my mac keeps saying its unable to check for updates what do i do

lakeyahs wrote:

every time i click the software update it never roams and checks for the update

What update are you looking for...?

see Update macOS on Mac

From the Terminal.app to list the available software updates, can copy and paste:

sudo softwareupdate -l

Terminal User Guide for Mac

ex.

MacBook-Pro ~ % sudo softwareupdate -l

Password:

Software Update Tool

Finding available software

No new software available.

MacBook-Pro ~ %

If and Only if this computer is running macOS 10.15 Catalina

The Software Update will only look for updates to Catalina

The 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.

Does this computer appear as Listed and qualifying for an upGrade to a newer version of macOS ? 

If Yes, suggest having at least 50 GB of Empty Space on the drive.

It will allow the Full Version ( about 12.xx GB ) to download, expand and then commence to install.

If there is Third Party Security Software installed - remove it.

It will interfere with both the download and installation process.

The below links will help identify which version of macOS  this computer may Qualify to run.

Computer Qualifying for macOS 13 Ventura 

How to upgrade to macOS Ventura - Apple Support (CA)

Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade

macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements

Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful