Mac stuck on checking for updates

Just ran the command as this was being posted and below if the output - so the command is working

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: 11.6, Size: 12428553042K, Build: 20G165

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

Battery failure - Your battery is reporting that it needs to be serviced.

Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed that could be adware and should be reviewed.

Clean up - There are orphan files that could be removed.

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

External drives and performance - There are external drives connected that could be affecting performance.

Kernel extensions present - This computer has kernel extensions that may not work in the future.

Antivirus software: Apple and Avast

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.downloadmanager.plist

Executable: /opt/DownloadManager/downloadManager_mac ~ /opt/DownloadManager/ca

Details: Executable file is hidden - possibly adware

The " issue at hand " is the Avast Antivirus Software regardless for how long it has been installed.

The Other items outlined from the EtreCheck report are contributing factors in the overall condition and functionality of the computer too.

Hardware wise - the battery is an indication of Attention is needed regardless of the Software or version of macOS installed to intending to install.

I had the same problem. No luck using the <softwareupdate> commands in Terminal. Before I gave up, I suddenly realised that years ago I had created an Administrator account that I never used. Switching over to this account immediately solved the problem and provided the desired update in System Prefs.

I have a 3yr old iMac that was running Catalina. Wanted to upgrade to Monterey just had not done so yet. Apple came out with a security update 1-26-22 which I did on 1-31-22. Proved quite toxic! Right after update "Software Updates" ceased to function--constantly spinning gear. (I had backed up right before the 1-31-22 update I did.) During last week, talked with 2 Apple Senior Advisors and one regular advisor, and all 3 said upgrading to Monterey will fix the glitch. Yesterday, with Apple advisor, upgraded to Monterey but had to do so via Recovery Mode. That's because with Software Updates was so nonfunctional, when I first went on App Store to "Get" Monterey, it stayed stuck with "finding update" as another contributor has said. So in Recovery Mode, got Monterey. All last evening after Monterey was all up and running, 3 times I checked Software Updates, and it worked perfectly. Gear spun for a few seconds, and reported "Mac all up to date---Monterey 12.2". Logged out last evening, put Mac to sleep. But this morning, to my dismay, problem back!! I guess while sleeping last night, the Mac did more adjusting to new OS. Seeing this this morning, I then tried booting in Safe Mode. Yeah! Software Updates worked in Safe Boot. Went out of Safe Boot, rebooted normally, and back to non functioning Software Updates. Talked today to 2 more Senior Advisors. Really aggravating and I hope Apple is reading all these posts. Apple needs to realize this is not just a bad Catalina and Big Sur issue with their most recent updates. It drags forth into Monterey! Now trying to decide if I should have advisor help me get the Mac back where it was before the Catalina update mess, with my backup. I wonder if that would fix it. Back to before the glitch, then proceed to do Monterey after that??? Before the glitch, Monterey was sitting in my System Updates, waiting in the wings. Also, at that time, Monterey installer was sitting in my Applications. Or just forget the whole thing and realize when any updates are available, I have to do them in Safe Boot (which Senior Advisor said is fine to do.) Apple needs to send through a fix ASAP, but then how can users get the fix if their System Updates is nonfunctioning? I guess I will find out tomorrow if Safe Boot still allows me to check for updates.

Got a call back today from a Senior Advisor. This person is now working with Engineering on this issue. Finally getting somewhere I think. Advisor encourages every single person having this problem with Software Updates not functioning, to please call Apple Support. Said that without this problem being reported to an Apple advisor, the fix will take longer to happen. The more calls, the more attention it gets.

Got a call back today from a Senior Advisor. This person is now working with Engineering on this issue. Finally getting somewhere I think. Advisor encourages every single person having this problem with Software Updates not functioning, to please call Apple Support. Said that without this problem being reported to an Apple advisor, the fix will take longer to happen. The more calls, the more attention it gets.

Rebooting in Safe mode resulted in Software Update actually not having and seeing the Safari 15.3 update. After install, I rebooted in normal mode and Software Update doesn't hang now but quickly reports that the Mac is up to date.

In other words, doing the update under Safe Mode fixed the issue for me.

If you have this problem then there is a solution, I had the same problem and while digging I found something on a trusted website and the link is below, therefore after checking all the steps there was a command that work for me and you have to to the Terminal and type or paste the following command: "sudo rm -rf "/macOS Install Data" thank you let me know it works.

Link: https://macreports.com/mac-update-stuck-checking-for-updates-how-to-fix/

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.

" 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

Valeriol wrote:

Yeah, I thought that. My next move was to redo the clean install, test the computer for a few days with a virgin account and then use the Time Machine to restore selected files.

That may achieve the desired results