Installing new versions of macOS on a Mac should exist a pretty simple exercise. The Mac tells you in that location's an update available via a popular upwardly in Notification Eye - in some cases (depending on your settings) information technology's fifty-fifty downloaded it already and simply needs your go-alee to install. However, sometimes when you lot click Go on an update things become a bit pear-shaped. In this tutorial we'll wait at what to practise if your Mac stalls or freezes during an operating system software update, or if you lot meet an fault message indicating that there is a problem.

This is especially pertinent correct now with macOS Monterey arriving on 25 October 2022. When macOS Big Sur arrived in November 2022 many people experienced difficulties downloading and installing information technology and, as anticipated, at that place were like problems with the arrival of Monterey.

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

Ane large effect with Monterey appears to be that information technology is bricking some Intel Macs with a T1 or T2 processor (used for Touch 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 you lot are confronted with the message: "There is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the Bone!", we are here to help. These were all bug nosotros encountered in 2022, so it's quite possible that the same problems volition be faced with the inflow of Monterey.

Error occured installing big sur

Issues with Monterey

Information technology is unfortunately the instance that when Apple launches a new version of macOS some Mac users suffering from issues following the update, these problems tend to impact older Macs more than newer Macs.

It is possible that these issues will be addressed in macOS 12.i or later, merely if that's no good for you accept a look beneath to see if your upshot is being experienced by others how they are tackling the trouble.

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 gear up is to restore the Mac's firmware, just that isn't elementary. The rescue procedure for T2 Macs, equally outlined in an Apple certificate here, requires a second Intel Mac, from which you tin supply the damaged computers with new firmware for the T2 processor via the Apple tree Configurator 2 app. Information technology'south even more complicated if you take a T1, and then you may need to become to an Apple Store in that case.

Memory direction problem

There are also reports that a memory management bug is causing some Macs to run out of free retention. Users might encounter the warning: "Your organisation has run out of application retentivity." In that case the bug seems to bear upon both new and old Macs, rather than being express to just Apple Silicon or Intel machines.

If y'all come across the bug you may find that force-quitting your applications or rebooting your Mac fixes it.

USB problems

In that location take too been reports of a problem with the USB iii.0 ports - mainly affecting hubs, but also some USB peripherals practice not piece of work properly after the upgrade.

In this instance the problem seems to touch on computers that feature Apple's M1 chip, just there are besides reports of Intel Macs existence affected.

Problems with Big Sur...

In 2022 when Big Sur launched some Mac users were unfortunate plenty to experience an issue where the installer would fail to bank check how much space was available before installing the operating system update. As a result the installation would exist 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 particular problem on 15 Feb 2022. Read about Big Sur version 11.two.1 (build 20D75) and how it fixes the problem in this article: 2nd Big Sur 11.2.1 update fixes Mac installation issue. It is likely that if a similar trouble happens in Monterey we will see an update soon after launch.

With Big Sur there were besides reports of messages such equally: 'macOS could non exist installed on your figurer', '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 also confronted with an message that stated: "The update package has been deleted since beingness downloaded from the Apple Software Update server" we address that below also.

Why won't macOS Monterey download?

At that place are a few reasons why the macOS download or installation process might non work or exist interrupted. There are also a few possible reasons why download might exist taking too long. We'll run through the various issues y'all might meet and the best fixes for them below.

Problem: Download taking too long

If it happens to exist a new version of the Mac operating organisation 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 time.

As a result the download of the software may be slow and, even if yous practise manage to download it, the installation may freeze equally it tries to verify your details with Apple.

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

How long will Big Sur download take

You can gauge whether there are problems with the servers at Apple'south terminate past visiting Apple tree'due south server condition webpage here: Organisation Status page. Check the macOS Software Update department to see if there are any known issues. (If the link doesn't piece of work it'due south https://www.apple tree.com/uk/support/systemstatus/)

As you will see from the screen shot below at that place was a problem with macOS Software Update on 12 Nov. It has since been resolved according to Apple.

Is Apple server down

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

Set: speed up the download

Information technology's not always Apple'southward servers that are to blame though. Perhaps the consequence is at your end. Possibly your WiFi connection is poor. We advise that you try moving closer to the router.

You might notice that things are quicker if you move from a Wi-Fi to a wired connectedness. If y'all have a Ethernet cablevision 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 thing that you lot could try is to adjust Content Caching.

When the download threatened to take a long fourth dimension nosotros turned on Content Caching.

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

Patently Content Caching reduces bandwidth usage and speeds up installation on supported devices past storing software updates on the computer.

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

With these changes in place the download was complete in half an 60 minutes rather than the ten hours initially predictable.

Problem: macOS update won't download

Some other reason you lot may non be 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 space available on your Mac (we ever recommend that yous don't install if you have less than 20GB of space free every bit your Mac may struggle with the installation otherwise - in fact with Large Sur weighing in at merely over 12GB, and Monterey likely to be just as big, you'll need all the space you can get!)

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

Fix: Make space

Nosotros offer communication on making more space on your Mac here: How to free space on a Mac. You could for example delete old emails and text letters, or locate onetime Time Machine backup files from your Mac and delete them.

One slap-up style to complimentary up space is to delete the images associated with the Letters you've received on your Mac. You can do this past clicking on the Apple tree Logo > Almost this Mac > Manage and and so choosing Messages and deleting as many images and videos as you can.

You could also try 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 System storage on a Mac, and How to delete Cache on a Mac.

Set: Use Condom Mode

Another way y'all might exist able to get the macOS update to download and install is to use Safety Fashion.

Press the power push button and hold down the Shift central to first the Mac upwards in Safe Mode. Open App Store and update your apps while in Safe style. Reboot.

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

Here's how to use Safe Manner on a Mac.

Fix: Download from Mac App Store

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

For example, you lot 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 merely be a temporary glitch, perhaps while Apple tree relocates the predecessor to a new location on the Mac App Store. We have links to all versions of macOS hither: How to become one-time macOS.

Fix: Download the software from Apple's website

If you lot're having issues downloading a betoken update (non a complete new version) via Software Update or Mac App Store, y'all can use Apple tree's website instead. You can notice the latest macOS updates here. To find any software update on the site, merely search for it.

Problem: macOS won't install errors

Perhaps you managed to download Monterey, Big Sur or whatever other macOS update and and then found that it wouldn't install. This also happened to many people when attempting to download Big Sur on 12 November who saw an error message suggesting that 'Installation failed: error occurred while installing the update', we'll run through that example before looking at some other fault letters nosotros 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 there was sufficient infinite available before performing the installation. Every bit a result some Mac users were finding that their Macs were unable to complete the installation before they ran out of infinite.

Since it is possible that the same, or similar bug, may plague  Monterey updates yous may be revealed to know that in 2022 this particular trouble was addressed in an update to Large Sur so nosotros recommend you perform that update. Read: Big Sur 11.2.1 (v2) fixes this Mac installation issue.

In 2022 the best solution was to exercise a make clean install of Large Sur so that may be the instance in 2022 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 not to take the same problem in 2022 with Monterey.

Since the macOS Big Sur installation required around 48.5GB free space - that'southward 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 trouble we encountered, as we will detail below.

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

The starting time 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 - just the bar was stuck with some distance to go, we left it alone for an hr or and so in the hope that it would right itself.

Still, when nosotros returned we saw the bulletin 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 Big Sur file had been downloaded, it was no where to be seen on our Mac.

We attempted to start the download again and saw some other message, this time suggesting that the file could non 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 Large Sur file were there. You could search for Big Sur using Spotlight and try and install it - or you could delete the files and get-go again. (Except as you'll see if you go on to read, that didn't assistance u.s.a. particularly).

Fault: There is not enough complimentary space on the selected volume to upgrade the Bone

Still relating to our struggles updating to Big Sur... Having located the Install Big Sur files nosotros thought we would now be able to install it, except that when we tried to we were confronted with a asking 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 gunkhole every bit us right at present. We take managed to scrape back to 25.5GB of free infinite but nosotros need to detect another 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

Again, doing a clean install of Big Sur could exist ane style to get enough space for the installation.

In 2022 when confronted with this problem we armed ourselves with CleanMyMac X to delete buried files and other superfluous information, and then blitzed the images and videos associated with our Messages. In the stop we managed to become the 10GB we needed.

Set: "The update packet has been deleted" fault

Another year and another macOS installation struggle! While attempting to download Catalina the 24-hour interval after launch in 2022 we saw an error message indicating: "The update package has been deleted since existence downloaded from the Apple Software Update server".

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

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

Information technology seems that it was a example of there being as well 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 cablevision handy we'd have used that. Either way, it stock-still the problem for us that fourth dimension.

Other fixes for macOS download problems

Here are some of the well-nigh useful suggestions to work through in social club to fix a problem with a macOS download. You might also want to run through our communication here: How to get your Mac set for macOS Monterey.

1. Check your Mac is healthy

It'south ever wise to run through a standard series of checks before you lot perform an operating system update on a Mac. We cover preparation 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 exist able to cancel the download, only the method will depend on what version of macOS you have installed.

In Mojave Apple changed 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 can click on the ten that appears beside the bar that shows the download progress, as shown in the screenshot beneath.

Cancel macOS download

Pre-Mojave, you may be able to fix a stuck update by going to the Mac App Store, finding the software yous are downloading, and pressing Option/Alt. When you lot practice so you should encounter the option to Abolish the download.

Having cancelled the download yous should exist able to start it once again, hopefully without whatever bug this time.

Trouble: Stalled macOS update

Generally, if in that location'south a problem with your software installation it volition become stuck on the updating screen, showing an Apple tree logo with a status bar showing the progress equally the software is loading. There may be what people refer to as a 'spinning beach brawl'.

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

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

Yet, you lot want to exist absolutely 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. It's 1 reason why information technology'southward recommended that you back up your Mac before you lot install new software.

Alternatively, y'all might notice that your Mac gets stuck in the installer with a bulletin that "macOS could non be installed on your computer". When we clicked Restart the same affair happened, in the finish, the only way we were able to ready it was past starting in Safe Mode and downloading the installer once again. Find out exactly what nosotros did below.

If your Mac appears to take frozen during the install, it'south worth listening to your Mac for signs of life - yous may be able to hear whiring - and post-obit the beneath advice.

1. Observe out if your Mac has really frozen

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

Sometimes updating the software on a Mac can take a Very. Long. Time. Y'all may be confronted by what looks similar a frozen update, but if yous get out information technology for a few hours it could finally get to the end of its task. Sometimes it's worth leaving the Mac overnight to finish the chore it's started. Sometimes updates can accept 16 hours or more - especially on the days when Apple releases a new version of its Mac operating system.

Remember, the progress bar y'all meet during installation is just a all-time guess at how long it will have. In our experience one infinitesimal it tells the states there volition be a two-hr look, then 45 minutes, and then an hour, before jumping downwardly to 20 minutes. Sometimes things get slowed down because the Mac is taking a while to install ane file behind the scenes and that's thrown the whole update time prediction out the window.

The Mac might have been stuck on twenty minutes remaining for the past 2 hours, but this doesn't necessarily mean it'south not busy trying to install the software.

2. Look at the Log to see if your Mac is yet installing macOS

Printing Command + Fifty. This brings upwardly additional information and more than details most the amount of time nevertheless remaining for the install. It may give y'all a better indication of what files are being installed and the amount of time left.

3. Wait

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

I key thing to recall: Apple indicates how much time is obviously left for an installation... Don't pay this any attention considering information technology is NEVER RIGHT!

Problem: Mac freezes during installation

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

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

Press and concur the ability push to shut down and start your Mac back up.

2. Go to Organisation Preferences > Software Update

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

You should notice that the update/installation process carries on from where it left off.

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

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

4. Endeavor installing the Combo update

As we mentioned earlier, Apple hosts software on its website, so yous can download it from in that location if you are having problems with the usual method.

There's adept reason to get your software from Apple's website if y'all're encountering bug: the version of the software available from Software Update or the Mac App Shop will just include the files necessary to update your Mac.

If yous go to Apple tree's support website you can detect a Combo updater which includes all the files required to update the macOS. This version of the update volition supplant all the system files and thereby ensure the update is complete.

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

five. Reset the NVRAM

If Safety Way doesn't piece of work, restart the Mac and hold downwards Control, Option/Alt, P and R. This will reset the NVRAM. Wait until the figurer restarts and wait to come across if information technology starts updating.

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

6. Use Recovery Mode to reinstall macOS

As a concluding option you could restart the Mac in Recovery Fashion (concord down Command + R at startup). In that location are a number of options to choose from here - you could recover your Mac from your terminal Time Machine backup, or perform a disk repair - only nosotros recommend choosing the 'Install new OS' option. We have a separate tutorial on how to reinstall MacOS using Recovery Mode.

When it reinstalls macOS your Mac will supercede 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, bank check Software Update and use the latest macOS update.

7. Install the Os from an external drive

If you lot're yet having bug with the install you could try installing the Bone from an external drive. Read this tutorial to notice out how to create a bootable installer and install macOS from an external bulldoze.

viii. Run Deejay Utility once you've updated

When y'all finally get the software up and running we suggest that you run Deejay Utility to correct any problems that might take acquired the problem in the first place.

What to practise if macOS could not exist installed on your computer

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

Nosotros tried to quit the installer - nosotros clicked on the Installer window and then from the menu above cull Quit MacOS Installer (alternatively Control + Q). Unfortunately for us when nosotros booted up our Mac again we had the aforementioned trouble with it opening the installer.

Nosotros and then ran through the following options and had more than success:

  1. Starting time in Safe Mode: Nosotros held downwardly the shift key while we started upwards our Mac. This way we were able to boot up in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode you will observe the Mac is a bit glitchy just you lot should be able to do what you need to do to set the problem.
  2. Once in Safe Fashion we opened the Mac App Store and searched for Big Sur. In afterwards versions of macOS you should be able to find the update in Organisation Preferences Software Update.
  3. We clicked download and waited while the Big Sur installer downloaded in the groundwork.
  4. Once the installer was downloaded and we were ready to install we continued with the installation.

It'due south besides possible that macOS is not able to exist installed on your Mac because your Mac is too old: yous can see which Macs can run Monterey here, and which Macs tin can run Big Sur hither.

Read side by side: How to ready a frozen Mac. We too have a complete guide to fixing some of the most common Mac issues. Plus we hash out everything yous demand to know about getting Apple tree products repaired.