Mac Stuck Checking for Updates? Here’s the Fix

If your Mac is stuck on “Checking for Updates” during a macOS installation or in System Settings, the update process has stalled. The fix is to force-quit the update process, clear the downloaded update cache, and retry, or use the Combo update as a fallback. This article walks you through the exact steps for both macOS Ventura/Sonoma/Sequoia and older versions, plus what to do if the problem persists.

Why Your Mac Gets Stuck

macOS checks for updates by contacting Apple’s servers, downloading a small metadata file, and then presenting you with available updates. This normally takes a few seconds. When it hangs, the cause is usually one of these:

• A stalled background process — the software update daemon (softwareupdated) can freeze after a failed network request.
• Corrupted download cache — a partially downloaded update file can confuse the installer.
• Date and time errors — if your Mac’s clock is off, secure connections to Apple fail silently.
• Network issues — a VPN, proxy, or restrictive firewall can block the update servers.
• Server-side delays — Apple’s servers are occasionally slow right after a major release.

Before You Do Anything: Basic Checks

Try these quick checks first. They resolve a surprising number of cases.

1. Check your internet connection. Open a browser and load any website. If it fails, fix your Wi-Fi or Ethernet first.
2. Turn off any VPN or proxy. Go to System Settings > Network > VPN & Filters and disconnect. Then retry the update.
3. Verify date and time. Go to System Settings > General > Date & Time. Ensure “Set time and date automatically” is on and your time zone is correct.
4. Restart your Mac. A simple restart clears many temporary glitches. Then try the update again.

How to Force-Quit the Update Process

If the basic checks don’t help, you need to manually stop the stuck process. This works on all recent macOS versions.

1. Open Activity Monitor (in /Applications/Utilities).
2. In the search box, type softwareupdated.
3. Select the process named softwareupdated and click the X button in the toolbar.
4. Choose Force Quit in the confirmation dialog.
5. Repeat for any process named softwareupdateservicesd if it appears.
6. Now go to System Settings > General > Software Update and try again.

The system will restart the update daemon automatically. If the update still hangs, proceed to clear the cache.

Clearing the Downloaded Update Cache

macOS stores downloaded update files in a hidden folder. If a download was corrupted, deleting that folder forces a fresh download. This is safe — you’ll just re-download the update.

1. Open Finder.
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G to open “Go to Folder.”
3. Type /Library/Updates and press Enter.
4. You’ll see folders with names like 091-12345. These are the update packages.
5. Move the entire contents of this folder to the Trash. You may need to enter your administrator password.
6. Empty the Trash.
7. Restart your Mac.
8. Go back to System Settings > General > Software Update and try again.

If the folder is empty or you get a permissions error, you can also use the Terminal method:

sudo rm -rf /Library/Updates/*

This command requires your password and deletes the same files. Be careful — only run this if you’re comfortable with Terminal.

Using the Combo Update as a Fallback

If the normal update path keeps failing, Apple offers “Combo” updates — a full installer that updates from an older version directly to the latest. This bypasses the incremental update mechanism that’s causing the hang.

1. Open a browser and go to Apple’s official support downloads page (search “Apple support downloads macOS”).
2. Find the Combo update for your macOS version (e.g., “macOS Sonoma 14.5 Combo Update”).
3. Download the .dmg file and open it.
4. Run the installer inside. It will take longer than a regular update but is more robust.

This is the most reliable fix for a persistently stuck update. It works even when the Software Update pane is completely broken.

What to Do If Your Mac Won’t Boot Past “Checking for Updates”

Sometimes the hang happens during a macOS installation, right after your Mac restarts. You see a progress bar stuck at “Checking for Updates” and it never moves. In this case, you need to interrupt the installation.

1. Press and hold the power button until your Mac shuts down.
2. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold Cmd+Option+R to boot into macOS Recovery (this loads the latest compatible installer over the internet).
3. Once in Recovery, use Disk Utility to check your startup disk — run First Aid.
4. If the disk is fine, reinstall macOS. The installer will download a fresh copy of the OS.

If you don’t have a backup, this is the time to make one — the reinstall will not erase your data, but it’s always safer to have a backup before any OS-level repair.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

A few things people often try that don’t work or make things worse:

• Resetting NVRAM/SMC — This doesn’t affect the update process. It’s for hardware-level issues, not software updates.
• Deleting the entire /Library/Updates folder — You only need to delete its contents, not the folder itself. Deleting the folder can cause permission issues.
• Assuming it’s a hardware problem — A stuck update is almost always a software/network issue. Don’t rush to the Apple Store.
• Turning off your Mac during the update — If you’re past the “Checking” stage and the progress bar is moving, let it finish. Interrupting can corrupt the system.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the steps above and your Mac still hangs on “Checking for Updates,” it’s time to get expert help. This could indicate a deeper issue like a failing hard drive or a corrupted system partition. Before you do, make sure you have a backup (Time Machine or otherwise). Then contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They have diagnostic tools that can identify hardware failures that aren’t obvious to the average user.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should “Checking for Updates” take?

Normally, it takes between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. If it’s been over 10 minutes with no progress, it’s stuck.

Will I lose my data if I force quit the update?

No. Force-quitting the software update process does not affect your files. It only stops the update check.

Can I update my Mac using the App Store instead?

On older macOS versions (Catalina and earlier), updates were available in the App Store. On current versions, you must use System Settings > General > Software Update. The App Store no longer handles system updates.

What if I’m stuck on an old macOS version and can’t update to the latest?

If your Mac is too old for the latest macOS, you’ll only see updates for the last compatible version. If you’re stuck checking for that, the same fixes apply. You can also download the full installer from the App Store (if available for your Mac) and run it manually.

Does using a public DNS help?

Sometimes. If your ISP’s DNS is slow or blocking Apple’s servers, switching to a public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can help. Go to System Settings > Network > your connection > Details > DNS and add the addresses.

Why does my Mac say “Checking for Updates” forever after a clean install?

This often happens if the date is set incorrectly during installation. In Recovery, go to Utilities > Terminal and type date to check. If it’s wrong, use date -s "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS" to correct it, then reinstall.

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