macOS Ventura to Sonoma update issue.

To avoid the question / answer and question answer scenario

Suggest the User start with Points 1 to 4 and then Test

Still having issues, move onto Steps 5 and 6 and Test Again

Still no resolve - move onto Step 7 and follow instructions therein 

1 - 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.

2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 

3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?

4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.

5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.

6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.

7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.

The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.Hardware / Software used on this computer 

The application is free or paid from added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

Hello notthefox,

Thanks for that info and for choosing the Apple Support Communities. If we understand correctly, you are unable to update the macOS software on your MacBook Pro. Since you have already tried good troubleshooting steps like safe mode, let's have you follow these steps:

"Install after repairing your disk

Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk. Then try updating or installing macOS again.

Install from macOS Recovery

Install while your Mac is started up from macOS Recovery. This gives you the latest version of the macOS currently or most recently installed. To start up from macOS Recovery, follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, then click Continue.

Intel processor

Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or other image.

If you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password. When you see the utilities window in macOS Recovery, select Reinstall macOS, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. Learn more about using macOS Recovery to reinstall."

And those steps are from this Apple resource: If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support Also, normally this shouldn't effect personal data, but making a Time Machine backup would be a good idea: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Cheers!

Problems like the ones this computer is experiencing are often time self infected problems ( not always but often ) and would only apply if any of the below Third Party Software was installed and used on the computer

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster. 

Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a portion on each sale. 

What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

1 - Disk Cleaner 

2  - Third Party Security Software 

If the two category do not apply to this computer - disregard

If either or both of the above do apply - suggest taking the appropriate remedial action and remove these softwares

User wrote and correct me if I have mis-quoted

" Now I can't upgrade to MacOS Sonoma. Why could be the solutions? "

According to the above suppled Etrecheck Report and I quote from the report

System Software:

" macOS Sonoma 14.0 (23A344)  "

" 2023-09-28 macOS 14.0 (14.0) "

Problem solved as the computer is already running macOS 14 Sonoma

I stand Corrected and Yes I missed that specific updated reply 😔

Should this update for Sonoma ( Beta version 14.1 pending all Testing by Apple before general release ) occurs again via the normal methods including Safe Mode

Worst case - Restart in Recovery Mode and choose Reinstall macOS.

This in theory will pull the latest version of Sonoma available and commence the installation.

The fact that the light weight Etrecheck Application took Runtime: 4:47 to run is a real Tips Off of the general condition of the Software and possibly the Hardware used on the computer

My Runtime is Runtime: 1:39

M2 silicon

Though, from your report

Clean up - There are orphan files that could be removed.

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

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

External drives and performance - There are external drives connected that could be affecting performance.

Plus at least 3 VM Softwares one of which Virtual Box may need an update

As this machine is already on macOS 14 Sonoma.

Requested the question be moved to Sonoma for better placement and support

Hope that was OK ?