Installing new versions of macOS on a Mac should exist a pretty simple exercise. The Mac tells yous in that location'due south an update bachelor via a pop upwards in Notification Center - in some cases (depending on your settings) it'due south even downloaded it already and simply needs your go-ahead to install. However, sometimes when yous click Go along an update things go a bit pear-shaped. In this tutorial we'll await at what to do if your Mac stalls or freezes during an operating system software update, or if you lot come across an error bulletin indicating that there is a problem.

This is peculiarly 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 anticipated, at that place were similar issues 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 lot need to practise if your Mac freezes in the middle of the update.

One big outcome with Monterey appears to exist that it is bricking some Intel Macs with a T1 or T2 processor (used for Impact 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 Fault 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 complimentary 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'south quite possible that the same problems will exist faced with the inflow 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 following the update, these issues tend to affect older Macs more than than newer Macs.

It is possible that these bug volition be addressed in macOS 12.1 or later, only if that's no good for you have a expect below to see if your issue is being 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 Organisation 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. Ane suggested fix is to restore the Mac'southward firmware, just that isn't unproblematic. The rescue process for T2 Macs, as outlined in an Apple tree certificate 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's fifty-fifty more than complicated if yous have a T1, and then you may need to go to an Apple tree Store in that case.

Memory management trouble

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

If yous run into the bug you may observe that force-quitting your applications or rebooting your Mac fixes information technology.

USB issues

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

In this example the problem seems to affect computers that feature Apple'due south M1 chip, simply there are besides reports of Intel Macs being 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 fail to cheque how much space was available earlier installing the operating system update. As a issue the installation would be unable to consummate 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 particular problem on xv Feb 2021. Read almost Big Sur version 11.two.1 (build 20D75) and how it fixes the problem in this article: Second Large Sur 11.ii.1 update fixes Mac installation issue. It is likely that if a similar problem happens in Monterey we volition see an update soon after launch.

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

And, with Big Sur users were besides 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 procedure might not work or exist interrupted. At that place are also a few possible reasons why download might be taking too long. We'll run through the various problems you 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 system and you lot are attempting to download it just after release there could be bug due to and so many people accessing the servers at the aforementioned time.

As a result the download of the software may be slow and, fifty-fifty if y'all do manage to download it, the installation may freeze every bit it tries to verify your details with Apple.

In 2020 our download of Big Sur threatened to accept a whole day - a typical sign that too many people are attempting to admission the servers.

How long will Big Sur download take

You tin estimate whether there are bug with the servers at Apple'south end by visiting Apple's server status webpage here: System Status page. Check the macOS Software Update section to see if there are any known issues. (If the link doesn't work information technology'due south https://www.apple tree.com/uk/support/systemstatus/)

As you lot will see 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 November 2020 Apple had the post-obit text on the site indicating that there was a problem: "Users may non be able to download macOS Software Updates on Mac computers."

Set: speed up the download

Information technology'south not ever Apple'due south servers that are to blame though. Perhaps the issue is at your end. Maybe your WiFi connection is poor. Nosotros suggest that you effort moving closer to the router.

You might find that things are quicker if you movement from a Wi-Fi to a wired connection. If yous 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 set Wi-Fi bug on Mac

Fix: Plough on Content Caching

Another thing that you could try is to adjust 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 by storing software updates on the computer.

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

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

Problem: macOS update won't download

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

Possibly there isn't adequate space available on your Mac (we always recommend that yous don't install if you accept less than 20GB of space free as your Mac may struggle with the installation otherwise - in fact with Big Sur weighing in at just over 12GB, and Monterey likely to be merely as big, you'll need all the space y'all tin get!)

You'll meet below that even 20GB space isn't actually sufficient when information technology comes to installing macOS Big Sur though. We actually needed 35GB available when it came to doing the installation. And so that'south more than 45GB required before you lot start - you might desire 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 infinite on your Mac here: How to free space on a Mac. You could for example delete old emails and text letters, or locate old Time Machine backup files from your Mac and delete them.

One slap-up manner to gratis upwardly space is to delete the images associated with the Messages you've received on your Mac. Y'all can do this by clicking on the Apple tree Logo > About this Mac > Manage and so choosing Messages and deleting equally many images and videos equally you lot can.

Yous 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 Organization storage on a Mac, and How to delete Cache on a Mac.

Fix: Employ Prophylactic Fashion

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

Press the ability button and hold downwards the Shift cardinal to start the Mac upwardly in Safe Mode. Open App Store and update your apps while in Safe mode. Reboot.

To access Safe Fashion printing and hold the Shift fundamental when yous start upwards your Mac. Wait while the Apple logo appears, and then, when the login window appears release the Shift key.

Here'southward how to utilize Rubber Mode on a Mac.

Gear up: Download from Mac App Store

If yous are on Catalina or later yous might remember you have to stick to downloading the new software via Software Update, but you tin can all the same grab the download via the Mac App Store.

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

When we attempted to download Catalina from the Mac App Store 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, perhaps while Apple tree relocates the predecessor to a new location on the Mac App Store. We have links to all versions of macOS here: How to go old macOS.

Fix: Download the software from Apple'southward website

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

Problem: macOS won't install errors

Perhaps yous managed to download Monterey, Big Sur or whatever other macOS update and so constitute that information technology wouldn't install. This also 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 fault messages we have seen in the past.

Error: Upgrade runs out of infinite and fails

In some cases the macOS Big Sur installer wasn't checking that there 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 it is possible that the same, or like issues, may plague  Monterey updates you may be revealed to know that in 2020 this particular trouble was addressed in an update to Big Sur and then nosotros recommend you perform that update. Read: Big Sur 11.2.1 (v2) fixes this Mac installation event.

In 2020 the all-time solution was to do a clean install of Big Sur so that may be the case in 2021 too.

Error: Installation failed fault occurred while installing the update

One of the biggest problems with Large Sur was that the installer would identify that there wasn't enough space available. We sincerely promise not to have the aforementioned problem in 2021 with Monterey.

Since the macOS Big Sur installation required effectually 48.5GB complimentary infinite - that's 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 nosotros encountered, as we will particular beneath.

With the Big Sur update, if y'all 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 Big Sur. In fact, we experienced this exact problem with our try to download and install Large Sur. We'll share what happened in case it is helpful to y'all:

The outset 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, nosotros left it solitary for an hour or so in the hope that information technology would right itself.

However, when we 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 fifty-fifty though information technology 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 outset the download again and saw another message, this fourth dimension suggesting that the file could not be downloaded.

It seems that our Mac knew that the Large Sur files were on our Mac considering when we searched once again for information technology the Big Sur file were there. You could search for Big Sur using Spotlight and effort and install it - or you lot could delete the files and kickoff again. (Except every bit you'll encounter if you continue to read, that didn't help u.s.a. particularly).

Error: At that place is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the OS

Still relating to our struggles updating to Big Sur... Having located the Install Large Sur files we thought we would now be able to install information technology, except that when we tried to we were confronted with a asking for 14GB infinite. It turns out that Big Sur is a 12.2GB download, simply even after that you need near 34GB of free space! Given that Apple has just just stopped selling Macs with 128GB SSDs we imagine a lot of people are in the same gunkhole as united states correct at present. We have managed to scrape back to 25.5GB of costless space just we need to find some other 10GB.

If similar us you lot are looking at the Other storage on your Mac and wondering what the hell is taking up so much space, take 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 be one fashion to get enough infinite for the installation.

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

Gear up: "The update bundle has been deleted" mistake

Some other year and another macOS installation struggle! While attempting to download Catalina the day after launch in 2019 we saw an error 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 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

It seems that it was a case of there existence too many Apple devices on our network causing too much competition for bandwidth. Nosotros stopped streaming radio, turned off other devices, and moved our Mac closer to the router. If we'd take had an Ethernet cable handy we'd have used that. Either manner, it stock-still the problem for us that fourth dimension.

Other fixes for macOS download problems

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

1. Check your Mac is healthy

Information technology's always wise to run through a standard series of checks before you perform an operating organisation update on a Mac. We embrace grooming steps in the starting time department of our guide showing How to update macOS on a Mac.

2. Cancel the download/stop the update

You might be able to abolish the download, but the method volition depend on what version of macOS y'all have installed.

In Mojave Apple changed the road users have 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 10 that appears beside the bar that shows the download progress, as shown in the screenshot below.

Cancel macOS download

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

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

Trouble: 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 as the software is loading. In that location may be what people refer to as a 'spinning embankment brawl'.

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

Alternatively, you may see a white, grey or blackness screen. On many Macs the screen may be then night that you lot might non even be able to tell if the Mac is turned on.

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

Alternatively, yous might find that your Mac gets stuck in the installer with a message that "macOS could not be installed on your computer". When we clicked Restart the same thing happened, in the end, the merely way nosotros were able to fix it was by starting in Safe Mode and downloading the installer once again. Find out exactly what we did below.

If your Mac appears to take frozen during the install, it's worth listening to your Mac for signs of life - y'all may be able to hear whiring - and following the beneath advice.

1. Find out if your Mac has really frozen

Before you lot conclude that your Mac has frozen during the installation, you need to be aware of the following.

Sometimes updating the software on a Mac tin can take a Very. Long. Time. You may be confronted past what looks similar a frozen update, but if you lot leave 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 job information technology'southward 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 run into during installation is simply a best judge at how long it volition have. In our experience one minute it tells usa there will exist a two-hour wait, and then 45 minutes, then an 60 minutes, before jumping down to 20 minutes. Sometimes things go slowed downwardly because the Mac is taking a while to install ane file backside the scenes and that's thrown the whole update time prediction out the window.

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

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

Printing Control + 50. This brings upward additional information and more than details about the amount of time still remaining for the install. Information technology may give you a better indication of what files are being installed and the amount of fourth dimension left.

iii. Wait

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

I key thing to remember: Apple indicates how much time is evidently left for an installation... Don't pay this any attention because it is NEVER RIGHT!

Problem: Mac freezes during installation

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

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

Press and hold the power push to shut down and start your Mac support.

two. Go to System Preferences > Software Update

Or, if you are on an older macOS version, become 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, press Control + L again to cheque the Log screen and ensure files are existence installed. If the Log screen shows that zero is happening move on to the next step.

4. Attempt installing the Combo update

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

There'south good reason to get your software from Apple's website if you're encountering problems: 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 you lot go to Apple tree's support website yous can detect 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 consummate.

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

5. Reset the NVRAM

If Rubber Manner doesn't work, restart the Mac and hold down Command, Pick/Alt, P and R. This will reset the NVRAM. Wait until the estimator restarts and wait to see if it starts updating.

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

vi. Utilize Recovery Manner to reinstall macOS

As a final option you could restart the Mac in Recovery Mode (hold downwardly Command + R at startup). In that location are a number of options to cull from here - yous could recover your Mac from your final Time Machine backup, or perform a disk repair - but we recommend choosing the 'Install new OS' selection. We have a divide tutorial on how to reinstall MacOS using Recovery Style.

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 and so afterwards performing the update, check Software Update and apply the latest macOS update.

seven. Install the OS from an external bulldoze

If you lot're still having issues with the install you lot could endeavor 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've updated

When you finally get the software up and running we advise that y'all run Disk Utility to right any issues that might have acquired the problem in the first identify.

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

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

We tried to quit the installer - we clicked on the Installer window and so from the menu in a higher place choose Quit MacOS Installer (alternatively Command + Q). Unfortunately for us when nosotros booted up our Mac again we had the aforementioned problem with it opening the installer.

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

  1. Start in Safe Mode: Nosotros held down the shift key while we started up our Mac. This way nosotros were able to boot upwards in Condom Mode. In Safety Mode you will notice the Mac is a chip glitchy simply you lot should be able to do what you demand to practise to ready the problem.
  2. Once in Safe Fashion nosotros opened the Mac App Store and searched for Big Sur. In later versions of macOS y'all should be able to find the update in Arrangement Preferences Software Update.
  3. Nosotros 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 also possible that macOS is not able to be installed on your Mac because your Mac is too onetime: yous can run into which Macs can run Monterey here, and which Macs can run Big Sur here.

Read next: How to ready a frozen Mac. Nosotros too have a complete guide to fixing some of the most mutual Mac issues. Plus nosotros talk over everything you need to know nearly getting Apple products repaired.