system update not responding
Software update keeps spinning and not finding updates. Currently on Catalina trying to upgrade to Monterey on iMAC
iMac 21.5″, macOS 11.4
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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
Notation: Disabling the AV Software may or may not solve the issue. Removal of the AV Software may increase the chances of the download to perform as expected.
Or
he Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.
With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.
Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.
Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade
macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements
Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful. Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.
If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested.
The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO
Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020
Tips Monterey Upgrade Released Oct 25, 2021
Make Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS
Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.
Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may require an update or upGrades to 64 Bit Version
5 - Running behind a VPN which may increase Packet losses or corruption of 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
8 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal and Try Again using the Software Update Applet in System Preferences