Newsroom Update

New features come to Apple services this fall. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Garageband was not able to install the new sounds

I'm on an iMac 21.5-inch (mid 2011) running Yosemite; 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5; 4GB memory.


A few months ago, I uninstalled GarageBand. Now I'm trying to reinstall it. I can get GarageBand 6 reinstalled, but I would like to get working with the latest version. I'm able to download the latest version from the App Store with no issue. It installs with no issue.


When I open it, it thanks for me downloading it, and then begins to download "an essential collection of sounds and loops." After a bit of downloading, it asks for my admin password; I enter it, and a few seconds later, it gives the error: "GarageBand was not able to install the new sounds. Close and re-open GarageBand to download and install them again." Closing and reopening GarageBand just takes me through the same loop (no pun intended). When the window is open, if I click on the GarageBand menu in the Apple bar, nothing happens.


It does not ask me to accept anything; I am signed into the App Store with the same Apple ID I have always used (it is the only one I have ever had, so that's not the issue). I am an admin on my Mac, so it's not a permissions issue. It's not a password issue either.


Things I have tried:

  • Rebooting into Safe Boot and opening from there; same issue.
  • Repaired permissions (it fixed oodles of things completely unrelated to GarageBand); same issue.
  • Creating a new admin profile and opening from there; it gives a different error, but the effect is the same.
  • Removed the program, trashed anything remotely related to GarageBand (preferences, folders, etc), emptied the trash, restarted the computer, reinstalled; same issue.
  • Installed GarageBand on top of itself, just in case; same issue.


I can't think of what else to try. Help!


For reference, here is a screenshot of what I'm getting stuck on:

User uploaded file

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Oct 19, 2014 8:53 PM

Reply
65 replies

Nov 28, 2014 10:01 AM in response to fprefect444

Fixing permissions with Disk Utility will only fix the /Library permissions, not your temporary directory.


Occasionally it can happen, that the ownership for $TMPDIR is wrong. Then the installer cannot write there or delete older, partial downloads.


You can make yourself the owner of your own $TMPDIR again using the shell command below: It sets the ownership of $TMPDIR and all subfolders to your own userid . This can only be done from an administrator account.


sudo chown -R $UID $TMPDIR..

Dec 8, 2014 12:19 PM in response to fprefect444

This worked for me!! You also may need to open folders that don't allow permission. You right click and show info. Then click permissions at the bottom and set to read & write.


You also may need to install everything thats there and then click the app again until it possibly fails again...Then run any new pkgs it installs... What a pain in the ...


Thank you!!

Dec 15, 2014 9:10 AM in response to lindsaybits

This was a clean install of Yosemite on an iMac Mid 2011 2.5Ghz

The first time I launched Garageband, I immediately got the message "Garageband was not able...."

I did use the advice from Leonie and fix the permissions of the temp directory with sudo chown -R $UID $TMPDIR..

That did change one thing, instead immediately giving me the message "Garageband was not able...." it did download something.

It was only when I entered the password that the message came back again.

I tried fperfect444's solution, but when I click on the packages I get "can't be installed on this disk. A qualifying copy of Logic or MainStage or GarageBand was not found".

Seems to me, from all of these post, Apple would be more on top of this.

Dec 15, 2014 10:24 AM in response to ekkg

A qualifying copy of Logic or MainStage or GarageBand was not found"


If the AppStore does not find Garageband as installed, you may need to rebuild the SpotLight index for your System drive. That is where the AppStore is looking, to see which versions of applications you have installed.


See this link: Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes - Apple Support http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716

Dec 15, 2014 2:38 PM in response to léonie

OK, so in the end, all I did was delete the Application, the Application Support Garage Band Folder and two references to GarageBand that I found in the hidden folders "private/var/folders". I'm not sure if it helped or not but I did re-index spotlight and I did use the command sudo chown -R $UID $TMPDIR.. That I got from Leonie. Hope this helps someone out there.

Dec 29, 2014 1:02 AM in response to ekkg

This problem is a huge pain in the *ss. After 2 hours of messing about, deleting hidden files and having crashes on restart.... I finally got it to install. REALLY APPLE?!?! Did you even test this software before you released it? GARAGEBAND FAILS ON INSTALL!! You can't even use the basic program if you are doing a new install.

Jan 10, 2015 1:24 PM in response to annu68


but i ahve not made a purchase of garageband on my mcbook pro..it came pre installed...!so i cannot go to apps and laod from the purchased apps there. what do i do?

If GarageBAnd came preinstalled with MacOS X 10.7 or later, t should still be showing on your Purchases tab at the App Store. You may be seeing an "Accept" button. Click that to associate GarageBand with your Apple ID.


Then try to install the additional content again. If it still does not work, try to boot into Safe mode:



Mac OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

Jan 11, 2015 11:07 AM in response to lindsaybits

Hi I was able to resolve this problem for now after having the same problem following a similar process to the whole /private/var/folders SoftwareUpdate cache erase. I have a feeling I was having issues with the OSX allowing the default administrators be given access to restricted folders within the garageband process itself. I'm not sure if its something Apple will deal with but I have similar problems in unrelated projects with Yosemite. Now what I did was simply manually find the Content packages. For me they were located here: private/var/folders/38/8sz_xtgj37qgx011vd99kr6c0000gn/C/com.Apple.garageband10 after you reach this folder by using finder "Go -> Go To Folder" menu option click through the hierarchies until you reach com.apple.garageband10/com.apple.MusicApps/audiocontentdownload.apple.com/lp10_m s3_content_2013 this is where all the garageband content packages are, now if it is a fresh install the very first pkg should be GarageBandCoreContent.pkg. Click this and follow installer instructions and you will now have access to garageband. After you have done this the content collapses and you can go back and install the premium content the same way. Good luck!

Garageband was not able to install the new sounds

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.