updates, download it from the Apple servers, and then restart your Mac.

Finally, you can upgrade to the sleek macOS 14 Sonoma. But here are three quick solutions to fix MacBook software updates that aren't working:

Quick solution 1: Check macOS compatibility

First, verifying whether your Mac model is compatible with the new macOS is the initial step to prepare your computer for the Sonoma update. Considering that Apple discontinues support for some older devices with each new macOS release. You won't be able to install macOS Sonoma on an incompatible Mac by default. Hence, you need to find out which macOS/OS X versions your Mac supports through two simple steps:

Step 1: You need to find your Mac model information from the Apple menu and select “About This Mac.”

Step 2: Visit the Apple support site to check whether your MacBook model is compatible with the version of macOS that you want to install.

Forcing the installation of an inappropriate version can lead to system instability or even failure. In such cases, you may need to downgrade to a more stable release.

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Quick Fix 2: Check Network Stability

A stable internet connection is crucial for installing the latest macOS updates. You must ensure your network is both stable and secure; otherwise, you might experience a failed macOS Sonoma installation. It's recommended to use an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, as it tends to be more reliable. If your network is poor or not functioning correctly, try restarting your router.

Quick Fix 3: Check Your Mac's Storage Space

The latest versions of macOS, from macOS 13.1 to macOS 14, require several gigabytes of free disk space. For example, the installer for the upgrade from macOS Ventura to macOS Sonoma is 13 GB, and it is recommended that you have twice that amount available.

If you don't have enough space on your disk to store the update installer, you won't be able to download and install macOS updates on your MacBook. You can resolve this issue by checking how much available space you have on your system and freeing up space on Macintosh HD.

Mac Software Update Not Working: 6 Verified Solutions

After trying the three fixes above, if the issue persists, you can refer to the six more effective solutions below:

Solution 1: Restart Your Mac to Fix Software Update Issues When your Mac encounters problems with software updates, the simplest solution is to restart your device. This can help clear any temporary system issues that might be causing the update to fail. 1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen. 2. Select "Restart." 3. Wait for your Mac to shut down and then start up again. After restarting, try checking for updates again (go to "System Preferences" > "Software Update") to see if the issue has been resolved.

Rebooting your MacBook can stop malicious processes and free up memory, allowing critical macOS processes to function properly and access the resources they need. Follow these steps to restart your MacBook:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.

Step 2: Choose the “Restart” option.

Fix 2: Reset Software Update preferences

If a software update is interrupted because of a poor network connection or another issue, it might not complete. This can happen if your Mac has partially downloaded the update, which can cause the download to fail when you try again.

Resetting the software update preferences (also called a PLIST file) is important so that it automatically rebuilds itself. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Open the Finder, then choose Go from the top menu bar.

Step 2: Select “Go to Finder” from the dropdown.

3. Type /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist in the search field, then press Return.

Step 4. Drag the file to the Trash on your Mac.

Step 5: Quit the Finder, restart your MacBook, and open Software Update again.

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Fix 3: Quit the softwareupdated process

Mac users have found that when the Update Helper fails to quit properly, they need to terminate the Software Update process manually using Activity Monitor. Here's how:

Step 1: Launch Activity Monitor from Finder > Applications > Utilities.

This will open a new window with the update program.

Step 4: Click the "Quit" button and select "Quit" again to exit the program.

Click the “Quit” button

If the “Quit” button is unresponsive or not working as it should, you can opt to “Force Quit.” Read on to learn more about how to force quit apps on a Mac.

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Solution 4: Delete the macOS installation data

Since you're looking to delete the macOS installer folder, it's possible that this recent installation is causing the issue. You can try removing this folder and then restarting your MacBook before attempting the software update again. Here's how: 1. **Shut down your MacBook:** Press the `Command` + `Control` + `Power` buttons simultaneously to shut down your Mac safely. 2. **Boot into Safe Mode:** Press and hold the `Shift` key while your MacBook is starting up. Release the key when you see the Apple logo. This will boot your Mac in Safe Mode, which loads only essential software and services. 3. **Open Finder:** Once your MacBook has booted into Safe Mode, click on the Finder icon in the Dock. 4. **Go to the Utilities folder:** In the Finder, click on the `Go` menu at the top of the screen, then select `Utilities`. 5. **Launch Terminal:** In the Utilities folder, double-click on the `Terminal` app. 6. **Run the command to delete the installer folder:** In the Terminal window, type the following command and press `Enter`: ``` sudo rm -rf /Volumes/Install\ macOS/* ``` Enter your admin password when prompted. 7. **Exit Safe Mode:** Restart your MacBook without holding any keys to exit Safe Mode. 8. **Try the software update again:** Open the App Store, click on the `Updates` tab, and see if the macOS update is still available. If it is, try downloading and installing it once more. Please note that the above steps involve deleting system files. If you're unsure about any part of the process or if you encounter any issues, it's best to seek assistance from an experienced user or Apple Support.

Step 1. Open Terminal on your Mac.

Step 2: Type this command: sudo rm -rf "/macOS Install Data", then press “Enter.” You'll be prompted to enter your administrator password.

Step 3: Restart your Mac, and then try to delete the macOS installer data again.

While attempting the above steps, you might accidentally delete some confidential files from your MacBook. If that's your case, worry not! A professional data recovery tool like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can help you retrieve unlimited data lost due to Empty Trash, virus attacks, sudden shutdowns, and system crashes.

It's an all-in-one data recovery tool that can help you restore permanently deleted files from Mac trash and multiple devices. It can also help you recover lost and deleted data after updating your macOS; follow these steps:

Note: You can click "Disk Backup" on the left to create a backup first. When the disk is damaged or data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost, you can recover data from the backup image.

Step One: Choose the Site

Select the disk from which you lost data after upgrading to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur, and then click “Search Lost Files.”

Step 2: Look for the Lost Data after Scanning

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan the disk volume you select, and display the scanning results on the left. You can search for your desired data on your Mac by file type and file path.

Step 3: Recover data after updating macOS

Select the target files that got accidentally lost during or after the update, and then click the “Recover” button to get them all back.

Fix 5: Set date and time to automatic

Still having issues with macOS updates? Try setting your date and time to automatic. But do this:

Step 1. Open "System Preferences."

Step 2: Choose "Date and Time."

Step 3: Check the box for Set date and time automatically.

Set date and time

Fix 6: Start your Mac in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a stripped-down version of macOS that only runs the bare minimum of programs needed to start up your Mac. If the problem still exists, you'll need to install system software updates in Safe Mode. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Turn off your Mac, and wait 10 seconds.

Hold down the “Shift” key and quickly press it repeatedly until you see the Apple logo to start it up in Safe Mode.

If you have an Apple silicon Mac, press and hold the power button until you see the "Startup Options" screen.

Step 4. Select the macOS boot disk, then hold down the key while choosing to “Continue in Safe Mode.”

Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode

5. In Safe Mode, open System Preferences > Software Update to try installing the system software update again.

Bonus Tip: How to Update macOS on a Mac

In addition to Software Update, you can start up from the installer or use the App Store to update macOS. Here are two other ways to update macOS on your Mac:

Update macOS through the App Store: The Mac App Store is the best way to get the latest version of macOS. Because earlier versions of macOS are hidden in the App Store, you won't find macOS Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey there.

To upgrade your Mac to Ventura, open the App Store, type “macOS Ventura” into the search field, and then follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

If none of the above solutions fix issues with software updates on your Mac, try using a bootable installer to update macOS.

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After the macOS update resumes, remember to be patient. Even with a fast connection, the updates can take some time. Don't rush anything because you must configure and boot them before you can access them, which can slow things down even more. You might lose important data in the process of trying the above methods. If that happens, consider downloading Data Recovery Wizard for Mac!

"Frequently Asked Questions: 'Mac Software Update Not Working'"

Please refer to the following FAQ for a better understanding of the subject:

1. How do I fix my Mac stuck on Checking for Updates?

If your Mac gets stuck while checking for updates, you can clear the App Store cache and check your Mac's storage. These accumulated caches can prevent a MacBook from updating the operating system.

Why can't I install an update on my Mac?

If you're having trouble updating your Mac, first make sure you have enough RAM and storage space. You can also try restarting your computer while the update is downloading. As a last resort, start your Mac in Safe Mode or use Disk Utility to repair your hard drive.

< b > What should I do if my Mac is stuck during a software update? < /b >

If your Mac is stuck on a software update, check your internet and network settings. A basic troubleshooting step you can take is to restart your router. If you're on a private Wi-Fi network, consider freeing up bandwidth by disconnecting inactive devices.

If my Mac won't update, does that mean it's too old?

The easiest way is to check whether your version of macOS is compatible by choosing About This Mac from the Apple menu.