How to Fix macOS Monterey Won't Install [8 Solutions]

Are you excited to install macOS Monterey and try its new features? It's thrilling to explore what Apple has in store when an update comes out. However, some users report that they're unable to install macOS Monterey, even after multiple attempts.

You might receive several error messages, such as “macOS Monterey couldn't be downloaded,” “There was a problem preparing your Mac to install macOS Monterey,” and others. Here are a few solutions to try.

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Knowing why you can't install macOS Monterey is crucial so you can take the appropriate solution. After all, installing macOS Monterey should be a breeze; thus, it's essential to investigate why you can't.

Look at the reasons.

Reason 1: Insufficient storage space

If you're upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, you need 26.3 GB of available storage. If you have an earlier version of macOS, you might need more space. It's recommended that you have enough storage to download and install macOS Monterey. Not having enough space can prevent the installation.

Reason 2: Network connectivity issues

You need an internet connection to both download and install macOS Monterey. The connection also needs to be stable and strong, or the installation won't complete.

Reason 3: Software Incompatibility

Note that not all Macs are compatible with macOS Monterey. Older systems likely won't be supported. You should check which Mac models can run this version of macOS before installing it.

Reason 4: Apple Server Issues

Lastly, the problem might lie with Apple's servers. If your system is fine but you're still experiencing the issue, it's on Apple. Sometimes, Apple's servers go down. So, you'll need to check Apple's System Status page.

If you're using Ventura, don't worry — the reasons for being unable to install it are usually the same, so you can read this article to learn how to fix installation issues with Ventura.

Can't Install macOS Ventura? Here Are 9 Best Solutions

What should you do when you encounter the "Can't Install macOS Ventura" error while trying to install macOS 13? Don't worry; you'll learn at least nine ways to fix macOS installation errors.

8 Ways to Fix macOS Monterey Not Installing

Are you in a hurry to fix issues with installing macOS Monterey? Don't worry! We have several solutions to assist users with this problem. Make sure to back up your data first to avoid any potential loss.

Before proceeding with the fixes, you can watch a video on how to fix macOS Monterey won't install, which has more details.

• 00:00 - The issue people are facing
• 00:21 - Things to ensure a smooth macOS update
• 00:49 - Updating to macOS Monterey on an M1 Mac mini

Look at these –

Fix 1: Check your internet or Ethernet connection

The simplest solution to address macOS Monterey installation issues is to check your network connection. Ensure that you have a strong and stable internet connection. If the connection is unstable, contact your service provider. You can also switch to a different Wi-Fi network to see if that resolves the problem.

Fix 2: Check Compatibility

Another reason for macOS Monterey installation issues is compatibility between the operating system and your device. The older your system, the harder it will be to download and install Monterey. This is mainly because the latest version comes with features that older system hardware can't support.

Here's what's compatible with macOS Monterey:

- Mac Pro from late 2013 and later - Mac mini from late 2014 and later - iMac from late 2015 and later - MacBook Air from early 2015 and later - MacBook Pro from early 2015 and later - MacBook from early 2016 and later - iMac Pro from 2017 and later

Solution 3: Check your Mac's storage space

If you have issues installing macOS Monterey, check your storage space. In most cases, not having enough available space is the main reason. Keep in mind that the installer needs 40.5 GB of free space. If you're upgrading, you might need even more.

For example, upgrading to macOS Sierra or later requires 26 GB of available storage. But on an older system, you must have 44 GB of free storage.

Check storage space –

Step 1. Click the Apple menu. Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.

Open System Preferences on macOS

Step 2: Tap “General” from the sidebar, and then choose “Storage” on the right.

Step 3: You'll see a bar at the top showing how much space is left.

Fix 4: Run First Aid in Recovery Mode

You can run First Aid to fix errors that might be preventing the installation.

Look at those steps.

Step 1: Restart the system.

Step 2: Hold down the Command and R keys.

Step 3: Click on “Disk Utility”.

Step 4: Click “Continue.”

Step 5: Choose a disk.

Step 6: Choose “First Aid.”

Step 7. Click “Finish.”

Step 8. Restart the system again.

Now, you can try to reinstall macOS Monterey.

If any of these methods helped you fix the issue with macOS Monterey not installing, share it on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Fix 5: Check the USB drive format

Another solution to fix issues with macOS Monterey installation is to check the USB drive format. This is particularly important if you're trying to create a bootable USB drive. Make sure that the correct format is set to Mac OS Extended (Journaled). It's also referred to as HFS+.

Here are the steps you need to follow –

Step 1: Connect the hard drive to your Mac.

Step 2: Launch Disk Utility.

Step 3: Select a disk.

Step 4: Proofread for formatting.

If the formats do not match, back up your files and reformat the hard drive.

Fix 6: Clean Install macOS

Another solution would be to perform a clean install of macOS on the system, but you'll need to back up your files first. To avoid the inconvenience of losing important data, it's recommended that you back up your critical files using the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro tool before installing or updating macOS.

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Backup Your Mac and Never Lose Data

Back up and restore your MacBook/iMac without using Time Machine, iCloud, or an external hard drive.

The steps vary, depending on the model.

For the silicon Macs –

Step 1: Power down the system.

Step 2. Hold down the Power button until you see the startup options.

Step 3: Choose “Options.”

Step 4: Click “Continue.”

Step 5: Choose Disk Utility.

Step 6: Click on “Macintosh HD.”

Step 7: Choose “Erase.”

Step 8: Name the drive and choose the format (APFS).

Step 9: Click “Erase Volume Group.”

Step 10. Return to the main Recovery Mode screen.

Step 11: Choose Reinstall macOS Monterey.

For Intel-based Macs –

Step 1: Restart the system.

Step 2: Boot into recovery mode.

Step 3: Choose “Disk Utility”

Step 4: Right-click on “Macintosh HD” – “Data.”

Step 5: Choose Delete APFS Volume.

Step 6: Click on the “Macintosh HD” volume.

Step 7: Choose “Erase.”

Step 8: Return to the macOS Utilities window.

Step 9: Choose Reinstall macOS.

Fix 7: Restart your Mac and check again

Sometimes, something as simple as restarting your system can fix your issue. If the installation failed due to a temporary error, this is an ideal solution. Try force-restarting your MacBook to see if that resolves the problem.

To do that, click the Apple icon and choose “Restart.” If your system is unresponsive, hold down the power button. After a few seconds, press the power button again to restart. Now, visit the App Store to download macOS Monterey.

Fix 8: Install it from the Mac App Store

If installation from System Preferences or a USB flash drive fails, try downloading the operating system from the App Store.

Here is what needs to happen – and soon.

Step 1: Click the Apple menu.

Step 2: Choose the App Store.

Step 3: Search for macOS Monterey in the search bar. Click “View.”

Step 4: Choose to Acquire.

Step 6: Wait for the download to complete.

Step 7: Select the Monterey installer.

Step 8. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Downgrade from macOS Ventura to Monterey

If none of these solutions work, your best bet is to downgrade your operating system. To make sure you have a fully functional system again, let's look at the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Connect your Time Machine drive to your system.

Step 2: Restart your Mac.

Step 3. If you have an Intel-based Mac, press and hold Command-R as soon as you see the Apple logo.

On an M1 Mac, you'll need to press and hold the power button until you see the startup screen. Then choose “Options” and continue.

Step 4. In the Utilities window, choose Restore From Time Machine Backup.

Step 5: Select your disk.

Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Note: There are other ways to downgrade macOS. If this method doesn't work for you, try –

Use macOS Recovery Use a bootable installer

Recover Data When macOS Installation Fails

When installation issues occur, some users opt to reinstall macOS. In such cases, there is a risk of losing important data. The best solution is to back up all crucial data. But if that hasn't been done, all is not lost.

With the help of professional data recovery tools, you can still get your lost data back. The Mac Data Recovery Wizard is a dedicated tool designed to assist users in retrieving their data, featuring a user-friendly interface and numerous functions.

Highlight:

- Efficiently retrieves music files, videos, photos, documents, and more. - Facilitates easy data recovery from various Mac-based devices. - Features deep and quick scans to help load files faster. - Offers file filters and preview options for swift recovery of deleted files from your Mac.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Select the disk to scan

In the main Data Recovery Wizard utility window, all drives connected to your Mac will be listed. Select the drive from which you wish to recover lost/deleted files and click on the 'Search Lost Files' button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar to create a backup for your Mac to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Step 2: Select the data/files you lost

The Mac Data Recovery Wizard immediately scans the disk partition you've chosen, and displays the results on the left. If you're looking for a particular file, you can sort through the results to find it.

Step 3: Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once the scanning is over, preview the files and click on the “Recover” button to start restoring your deleted or lost Mac files.

Aside from that, you can always contact the Data Recovery Service of the Remote IT Support team in case you have any issues.

Last Words

Feeling frustrated because you can't install macOS Monterey? Well, the issue could stem from various reasons, such as an unstable internet connection or compatibility issues. However, there are several solutions you can try to address the installation problems.

First, check your internet connection, storage space, and compatibility. You can also restart your system and check again. If that doesn't work, try downgrading your macOS. You might lose important data while trying these fixes.

Here, you need to pick up a powerful data recovery tool – tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. This is a powerful yet user-friendly data recovery software that allows users to get back lost files easily. Install tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac right now!

FAQ: Troubleshooting macOS Monterey Installation Issues

There are several ways to address issues with installing macOS Monterey. For more information, see the questions and answers below:

There can be various reasons why you're unable to install macOS Monterey on your Macintosh HD, such as insufficient available space on the drive, compatibility issues, or other software conflicts.

How do I force my Mac to update to Monterey?

To force-update your Mac to Monterey, follow these steps:

On your Mac, do the following: Click the Apple menu. Choose “System Preferences.” Select “Software Update.” If any updates are available, download and install them.

Why can't I install macOS on my Mac?

There can be several reasons why your Mac might not be able to install macOS. This could be due to insufficient available space on your system, a damaged macOS installer file, or issues with your boot drive, among other possibilities.

< strong > 4. Can I downgrade from Monterey to Big Sur? < / strong >

Yes, you can downgrade from Monterey to Big Sur. However, this depends on your device model. If you have a Mac with an Apple Silicon chip, you might be limited to staying on Big Sur. For the latest devices with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, downgrading from Monterey is generally not possible.