Software Update can't check for updates because of a network problem.

Question

Level 1

2 points

Software Update can't check for updates because of a network problem.

Hi all, glad to be here 🙂

I just installed Snow Leopard on my MacBook Pro on Friday, and noticed one problem. No matter what I do, when I click Software Update, I cannot connect to the Software Update server.

I get the message "Software Update can't check for updates because of a network problem".

I have done the following:
1) Ran Network Diagnostics
2) Reset my Connection
3) Turned off my Firewall

And still no dice. Any idea what's going on here?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Sep 1, 2009 9:32 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 1, 2009 9:54 PM in response to Gerchak

HI,

Try deleting this file.

com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist

/Users/YourName/Library/Preferences.

Drag that file from the Preferences folder to the Trash, empty the Trash and restart your Mac.

If you can't run Software Update from the Apple Menu you can use the standalone downloads here. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338?viewlocale=en_US
Click where you see: Using Standalone Installers ...

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 2, 2009 6:08 PM in response to Gerchak

I deleted that file and restarted my MacBook Pro. Still no luck. It will not connect.

Isn't there some way I can monitor what my MBP is doing that's causing this?

Message was edited by: Gerchak

Message was edited by: Gerchak

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Answer 3

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 2, 2009 9:35 PM in response to Gerchak

Here's the information pulled from Console:

9/2/09 11:34:28 PM Software Update[3481] Error Domain=NSURLErrorDomain Code=-1001 UserInfo=0x10017eb30 "The request timed out." Underlying Error=(Error Domain=kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork Code=-1001 UserInfo=0x10017df10 "The request timed out.")

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Answer 4

Sep 3, 2009 3:08 AM in response to Gerchak

Are the DNS IP addresses of your access provider in the DNS tab of the Advanced Network Preferences pane ?

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Answer 5

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 3, 2009 8:12 PM in response to Jean-Luc Marechal

Yes, they are. How would that play a role in having an inefficient Software Update program?

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Answer 6

Sep 3, 2009 10:07 PM in response to Gerchak

Don't take for granted that the router transmits these DNS automatically when the Mac boots.

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Answer 7

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 4, 2009 5:12 AM in response to Jean-Luc Marechal

I guess the next thing I can try is zapping the PRAM. Seems no one else knows what the heck's going on here.

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Answer 8

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 4, 2009 5:23 AM in response to Gerchak

Well, zapping the PRAM seemed to do nothing to help.

I ran Network Diagnostics again and received this error:

Now I have an error that says "Failed to check for updates. There was a problem communicating with the web proxy server (HTTP).

Now I can take a good guess as to what that meant, so no worries there. But after I reconfigured everything in Network Diagnostics again, I experienced the same problem.

I thought maybe stopping Peer Guardian might have an effect. So I gave that a try as well. No luck.

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Answer 9

Sep 4, 2009 5:26 AM in response to Gerchak

You have a proxy configured in the Proxies tab of the Advanced Network Prefs ?
Normally, you shouldn't.
If it's the case, uncheck it and retry.

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Answer 10

matt264

Level 1

0 points

Sep 4, 2009 5:29 AM in response to Gerchak

FYI you may want to check this thread

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10125067#10125067

I, and it would appear others, seem to be having issues with WiFi connectivity post SL upgrade.

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Answer 11

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 4, 2009 9:50 AM in response to Jean-Luc Marechal

Changing the proxy didn't fix it.

Also, the thread matt264 linked to isn't the problem I'm having. I can use WiFi just fine. I just can't connect to Software Update.

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Answer 12

Zorbov

Level 4

1,678 points

Sep 4, 2009 10:23 AM in response to Gerchak

Hi there ...

Make another account with administrator privs and try from there ...

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Answer 13

Gerchak Author

Level 1

2 points

Sep 4, 2009 2:33 PM in response to Gerchak

Zorbov's suggestion nailed it. I switched accounts and I can do software update. Still can't do it in my main account, which means there's something else funny going on here.

Thankfully there's nothing important to download through software update anyhow. I'd still like to find a resolution for this, though.

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Answer 14

Zorbov

Level 4

1,678 points

Sep 4, 2009 3:30 PM in response to Gerchak

I'd compare the network settings and see if there is any difference ...

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Answer 15

pberk

Level 2

322 points

Sep 4, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Gerchak

My networked failed as well after the update. Just open the airport utility (if you're wireless) and reload your configurations......(or set it up again).... everything worked fine after that...

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