How to Resolve Mac Stuck on "Checking for Updates" [macOS Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur]

Is your Mac stuck on "Checking for Updates" while attempting to update it? Numerous users, similar to your situation, have reported being unable to proceed with their macOS update, with the screen perpetually displaying "Checking for Updates." Below are seven solutions to address this issue.

Translate into English

This article will guide you on what to do when your Mac becomes stuck while checking for updates and how to resolve the issue. Keep reading!

Causes of Mac Being Unable to Check for Updates

There are three reasons why your Mac might be stuck on the "Checking for Updates" message. These reasons are typically attributed to:

1. Poor internet connection
2. Insufficient storage
3. Faulty NVRAM or SMC

Here's some additional information about it:

Reason 1: Issues with the Internet Connection

A poor internet connection prevents you from installing a macOS update.

Ensure you're connected to a fast internet connection and then check for updates; hopefully, your Mac will now search for updates, and you can upgrade to the latest macOS update.

Reason 2: Insufficient Storage

If your Mac is running low on storage, you won't be able to install new updates. Free up some space on your drive, and then try checking for updates again.

Reason 3: NVRAM or the SMC Is Faulty

The NVRAM, short for "non-volatile random-access memory," and the SMC, or "system management controller," might encounter issues silently. These issues can prevent your Mac from checking for updates.

7 Solutions to Resolve Mac Stuck on "Checking for Updates"

There are seven approaches to resolve your Mac that is stuck on checking for updates.

Fix 1: Restart Your Mac

If your MacBook is experiencing poor performance or encountering an issue, you should first try restarting it. This helps to消除 any temporary problems that might be occurring.

If your Mac can't check for updates, restart your computer and try checking for the latest updates again.

Solution 2: Check the Internet Connection

If your internet connection is slow or unstable, your Mac might have difficulty connecting to Apple's servers to check for available updates.

Ensure that you have a fast internet connection, and it's recommended to use a LAN (Local Area Network) for a stable connection compared to Wi-Fi, which can be unreliable at times.

Solution 3: Clear the App Store Cache and Check Storage on Mac

This solution also aids in resolving issues like the one you're facing. Occasionally, these caches can hinder your Mac from updating the operating system, app updates, and more. Clearing the caches may allow your Mac to check for updates successfully.

Here's how to clear the cache: 1. **On Desktop Browsers**: - **Google Chrome**: - Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner. - Select "More tools" and then "Clear browsing data." - Choose a time range, typically "All time" for a complete cache clear. - Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked, then click "Clear data." - **Firefox**: - Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner. - Go to "Options" and then "Privacy & Security." - Under "Cookies and Site Data," click "Clear Data." - Check "Cached Web Content" and click "Clear." - **Microsoft Edge**: - Click on the three dots in the top-right corner. - Select "Settings" > "Privacy, search, and services." - Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear." - Check "Cached files and images," then click "Clear now." - **Safari**: - Click on "Safari" in the top-left corner of the screen. - Select "Preferences" and then "Advanced." - In the bottom left, check the box that says "Show Develop menu in menu bar." - Click "Develop" in the menu bar, then "Empty Caches." 2. **On Mobile Devices**: - **Android (Chrome)**: - Open Chrome, tap on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner. - Tap on "Settings" > "Privacy" > "Clear browsing data." - Choose "All time" and enable "Cached images and files." - Tap "Clear data." - **iOS (Safari)**: - Open Safari, tap on "Safari" in the Settings app. - Scroll down and tap on "Clear History and Website Data." - Confirm by tapping "Clear History and Data." Remember that clearing the cache may log you out of websites and reload pages slower initially as your browser rebuilds its cache.

Step 1. Open "Finder."

Step 2. Click on "Go" in the menu bar, and then select "Go to Folder."

Step 3. Copy and paste this location "~/Library/Caches/com.apple.appstore" into the search bar.

Step 4. Next, select the cache folder and delete it.

Step 5. After removing the cache folder, restart your Mac and check for updates.

Solution 4: Boot macOS in Safe Mode

To diagnose and resolve issues with your Mac, utilize Mac Safe Mode, which is a simplified version of the Mac operating system.

But we need to let you know beforehand that booting your Mac in safe mode is different for Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon-based Macs. We'll guide you through how to boot in safe mode on both versions:

• Boot macOS securely on the Intel version:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac.

Step 2. Press the power button on your Mac, and then press and hold the "Shift" key.

Step 3. Wait for a few seconds, and your Mac should start up safely.

• Boot macOS into Safe Mode on Apple Silicon version:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac and wait for 10-15 seconds.

Step 2. Now, press the power button until you see "Startup Volumes and Options."

Step 3. Choose "Startup Volume."

Step 4. Now, press and hold the "Shift" key, and then click "Continue in Safe Mode."

Step 5. Log in to your Mac as you normally would and check if there are any available updates in Safe Mode. If so, proceed to update your Mac.

Step 6. Exit Safe Mode and restart your Mac normally.

5. Reset NVRAM and SMC

You might be able to resolve a Mac that can't check for updates by resetting the NVRAM and SMC.

Here's how to reset the NVRAM: 1. First, shut down your Mac completely. 2. Press and hold the following four keys together: Command + Option + P + R. 3. While holding these keys, turn on your Mac. 4. Keep holding the keys until you hear the startup sound for the second time. 5. Release all the keys simultaneously. 6. Your Mac will now have reset its NVRAM or PRAM. This process clears the non-volatile random-access memory, which stores system settings like volume, time zone, and display resolution.

Step 1. Turn off your Mac.

Step 2. Turn on your Mac and then press and hold the CMD + Option + P + R keys on your keyboard.

Step 3. Continue holding the keys until you see the Apple logo.

Step 4. That's it; you've reset the NVRAM on your Mac.

Here's how to reset the SMC: To reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Apple device, follow these steps: 1. **For MacBook with a removable battery:** 1. Shut down your MacBook. 2. Disconnect any external devices, including the power adapter. 3. Turn your MacBook over and locate the battery release latch (if applicable). 4. Gently slide the latch to remove the battery. 5. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. 6. Reinsert the battery. 7. Turn your MacBook back over and press the power button to turn it on. 2. **For MacBook without a removable battery:** 1. Shut down your MacBook. 2. Connect the power adapter, if not already connected. 3. Press and hold the left Shift key, the Control key, and the Option key simultaneously. 4. While holding those keys, press and hold the power button as well. 5. Release all keys together after 10 seconds. 6. Press the power button once to turn on your MacBook. 3. **For iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro:** 1. Shut down your Mac. 2. If applicable, unplug the power cord from the Mac. 3. Wait for 15 seconds. 4. Plug the power cord back in (if you unplugged it). 5. Press the power button to turn on your Mac. After resetting the SMC, allow your device to start up normally, and then check if the issue has been resolved.

Step 1. Turn off your Mac.

Step 2. Power on your Mac and press the Shift + Option + Control + R keys on your keyboard.

Step 3. Continue holding until your Mac turns on and the Apple logo appears.

Step 4. That's it; you've now reset the SMC on your Mac.

6. Update macOS using Terminal

Alternatively, if you typically can't check for updates or your Mac gets stuck while checking for updates, you can update your Mac using the Terminal. Here's how:

Step 1. Click on the "Spotlight" button and search for "Terminal."

Step 2. Check for software updates using the command "software update -i."

Step 3. You will see a list of available updates. Take note of the names of those updates.

Step 4. Type in the command "sudo software update -i (followed by the name of the update).

7. Reinstall macOS

If nothing else seems to help, reinstall macOS. This will消除背景中所有可能导致问题的软件问题，包括错误和其他问题。

Reinstalling macOS varies between Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon-based Macs. We'll guide you through the process for both versions.

Here's how to reinstall macOS on an Apple silicon Mac: 1. Ensure that your Mac is connected to the internet, either via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. 2. Shut down your Mac by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and selecting "Shut Down." 3. Press and hold the Power button until you see the startup options window. This may take a few seconds. 4. In the startup options window, select your Mac's main drive (usually labeled "Macintosh HD") and then click the "Options" button. 5. Enter your admin password when prompted to access the Utilities window. 6. Click on "Reinstall macOS" (or "Reinstall macOS Monterey," depending on your current version). 7. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest version of macOS compatible with your Mac. This process may take some time. 8. Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart automatically. Set up your Mac as a new device or restore from a Time Machine backup if you have one. 9. Sign in with your Apple ID to activate your Mac and restore any purchased apps, settings, and content. Now your Apple silicon Mac should have a fresh installation of macOS.

Step 1. Turn off your Mac.

Step 2. Press and hold the power button.

Step 3. You will now see a "Startup Options" window. Select "Options."

Step 4. Select "Reinstall macOS" and click on "Continue."

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS.

Here's how to reinstall macOS on an Intel-based Mac:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac.

Step 2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold CMD+R until you see the Apple logo.

Step 3. Choose "Options" under the "Startup Options" window.

Step 4. Choose the "Reinstall macOS" option and click on "Continue."

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS.

Further Solution: Recover Data When macOS Update Fails

At times, when your Mac fails to update correctly, there is a significant risk of data loss. Normally, you cannot recover a file once it's lost, but this has become feasible with specialized software like the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

Suppose you experienced data loss due to a failed macOS Ventura upgrade, accidentally deleted a file, encountered a system crash, or need to recover an unsaved Word document on Mac. In such cases, you can utilize the tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to retrieve your files.

• It can recover missing photos after macOS Ventura update, unexpected shutdowns, hardware failures, system crashes, virus attacks, macOS formatting, etc.
• It can recover deleted iMessages on Mac on macOS Ventura, Big Sur, Monterey, Catalina, and more.
• It can also create a WinPE bootable CD/DVD to recover a corrupted hard drive on your Mac.
• It can save recovered data to HDDs, USB flash drives, and cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Follow the steps below to recover data on your Mac after the update.

Note: You can create a backup by first clicking "Disk Backup" on the left. This way, in case the disk becomes damaged or data on the disk is accidentally deleted or lost, you can restore the data from the backup image.

Step 1. Choose the location

Select the disk from which you lost data after updating to macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur, and then click "Search for lost files".

Step 2. Locate Lost Data after the Scan

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will instantly scan the selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left panel. Utilize the file type and file path options to locate the desired data on your Mac.

Step 3. Recover Data After macOS Update

Select the target files that were unknowingly lost during or after the update, and click the "Recover" button to retrieve them all.

Final Thoughts

Apple's Mac is one of the most potent computers available for consumers. However, despite its raw computational prowess, it is not immune to issues or glitches like any other operating system.

If your Mac is stuck on the "Checking for Updates" screen, it might be due to a software glitch, which can be resolved by simply restarting your device or implementing the solutions mentioned above.

"Mac is Stuck on 'Checking for Updates' in FAQs"

Here are additional responses to your inquiries about why your Mac is stuck while checking for updates:

1. How do I fix my Mac update that is taking too long?

If the update takes longer to download, it indicates that your internet speeds might be slow. To download the update more efficiently, connect to a faster internet connection.

If the update is taking an extended period to install, it indicates that the update is substantial. Allow some time for it to finish the installation process.

2. How to resolve a failed macOS upgrade?

Ensure that you have adequate space on your hard drive. If you're unable to upgrade your macOS despite having sufficient space, follow the above solution to resolve the issue.

3. Why does my Mac get stuck on the "Checking for Updates" screen?

The most prevalent issue is slow internet speed; however, if you have a fast connection and your Mac is still stuck on "Checking for Updates," it could be due to a deeper problem. Implement the solutions provided above to resolve the issue.

4. How do I force a non-responsive Mac to restart?

Press and hold the power button on your Mac until the display turns black.