checking for updates

I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently have some 3rd party software that interferes with the installation so try the following:

#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3-5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.

#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.

Try booting to Safe Mode. That boot up takes minutes and clears caches and other things that may resolve your problem.

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

When in Safe Mode can you successfully check for updates?

JulieBonner wrote:

I've been trying to update my iMac (2017) to the latest macOS Monterey. It is currently on Big Sur 11.6.1. It appears to be stuck on "checking for updates", but won't actually find the update. I have tried to download it straight from the App Store, and then it just says "finding update" with a loading bar going back and forth. I have tried restarting it and googling for answers, but have found nothing helpful. There is 130gb of space available and I have run a cleaner.

Anyone got any advice?

Thank you in advance.

Would further suggest updating Big Sur to the December 13, 2021 Big Sur 11.6.2.

Once that is done attempting the Monterey upGrade.

Too often - out dated versions macOS, be it Big Sur, Catalina and even Mojave attempt the Monterey upGrade and experience that what this computer is experiencing - failed Monterey upgrade.

I fixed it by resetting the Software Update preferences. Open a terminal and type:

sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist

Fill in your password (it will not show that you're typing) and press enter. Then reboot your Mac.

Is it possible there is a Corrupted or partial Applications in Applications folder called " Install Monterey "

If yes, drag and drop to trash and empty trash. If it exists and that could be the real root cause of all these issues.

Try again.

Just in case this helps anyone: I had the same problem and solved it by disabling my antivirus software. Might need to restart afterwards.

Firstly - really good work and taking the measured approach and move up from Mojave to and eventually to Big Sur without jumping : -))

Am seeing numerous posting today, Monday Jan 24, 2022, with similar issues even updating from Big Sur 11.6.1 to Big Sur 11.6.2 .

Even using the Terminal command outlines above is acting odd.

My suggestion s to wait it out a little longer as Apple Servers or Configurations, have from time to time, had hiccups.

It has happened before here the Apple Servers on the Apple Store were refusing to allow downloads even when the computer Qualifies for the upGrade.

Patience and more of the same for maybe another day or so or until there is some sign on the ASC Forums that the possible hiccup has passed.

I actually had two similar Macs with this problem. I tried alot of things listed here that did not work, including a direct LAN connection to my router, and going to a friend's house to use her wifi.

I finally solved my work Mac by using safe mode

For my personal Mac, I tried Julie's method to do this in terminal, and that also worked! Thanks!!!

sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist

I've been having this problem the last week with Catalina on my 2019 iMac, and finally called support after trying Safe Mode, a new test account, Terminal commands, etc. Support had me boot to Internet Recovery Mode, and I was able to install Monterey.

Download and run this app so we can find more information about your installation.

https://etrecheck.com/upgrade

It shows what is launched and other information and is very useful in finding causes of problems. After you first launch the app make sure you check Enable full disk access in the box in lower left.

After running the app use the app's feature to paste to clipboard. The in the text box for a reply in this forum click on the addition text icon. This is because the normal reply text box limits how much you can type.

o personal identifiable information is contained if the app output. The app was written for a person who is contributor to these Apple Support Communities

p.phillips@Ps-Mac-Mini-M1 ~ % softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Finding available software

Software Update found the following full installers:

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.1, Size: 12157035487K, Build: 21C52

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.0.1, Size: 12128428704K, Build: 21A559

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.2, Size: 12433351292K, Build: 20G314

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.1, Size: 12428472512K, Build: 20G224

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.5.2, Size: 12440916552K, Build: 20G95

p.phillips@Ps-Mac-Mini-M1 ~ % 

With is in mind - it begs several questions;

A - Is a VPN installed and used to connect to the Internet during this action ?

B -Is there any AntiVirus Software installed ?

C - Has any Disk Cleaner or similar application been installed and used on this computer?

D - Is this computer Enrolled in a Mobile Digital Management Service ( MDM ) as in Computer owned or operated by a Company, University to Organization ?

There are factors:

1 - Like poor Wifi connection

2 - Slow wifi connection

3 - Too many other people downloading at the same time and Apple Severs are overloaded

4 - Software on the computer interfering with the download process including AntiVirus Software

5 - Running behind a VPN which may increase Packet losses and may corrupt the download

6 - If via wifi too many Other devices using the wifi at the same time reducing the Bandwidth to your computer. 

7 - Best Results are via Ethernet Cable to Router

This worked for the same problem discussed in the this Apple Discussion;

Can't download update -ASC - Solved

P. Phillips wrote:

One more approach but perform a Time Machine Backup  Before attempting.

Restart the computer in Recovery Mode - Intel computer Command + r ) and choose Reinstall macOS.

Recovery Mode for Apple Silicon computer and same thing - Reinstall macOS.

This should bring down the full and latest version of macOS Big Sur. In theory - it should be version 11.6.2 and presto - commence the installation without touching personal files, applications and settings.

Terminal command without Quotation Marks " softwareupdate --list-full-installers " and what is the output ?

As previously mentioned, this issue could be a “profile thing”. While restarts, Safe Mode, nor sign out/ in to AppleID worked for me, creating a new new account on the box did the trick.

There is no directly link for Big Sur 11.6.2 outside of downloading from the Apple Apps Store the Full Installer of Big Sur

There is a way to bypass the Apple Apps Store but will require the Terminal Application found in Other Folder of Launchpad.

" softwareupdate --list-full-installers " without quotation marks will only check for Full Installer and do nothing more.

Depending on the output of this command - it should list Big Sur 11.6.2

As evidences in this output from my computer below.

Again in Terminal " softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.6.2 " ( not quotations marks ) will pull the Full Version of Big Sur 11.6.2 and only place a new Application called " Install Big Sur " in the Applications folder.

It will not launch until the user launches the application.

Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.1, Size: 12157035487K, Build: 21C52

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.0.1, Size: 12128428704K, Build: 21A559

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.2, Size: 12433351292K, Build: 20G314

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.1, Size: 12428472512K, Build: 20G224

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6, Size: 12428553042K, Build: 20G165

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.5.2, Size: 12440916552K, Build: 20G95