Installing new versions of macOS on a Mac should be a pretty unproblematic practice. The Mac tells yous in that location'due south an update available via a pop upwardly in Notification Center - in some cases (depending on your settings) it'due south fifty-fifty downloaded it already and simply needs your get-alee to install. However, sometimes when yous click Go on an update things go a bit pear-shaped. In this tutorial we'll look 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 Oct 2021. When macOS Big Sur arrived in November 2020 many people experienced difficulties downloading and installing it and, equally predictable, in that location were similar problems with the arrival of Monterey.

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

One big consequence 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 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 you are confronted with the bulletin: "There is non plenty gratuitous infinite on the selected volume to upgrade the OS!", we are here to help. These were all problems nosotros encountered in 2020, so it's quite possible that the same bug will be 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 affect older Macs more than newer Macs.

It is possible that these issues will exist addressed in macOS 12.i or later, merely if that'southward no good for y'all take a look below to see if your result 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 chip (which drives the System Management Controller (SMC) and Impact ID sensors in some Intel Macs).

The reason for problem seems to exist that something is interfering with the process when the firmware update happens. One suggested fix is to restore the Mac'south firmware, but that isn't simple. The rescue process for T2 Macs, equally outlined in an Apple document here, requires a second Intel Mac, from which you can supply the damaged computers with new firmware for the T2 processor via the Apple Configurator 2 app. It'south fifty-fifty more complicated if you lot have a T1, so yous may need to get to an Apple Store in that case.

Memory direction trouble

There are also reports that a memory management issues is causing some Macs to run out of free memory. Users might see the warning: "Your system has run out of application retentiveness." In that case the issues seems to touch both new and old Macs, rather than being limited to but Apple tree Silicon or Intel machines.

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

USB problems

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

In this case the problem seems to touch on computers that characteristic Apple's M1 chip, merely there are also reports of Intel Macs beingness affected.

Problems with Big Sur...

In 2020 when Big Sur launched some Mac users were unfortunate enough to experience an issue where the installer would neglect to bank check how much space was available before installing the operating organization update. As a issue the installation would be unable to complete and all the storage available on the Mac would exist filled making the Mac unusable. Apple issued an update to Big Sur that addressed this item problem on 15 February 2021. Read most Big Sur version 11.2.1 (build 20D75) and how it fixes the trouble in this article: Second Big Sur 11.ii.1 update fixes Mac installation upshot. It is probable that if a similar trouble happens in Monterey nosotros will encounter an update presently later on launch.

With Big Sur there were also reports of messages such equally: 'macOS could not be installed on your calculator', 'gateway timed out' or 'bad gateway', and 'The network connection was lost' we explicate how nosotros fixed these below.

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

Why won't macOS Monterey download?

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

Problem: Download taking too long

If information technology happens to exist a new version of the Mac operating organization and you are attempting to download it just later on release in that location could exist 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 y'all do manage to download it, the installation may freeze as it tries to verify your details with Apple.

In 2020 our download of Big Sur threatened to take a whole day - a typical sign that besides many people are attempting to access the servers.

How long will Big Sur download take

You can gauge whether there are issues with the servers at Apple'southward end by visiting Apple'southward server status webpage here: Organization Status page. Check the macOS Software Update section to see if in that location are any known bug. (If the link doesn't work it'southward https://www.apple.com/united kingdom/back up/systemstatus/)

As you volition meet from the screen shot below there was a problem with macOS Software Update on 12 November. It has since been resolved according to Apple tree.

Is Apple server down

While the issue with Big Sur was live on 12 Nov 2020 Apple had the following text on the site indicating that there was a problem: "Users may not exist able to download macOS Software Updates on Mac computers."

Fix: speed upwardly the download

It's not always Apple'due south servers that are to blame though. Perhaps the issue is at your cease. Maybe your WiFi connection is poor. Nosotros suggest that you try moving closer to the router.

You might notice that things are quicker if you lot motion 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 directly into the hub. Your download will be much faster over a wired connection.

Read more: How to fix Wi-Fi problems on Mac

Set: Plow on Content Caching

Another thing that you could attempt is to adjust Content Caching.

When the download threatened to accept 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 up installation on supported devices by storing software updates on the computer.

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

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

Trouble: macOS update won't download

Another reason yous may not be able to download a macOS update is if yous don't have adequate amounts of free space on your Mac.

Possibly there isn't acceptable space bachelor on your Mac (nosotros e'er recommend that yous don't install if y'all have less than 20GB of space gratuitous every bit your Mac may struggle with the installation otherwise - in fact with Big Sur weighing in at simply over 12GB, and Monterey likely to be just as large, you'll demand all the space y'all can get!)

You'll see below that fifty-fifty 20GB space isn't really sufficient when it comes to installing macOS Big Sur though. We really needed 35GB available when information technology came to doing the installation. So that's more 45GB required before you outset - you might want to read this: Don't bother trying to update to Large Sur if you accept a 128GB Mac.

Fix: Brand space

We offering communication on making more than infinite on your Mac here: How to free infinite on a Mac. You could for example delete onetime emails and text messages, or locate old Time Auto backup files from your Mac and delete them.

1 great mode to free up space is to delete the images associated with the Messages you've received on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Apple Logo > Virtually this Mac > Manage and then choosing Letters and deleting as many images and videos as you can.

You could also try an app such as Make clean Your Mac to delete caches and other things from your Mac. If y'all'd rather not pay nosotros run through How to delete Other storage on the Mac, How to delete Organisation storage on a Mac, and How to delete Cache on a Mac.

Fix: Use Safety Mode

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

Press the ability push button and concur downwardly the Shift central to commencement the Mac up in Safe Mode. Open App Shop and update your apps while in Safe mode. Reboot.

To access Rubber Fashion press and hold the Shift cardinal when you start up your Mac. Wait while the Apple logo appears, and then, when the login window appears release the Shift key.

Here's how to use Condom Mode on a Mac.

Fix: Download from Mac App Store

If you are on Catalina or later you lot might call back you have to stick to downloading the new software via Software Update, but you can nevertheless take hold of the download via the Mac App Store.

For example, y'all can Download MacOS Big Sur on the Mac App Store here.

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

Can't find catalina

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

Fix: Download the software from Apple's website

If you're having problems downloading a point update (not a complete new version) via Software Update or Mac App Store, you can use Apple tree'due south website instead. You tin observe the latest macOS updates hither. To find any software update on the site, simply search for information technology.

Problem: macOS won't install errors

Possibly you managed to download Monterey, Big Sur or any other macOS update and then found that information technology wouldn't install. This as well happened to many people when attempting to download Big Sur on 12 Nov who saw an mistake bulletin suggesting that 'Installation failed: fault occurred while installing the update', nosotros'll run through that example before looking at some other error messages nosotros accept seen in the past.

Error: Upgrade runs out of space and fails

In some cases the macOS Big Sur installer wasn't checking that at that place was sufficient space available earlier 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 same, or like problems, may plague  Monterey updates you may exist revealed to know that in 2020 this particular problem was addressed in an update to Big Sur so we recommend you perform that update. Read: Big Sur eleven.2.1 (v2) fixes this Mac installation issue.

In 2020 the best solution was to exercise a clean install of Big Sur so that may be the case in 2021 besides.

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 have the aforementioned problem in 2021 with Monterey.

Since the macOS Big Sur installation required effectually 48.5GB free space - that'south 35.5GB plus another 13GB for the installer itself. Lack of infinite was quite a common problem among those with 128GB Macs. That is the problem we encountered, as nosotros will particular beneath.

With the Big Sur update, if you saw the mistake message: 'Installation failed: error occured while installing the update' you were non alone. 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 Big Sur. Nosotros'll share what happened in case 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 - but the bar was stuck with some distance to go, we left it alone for an hr or so in the promise that it would correct itself.

Yet, when we returned we saw the message that: "Installation failed. An fault 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, it was no where to be seen on our Mac.

Nosotros attempted to starting time the download again and saw some other bulletin, 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 nosotros searched once again for information technology the Big Sur file were in that location. You could search for Big Sur using Spotlight and endeavour and install information technology - or y'all could delete the files and showtime again. (Except as you'll run into if you proceed to read, that didn't assist us particularly).

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

Still relating to our struggles updating to Large Sur... Having located the Install Big Sur files nosotros thought we would now be able to install it, except that when we tried to nosotros were confronted with a request for 14GB space. Information technology turns out that Big Sur is a 12.2GB download, only even after that y'all need virtually 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 aforementioned boat as us correct at present. Nosotros accept managed to scrape back to 25.5GB of gratis space but we need to notice 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 infinite, accept a look at How to delete Other storage on your Mac.

Big Sur needs more space

Again, doing a make clean install of Big Sur could be one mode to get enough space for the installation.

In 2020 when confronted with this problem we armed ourselves with CleanMyMac X to delete buried files and other superfluous data, and then blitzed the images and videos associated with our Messages. In the end we managed to become the 10GB nosotros needed.

Fix: "The update package has been deleted" mistake

Another year and some other macOS installation struggle! While attempting to download Catalina the solar day later launch in 2019 we saw an error message indicating: "The update parcel has been deleted since being downloaded from the Apple tree Software Update server".

Initially nosotros assumed that this meant that Apple had withdrawn the software, but on further investigation it appeared that information technology related to upshot was with our network.

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

It seems that it was a case of there being 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 have had an Ethernet cable handy we'd have used that. Either way, it fixed the problem for usa that time.

Other fixes for macOS download issues

Here are some of the most useful suggestions to piece of work through in order to fix a trouble with a macOS download. You might also desire to run through our advice hither: How to get your Mac ready for macOS Monterey.

1. Cheque your Mac is good for you

It's e'er wise to run through a standard serial of checks earlier y'all perform an operating arrangement update on a Mac. We cover grooming steps in the first section of our guide showing How to update macOS on a Mac.

2. Abolish the download/stop the update

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

In Mojave Apple changed the route users take to download a macOS Software Updates. They are at present accessed via System Preferences > Software Update, where previously they were downloaded via the Mac App Store.

If you want to stop the download, you lot tin click on the x that appears beside the bar that shows the download progress, equally shown in the screenshot below.

Cancel macOS download

Pre-Mojave, y'all may exist able to fix a stuck update past going to the Mac App Store, finding the software you are downloading, and pressing Option/Alt. When yous do so you should see the option to Cancel the download.

Having cancelled the download you should exist able to first it again, hopefully without any problems this time.

Problem: Stalled macOS update

Generally, if there'south a problem with your software installation it will get stuck on the updating screen, showing an Apple logo with a status bar showing the progress equally the software is loading. There may exist what people refer to as a 'spinning embankment ball'.

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

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

Notwithstanding, you want to exist absolutely sure that the installation isn't still running in the background because forcibly rebooting the Mac during an installation will interrupt the installation procedure and potentially cause you to lose data. It's i reason why information technology's recommended that y'all back up your Mac before you install new software.

Alternatively, you lot might find that your Mac gets stuck in the installer with a bulletin that "macOS could not be installed on your computer". When nosotros clicked Restart the same thing happened, in the end, the only style we were able to set information technology was by starting in Safe Mode and downloading the installer again. Detect out exactly what we did below.

If your Mac appears to have frozen during the install, it'south worth listening to your Mac for signs of life - you may exist able to hear whiring - and post-obit the below communication.

i. Find out if your Mac has really frozen

Before yous conclude that your Mac has frozen during the installation, you lot need to exist enlightened of the following.

Sometimes updating the software on a Mac can accept a Very. Long. Fourth dimension. You may be confronted past what looks like a frozen update, just if you lot leave information technology for a few hours it could finally get to the stop of its task. Sometimes it's worth leaving the Mac overnight to finish the job it'due south started. Sometimes updates can take sixteen hours or more - especially on the days when Apple releases a new version of its Mac operating system.

Remember, the progress bar you meet during installation is just a best guess at how long it will take. In our feel one minute it tells us there will be a two-hour wait, then 45 minutes, then an hour, before jumping downwards to 20 minutes. Sometimes things go slowed down considering the Mac is taking a while to install 1 file behind the scenes and that'south thrown the whole update time prediction out the window.

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

2. Look at the Log to encounter if your Mac is still installing macOS

Press Command + L. This brings upward additional data and more details virtually the corporeality of time still remaining for the install. It may requite y'all a better indication of what files are beingness installed and the corporeality of fourth dimension left.

3. Expect

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

I key thing to remember: Apple tree indicates how much fourth dimension is apparently left for an installation... Don't pay this whatsoever attending because it is NEVER Right!

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:

one. Shut downwardly, look a few seconds, then restart your Mac

Press and agree the ability push button to close down and start your Mac back up.

2. Go to Arrangement Preferences > Software Update

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

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

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

When the progress bar appears, press Control + L again to check the Log screen and ensure files are being installed. If the Log screen shows that nothing is happening motion on to the next step.

4. Endeavour installing the Combo update

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

There's practiced reason to get your software from Apple'due south website if you lot're encountering problems: the version of the software bachelor from Software Update or the Mac App Store will only include the files necessary to update your Mac.

If yous go to Apple'south support website you tin find 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 work, restart the Mac and hold down Control, Pick/Alt, P and R. This volition reset the NVRAM. Expect until the computer restarts and wait to come across if it starts updating.

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

6. Use Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS

Equally a final option you could restart the Mac in Recovery Manner (hold down Command + R at startup). There are a number of options to choose from hither - you lot could recover your Mac from your final Time Machine backup, or perform a disk repair - simply we recommend choosing the 'Install new Bone' pick. We accept a carve up tutorial on how to reinstall MacOS using Recovery Mode.

When information technology reinstalls macOS your Mac will supersede all the Apple arrangement files overwriting any problematic ones that may be contributing to this error - hopefully. This update won't include the latest version of the software then after performing the update, check Software Update and apply the latest macOS update.

seven. Install the OS from an external drive

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

viii. Run Disk Utility once y'all've updated

When you finally get the software up and running we suggest that you run Disk Utility to correct whatever issues that might have caused the problem in the first identify.

What to do if macOS could non be installed on your estimator

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

We tried to quit the installer - we clicked on the Installer window and then from the carte above choose Quit MacOS Installer (alternatively Command + Q). Unfortunately for us when we booted upwardly our Mac again nosotros had the same problem with information technology opening the installer.

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

  1. Get-go in Safety Style: Nosotros held downwards the shift key while we started up our Mac. This mode we were able to kicking upward in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode you will find the Mac is a bit glitchy but you should exist able to do what you need to do to fix the problem.
  2. Once in Safe Fashion we opened the Mac App Store and searched for Big Sur. In later versions of macOS yous should be able to find the update in System Preferences Software Update.
  3. We clicked download and waited while the Big Sur installer downloaded in the background.
  4. In one case the installer was downloaded and we were fix to install we connected with the installation.

It'south also possible that macOS is non able to exist installed on your Mac because your Mac is too old: you can see which Macs can run Monterey hither, and which Macs tin can run Big Sur hither.

Read next: How to prepare a frozen Mac. We likewise have a complete guide to fixing some of the most common Mac issues. Plus nosotros hash out everything you need to know virtually getting Apple tree products repaired.