Installing new versions of macOS on a Mac should be a pretty unproblematic exercise. The Mac tells you at that place's an update bachelor via a pop up in Notification Centre - in some cases (depending on your settings) information technology'due south fifty-fifty downloaded it already and just needs your go-ahead to install. However, sometimes when you click Go on an update things go a bit pear-shaped. In this tutorial we'll look at what to practise if your Mac stalls or freezes during an operating system software update, or if you lot see an error message indicating that there is a problem.

This is particularly pertinent right now with macOS Monterey arriving on 25 October 2021. When macOS Big Sur arrived in November 2022 many people experienced difficulties downloading and installing it and, as anticipated, there were similar problems with the arrival of Monterey.

Nosotros look into what to do if you can't download macOS Monterey, fixes for when macOS Monterey won't install, and what you need to practise if your Mac freezes in the middle of the update.

One big issue with Monterey appears to be that it is bricking some Intel Macs with a T1 or T2 processor (used for Touch Id and to manage the SMC). More than on that beneath.

If you've seen the warning: 'The macOS installation couldn't be completed' or the bulletin: 'An Error Occurred While Installing the Selected Updates' we're here to help. Or if having managed to download Monterey yous are confronted with the bulletin: "There is non enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the OS!", we are here to aid. These were all problems we encountered in 2020, so it's quite possible that the aforementioned issues will exist faced with the arrival of Monterey.

Error occured installing big sur

Problems with Monterey

It is unfortunately the case that when Apple launches a new version of macOS some Mac users suffering from issues post-obit the update, these issues tend to impact older Macs more than newer Macs.

Information technology is possible that these issues will be addressed in macOS 12.ane or later, but if that's no healthy take a look below to meet if your issue is being experienced past others how they are tackling the problem.

Bricked Macs

Apparently installing Monterey is bricking some Macs - specifically older Intel-based models with a T1 and T2 chip (which drives the System Management Controller (SMC) and Affect ID sensors in some Intel Macs).

The reason for problem seems to be that something is interfering with the process when the firmware update happens. I suggested gear up is to restore the Mac's firmware, but that isn't elementary. The rescue process for T2 Macs, as outlined in an Apple document here, requires a 2d Intel Mac, from which yous can supply the damaged computers with new firmware for the T2 processor via the Apple Configurator 2 app. It's even more complicated if you have a T1, so you may need to go to an Apple Shop in that instance.

Memory direction problem

There are besides reports that a memory management bug is causing some Macs to run out of free retentiveness. Users might see the warning: "Your organization has run out of application retention." In that case the bug seems to touch both new and onetime Macs, rather than being limited to just Apple Silicon or Intel machines.

If you lot encounter the bug you may discover that strength-quitting your applications or rebooting your Mac fixes information technology.

USB bug

In that location have as well been reports of a problem with the USB three.0 ports - mainly affecting hubs, simply also some USB peripherals do not work properly after the upgrade.

In this case the problem seems to impact computers that feature Apple's M1 chip, but at that place are also reports of Intel Macs being afflicted.

Problems with Big Sur...

In 2022 when Big Sur launched some Mac users were unfortunate enough to feel an upshot where the installer would fail to check how much space was bachelor before installing the operating arrangement update. Every bit a result the installation would be unable to complete and all the storage bachelor on the Mac would be filled making the Mac unusable. Apple issued an update to Large Sur that addressed this particular problem on xv Feb 2021. Read about Big Sur version 11.two.one (build 20D75) and how it fixes the problem in this article: Second Big Sur 11.2.1 update fixes Mac installation consequence. It is probable that if a similar problem happens in Monterey we volition see an update shortly after launch.

With Big Sur there were also reports of letters such as: 'macOS could non be installed on your calculator', 'gateway timed out' or 'bad gateway', and 'The network connection was lost' we explain how we stock-still these below.

And, with Big Sur users were as well confronted with an message that stated: "The update package has been deleted since being downloaded from the Apple Software Update server" we accost that below too.

Why won't macOS Monterey download?

There are a few reasons why the macOS download or installation process might not piece of work or exist interrupted. In that location are too a few possible reasons why download might be taking too long. We'll run through the various issues y'all might meet and the best fixes for them below.

Trouble: Download taking too long

If it happens to exist a new version of the Mac operating system and y'all are attempting to download it just after release there could be problems due to so many people accessing the servers at the same fourth dimension.

As a result the download of the software may be slow and, even if you do manage to download it, the installation may freeze as it tries to verify your details with Apple tree.

In 2022 our download of Large Sur threatened to take a whole day - a typical sign that too many people are attempting to access the servers.

How long will Big Sur download take

Y'all can approximate whether there are bug with the servers at Apple's cease by visiting Apple tree'south server status webpage here: System Condition folio. Bank check the macOS Software Update department to encounter if there are whatsoever known bug. (If the link doesn't work information technology's https://www.apple tree.com/uk/support/systemstatus/)

As you will see from the screen shot below there was a problem with macOS Software Update on 12 November. It has since been resolved co-ordinate to Apple.

Is Apple server down

While the effect with Big Sur was live on 12 November 2022 Apple had the following text on the site indicating that at that place was a problem: "Users may non be able to download macOS Software Updates on Mac computers."

Fix: speed up the download

Information technology's non always Apple's servers that are to blame though. Perhaps the issue is at your finish. Possibly your WiFi connectedness is poor. We suggest that you endeavour moving closer to the router.

You lot might find that things are quicker if you movement from a Wi-Fi to a wired connectedness. If yous accept a Ethernet cable and the necessary adapter if your Mac only has a USB-C port, plug yourself directly into the hub. Your download will be much faster over a wired connection.

Read more: How to set up Wi-Fi problems on Mac

Fix: Turn on Content Caching

Another matter that yous could effort is to arrange Content Caching.

When the download threatened to accept a long time we turned on Content Caching.

  1. Get to Organisation Preferences > Sharing.
  2. Turning Content Caching.
  3. Restarting the Mac.

Evidently Content Caching reduces bandwidth usage and speeds upwards installation on supported devices by storing software updates on the figurer.

We made sure that the Cache Size was unlimited - click on Options. And we also fabricated sure that the option selected beside Enshroud was All Content.

With these changes in place the download was consummate in one-half an hour rather than the 10 hours initially predictable.

Problem: macOS update won't download

Some other reason you lot may not exist able to download a macOS update is if you lot don't have adequate amounts of complimentary space on your Mac.

Possibly there isn't adequate infinite available on your Mac (nosotros always recommend that you don't install if you have less than 20GB of infinite free as your Mac may struggle with the installation otherwise - in fact with Large Sur weighing in at just over 12GB, and Monterey likely to be only equally big, you'll demand all the space you can get!)

Y'all'll see beneath that even 20GB space isn't actually sufficient when it comes to installing macOS Big Sur though. We really needed 35GB available when it came to doing the installation. So that's more 45GB required earlier you beginning - y'all might desire to read this: Don't carp trying to update to Big Sur if yous have a 128GB Mac.

Fix: Make space

We offer advice on making more infinite on your Mac hither: How to free space on a Mac. Y'all could for example delete former emails and text letters, or locate old Time Machine fill-in files from your Mac and delete them.

One great way to free upwards space is to delete the images associated with the Letters yous've received on your Mac. You lot tin can do this by clicking on the Apple tree Logo > About this Mac > Manage and and so choosing Messages and deleting as many images and videos as you can.

You could as well try an app such every bit Clean Your Mac to delete caches and other things from your Mac. If you'd rather not pay nosotros run through How to delete Other storage on the Mac, How to delete System storage on a Mac, and How to delete Cache on a Mac.

Ready: Utilize Safe Mode

Another way you might be able to go the macOS update to download and install is to use Safe Mode.

Printing the power push and hold down the Shift key to start the Mac up in Safety Mode. Open App Store and update your apps while in Rubber mode. Reboot.

To access Safe Fashion press and hold the Shift fundamental when you start upwards your Mac. Wait while the Apple tree logo appears, and then, when the login window appears release the Shift primal.

Here's how to apply Condom Fashion on a Mac.

Gear up: Download from Mac App Store

If you are on Catalina or later on you lot might think yous take to stick to downloading the new software via Software Update, but y'all can still grab the download via the Mac App Store.

For example, you can Download MacOS Big Sur on the Mac App Store here.

When nosotros attempted to download Catalina from the Mac App Shop were confronted by a bulletin that the requested version of macOS couldn't be found though.

Can't find catalina

This could just be a temporary glitch, peradventure while Apple relocates the predecessor to a new location on the Mac App Store. Nosotros have links to all versions of macOS here: How to get one-time macOS.

Fix: Download the software from Apple tree's website

If you're having problems downloading a bespeak update (non a complete new version) via Software Update or Mac App Store, you tin utilise Apple'due south website instead. Yous can find the latest macOS updates here. To find any software update on the site, just search for it.

Problem: macOS won't install errors

Perhaps you managed to download Monterey, Big Sur or any other macOS update and and so establish that information technology wouldn't install. This besides happened to many people when attempting to download Big Sur on 12 November who saw an error bulletin suggesting that 'Installation failed: error occurred while installing the update', we'll run through that example before looking at some other error letters nosotros have seen in the by.

Fault: Upgrade runs out of infinite and fails

In some cases the macOS Big Sur installer wasn't checking that in that location was sufficient space available before performing the installation. As a result some Mac users were finding that their Macs were unable to complete the installation before they ran out of space.

Since information technology is possible that the aforementioned, or like problems, may plague  Monterey updates you may exist revealed to know that in 2022 this item problem was addressed in an update to Large Sur so nosotros recommend you perform that update. Read: Big Sur eleven.2.1 (v2) fixes this Mac installation outcome.

In 2022 the best solution was to do a clean install of Big Sur so that may be the case in 2022 too.

Error: Installation failed error occurred while installing the update

Ane of the biggest bug with Big Sur was that the installer would identify that there wasn't enough infinite available. Nosotros sincerely hope not to have the same problem in 2022 with Monterey.

Since the macOS Large Sur installation required around 48.5GB free space - that's 35.5GB plus another 13GB for the installer itself. Lack of space was quite a common trouble among those with 128GB Macs. That is the problem we encountered, equally we will detail beneath.

With the Big Sur update, if you saw the error message: 'Installation failed: error occured while installing the update' y'all were not lonely. At that place were multiple reports of people having difficulties downloading Big Sur. In fact, nosotros experienced this exact trouble with our effort to download and install Big Sur. We'll share what happened in case it is helpful to you:

The get-go clue that something was going wrong was when it looked like the download of macOS Big Sur was finally complete - with the consummate 12.2GB downloaded - but the bar was stuck with some distance to go, we left it alone for an 60 minutes or so in the hope that it would right itself.

Nevertheless, when we returned we saw the message that: "Installation failed. An mistake occured while installing the update".

Installation failed installing Big Sur

The foreign thing was that even though it had earlier indicated that the whole Big Sur file had been downloaded, information technology was no where to be seen on our Mac.

We attempted to start the download once more and saw another message, this time suggesting that the file could not be downloaded.

It seems that our Mac knew that the Big Sur files were on our Mac because when we searched again for it the Big Sur file were in that location. You could search for Big Sur using Spotlight and try and install information technology - or you could delete the files and outset again. (Except as you'll run into if you lot go along to read, that didn't aid us particularly).

Error: In that location is not enough gratuitous space on the selected book to upgrade the Bone

Still relating to our struggles updating to Big Sur... Having located the Install Big Sur files we thought we would now exist able to install it, except that when we tried to we were confronted with a request for 14GB space. It turns out that Big Sur is a 12.2GB download, but even afterwards that yous demand about 34GB of free space! Given that Apple has only just stopped selling Macs with 128GB SSDs we imagine a lot of people are in the same boat every bit us right now. We have managed to scrape back to 25.5GB of free infinite but we need to detect some other 10GB.

If like us you are looking at the Other storage on your Mac and wondering what the hell is taking upwardly so much space, have a look at How to delete Other storage on your Mac.

Big Sur needs more space

Again, doing a clean install of Large Sur could exist one way to get plenty space for the installation.

In 2022 when confronted with this problem nosotros armed ourselves with CleanMyMac X to delete cached files and other superfluous data, and then blitzed the images and videos associated with our Messages. In the end we managed to get the 10GB we needed.

Fix: "The update package has been deleted" fault

Another year and another macOS installation struggle! While attempting to download Catalina the day subsequently launch in 2022 we saw an mistake message indicating: "The update parcel has been deleted since beingness downloaded from the Apple Software Update server".

Initially nosotros causeless that this meant that Apple tree had withdrawn the software, only on farther investigation information technology appeared that information technology related to issue was with our network.

updates package has been deleted since being downloaded from the apple software update server

It seems that information technology was a example of there existence too many Apple devices on our network causing too much competition for bandwidth. We stopped streaming radio, turned off other devices, and moved our Mac closer to the router. If we'd take had an Ethernet cable handy nosotros'd have used that. Either mode, it fixed the problem for us that time.

Other fixes for macOS download problems

Here are some of the nearly useful suggestions to work through in order to fix a problem with a macOS download. You lot might also want to run through our advice here: How to get your Mac ready for macOS Monterey.

1. Check your Mac is healthy

It'due south e'er wise to run through a standard series of checks before yous perform an operating organisation update on a Mac. We cover training steps in the first section of our guide showing How to update macOS on a Mac.

2. Cancel the download/terminate the update

You might be able to cancel the download, but the method will depend on what version of macOS you lot take installed.

In Mojave Apple tree inverse the road users take to download a macOS Software Updates. They are now accessed via System Preferences > Software Update, where previously they were downloaded via the Mac App Store.

If you desire to stop the download, you tin click on the 10 that appears beside the bar that shows the download progress, as shown in the screenshot below.

Cancel macOS download

Pre-Mojave, you may be able to prepare a stuck update by going to the Mac App Store, finding the software you lot are downloading, and pressing Option/Alt. When you lot do so you should run into the selection to Cancel the download.

Having cancelled the download y'all should be able to starting time it once again, hopefully without any problems this fourth dimension.

Problem: Stalled macOS update

Mostly, if there's a problem with your software installation it will become stuck on the updating screen, showing an Apple logo with a status bar showing the progress every bit the software is loading. There may be what people refer to as a 'spinning embankment ball'.

How to fix a Mac that won't finish a macOS update: Beach ball

Alternatively, you may see a white, grey or black screen. On many Macs the screen may be so dark that you might not even be able to tell if the Mac is turned on.

However, you want to be absolutely certain that the installation isn't still running in the groundwork considering forcibly rebooting the Mac during an installation volition interrupt the installation process and potentially crusade you to lose data. It'due south 1 reason why it'due south recommended that you dorsum up your Mac earlier you install new software.

Alternatively, y'all might find that your Mac gets stuck in the installer with a message that "macOS could not be installed on your calculator". When we clicked Restart the same thing happened, in the terminate, the merely mode nosotros were able to set it was by starting in Prophylactic Mode and downloading the installer again. Find out exactly what we did beneath.

If your Mac appears to have frozen during the install, information technology's worth listening to your Mac for signs of life - you lot may be able to hear whiring - and post-obit the below advice.

1. Find out if your Mac has really frozen

Before y'all conclude that your Mac has frozen during the installation, you need to be enlightened of the following.

Sometimes updating the software on a Mac tin take a Very. Long. Time. You may be confronted by what looks similar a frozen update, only if yous exit it for a few hours information technology could finally get to the end of its task. Sometimes information technology'southward worth leaving the Mac overnight to terminate the task it's started. Sometimes updates can take 16 hours or more - peculiarly on the days when Apple releases a new version of its Mac operating system.

Remember, the progress bar you see during installation is just a best guess at how long it will take. In our experience one infinitesimal it tells usa there will exist a two-hour wait, then 45 minutes, and then an hr, before jumping downwardly to twenty minutes. Sometimes things get slowed downwards because the Mac is taking a while to install one file behind the scenes and that's thrown the whole update time prediction out the window.

The Mac might accept been stuck on 20 minutes remaining for the past two hours, just this doesn't necessarily mean information technology's not busy trying to install the software.

two. Look at the Log to see if your Mac is nonetheless installing macOS

Press Command + L. This brings upwardly additional information and more details about the amount of time still remaining for the install. It may give y'all a better indication of what files are being installed and the amount of fourth dimension left.

3. Wait

If information technology turns out that the installation hasn't stalled exist patient and wait for a few more than hours.

Ane key affair to call back: Apple indicates how much time is manifestly left for an installation... Don't pay this whatsoever attention because it is NEVER Correct!

Problem: Mac freezes during installation

If you're positive that the Mac isn't still working on updating your software then run through the following steps:

1. Shut down, wait a few seconds, and then restart your Mac

Press and concur the power button to close down and showtime your Mac dorsum up.

2. Go to System Preferences > Software Update

Or, if yous are on an older macOS version, get to the Mac App Shop and open up Updates.

Yous should observe that the update/installation procedure carries on from where information technology left off.

3. Check the Log screen to see if files are being installed

When the progress bar appears, printing Command + L over again to check the Log screen and ensure files are being installed. If the Log screen shows that nothing is happening move on to the side by side step.

iv. Attempt installing the Combo update

As we mentioned before, Apple hosts software on its website, so you can download it from at that place if you are having problems with the usual method.

There's adept reason to get your software from Apple's website if you're encountering issues: the version of the software available from Software Update or the Mac App Store will only include the files necessary to update your Mac.

If y'all go to Apple's support website you tin find a Philharmonic updater which includes all the files required to update the macOS. This version of the update volition replace all the arrangement files and thereby ensure the update is complete.

How to fix a Mac that won't finish a macOS update: Downloads

v. Reset the NVRAM

If Safe Mode doesn't work, restart the Mac and hold downward Command, Option/Alt, P and R. This will reset the NVRAM. Expect until the computer restarts and wait to see if it starts updating.

For more than data read How to reset the PRAM/NVRAM here.

vi. Use Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS

Equally a final pick yous could restart the Mac in Recovery Fashion (hold down Control + R at startup). There are a number of options to choose from here - you could recover your Mac from your terminal Fourth dimension Automobile backup, or perform a disk repair - but we recommend choosing the 'Install new OS' option. We take a separate tutorial on how to reinstall MacOS using Recovery Mode.

When it reinstalls macOS your Mac will replace all the Apple system files overwriting any problematic ones that may be contributing to this mistake - hopefully. This update won't include the latest version of the software so later on performing the update, bank check Software Update and apply the latest macOS update.

7. Install the OS from an external drive

If you're still having issues with the install you could try installing the Os from an external drive. Read this tutorial to find out how to create a bootable installer and install macOS from an external bulldoze.

8. Run Disk Utility once you've updated

When yous finally get the software up and running we advise that yous run Disk Utility to correct any issues that might accept acquired the problem in the first identify.

What to exercise if macOS could not be installed on your calculator

When we started up our Mac and saw the message macOS could not be installed on your reckoner we were initially a trivial dislocated - equally far as we were concerned nosotros hadn't been trying to install macOS. Only, regardless, nosotros were stuck in a loop. When we clicked Restart our Mac restarted, but was nonetheless stuck in the installer.

We tried to quit the installer - we clicked on the Installer window and and then from the menu above cull Quit MacOS Installer (alternatively Command + Q). Unfortunately for united states when we booted up our Mac once more we had the same problem with information technology opening the installer.

We then ran through the following options and had more success:

  1. Starting time in Prophylactic Mode: We held down the shift key while we started upward our Mac. This manner we were able to boot up in Safe Mode. In Safe Fashion you will find the Mac is a bit glitchy only you should be able to do what y'all need to do to ready the problem.
  2. One time in Safe Mode we opened the Mac App Store and searched for Big Sur. In later on versions of macOS you should exist able to find the update in Organization Preferences Software Update.
  3. We clicked download and waited while the Large Sur installer downloaded in the groundwork.
  4. One time the installer was downloaded and we were gear up to install we continued with the installation.

It's besides possible that macOS is not able to be installed on your Mac because your Mac is too old: yous tin run into which Macs can run Monterey here, and which Macs can run Big Sur here.

Read side by side: How to fix a frozen Mac. We besides have a complete guide to fixing some of the well-nigh common Mac issues. Plus nosotros discuss everything you need to know about getting Apple products repaired.