macbook air stuck checking for updates

Here is what worked for me: I reset the NVRAM (see: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063). The "Checking for updates..." hang went away.

Also seen it on 11.6.3 and now on 11.6.4.

Last time a work around was to boot into safe mode and then recovery and use disk utility to check and repair. But yesterday the issue came back (this tho on a MacBook Pro, but same issue of Software Update just spinning).

Had to update to macOS 11.6.5 via Safe Mode boot, regular check for updates seem to work better

Macbookmolly,

Thanks for the clarification. The steps under "Check your internet connection" and "Install in safe mode" in If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS are relevant when having this issue. If it continues you can create a test administrator user and try to update there to see if it is something only related to your user account: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac.

However, if the issue persists, you may want to Contact Apple Support or use this Get Support link. 

Have a good week!

Hello Macbookmolly,

It looks like you are having trouble updating your Mac, as it keeps spinning in System Preferences.

Here's an article on this topic. While you are not getting an error message, as it is stuck updating, the steps in If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS could help.

Hope this information helps.

Have a good day.

Same situation here: macbook air (6,2); recently (3 days ago) re-imaged and installed Big Sur. Had an (apparent) hang during install, but restarted and everything was fine. Installed software, backups working .. Software Update indicated new OS version available, so installed 11.6.3. No problems except at end of the install, Software Update restarted to check and hangs "Checking for updates...". Quit and retry, restart: still spins. Reboot in safe mode: Software Update reports software is up to date and gives a date last checked (time of update). Restart normally: Software Update spins as before.

To clarify, the problem described occurs not while updating the Mac. The problem occurs when checking for updates. The computer is not stuck updating. This is on an older MacBook Air.

I tried the NVRAM update recommended by ranger6rob but am still experiencing the same issue. This is a new issue after updating from big sur 11.6.3 to big sur 11.6.4 yesterday.