Software Update failing on High Sierra: (NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.)

When I try to run Software Update (on High Sierra), I get the following error:

"An error has occurred / This operation couldn't be completed. / (NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.)"

I've been trying a few solutions I've found here and on google, but I don't want to make the problem worse by trying something more complicated that I don't fully understand, so guidance would be appreciated.

I noticed I've had a few 'network' related errors popping up in different places the last few weeks, so I think this is another one, and I suspect they are all part of the same problem. Hopefully these can give you a clue:

-screen sharing (with Apple support) won't connect any more. it says it's connected but they see nothing.

-adding new accounts in SystemPreferences>InternetAccounts fails to load remote web content.

-when I connect new iPhone 15 - 7.0.3, high sierra will prompt to install update to support the device, but the download fails to establish after I click to install.

-High Sierra installer 1) downloaded from Mac App Store or 2) from Recovery Install, both fail to connect to servers during attempted installations.

-and now software update.

As a test, I installed a clean High Sierra on another drive (same Macbook Pro) and 4 of those 5 issues don't occur on the clean system. I can't test screen sharing or I might be 5 for 5.

I tried reinstalling High Sierra on top of itself (on the problem system), but I still get the same errors afterward.

I tried a different internet connection, but no change.

I have NO VPN.

I have tried with built-In firewall disabled.

I have Little Snitch, but it's disabled.

Ideas?

Help?

MacBook Pro 17″

Posted on Oct 21, 2023 10:21 AM

Top-ranking reply

Scott Bernard Author

Level 1

46 points

Posted on Nov 15, 2023 2:35 PM

Scott Bernard wrote:

Well, we sort of finally found the problem, and I have a painful working solution to get around it, since we can't fix it.

Well, I have to revise my earlier post after further testing revealed some things, and other helpful users gave some really good instruction.

The big discovery since my earlier post:

***ALL High Sierra Clean Installs come with the errors/problem... ...until you restart it once.***

Everything below is revised to reflect this.

We sort of finally found the main problem, and I have a working solution to get around it, since we can't fix it.

If you are on High Sierra and none of the other "(NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.)" threads fixes have worked for you, keep reading.

The Problem:

It seems there is something local stopping connections to at least swscan.apple.com, but we don't know what/where it is in order to fix it in-place.

Do you have the same problem?

1. First, I suspect you have to be on High Sierra to have this problem. I installed multiple Mojaves and they were all error-free.

2. Second, take a look at these related errors to the main problem. Errors 1-3 are the easiest to test for, but maybe some of the other errors already look familiar.

1) Can't add Google or Yahoo email accounts to Internet Accounts pane.

2) Software Update failing on High Sierra: (NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.) (this thread)

3) iOS 17 iPhone 12 not showing up on 2009 iMac iTunes.*

*make sure you have the latest iTunes version if you test. On High Sierra this should be 12.8.3. For some users, this version never appeared in the App Store software Updates section. Get it here: Download iTunes 12.8.3 for Mac

4) Can't download High Sierra full installer.

5) other unspecified "server" or "connection" errors.

3. Third, do 1-3 occur together? If you have 1 or 2 of the errors, but a 3rd one works fine, you likely don't have the problem described above, and this solution would be overkill.

The Solution:

1. The eventual workaround is to install a clean copy of High Sierra.
2. Migrate your users and data into the clean copy, but to avoid ugly permissions problems, try following the outline found here: Is there a difference in results between Migration Assistant app and 'Transfer Information' option during OS installation?
3. The High Sierra installer installs an older version of iTunes. You want to install the latest version of iTunes or you may have device connection issues. On High Sierra this should be 12.8.3. Get it here: Download iTunes 12.8.3 for Mac
4. Check the App Store software Updates section to see if the error is gone. If it's NOT gone, don't panic, just restart your system once, and check again.

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Software Update failing on High Sierra: (NSURLErrorDomain error -1012.)

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