Mac stuck on checking for updates

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.

The solution from Jamf did the job.

An easy one: sudo launchctl kickstart -k system/com.apple.softwareupdated

Thank you

Open the Terminal Application and copy and paste this command Without The Quotation Marks

" softwareupdate --list-full-installers " What is the output from this command ?

When I run this command, am getting Big Sur 11.6.1 and Big Sur 11.6.2

Suggest with the issues being experience to run this command again without the Quotation Marks

"  softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.6.2 "

This will pull the Full Version of Big Sur 11.6.2 and place a new application called Install Big Sur in the Applications folder.

It will Not Automatically Launch.

Suggest making a Time Machine BAckup before moving forwards.

I find Installing an update from Safe Mode may appear as over kill but seems to give better results.

11.6.2 is probably the update it is looking for. If you have insufficient space it won't download.

Make sure the Mac OS install data folder is removed before redownloading.

Are you in need of running something on Monterey? That is available only on the Mac App Store.

Backup your data before you install anything.

Thanks to your initial request for advice and from reading all replies, I have today solved the same problem on one of the 2 iMacs we use. I had the same symptoms on 1 of the iMacs (the other has been OK throughout in this respect), and wanted to update to 11.6.3 on the troublesome machine. Ran all the checks mentioned, including EtreCheck. This gave a list of apps installed in the past 30 days. To my surprise, there was an app "Install macOS Monterey" sitting in the main Applications folder, dated 22 Jan, 2022.

Surprise—because both iMacs have only the option "Automatically: Check for Updates" ticked. Anyway, deleting the app and restarting solved the problem. The Software Update worked perfectly, now showing Monterey as available and, for my immediate purpose, Safari 15.3 and macOS 11.6.3, which I'm now in the process of installing.

Hope this strange solution may be useful to someone else!

I have this same problem. Also running Big Sur 11.6.1. 2019 iMac purchased in June 2020. I have tried everything mentioned in this thread and nothing has worked. Removed CleanMyMac, ran EntreCheck. Removed Monterey download. Tried to update preferences. Nothing has worked. Now reinstalling the Big Sur OS after having been on the phone with Apple support. Installed. It can now find the Monterey update and appears to be installing.

moral: DO NOT INSTALL CLEAN MY MAC!!

There may have been something else going on; I have no idea.

Nevyn82 wrote:

The terminal gets stuck in the same manner, outputting only: "Finding available software".

When trying "softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.6.2 ", the only output is:

"Scanning for 11.6.2 installer"

Is there a way to use Time machine to reset the computer to a few weeks ago, before this error happened?

Or better yet, are there some plist file or cache that can be removed to reset this particular program (the update manager)?

If as one writes above the Terminal Command are getting Stuck - IMHO this computer is seriously compromised.

IMHO - a Time Machine Backup to roll back the the computer in time may or may not solve the underlining issue

Suggest downloading the Application Etrecheck directly from a well Respected ASC Contributor. 

The application is free or paid from added features. 

Run the application with Full Disc Access ( Security & Privacy - Full Disc Access ).

It will take a Snap Shot -  both the hardware and software.

 The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last )

We can have a look at the report for possible issues and may have possible suggestions to resolve the issues.

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and may require a Reinstallation of the OS.

This includes AntiVirus, Disk Cleaners, Disk Optimizes, UnInstaller etc.

This will include CleanMyMac 

This will include BitDefender 

The The Built in Security  is all that is required.

This includes AntiVirus, Disk Cleaners, Disk Optimizes, UnInstaller etc.

And Avast Antivirus does not qualify as AntiVirus software ?

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

The only thing Avast Antivirus software is protecting the Developers Bank Account for a Non Existent Issue Affecting macOS.

That and giving Zero Return to the User ( you ) except a lot of problems and work to remove this Software as per the Developer Specific Instructions.

The The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.

Js5wpr wrote: "...and I hope Apple is reading all these posts."

Unlikely: "Apple may respond to questions but does not formally provide technical support on the Site." Source:

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement

Apple will "read all feedback carefully" here:

macOS Feedback

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I have the same issue on my wife's computer with the added complication that it's very slow.

I wiped the disk, reinstalled the O/S and restore from Time Machine, but did not solve the issue.

I checked the disk running disk utility in recovery mode, no error was reported.

As suggested by P.Phillips I ran Ethrecheck and I'm posting the result here hoping that someone can help.

P. Phillips wrote:

This includes AntiVirus, Disk Cleaners, Disk Optimizes, UnInstaller etc.

And Avast Antivirus does not qualify as AntiVirus software ?

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

The only thing Avast Antivirus software is protecting the Developers Bank Account for a Non Existent Issue Affecting macOS.

That and giving Zero Return to the User ( you ) except a lot of problems and work to remove this Software as per the Developer Specific Instructions.

The The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.

This is simply not true. There are UNIX/macOS and even Linux viruses in the wild and they can get past the built-in security system. The statement that you don't need an antivirus on a Mac might have been true in the past, but is most certainly not the case anymore.

Even I myself had at one point noticed my mac being unusually slow and displaying weird behaviour sometimes. Since there is no "Scan for Viruses" button available with the built-in security, I downloaded a 3rd party antivirus and would you look at that, it found an adware virus. I removed it and voila my mac was back to normal as usual.

So don't believe Apple when they say that there are no viruses for mac and that you don't need an antivirus. I mean 95% of the time you won't need an antivirus and the built-in system will do just fine, but that doesn't mean you will never ever need them.

First update:

1. Wiped the disk, installed the O/S from scratch using recovery mode and I was able to update to Monterey.
2. Re-installed software such as Firefox, Google *, Zoom from distribution.
3. Used Time Machine to restore photos, bookmarks and documents, nothing else. I'm still testing (rebuilding the photo library takes for ever).