Installing new versions of macOS on a Mac should exist a pretty uncomplicated practise. The Mac tells y'all there'south an update available via a pop up in Notification Centre - in some cases (depending on your settings) it's even downloaded it already and only needs your go-ahead to install. Nevertheless, sometimes when you lot click Go on an update things become a bit pear-shaped. In this tutorial we'll expect at what to do if your Mac stalls or freezes during an operating system software update, or if you 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 Large Sur arrived in November 2022 many people experienced difficulties downloading and installing it and, as anticipated, at that place were similar problems with the inflow of Monterey.

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

One big issue with Monterey appears to exist that information technology is bricking some Intel Macs with a T1 or T2 processor (used for Affect Id and to manage the SMC). More than on that below.

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

Error occured installing big sur

Problems with Monterey

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

It is possible that these issues volition exist addressed in macOS 12.1 or afterward, but if that'southward no healthy accept a wait below to see if your issue is beingness experienced by 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 flake (which drives the System Management Controller (SMC) and Touch 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. One suggested prepare is to restore the Mac's firmware, only that isn't uncomplicated. The rescue procedure for T2 Macs, as outlined in an Apple tree certificate hither, requires a second Intel Mac, from which you can supply the damaged computers with new firmware for the T2 processor via the Apple tree Configurator 2 app. Information technology'due south even more complicated if you take a T1, so you may need to go to an Apple Shop in that case.

Retention management problem

There are likewise reports that a retentivity management problems is causing some Macs to run out of free retention. Users might see the warning: "Your organisation has run out of application retentivity." In that case the bug seems to touch on both new and sometime Macs, rather than being limited to just Apple tree Silicon or Intel machines.

If you lot encounter the bug yous may find that force-quitting your applications or rebooting your Mac fixes it.

USB issues

There have also been reports of a problem with the USB 3.0 ports - mainly affecting hubs, but also some USB peripherals exercise not work properly later the upgrade.

In this instance the trouble seems to affect computers that characteristic Apple'south M1 chip, merely in that location are likewise reports of Intel Macs being affected.

Problems with Big Sur...

In 2022 when Large Sur launched some Mac users were unfortunate enough to feel an outcome where the installer would fail to cheque how much space was bachelor earlier installing the operating system update. Equally a event the installation would be unable to consummate and all the storage available on the Mac would be filled making the Mac unusable. Apple issued an update to Big Sur that addressed this item problem on 15 February 2021. Read about Big Sur version 11.2.1 (build 20D75) and how it fixes the trouble in this article: Second Big Sur xi.2.one update fixes Mac installation issue. Information technology is probable that if a like problem happens in Monterey we will see an update before long later launch.

With Big Sur at that place were too reports of messages such equally: 'macOS could non be installed on your calculator', 'gateway timed out' or 'bad gateway', and 'The network connection was lost' we explain how we fixed these below.

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

Why won't macOS Monterey download?

There are a few reasons why the macOS download or installation process might not work or exist interrupted. There are likewise a few possible reasons why download might be taking too long. We'll run through the various bug you lot might encounter and the best fixes for them below.

Problem: Download taking too long

If it happens to be a new version of the Mac operating organisation and you are attempting to download information technology just later release there could be problems due to so many people accessing the servers at the aforementioned time.

As a result the download of the software may exist slow and, even if you practice manage to download it, the installation may freeze every bit information technology tries to verify your details with Apple.

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

How long will Big Sur download take

You can judge whether there are issues with the servers at Apple's end past visiting Apple'due south server status webpage here: System Status page. Bank check the macOS Software Update department to come across if there are any known issues. (If the link doesn't work it's https://world wide web.apple tree.com/uk/support/systemstatus/)

As you will run into from the screen shot below at that place was a trouble with macOS Software Update on 12 November. It has since been resolved co-ordinate to Apple tree.

Is Apple server down

While the issue with Big Sur was live on 12 November 2022 Apple had the following text on the site indicating that in that location was a problem: "Users may not be able to download macOS Software Updates on Mac computers."

Fix: speed upwards the download

Information technology's not e'er Apple's servers that are to blame though. Perhaps the issue is at your end. Possibly your WiFi connection is poor. We suggest that you try moving closer to the router.

Y'all might find that things are quicker if y'all movement from a Wi-Fi to a wired connection. If yous have a Ethernet cable and the necessary adapter if your Mac merely 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 fix Wi-Fi problems on Mac

Fix: Plough on Content Caching

Another affair that you could try is to adapt Content Caching.

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

  1. Go to System Preferences > Sharing.
  2. Turning Content Caching.
  3. Restarting the Mac.

Apparently Content Caching reduces bandwidth usage and speeds upward installation on supported devices past storing software updates on the estimator.

Nosotros made certain that the Cache Size was unlimited - click on Options. And we likewise made sure that the pick selected abreast Cache was All Content.

With these changes in place the download was complete in half an hour rather than the 10 hours initially anticipated.

Problem: macOS update won't download

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

Possibly there isn't adequate space bachelor on your Mac (we always recommend that you lot don't install if you have less than 20GB of space free equally your Mac may struggle with the installation otherwise - in fact with Big Sur weighing in at just over 12GB, and Monterey likely to be only every bit large, you'll demand all the infinite y'all can become!)

You'll come across below that even 20GB space isn't really sufficient when it comes to installing macOS Big Sur though. We actually needed 35GB available when it came to doing the installation. So that's more 45GB required before you start - you might want to read this: Don't bother trying to update to Big Sur if yous take a 128GB Mac.

Set: Brand infinite

We offer advice on making more than space on your Mac here: How to free infinite on a Mac. You could for example delete old emails and text letters, or locate former Fourth dimension Machine backup files from your Mac and delete them.

1 great way to gratuitous upward space is to delete the images associated with the Messages you've received on your Mac. You lot tin do this by clicking on the Apple Logo > About this Mac > Manage and then choosing Messages and deleting as many images and videos as you can.

You could also effort an app such every bit Clean Your Mac to delete caches and other things from your Mac. If you'd rather non pay we run through How to delete Other storage on the Mac, How to delete Organization storage on a Mac, and How to delete Enshroud on a Mac.

Fix: Utilize Safe Mode

Some other way you might be able to go the macOS update to download and install is to apply Safe Manner.

Press the ability button and agree down the Shift fundamental to start the Mac upward in Condom Manner. Open App Store and update your apps while in Safe way. Reboot.

To access Safe Mode press and hold the Shift key when you kickoff up your Mac. Await while the Apple logo appears, and then, when the login window appears release the Shift cardinal.

Here'southward how to use Safe Mode on a Mac.

Fix: Download from Mac App Store

If you are on Catalina or afterwards you might recollect you have to stick to downloading the new software via Software Update, just yous can still grab the download via the Mac App Store.

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

When we attempted to download Catalina from the Mac App Shop were confronted past a message that the requested version of macOS couldn't exist found though.

Can't find catalina

This could just be a temporary glitch, perhaps while Apple tree relocates the predecessor to a new location on the Mac App Store. We take links to all versions of macOS hither: How to get old macOS.

Fix: Download the software from Apple's website

If you lot're having problems downloading a point update (not a complete new version) via Software Update or Mac App Store, yous can utilize Apple's website instead. You lot tin detect the latest macOS updates here. To notice any software update on the site, just search for information technology.

Problem: macOS won't install errors

Perhaps you managed to download Monterey, Large Sur or any other macOS update and and then constitute that it wouldn't install. This likewise happened to many people when attempting to download Big Sur on 12 November who saw an error message suggesting that 'Installation failed: fault occurred while installing the update', we'll run through that case earlier looking at some other fault messages we have seen in the past.

Error: Upgrade runs out of space and fails

In some cases the macOS Big Sur installer wasn't checking that in that location was sufficient space bachelor 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 it is possible that the same, or similar problems, may plague  Monterey updates you may be revealed to know that in 2022 this detail problem was addressed in an update to Big Sur so we recommend you perform that update. Read: Large Sur 11.2.ane (v2) fixes this Mac installation issue.

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

1 of the biggest problems with Big Sur was that the installer would identify that there wasn't enough space available. We sincerely hope non to accept the same problem in 2022 with Monterey.

Since the macOS Big Sur installation required around 48.5GB gratuitous infinite - that'southward 35.5GB plus some other 13GB for the installer itself. Lack of space was quite a common trouble amongst those with 128GB Macs. That is the trouble we encountered, as we will particular beneath.

With the Large Sur update, if you saw the error message: 'Installation failed: error occured while installing the update' you were not solitary. There were multiple reports of people having difficulties downloading Large Sur. In fact, we experienced this exact problem with our attempt to download and install Large Sur. We'll share what happened in instance it is helpful to you:

The first 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 - simply the bar was stuck with some altitude to become, we left it alone for an hour or so in the hope that it would right itself.

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

Installation failed installing Big Sur

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

Nosotros attempted to get-go the download again and saw another message, this fourth dimension suggesting that the file could not exist downloaded.

It seems that our Mac knew that the Big Sur files were on our Mac because when we searched again for it the Large Sur file were at that place. You could search for Big Sur using Spotlight and try and install information technology - or you could delete the files and start again. (Except as you'll see if you continue to read, that didn't help u.s. specially).

Error: There is non enough gratis space on the selected book to upgrade the OS

Yet relating to our struggles updating to Big Sur... Having located the Install Big Sur files we idea we would now be able to install it, except that when nosotros tried to we were confronted with a request for 14GB space. It turns out that Big Sur is a 12.2GB download, but fifty-fifty after that you lot demand nearly 34GB of gratis space! Given that Apple tree has just merely stopped selling Macs with 128GB SSDs nosotros imagine a lot of people are in the same boat equally us right now. Nosotros have managed to scrape back to 25.5GB of free space but we need to discover some other 10GB.

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

Big Sur needs more space

Once more, doing a clean install of Big Sur could be ane way to get enough space for the installation.

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

Fix: "The update package has been deleted" fault

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

Initially we assumed that this meant that Apple tree had withdrawn the software, but on further investigation it appeared that it related to outcome was with our network.

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

It seems that it was a instance of at that place being too many Apple tree devices on our network causing likewise much contest for bandwidth. We stopped streaming radio, turned 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 fashion, information technology fixed the problem for us that time.

Other fixes for macOS download issues

Hither are some of the well-nigh useful suggestions to work through in order to prepare a problem with a macOS download. You might too want to run through our communication here: How to become your Mac ready for macOS Monterey.

one. Check your Mac is good for you

It'south always wise to run through a standard series of checks before you lot perform an operating system update on a Mac. Nosotros cover training steps in the starting time department of our guide showing How to update macOS on a Mac.

two. Cancel the download/stop the update

Yous might exist able to abolish the download, just the method will depend on what version of macOS you accept installed.

In Mojave Apple changed the route 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 y'all desire to stop the download, y'all can click on the x 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 fix a stuck update by going to the Mac App Store, finding the software y'all are downloading, and pressing Option/Alt. When you do so you lot should see the option to Abolish the download.

Having cancelled the download you should be able to start it again, hopefully without whatever bug this time.

Problem: Stalled macOS update

Generally, if in that location'southward a problem with your software installation information technology will go stuck on the updating screen, showing an Apple tree logo with a status bar showing the progress as the software is loading. There may be what people refer to as a 'spinning beach ball'.

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

Alternatively, you may come across a white, grey or black screen. On many Macs the screen may be then nighttime that you might non fifty-fifty be able to tell if the Mac is turned on.

However, you want to exist admittedly sure that the installation isn't still running in the groundwork because forcibly rebooting the Mac during an installation will interrupt the installation process and potentially cause you to lose data. Information technology'southward i reason why it's recommended that you back upwards your Mac before you lot install new software.

Alternatively, you lot might find that your Mac gets stuck in the installer with a bulletin that "macOS could non be installed on your estimator". When we clicked Restart the same thing happened, in the cease, the only way nosotros were able to set up it was by starting in Safe Mode and downloading the installer again. Observe out exactly what we did below.

If your Mac appears to accept frozen during the install, information technology'south worth listening to your Mac for signs of life - you may exist able to hear whiring - and following the below advice.

i. Observe out if your Mac has really frozen

Before you 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 can take a Very. Long. Fourth dimension. Y'all may be confronted by what looks like a frozen update, simply if you leave it for a few hours it could finally become to the end of its task. Sometimes it'southward worth leaving the Mac overnight to finish the task it'southward started. Sometimes updates can take xvi hours or more - especially 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 all-time guess at how long information technology volition have. In our experience one minute information technology tells u.s. in that location will exist a 2-60 minutes wait, and then 45 minutes, then an 60 minutes, earlier jumping down to 20 minutes. Sometimes things get slowed downwards considering 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 twenty minutes remaining for the past ii hours, but this doesn't necessarily mean information technology's not busy trying to install the software.

2. Look at the Log to come across if your Mac is all the same installing macOS

Press Command + 50. This brings up additional information and more details about the amount of fourth dimension however remaining for the install. It may requite you a better indication of what files are being installed and the corporeality of time left.

3. Wait

If it turns out that the installation hasn't stalled exist patient and await for a few more hours.

One key matter to remember: Apple indicates how much time is apparently left for an installation... Don't pay this whatever attention considering information technology is NEVER RIGHT!

Problem: Mac freezes during installation

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

i. Shut down, look a few seconds, then restart your Mac

Press and agree the ability button to shut down and kickoff your Mac back up.

2. Go to Arrangement Preferences > Software Update

Or, if you lot are on an older macOS version, go to the Mac App Store and open Updates.

You lot should observe that the update/installation process carries on from where information technology left off.

3. Check the Log screen to meet if files are beingness installed

When the progress bar appears, printing Control + L over again to check the Log screen and ensure files are existence installed. If the Log screen shows that zero is happening motility on to the adjacent step.

4. Endeavour installing the Combo update

As nosotros mentioned earlier, Apple hosts software on its website, so you tin download it from there if you are having problems with the usual method.

In that location's good reason to become your software from Apple'due south website if you're encountering problems: the version of the software available from Software Update or the Mac App Store volition but include the files necessary to update your Mac.

If you go to Apple's support website you tin can notice a Combo updater which includes all the files required to update the macOS. This version of the update will replace all the system files and thereby ensure the update is complete.

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

5. Reset the NVRAM

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

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

6. Employ Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS

As a concluding pick you could restart the Mac in Recovery Fashion (hold downwardly Control + R at startup). At that place are a number of options to cull from here - y'all could recover your Mac from your final Time Machine backup, or perform a disk repair - but nosotros recommend choosing the 'Install new OS' option. Nosotros have a split tutorial on how to reinstall MacOS using Recovery Manner.

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

7. Install the OS from an external drive

If you're even so having issues with the install you could attempt 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 drive.

8. Run Disk Utility once you lot've updated

When you lot finally get the software up and running nosotros advise that you lot run Disk Utility to correct any issues that might take caused the problem in the first place.

What to do if macOS could not be installed on your computer

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

Nosotros tried to quit the installer - we clicked on the Installer window and then from the menu higher up choose Quit MacOS Installer (alternatively Command + Q). Unfortunately for united states of america when we booted upwardly our Mac again we had the same problem with it opening the installer.

Nosotros then ran through the post-obit options and had more success:

  1. Outset in Safe Mode: Nosotros held downwards the shift central while we started upwardly our Mac. This way we were able to kick upwards in Safe Mode. In Condom Mode you will find the Mac is a bit glitchy just you should exist able to practice what you demand to do to fix the problem.
  2. Once in Prophylactic Mode we opened the Mac App Store and searched for Big Sur. In later versions of macOS you should be able to find the update in System Preferences Software Update.
  3. We clicked download and waited while the Large Sur installer downloaded in the groundwork.
  4. Once the installer was downloaded and we were set to install we connected with the installation.

Information technology'south also possible that macOS is not able to be installed on your Mac because your Mac is too old: you can see which Macs can run Monterey here, and which Macs can run Big Sur here.

Read next: How to fix a frozen Mac. Nosotros also have a complete guide to fixing some of the most mutual Mac issues. Plus we hash out everything you need to know nearly getting Apple products repaired.