Why Won't My Mac Update to Sonoma? What to Do if It Happens?

macOS Sonoma Upgrade Guide: Complete Guide to Solving Installation Problems

Apple's latest macOS Sonoma system brings many exciting new features, including desktop widgets, FaceTime video conferencing, and the ability to run any web page as an application using Safari. However, many users encounter unexpected problems when trying to install the latest version of macOS. If you are facing a similar dilemma, please continue reading this article and we will explain why these errors may occur and how to resolve them.

macOS Sonoma update error prompt and meaning

When installing macOS Sonoma fails, you may encounter four common error prompts:

1. "Error installing selected update"
2. "Make sure to complete macOS installation"
3. "Checking for updates"
4. "There is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the operating system"

1. "An error occurred while installing the selected update"

This error may be caused by an Apple server issue, affecting your download or verification of macOS Sonoma updates. It is recommended that you wait for about an hour and try again, as any issues with Apple servers should have been resolved by then. If the problem persists, try downloading macOS Sonoma from the App Store instead of downloading from the System Preferences . 2. "Cannot complete macOS installation"

Although there may be multiple reasons for this error, you should first try restarting the device and retry installing macOS Sonoma. If neither of these methods works, it may be that there is not enough available storage on your Mac. If it still doesn't work, your Mac (if it's an older model) may be incompatible with Sonoma. Please check out our macOS version list for more information.

3. "Checking for updates"

Many Mac users report that their Macs get stuck indefinitely on "Checking for Updates" when trying to install macOS Sonoma. There are many reasons for this, but in most cases it is caused by poor or unstable network connections. Try restarting your Mac and router, or try connecting your laptop with a wired Ethernet cable. Using a wired connection will stabilize your internet connection.

4. "There is not enough free space on the selected volume to upgrade the operating system"

Installing macOS Sonoma requires a lot of free storage space, so if you see this error, it may mean you don't have enough disk space to install the latest updates. Another reason for this error is that you are downloading/installing other files (movies, music, or games), so please release the RAM on your Mac after checking out what prevents you from upgrading your macOS.

Reasons that cause you to be unable to upgrade your Mac to Sonoma

The most common reasons why you cannot update to macOS Sonoma include:

1. Unstable Internet connection
2. Insufficient available space
3. Apple ID problem
4. Mac is incompatible with the latest version of macOS
5. Apple server problem
6. Macintosh HD storage space is insufficient
7. Unsupported boot disk format
8. macOS Sonoma Error
9. MacOS installer is corrupted
10. Third-party applications interfere with the installation process
11. Accidental power outage
12. SMC/NVRAM Error
13. Hardware issues

Now, let's explore each reason in more detail.

1. Internet connection issues

If your Mac cannot update to Sonoma, it may be because your internet connection is unstable. If this is the case, your software update menu may be stuck on the "Check for updates" message. To resolve this issue, try using a wired internet connection and try again.

2. There is not enough free space on the boot disk

Installing macOS Sonoma requires about 25 GB of free space, so a common reason you may not be able to upgrade is that the disk is full. To fix this, try freeing up space using MacKeeper's duplicate finder , which will scan your Mac to recognize and delete any of the same files, freeing up space on your Mac. Here is how to use the repeat finder:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Select the Repeat the Finder option in the side menu, and then select to start scanning .
3. Tick the file type you want to delete, and then select Delete the selected file.

3. Apple ID problem

If you want to update to macOS Sonoma using System Preferences or App Store, you need a verified Apple ID. So to install macOS Sonoma, you must make sure you have an Apple ID and you are already logged in on your Mac.

4. Your Mac does not support macOS Sonoma

One of the reasons you may not be able to upgrade to macOS Sonoma is that your Mac may not be supported because it is an older model. Apple only allows newer devices to update to the latest software. You can view a list of macOS Sonoma-compatible Macs on Apple's website. However, if your device is a 2016 model or earlier, you will not be able to install the update.

5. Apple server problem

If you have a new Mac with plenty of available storage and a stable internet connection, but still can't install macOS Sonoma, the problem may not be related to you. Since installing macOS Sonoma requires you to download and verify the update with Apple, your update may fail if there is a problem with the Apple server. Fortunately, you can easily check any server issues on Apple's website.

6. Insufficient storage space on Macintosh HD

One of the most common reasons for failure of macOS Sonoma installation is insufficient storage space on the main drive. Apple recommends that you have at least 25 GB of free space on disk to install macOS Sonoma. Here is how to check the available disk space on your Mac:

1. Press command spacebar, and then type Disk Utility in Spotlight Search, and press Enter.
2. Select the drive marked Macintosh HD from the side menu.
3. Disk Utility will show how much free space you have.

7. Unsupported boot disk format

Another reason your Mac cannot update to macOS Sonoma is that your boot disk may be corrupted or require some first aid. Fortunately, it is easy to fix the boot disk format problem in Disk Utility, as follows:

1. Press command spacebar to open Disk Utility. Then, type Disk Utility and press Enter.
2. Click the disk named Macintosh HD in the side menu.
3. Click First AidTap on the top of the Disk Utility, and then click Run. Wait for a few minutes and your disk will be repaired.

8. macOS Sonoma error

Your Mac may not be able to update to macOS Sonoma, because a bug in the software may interfere with the update. The best way to solve this problem is to try installing the software in

Safe Mode. The latter will start your Mac without opening any other applications that may interfere with the update.

9. The macOS installer is corrupted

Your updates to new macOS may also be affected by a corrupt macOS installer. This may be caused by intermittent downloads or an unstable internet connection. The best attempt here is to try installing updates using

App Store instead of using System Preferences to see if it can mitigate the error. Here is how to download macOS Sonoma using the App Store:

Open
1. App Store and type "macOS Sonoma" in the search bar.
Click
2. to get and allow App Store to download the latest macOS.
Open the
3. macOS Sonoma installation program from the bootstrap.

10. Conflict or interference with third-party applications

Sometimes, third-party applications interfere with the installation of macOS Sonoma. This is especially true for applications that open immediately upon startup. Close apps that are opened at startup can be difficult, so we recommend using a tool like MacKeeper, which automatically detects apps that are opened at startup and disables them. The following is how to use it:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.
2. Select Login from the side menu.
3. Tick the apps you don't want to automatically open when you log in to your Mac.
4. Click Delete the selected file.

11. Unexpected power outage

Installing macOS Sonoma requires a continuous power connection to install. This is to avoid any interruptions to ensure the new operating system is installed cleanly. So, if your Mac cannot install Sonoma, make sure to plug in the power when updated.

12. SMC/NVRAM error

NVRAM (abbreviation for nonvolatile random access memory) is information about your Mac to track simple things like dates and time, unlike other RAMs, it does not reset after restarting your Mac.

13. Hardware issues

The last reason why your Mac cannot upgrade to Sonoma may be that there is a problem with your Mac hardware. These problems can be caused by physical damage to the Mac, such as water damage or drop damage. If your Mac suffers physical damage, you should hand over the Mac to a technician for inspection.

What to do if macOS Sonoma cannot be installed on your Mac

If macOS Sonoma cannot be installed on your Mac, please try the following fix first:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Free disk space.
3. Try installing macOS Sonoma in safe mode.
4. Update to macOS Sonoma using recovery mode.

Although these are our preferred methods for troubleshooting, there are many ways you can try to install the latest macOS Sonoma updates. Please follow the complete guide below:

1. Prepare your Mac for Sonoma update
2. Free disk space on your Mac
3. Restart Mac
4. Uninstall the installer and download it again
5. Installing macOS Sonoma from software update
6. Reset PRAM and SMC
7. Install macOS Sonoma in safe mode
8. Update macOS through recovery mode
9. Close FileVault or firewall
10. Check and repair with Disk Usage
11. Cleaning and installing macOS Sonoma

1. Prepare your Mac for Sonoma update

To effectively install macOS Sonoma, the best practice is to be prepared and make sure your Mac meets the ideal conditions for updating macOS. Stay tuned and we will demonstrate how to prepare for your Mac for the latest macOS updates.

1.1 Check whether your MacBook model supports macOS Sonoma

Since Sonoma is the latest and best version of macOS, Apple usually only offers updates for devices made about six years ago. If you have trouble updating to macOS Sonoma, your Mac may be incompatible with the latest version.

1.2 Ensure your Mac has a good and stable internet connection

Because macOS Sonoma is a large download and the installer requires online authentication, a good and stable internet connection is required. To improve your internet connection, try using a wired connection or try resetting your router.

1.3 Check the status of Apple server

Please check the status of the Apple server before installing. Although Apple is a large multinational company, there are occasional disruptions. Here is how to check if the Apple server is running:

1. Open your web browser (e.g. Safari).
2. Go to https://www.apple.com/uk/support/systemstatus/.
3. Check the macOS software update section to see if the server is still running.

1.4 Create a system backup

While updating to the latest version of macOS Sonoma is absolutely safe, your operating system may be damaged if anything happens during installation (such as power outage). Therefore, we recommend that you back up your Mac before you update it. Follow our guide to learn how to back up your Mac using Time Machine.

2. Free up disk space on your Mac

There are many great tools you can use to remove useless junk files that mess up your Mac, such as using MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup. The following is how to use it:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.
2. Select Safe Cleanup from the side menu.
3. Click to start scanning , and MacKeeper will find all junk files on your Mac.
4. Select the file type (such as logs, caches) you want to delete, and then select Clean junk files. MacKeeper will remove it from your device in just a few minutes.

3. Restart Mac

If your macOS Sonoma download is stuck, or you have clicked to install but nothing happens, restarting can help solve many problems. Here is how to restart your Mac:

1. Make sure to save all important work.
2. Tap on the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen.
3. Select Restart from the drop-down menu.

4. Uninstall the installer and download it again

If your update doesn't work, you should try uninstalling the macOS installer and re-downloading from the App Store. At the same time, the easiest way to uninstall any application on your Mac is to use MacKeeper's smart uninstaller and other third-party software:

1. Download MacKeeper.
2. Select Smart Uninstaller from the side menu.
3. Select to start scanning, MacKeeper will display all applications on your Mac
4. Tick with the list macOS Sonoma Installer and any other apps you want to delete
5. Click to delete the selected file , and MacKeeper will delete the macOS Sonoma installer.

5. Install macOS Sonoma from software update

If you downloaded macOS Sonoma from the App Store and the installation failed, try downloading it with software update. Learn how to install macOS Sonoma using software update:

1. Tap the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
2. Select About this unit from the drop-down menu.
3. Click Software Update and install macOS Sonoma from there.

6. Reset PRAM and SMC

PRAM is a type of storage used on a Mac that stores core details about a device, such as a date or time. It is used to ensure that your Mac remembers critical information about the device even without the internet. Sometimes it interferes with macOS Sonoma installation, so if you have problems, please follow our guide to reset it:

1. Switch off your Mac and disconnect any USB accessories or storage devices.
2. Open your Mac again and hold the command, options, P and R keys at the same time for at least 20 seconds.
After 20 seconds, you can stop holding down the key and allow your Mac to restart normally.

7. Install macOS Sonoma in safe mode

Sometimes other software interferes with your Mac when it tries to update to macOS Sonoma. The recommended solution is to install the update in safe mode.

For Intel-based Macs:

Close your Mac completely by selecting
1. Close in the Apple menu in the upper left corner.
While turning on the Mac, hold down the
2. Shift key. Continue to hold down the Shift key until you see the login screen.

For Apple Silicon Mac:

1. Close your Mac completely by selecting Close in the Apple menu in the upper right corner of the display.
2. Press and hold the power button until the Startup Options screen appears.
3. Press and hold down the Shift key and select "Continue in Safe Mode" . Once you reach the login screen, you can release the Shift key.

8. Update macOS through recovery mode

If installing macOS Sonoma in safe mode doesn't work, it's definitely worth trying to install it in recovery mode. Continue reading to learn how to enter recovery mode below.

For Intel-based Macs:

1. Close your Mac.
2. If you are backing up from an external drive, make sure it is connected.
3. When you reopen your Mac, press and hold the command R key until you reach the recovery screen.
4. Select the drive/backup you want to boot to and log in.

For Apple Silicon Mac:

1. Save any important work and turn off your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button until the startup option appears on the screen.
3. Tap the option , then click to continue and log in to your Mac as usual.

9. Turn off FileVault or firewall

Mac's built-in Firewalls and FileVault features are very useful for providing basic security protection. A firewall prevents hackers from connecting to your Mac over the internet, and FileVault protects files on your device if your laptop is stolen. However, firewalls or FileVaults sometimes interfere with macOS Sonoma installation, so it's worth trying to temporarily disable them:

1. Click the Apple icon in the toolbar.
2. Select System Preferences and select Privacy & Security from the side menu.
3. Click the Lock icon in the lower left corner and enter your password.
4. To disable FileVault, click the FileVault tab, and then click Close . Finally, click to turn off encryption.
5. To disable the firewall, go to the Firewall tab and select Close the firewall.

10. Check and repair with Disk Utility

If you still can't update to macOS Sonoma, the problem may be that your disk drive needs to be fixed. Fortunately, Apple makes it very easy to automatically repair damaged drives using Disk Utility’s First Aid feature. Please see how to use it below:

1. Press command space to open Spotlight search.
2. Type Disk Utility in the search bar, and press Enter.
3. Select the disk drive of your Mac and click First Aid. Wait for a moment and your Mac will fix any issues or damage on the disk.

11. Clean and install macOS Sonoma

If all other methods fail, you have the option to perform a fully clean installation of macOS Sonoma. To do this, you need to create a bootable copy of macOS to a newly formatted USB drive. Please follow the comprehensive guide below to perform a clean installation of macOS Sonoma:

1. Download a copy of the macOS Sonoma installer.
2. Use a USB drive with at least 16gb of storage and plug it into your Mac. Rename the drive to MyVolume.
3. Open the terminal from the startup table and enter the following command: sudo /Applications/Install macOS Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume, and press Enter.
The terminal will ask you to enter your password. When the
4. terminal asks if you want to continue, type Y and press again. When prompted, allow
Terminal
5. to access files on the USB drive. Once the terminal means the installation media is available, you are ready to install it. Close your Mac.
Open your Mac and immediately hold down the
6. command R
key until you enter the
7. Resume menu. Select boot from your USB drive and allow the installer to run.
8. Conclusion

Okay, there's a lot of content-you deserve a piece of cake. Now you should have many ways to solve any problem in installing macOS Sonoma. If you are still having problems, please download

MacKeeper

and enjoy our unparalleled

Consulting Expert feature, which provides 24/7 365-day technical support, and our experts are all over the world. Not only can they provide you with customized support to help you install macOS Sonoma, they can also help you answer all Mac-related questions or questions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Upgrading to macOS Sonoma

1. How to update unsupported Macs to Sonoma?

Unsupported Macs can be updated to macOS Sonoma using hotfixes for installation files. This can be quite advanced for some users, and older Macs may have problems using Sonoma as they are not officially supported by Apple.

2. Is my Mac too old to update to Sonoma?

If your Mac is over six years old, you may not be able to update to macOS Sonoma. However, you can check out the list of supported Macs on Apple's website to ensure.

3. Why can't I download macOS Sonoma?

Usually, if you can't download macOS Sonoma, it may be due to instable internet connection. If possible, try using a wired connection, if it still fails, install it in a friend's home, using their internet.

4. Why can't macOS Sonoma be installed to Macintosh HD?

This is usually caused by a lack of storage space on the device. You need about 25 GB of free space to install macOS Sonoma. Try to delete large files (such as videos or games) to make room for updates. You can always back them up to an external drive and put them back on your Mac after updating to Sonoma.

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