Installing young versions of macOS on a Mac should be a pretty round-eyed example . The Mac say you there ’s an update useable via a pop - up in Notification Centre – in some cause ( depending on your preferences ) it ’s even downloaded it already and just need your go - ahead to install . However , sometimes when you snap Go on an update thing go a bit pear - mould . In this tutorial we ’ll look at what to do if your Mac kiosk or freeze out during an operating organization package update , or if you see an computer error substance bespeak that there is a problem .
This is peculiarly apt right now withmacOS Sequoiaarriving on September 16 , 2024 . alas , every prison term that a macOS update get in there are mass who experience difficulties downloading and set up the newfangled package .
In this article , we look into what to do if you ca n’t download macOS Sequoia , fixes for when macOS Sequoia wo n’t install , and what you require to do if your Mac immobilise in the middle of the update . We also play through the different error messages we have play when assay to set up an update to macOS and how we dealt with them because often the method that worked to fix problem with a macOS download years ago works in the present .
In each case , we will outline a job and the fixes that have function for us . We will also address some common mistake and list some of the big number that have been the consequence of past macOS update .
Why won’t my Mac update?
So , if you ’ve seen the warning : “ The macOS installment could n’t be completed ” , or the substance : “ An erroneous belief occur While instal the Selected Updates ” we ’re here to facilitate . Or if , having do to download Sequoia , you are confronted with the content : “ There is not enough free distance on the take intensity to promote the OS ! ” we will provide direction . You may also be confronted by message such as “ macOS could not be installed on your computer ” , “ gateway timed out ” or “ speculative gateway ” , and “ The web connection was miss ” we explain how we fix these proceeds below .
We obtain that the same issues tend to bear on Mac user download the new update every year , so we are basing our advice on the issues that have transpire with macOS updates over the years . Below you will see details of the issues we have encountered with the macOS updates in 2020 , 2021 , 2022 and before , and it ’s possible they will come up again . If specific issue with Sequoia arise we will adumbrate the trouble and explicate the dependable fixes below .
take on for the most utilitarian proposition to work through to fix a job with a macOS download .
Preliminary checks
Before you start reading through the below looking for your particular scenario , a few straightaway checks .
macOS Sequoia download errors: problems and fixes
There are a few reason why the macOS download or installation process might not work or be interrupted . There are also a few possible intellect why download might be taking too long . We ’ll run through the various problem you might encounter , the error messages you might see , and the respectable fixes below .
Problem: macOS download is taking too long
If it occur to be a new version of the Mac operating scheme and you are attempting to download it just after release there could be problem due to so many people enter the host at the same time .
As a outcome , the download of the software may be slow and , even if you do manage to download it , the installing may suspend as it essay to verify your details with Apple .
In 2020 our download of Big Sur threatened to take a whole day – a distinctive augury that too many people are attempting to get at the server .
you’re able to judge whether there are egress with the servers at Apple ’s final stage by visiting Apple ’s host status web page here : System Status Sir Frederick Handley Page . Check the macOS Software Update incision to see if there are any have sex issues . ( If the link does n’t work it’shttps://www.apple.com / support / systemstatus / for the U.S. orhttps://www.apple.com/uk/support/systemstatus/for the U.K. )
As you will see from the screenshot below there was a problem with macOS Software Update on 12 November 2020 . That progeny was by and by resolved .
When the subject with Big Sur was lively on 12 November 2020 , Apple had the following text on the land site indicating that there was a problem : “ Users may not be able to download macOS Software Updates on Mac computers . ”
Fix 1: Give it time
You may be confronted by what looks like a frozen update , but if you leave it for a few hours it could finally get to the conclusion of its job . Sometimes it ’s worth leave the Mac overnight to land up the occupation it ’s started . Sometimes updates can take 16 minute or more – particularly on the days when Apple free a new version of its Mac operating system .
commend , the progress stripe you see during installation is just a best surmisal at how long it will take . In our experience one minute it tells us there will be a two - hour wait , then 45 minutes , then an 60 minutes , before start down to 20 minutes . Sometimes affair get slowed down because the Mac is engage a while to install one Indian file behind the scenes and that ’s thrown the whole update time prediction out the window .
The Mac might have been stuck on 20 minutes persist for the past two hour , but this does n’t needs have in mind it ’s not interfering endeavor to instal the software .
you could tell if your Mac is still install macOS taking a look at the Log . Press Command + L. This take up additional information and more detail about the amount of time still remain for the install . It may give you a better indication of what file are being put in and the amount of clip left .
If it plow out that the installation has n’t dilly-dally be patient and wait for a few more hours .
One key thing to remember : Apple signal how much clock time is apparently left for an installment … Do n’t bear this any attention because it is NEVER ACCURATE !
Fix 2: Speed up the download
It ’s not always Apple ’s servers that are to find fault though . Perhaps the consequence is at your remainder . For example , maybe your WiFi connection is poor . We suggest that you taste affect nigher to the router .
You might find that matter are quicker if you move from a Wi - Fi to a wired connection . If you have a Ethernet cable and the necessary adapter if your Mac only has a USB - C port , plug yourself instantly into the hub . Your download will be much faster over a pumped up connection .
take more : How to fix Wi - Fi problems on Mac
Fix 3: Turn on Content Caching
Another matter that you could try is to aline Content Caching .
When the download threatened to take a long clock time we turned on Content Caching .
Apparently , Content Caching reduces bandwidth usage and speeds up instalment on support gadget by salt away software update on the data processor .
We made sure that the Cache Size was unlimited – tap Options . And we also made certain that the selection selected beside Cache was All Content .
With these variety in place , the download was complete in half an hour rather than the 10 minute initially anticipated .
Problem: Stalled macOS update
Generally , if there ’s a trouble with your software system induction it will get stuck on the updating filmdom , show an Apple logotype with a status bar showing the advancement as the software is loading . There may be what mass refer to as a ‘ spinning beach ball ’ .
or else , you may see a blanched , grayness or disgraceful screen . On many Macs the sieve may be so dark that you might not even be capable to say if the Mac is turned on – move your capitulum close to the computer to see if you could learn it purr away .
If the Mac is still working ( i.e. you’re able to hear it whirring ) you should n’t forcibly boot the Mac . If you disrupt the installation summons you could potentially lose your datum . It ’s one reason why it ’s recommended that youback up your Macbefore you install new software .
Fix 2: Use Safe Mode
If wait is n’t have you anywhere you could endeavor to download and put in using Safe Mode .
How you access Safe Mode count on whether your Mac is powered by Intel or an M1 or M2 serial chip .
For M1 / M2 Macs : To access Safe Mode public press and hold the power push button until you see the inauguration options look > take your startup disk > pressure and take hold lurch and click Continue in Safe Mode > Release the Shift key > undecided App Store , site the macOS update and download it while in Safe mode > boot your Mac before instal .
For Intel Macs : bid the power clitoris and have got down the transmutation key to start the Mac up in Safe Mode > await while the Apple logo appears , and then , when the login windowpane appears release the Shift paint > Once your Mac is running get to the Mac App Store , locate the macOS update and download it while in good modality > before installing reboot your Mac .
Here’show to use Safe Mode on a Mac .
Problem: macOS update won’t download
Another intellect you may not be able to download a macOS update is that you do n’t have enough free quad on your Mac .
We always recommend that you do n’t set about to put in an update to macOS if you have less than 20 GB of quad free . If you attempt to instal without adequate space available your Mac may struggle with the installation – in fact macOS update in the past few year have weighed in at just over 12 G , so you ’ll need all the distance you could get !
You ’ll see below that even 20 GB infinite was n’t sufficient when it came to installing macOS Big Sur . We really postulate 35 GB uncommitted when it come up to doing the installation . So that ’s more than 45 GB free space need before you even start . If you have a 128 GB Macthis can be a particularly ambitious situation .
Fix 1: Make space
We bid advice on making more space on your Mac here : How to free space on a Mac . You could for model delete old electronic mail and text content , or situate old Time Machine fill-in files from your Mac and delete them .
One quick fashion to free up blank is to delete the paradigm associated with the Messages you ’ve received on your Mac . you could do this by penetrate on the Apple Logo > About this Mac > Manage and then choosing Messages and deleting as many images and picture as you could .
You could also try an app such asCleanMyMac Xto delete caches and other thing from your Mac . We have an article where we explainhow to use CleanMyMac . If you ’d rather not compensate we run throughHow to edit Other storage on the Mac , How to erase System storehouse on a Mac , andHow to delete Cache on a Mac .
To check how much space you have go to Apple card > About this Mac > Storage and waitress will the Mac calculates how much is used and how much is uncommitted .
Fix 2: Download from the Mac App Store
You might think you have to adhere to download the new software via Software Update , but you may grab the download via the Mac App Store .
For example , you may downloadmacOS Sonoma , macOS VenturaandmacOS Monterey . We have links to all versions of macOS here : How to get former macOS .
Fix 3: Download the software from Apple’s website
If you ’re having trouble downloading a point update ( not a completely new version ) via Software Update or Mac App Store , you’re able to use Apple ’s website instead . you could find the latestmacOS update here . To find any software update on the site , just research for it .
Problem: macOS won’t install errors
Perhaps you manage to download Sequoia ( or any other macOS update ) and then found that it would n’t install . This take place to many people when attempting to download Big Sur in November 2020 . They saw an error subject matter suggesting that “ Installation fail : error occurred while put in the update ” , we ’ll run through that example before wait at some other error substance we have seen in the past .
Error: Upgrade runs out of space and fails
In some cases , the macOS Big Sur installer was n’t hold in that there was sufficient space usable before do the facility . As a result , some Mac users were finding that their Macs were unable to dispatch the installation before they run out of quad .
In 2020 this particular problem was addressed in an update to Big Sur . Read : Big Sur 11.2.1 ( v2 ) fixes Mac induction take .
Prior to that update , the undecomposed solution was to do aclean install of Big Sur , so that may be the case should the same thing happen with the Sequoia update .
Error: “Installation failed error occurred while installing the update”
One of the biggest problems with Big Sur was that the installer would identify that there was n’t enough outer space available before it ran .
Since the macOS Big Sur instalment required around 48.5 GB free place – that ’s 35.5 GB plus another 13 GB for the installer itself – deficiency of distance was quite a usual problem among those with 128 GB Macs ( which is the problem we encountered ) .
With the Big Sur update , if you saw the error subject matter : “ Installation fail : error come while installing the update ” you were not alone . There were multiple reports of masses having difficulties download braggy Sur . In fact , we experienced this precise problem with our attempt to download and install Big Sur .
Error: “There is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the OS”
Even with the Big Sur Installer downloaded on our Mac in 2020 , we were unable to put in it because it needed an additional 14 GB of quad for install on the Mac . That was in addition to the 12 GB already being used by the installer . Since our Mac at the fourth dimension only had 128 GB space this was a challenge .
The obvious solvent to the matter above is to make space . We offer oodles of advice for slipway tofree up space on a Mac , and we also addressHow to delete Other storehouse on your MacandHow to delete system on the Macseparately .
In 2020 when present with this job we arm ourselves withCleanMyMac Xto delete cached files and other superfluous data , and then blitz the prototype and picture associated with our Messages . In the end we managed to get the extra 15 GB we needed .
Fix 2: Do a clean install
Doing aclean installcould be one mode to get enough place for the induction because you would be wiping your Mac before you lead off – of class that stand for you would want to back up your Mac first .
Error: “The update package has been deleted”
Another year and another macOS installation battle ! While essay to download Catalina in 2019 we saw an error notification indicating : “ The update package has been delete since being downloaded from the Apple Software Update waiter ” .
ab initio , we assume that this intend that Apple had withdrawn the software , but on further probe , it appeared that it was related to an issue with our mesh .
Fix 1: Stop bandwidth battles
It seems that this meter it was a sheath of there being too many Apple gimmick on our net causing too much rivalry for bandwidth . We stopped streaming wireless , bend off other devices , and moved our Mac closer to the router . If we ’d have had an Ethernet cable handy we ’d have used that . Either manner , it posit the trouble for us that time .
If your Mac appears to have frozen during the installation , it ’s worth heed to your Mac for signs of life ( you may be able-bodied to get wind birr ) and following the below advice .
Problem: Mac freezes during installation
If you ’re positive that the Mac is n’t still working on updating your software then run through the undermentioned steps :
1. Shut down, wait a few seconds, then restart your Mac
compact and hold the baron button to shut down and begin your Mac back up .
2. Go to System Settings > Software Update
Or , if you are on an older macOS translation , go to System Preferences , or , even older : the Mac App Store and open Updates .
You should get hold that the update / installation operation carry on from where it will off .
3. Check the Log screen to see if files are being installed
When the progress bar appear , press Command + L again to check up on the Log silver screen and ascertain file are being installed . If the Log screen shows that nothing is happening move on to the next step .
4. Try installing a Combo update
As we mentioned earlier , Apple hosts softwareon its website , so you’re able to download it from there if you are having problem with the usual method .
There ’s good reason to get your software from Apple ’s website if you ’re come across problems : the version of the software usable from Software Update or the Mac App Store will only let in the files necessary to upgrade your Mac .
If you go to Apple ’s support site you could rule a Combo updater which admit all the single file required to update the macOS . This version of the update will supplant all the organization file and thereby check the update is pure .
5. Reset the NVRAM
If Safe Mode does n’t work , re-start the Mac and retain down Command , Option / Alt , P and R. This will readjust the NVRAM . look until the computer restarts and wait to see if it starts updating .
For more information readHow to reset the PRAM / NVRAM here .
6. Use Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS
As a final option you could restart the Mac in Recovery Mode . On a M1 / M2 Mac enter Recovery manner by crusade and contain the power push button while your Mac get going up and keep to press and have got the clit until you see a inauguration options window appear with an Options icon . Then choose Options and click Continue . On an Intel Mac hold down Command + R at startup .
There are a bit of selection to choose from in Recovery . You could find your Mac from your lastTime Machinebackup , or perform a disk repair – but we recommend choosing the Install novel OS choice . We have a freestanding tutorial onhow to reinstall macOS using Recovery Mode .
When it reinstall macOS , your Mac will replace all the Apple system filing cabinet overwrite any problematic ace that may be contributing to this error – hopefully . This update wo n’t let in the latest version of the computer software so after performing the update , check Software Update and apply the latest macOS update .
7. Install the OS from an external drive
If you ’re still having outlet with the install you could try instal the group O from an external drive . translate this tutorial to line up outhow to create a bootable installer and instal macOS from an international drive .
8. Run Disk Utility once you’ve updated
When you last get the software up and go we suggest that you bunk Disk Utility to objurgate any take that might have caused the problem in the first shoes .
Past problems updating macOS
It is regrettably the case that when Apple launches a fresh interlingual rendition of macOS some Mac user digest from issues follow the update , these issues run to affect older Macs more than new Macs .
It is usually the case that Apple will apace plow these issues via an update , so it may be necessary to wait for macOS 14.1 to arrive , but if that ’s no good for you take a look below to see if your issue is being experienced by others and how they are tackling the job .
Bricked Macs
Back in 2021 , some Mac substance abuser establish that Monterey bricked their Mac . This issue hit Intel - based model with a T1 and T2 chip , which drives the System Management Controller ( SMC ) and Touch ID sensors in some Intel Macs .
That problem was related to the firmware and the propose localisation was to bushel the Mac ’s microcode . However , that was n’t a simple jam because the rescue procedure for T2 Macs , as outlined in an Apple text file here , required a 2nd Intel Mac , from which the damage information processing system could be supplied with new firmware for the T2 CPU via the Apple Configurator 2 app . It was even more complicated for T1 Macs and could have involve a trip to an Apple Store .
Memory management problem
With the arrival of Monterey came reports that amemory direction bugwas induce some Macs to run out of loose memory . user get word the word of advice : “ Your system has run out of coating retention . ” The hemipterous insect seemed to pretend both new and old Macs , rather than being limited to just Apple Silicon or Intel machines .
Those who meet that bug suggested that force - quitting applications or bring up the Mac set up it .
USB issues
With macOS Monterey in 2021 , there were reports of aproblem with USB 3.0 ports – primarily affecting hubs , but also some USB peripherals did not work the right way after the upgrade .
In this example , the job seemed to mostly affect reckoner that featured Apple ’s M1 chip , but there were also reports of Intel Macs being affected .
Read next : How to fix a frozen Mac . We also have acomplete template to pay back some of the most common Mac number . Plus wediscuss everything you need to screw about getting Apple product repaired .
Having problem now you have updated macOS ? Read : How to downgrade macOS .
