macOS Monterey download won't install on my iMac (21.5-inch, 2017). I downloaded the upgrade from a website and tried twice to install it. After the installation process, my mac's desktop has no content other than a blank screen and does not respond to any input. When I restart, the old system boots up and nothing has changed at all. Could someone please advise?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 21.5″, macOS 11.6
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.
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.
Sorry for your problem. May I suggest that what happened is that your download file got corrupted and then could not load properly, so the computer looked for and found the older OS to start up. Locate the last download file and move it to the Trash and empty it. Likely, it's in the Applications folder. Then do a new download and use a wired Ethernet connection. Wi-Fi will almost always file with these very large files. It is too slow.
I agree about downloading from Apple only. But when I click on "Get" on the download in the App Store, the System Preferences Software Update window opens and starts searching for updates without any success, it simply keeps on searching forever.
Are you on Big Sur 11.7? If not, you may need to update before you can get Monterey.
if not, try running this command in the Terminal…
softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.7
You should never download a copy of macOS from anywhere other than Apple.
What happens when you open System Preferences > Software Update?
Thank you, see my response to dialabrain as well.
I did that and BigSur 11.7 was installed successfully. But Monterey wouldn't install - notice on the desktop that there was a problem and couldn't install.
I did that and BigSur 11.7 was installed successfully. But Monterey wouldn't install - notice on the desktop that there was a problem and couldn't install.
I did that and BigSur 11.7 was installed successfully. But Monterey wouldn't install - notice on the desktop that there was a problem and couldn't install.
macOS Monterey download won't install on my iMac
