Ventura 13.1 Failed to Prepare Update

I had this same issue, as 13.1 would not install and gave a 'Failed to prepare the software update" message for the last few weeks. I finally got the update to work by resetting the PRAM.

I disconnected all external drives/monitors, held Power for 10 seconds - waited 10-15 seconds, turned it back on and booted up, then held power button for 10 seconds to kill power, turned it back on and held Command + Option + P + R to reset PRAM, let it restart and load up - I went into the App Store and downloaded Ventura, it opened through the settings update window, then the installer popped up. I let it run overnight and when I came back it had installed. (https://www.easeus.com/computer-instruction/macos-13-ventura-installation-failed.html)

I'm not sure if disconnecting external peripherals helped or not, but some other articles recommended it and it finally did work, so it's hard to disagree too much ;)

Hope this helps someone.

If all else fails give this a try: 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 tried and this is helpful, update process can not connect to Apple server because there is wrong dns assignment for domain gs.Apple.com, it direct to some fake ip address
• 
  
• Open terminal
• type: sudo nano /etc/hosts
• enter password
• find any line with gs.Apple.com and delete it
• press Ctrl + X, then press Y and press enter to go back to terminal
• then go to setting and update again

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.

are you attempting the download over wi-fi? when possible, you should perform macOS downloads with a wired ethernet connection. if this is not possible, (mac has no ethernet port) you should move the mac as close as possible to the router, and temporarily remove your other devices from the wi-fi. you need the most bandwidth going to the mac as you can get while downloading a macOS. I would trash the current Ventura installer and start over.

Have dissected the report, looking for Specific Issues that have stalled a successful download of Ventura 13.1 Update

Problem: Other problem

Description: Cant update to 13.1

Minor Issues:

Q1- Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.

A - Self explanatory 

Q2 - System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

A - Running a computer with large modifications, be they by Third Party Software installed and or Purposefully modified by User Actions, makes no difference. There are consequences that may be directly related to the present issue with this computer

Q3 - Runaway user process - A user process is using a large percentage of your CPU.

A - This does Dovetail into above “ unsigned files “  category 

Q4 - Heavy I/O usage - Your system is under heavy I/O use. This will reduce your performance.

A - This condition,  is IMHO is the cumulative effect of Q1, Q2,Q3 above 

Hardware Information:

  MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

Video Information:

  Intel UHD Graphics 630 - VRAM: 1536 MB

  AMD Radeon Pro 5500M - VRAM: 8 GB

    Color LCD (built-in) 4096 x 2560

Q -  LG UltraFine 6016 x 3384

Q -  LG UltraFine 6016 x 3384

Q - disk2 - DMI HDS722020ALA330 2.00 TB - External USB 480 Mbit/s USB

A - Suggestion that only during the download of Ventura 13.1 update, to have ALL Unnecessary External Devices including External Displays disconnected

Q - Unsigned Files:

  Launchd: /Library/LaunchAgents/org.gpgtools.macgpg2.fix.plist

    Executable: /usr/local/MacGPG2/libexec/fixGpgHome

    Details: Exact match found in the legitimate list - probably OK

A -  https://gpgtools.org If I understand this software usage and purpose - Was this Specific Software used and installed when the Ventura 13.0.1 was installed ?

A - If so, what issues occurred during that download or installation ?

Q - [Running] Little Snitch Network Extension - version 5.5 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2022-10-12)

    Application: /Applications/Little Snitch.app - version 5.5 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2022-10-12)

    Description: This system extension enables Little Snitch to filter network traffic.

Q -   [Not Loaded] Little Snitch Endpoint Security - version 5.5 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2022-10-12)

    Application: /Applications/Little Snitch.app - version 5.5 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2022-10-12)

    Description: Little Snitch Endpoint Security

A - This has already be covered earlier 

Launch Daemons:

Q -  [Running] vyprvpnservice.plist (Golden Frog, Inc. - installed 2022-10-24)

A - Reportedly a good VPN based in Switzerland but downloading an update like Ventura 13.1 from behind a VPN - receipt for Dropped Packets and file corruption 

Diagnostics Information (past 7-30 days):

 Q - 2022-12-14 17:23:25 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/JetsamEvent-2022-12-14-172325.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:23:09 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/JetsamEvent-2022-12-14-172309.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:22:53 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/JetsamEvent-2022-12-14-172253.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:22:25 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/recoverylogd-2022-12-14-172225.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:22:12 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/JetsamEvent-2022-12-14-172212.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:21:57 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/recoverylogd-2022-12-14-172157.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:21:45 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/JetsamEvent-2022-12-14-172145.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:21:16 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/recoverylogd-2022-12-14-172116.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:20:56 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/recoverylogd-2022-12-14-172056.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 17:20:37 /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ProxiedDevice-Bridge/recoverylogd-2022-12-14-172037.ips Crash (2 times)

  2022-12-14 10:34:28 installd High CPU Use (3 times)

A - This would indicate that some Application or Applications are not releasing RAM  when they are closed. It would further indicate to me that some Processes are not well written /  coded  and are the cause of this issue 

Had the same problem. After several tries and no success. I tried to download the version through the apple store.

It sends me back to the system config but triggers the normal download and I was able to install it to the 13.1 version.

Very good advise from previous Contributor

If all else fails and only as Last Resort

Predicated on the computer already running an earlier version of Ventura say 13.0 or 13.0.1

Restart in Recovery Mode, two keyboard combo Command r and choose to Reinstall Ventura.

In theory it should download the latest available version of Ventura ( 13.1) and commence the installation.

Shivam Parikh wrote:

If I do that, then I would have to restore all my docs and apps right?

if you reinstall Ventura without first erasing the Mac, then no. it will (in theory) install Ventura over the current Ventura while leaving all your data in place. but any time you do something major like reinstalling macOS, you should first ALWAYS create a backup incase something goes wrong with the reinstall process.

At this point and if the user cares to disregard many of the previous suggestions - so be it.

The next Radical Step and it is radical >>

Scorched Earth Method 

This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.

>> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer <<

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer. 

The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 

This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.

Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.

Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.

Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.

 About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 

1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.

2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 

3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 

4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).

5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 

5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map

6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 

7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 

8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

9 - In this specific case - it Suggested Not to use Setup Assist to Migrate everything back

10 - That would effectively Negate the pristine installation by bringing back the issues that existed when the TM Backup was made

Good luck with this computer issue.

IMHO - There has been sufficient advise offered from more than one Contributor, for the User ( you ) to make an informed and educated choice what the next course of action is required for this computer.

The suggestions have been put forth on a volunteer basis, in good faith and in the best interests of the computer.

EDITED

This eventually worked also for me. I skipped first the forced power off part as it felt unnecessary (shut down via menu instead). It did not work. Update failed still.

Then did the same thing but held power for 10 seconds instead of shutting down the laptop via menu. Now the upgrade succeeded.

Go figure.

Thanks in any case!

Little Snitch Network Extension Get rid of it ASAP as it is interfering with the Inbound Traffic

Little Snitch Endpoint Security - Same thing - get rid of it

OH my... thank you so much. I have been trying to update for a couple of weeks with no avail. Once I disconnected all the external drives it worked right away.

I agree with P. Phillips. little snitch needs to be uninstalled.

and I noticed malwarebytes. that app is decent, but you have it running in the background. I would recommend NOT leaving it running, but instead, only run it if you feel you've installed some malware.