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Mac stuck on checking for updates

I run Big Sur 11.6.1 and have noticed that my System Preference reads "1 update". However, when I choose Software Update, the system gets stuck at "Checking for updates". Nothing freezes, but the wheel keeps spinning and nothing happens. I wish to update the OS (the option was there earlier).


I have tried repeated reboots. I have done a disk utility check. I have tried removing .plist files related to "software update" and "Apple store" (following various advice in seemingly older related threads. Nothing has worked. Any advice, please?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jan 23, 2022 12:32 PM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

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.

Posted on Jan 23, 2022 6:19 PM

69 replies

Feb 20, 2022 1:24 PM in response to Nevyn82

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.


Feb 21, 2022 5:43 AM in response to Valeriol

Best advice is to call Apple and ask for a Senior Advisor. Tell them you want them to write a Ticket on this issue. Tell them you want them to interface with Engineering for you on this issue. This Software Updates trouble happened to users with the Apple security updates dated 1/26/22 apparently. That is what happened with us when we did that Catalina update. (On Monterey now, and that did not fix it.) I am still working with a Senior Advisor, since 2/9. Before 2/9, advisors kept trying to help but then did not communicate back with me very well. Now I have a good one. Can email her, and she faithfully calls me back. But it always takes Engineering a couple days or more though to get back to her each time she interfaces with Engineering.


Have you tried rebooting in Safe Boot since your reinstallation, etc.? Function might work in Safe Boot? But for us, even then, by the next day, function again lost in normal boot.


Engineering last Friday gave Sr.Advisor 3 specific commands for us to do in Terminal. Thought that might have fixed it. Nope.

Feb 21, 2022 6:26 AM in response to Valeriol

" 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 "


IMHO any issues that existed when the Time Machine Backup was performed were re-introduced back into the otherwise Pristine and Clean Installation


Thusly, negated the Clean Installations

Feb 21, 2022 9:49 AM in response to Valeriol

So are you saying, that the first time you reinstalled, etc., you used a backup from AFTER the issue started? I'd really like to know that, because....... Engineers or not, I am thinking in the end we may have to do the same thing to fix this. Thankfully, our last backup was right BEFORE the bad Catalina update.


Feb 21, 2022 4:04 PM in response to curlyinks

Support had me do all those things, too. When we got Monterey installed, that very evening Software Updates worked fine. But overnight, with iMac asleep, something happened. Next morning, back to spinning gear for Updates. Will be interested to hear if yours maintains. Actually, we did not do Terminal commands till after on Monterey. But did all the other steps you mention while still on Catalina. But even with Terminal commands on Monterey, still a no.

Feb 22, 2022 9:31 AM in response to Valeriol

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).


Feb 26, 2022 6:41 AM in response to Richard Dansereau

Can you let us know if that solution lasts? I have done a couple of seeming fixes. But, always, overnight, with mac asleep, next morning was back to spinning gear in Software Updates. Solution did not maintain.


What iOS are you on? I'm on Monterey now. Was on Catalina when the 1/26/22 Catalina update caused the issue.


Apple Senior Advisor continues to state that Apple cannot send out a solution unless they are aware that this is a problem reaching a vast number of devices. Anyone still having this problem, please call Apple and have them do a Ticket.


In meantime, Apple engineers state this is only solution at present: " Currently, our best next steps is to erase the computer, reinstall the latest macOS, create a test account, then migrate your data over." (Note: my last backup thankfully was before this problem hit.)


Mac stuck on checking for updates

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