Ventura 13.0.1 Failed to prepare the software update. Please try again.

All fixed. Followed these instructions (Ventura 13.1 Failed to Prepare Update - Apple Community) to reset the NVRAM on my MacBook Pro and the update worked as expected. Now on 13.2. Good one to remember before a complete wipe and load.

What is the output of the Terminal command below ?

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Does Ventura 13.0.1 appear in this list ?

Example below>>

Mac-Mini-M1 ~ % softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Finding available software

Software Update found the following full installers:

* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.0.1, Size: 11866460KiB, Build: 22A400, Deferred: NO

* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.0, Size: 11866804KiB, Build: 22A380, Deferred: NO

If it does appear, in the Terminal command below will pull the Full Version of 13.0.1 and place a new Application in the Applications folder.

It should be about 12.16 GB in size. It will not Auto Launch

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13.0.1

If you have a VPN switched on, it will also prevent the update. Had this problem with my 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. Switching VPN off sorted the problem.

I had the same problem, tried all the various suggestions (safe mode, nvram reset etc). Turns out I just needed to be logged into iCloud.

update from 13.0.1 to 13.1, I've this issue

i've a Mac mini Intel I7 2018. No issue from 13.0 to 13.0.1

but impossible to update to 13.1

No issue with my internet. I've updated successfully with my MacBook Pro

With all USB devices disconnected, reset smc, nvram, power off --> still the issue

Power off the Mac. Restart in safe mode. --> succeeded to update to 13.1.

Surely one of the kernel extension causing the issue. I've Bitdefender, parallels desktop, OnyX and Tuxera.

Some more information which maybe someone (Apple support?) might understand and have some clues as to why the update is failing.

Going through the logs I found the following in the MobileSoftwareUpdate.UpdateBrainService section (there is a lot more to the dump but this seems the cause of the failure):

MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update)

This error occurs during the update preparation just before it fails.

Any ideas?

@Djutras thanks...I also run Parallels desktop and Sophos AV so might try uninstalling them and trying in Safe Mode.

Yup have experienced this one in a Monterey setup

Restart in Safe Mode and pause for maybe 10 seconds before launching the Install Ventura

Try logging into icloud

I have not been so lucky...just tried Safe Boot again (and waited 10+ sec) and get the same message at the end of the download portion...

It looks like the only option left is a wipe-and-load clean install which is not something I really want to do but have run out of options unless someone else has other ideas to try?

Intel Mac 2019 - have tried on several different Internet connections, safe mode, download from App Store (full 13.0.1) and checked the disks...all with the same result...Failed to prepare the software update. Please try again.

Any ideas how to resolve? Is there a cache that can be cleaned? Somewhat frustrating.

https://discussions.apple.com/search?q=McAfee

Please read the link above and arrive at you own conclusions