Last Updated on January 2, 2022 by Rick Darlinton
Every system software needs to update at some point. While some automatically update, some do not, so it is with Mac. Suppose you face such issues and can’t use your Mac because the update process is not going through, knowing how to fix if Mac won’t update the solution. A software update is vital to keep your system functioning correctly, especially when Apple releases new features. How to fix if Mac won’t update requires a technical and troubleshooting process for the update to go through to ensure further technical problems are avoided.
Although intending users have the perspective of auto-update on Mac, it is not always so, as issues arise sometimes and force the system to malfunction. However, once you know how to fix if Mac won’t update, you will no longer face the issue of Mac not updating anymore. Below are the things you need to know.
Why is Mac Not Updating?
Many factors could lead to Mac not updating, and sometimes, it could be your inability to perform specific actions. You could also be faced with software update not showing on Mac due to its failure to take more. It could be insufficient space, slow internet, or a bug within the system. While other factors are often common causes that many Mac users ignore because they think it is not enough.
If you are in the situation of “my Mac won’t update” and don’t know how to solve it, we have listed possible solutions below.
Solutions to Solving Update Issues on Mac
If you can’t update on Mac, try the solutions listed below to solve the problem and process the update manually. Below are they:
Delete Unnecessary Files
Deleting files that are no longer needed is the first solution to fix if Mac won’t update. Updating requires some megabyte consumption space on your system, and sometimes, you could be having a lot on your Mac that isn’t sufficient. Go through your system to check for unnecessary files and delete them all for more space. There are times when Mac won’t update. It is because of insufficient space.
For instance, you may have some movies on your Mac that you watched and decided to leave for a while. These kinds of files make Macbook updates either slow or not even work at all. Ensure you leave no unwanted or irrelevant folders, clear them all for enough space, and wait to see if the update would go on.
Restart Your PC
If you have done the previous and your Mac update is not showing, restart your system immediately. Restarting the system implies the system coming up afresh, and everything starts again. Once your system goes off again, it is supposed to show the update again or start automatically if insufficient space was the cause. But if the update is not showing up automatically, check for the update on the Control Panel to do it manually.
Once you start the manual process, it is supposed to go through. However, there are times whereby the download is taking too long and may end up not processing. If that is the case, try the next step to finish up.
Check Your Internet Service
Mac update has to do with the internet, and most time, the Wi-Fi connection might not be strong enough to process, and you may need direct internet service to your system. For instance, Wi-Fi connection is shared by different computers, and thus, the speed is not fast because another computer shares it. It could also result in a Mac software update not showing because the internet isn’t strong enough, but the modem or Mi-Fi connection will do a better job popping up the update.
Once you discover that the internet is good, run a troubleshooting process by clicking the Search action in the start-up window. Type the following: ping 4.2.2.2 –t and press Enter. A display box will come up showing the speed of your internet service. If you see System Timed Out, it means your internet service is not strong enough, and you may have to wait for the service to improve before proceeding.
Update Using The Safe Mode
If you can’t update Mac through the regular measures, safe mode is another option to do it, and it has proven effective. The way you put your phone on safe mode to prevent battery-draining apps so it is when a Mac is on safe mode. It stops other activities, mainly functions that use the internet, from the background. With the safe mode activated, your internet is speed is at maximum, and your updates stand a high chance of finishing successfully.
To activate Safe Mode:
- Restart the Macbook and hold on to the Shiftkey until the login screen finally appears.
- Once the login screen is showing, release the shift key, and your system will automatically be in Safe Mode.
- Proceed with your update. However, if you are still experiencing difficulties, try the next step.
Check If Apple Servers Are Not Down
Sometimes, Mac not updating may result from Apple servers experiencing network problems, and since the update is coming from their server, it won’t go through. The Apple server being down is usually outage, and you can check it through the Apple System Status Page. Type it on Google search. Once the page loads, look out for the macOS Software Update, and if the color isn’t green, the server is presently down. Please wait until it goes from grey to green, and then update again.
Use The Combo Update
If you have tried the above and the update is still not working, combo update is another means that has provided many Mac users. It allows you to switch to another operating system which helps you skip some steps. For instance, you can switch from macOS 11 to macOS 11.4 because they are suitable combo updates. To do this, type the Apple Combo Update Site on Google Search. Once it loads up, click on the website to see the best combo, download, and follow the instructions till the end.
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