Sep 21, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
Have all updates and no other software on this fresh dual xeon machine. No prior install of any Adobe products. Have a blazing fast internet connection, but can't download a 3mb setup file?? Tried chat support, waited for an hour, gave up. Can't find a direct download of the CC.
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Cancel and restart. If you have stuck downloads in the Mac App Store or updates that won’t start.
Part One: Introduction
Part Two: Why Can’t I Update My Mac?
Part Three: How Do I Update My Operating System on My Mac? Java 7 update 75 mac download.
Part Four: What Do I Do If My Mac Won’t Update?
Part Five: Recover Your Data
Have you ever found yourself staring at a computer screen, clutching your head in your hands, and asking the question, 'Why won’t my Mac update?'
Computer trouble is always frustrating, and even more so with Macs because, to be frank, things don’t go wrong very often on a Mac. It gets easy to expect that nothing ever will.
But if you find yourself staring down a computer that just will not work right, don’t worry. There are ways to fix a corrupted Mac OS update. Read on to learn the symptoms of a corrupted update and what you can do about it.
Why Won’t My Mac Update?
You might see these problems or errors when you're trying to update your Mac. Here's what's causing them.
Symptoms and Error Messages
If you have a problem with your Mac’s latest update, chances are the problems are going to show up when you try to boot up the computer. You may get a message that reads “A critical software update is required for your Mac, but an error was encountered while installing this update. Your Mac can’t be used until this update is installed.”
You could also start getting a screen with a black background and white text in four languages. The text will read, “You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds, or press the Restart button.”
In some cases, your Mac won’t even get as far as booting up long enough to get you an error message. Some update problems can be so severe that your system won’t boot up at all, even if you know the computer is plugged in and working fine.
More commonly, you may see a system that begins to boot and then crashes. Your Mac may get stuck on a blue or gray screen and refuse to move from there. Or you may get a flashing question mark on your screen.
Causes of the Problem
Oftentimes if your Mac runs into an issue with an update, it’s because the update process was interrupted somehow. Maybe you lost power or lost patience and unplugged the computer partway through the process. If a laptop battery died or you tried to turn a system off before it finished updating, it can land the computer in a sort of limbo between updated and running an update.
Imagine if you and a friend were driving down a highway you know when you fell asleep. Once you woke up, you were on a stretch of road you didn’t recognize, and you didn’t know how to get back home or to your destination.
That’s the state your computer finds itself in when an update is interrupted – as long as it’s got power during the update, it knows where it is on the road, but as soon as it goes to sleep, it’s lost the way.
If your computer won’t boot up or boots and then crashes, you may be dealing with a problem called a kernel panic. This is where your computer runs into a critical problem when it tries to turn on. Its response to hitting critical problems is to try to start fresh, so it reboots, but if the problem is with the system, it can get stuck in an endless loop of reboots and crashes.
There are a ton of things that can cause a kernel panic, including installing new apps or not getting them installed in the right folder. You may have outdated drivers or plugins or apps that conflict with each other. There may also be some hardware issues or broken disk permissions.
How Do I Update My Operating System on My Mac?
We'll guide you through running updates on your Mac, whether it's old or new.
Normal Updates
So before we dive into troubleshooting, let’s talk about how you update a Mac under normal circumstances. First open the System Preferences app, which should be under an icon in your dock that looks like a gear inside a silver box. You can also click the apple symbol at the top left of your screen and choose “System Preferences.”
If you’re up to date on your software, you should have a “Software Update” option under System Preferences. When you click this, it will check for updates to your operating system. If it finds any updates, it will give you information about what they are and give you the option to “Update Now.”
You can also choose to have your Mac automatically run any updates that come through. This will save you having to check every so often on whether your system has any updates waiting. It can also help fend off problems before they start since it will prevent kernel panics over outdated drivers and the like.
Earlier OS Versions
If you aren’t up to date on your operating system, you’ll have to go through a couple of extra steps to update your computer. You’ll still start in System Preferences, but this time you’ll go to the App Store icon. You can also open the App Store app from your launchpad; the Icon looks like a white A made of a pencil and a paintbrush on a blue background.
In the App Store, navigate to the “Updates” section of the top menu bar. This will be on the right side of the menu bar next to “Categories” and “Purchased.” You’ll be able to check here for new updates both to apps and to your operating system and run them if they come up.
You may notice that you have a few incompatible app updates listed. More than likely this is because you haven’t updated your operating system software in a long time. There may be some apps that have new updates that are not compatible with your current operating system.
The Latest Version
The latest version of the Mac OS is version 10.15, or Catalina. This version is set to release on October 4, 2019, though it has been out on a beta testing basis for a while now. You can check if your computer is running this version yet by clicking the apple icon at the top left of your screen and selecting “About This Mac.”
There are two sides to the question of whether to update your Mac; will you get all the cool new features, or will you just wind up with a computer that no longer works the way you need it to?
In general, if your computer was made in the last five years, it’s a good idea to run the update. But if your computer is more than five years old, it’s best to stick with what works for you.
Updating Old Systems
So what if you do still have some of those older operating systems running on your computer? It depends a lot on which computer you’re running, but almost all of them will still support Sierra. Only newer machines will support Mojave and Catalina, and nothing above a 2015 Retina will still run El Capitan or the older operating systems.
You may be wondering what to do with the “Install Mac OS Mojave” app you have leftover after your 10.14 update. You can delete this app with no problem; that’s the installer, and it doesn’t serve any purpose once the OS is installed. You can go to “Applications” in Finder, drag the app to the trash can, and clear the trash can to get rid of it.
What Do I Do If My Mac Won’t Update?
There are some steps you can take to get your Mac updated even if it seems stuck.
Install in Safe Mode
If you can’t get your Mac to update properly, the first thing to do is try to run the update in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that you find in both Windows and Mac operating systems. It prevents some of the usual background processes from running, which can make it easier to sniff out bugs on a PC and can keep your computer from loading some of the programs that may be causing it problems during booting on a Mac.
The easiest way to boot into Safe Mode on a Mac is to hold down the shift key while it restarts. So if your computer is off, press the Start button, and if it’s on, start the reboot sequence. As soon as the apple appears on the screen, press down either of the Shift keys and hold it down while the computer boots up.
You can let the shift key go as soon as the login screen appears on your computer. If you’re not sure if you’re in Safe Mode, hold down the option key, click on the apple icon at the top left corner of your screen, and click “System Information.” This should pull up a window with a menu on the left that reads “Hardware,” “Network,” “Software,” and so on.
If you click on the Software menu, you should get a screen to the right that shows your system software overview. Under the Boot Volume, you should see Boot Mode, and it should be in “Safe.” If it isn’t, try an alternate method of booting into Safe Mode.
Once your Mac is in Safe Mode, run through the same update process we discussed before. With other programs out of the way, it may be able to make it through the update and then boot up normally.
Wait It Out
It may sound strange, but one of the best things you can do when your computer won’t update properly is to just wait it out. Yes, computers can indeed execute about two billion operations a second. But what you’re asking it to do is the virtual equivalent of building a fully furnished mansion out of Lego bricks; even at two billion blocks a second, that’s going to take some time.
Your computer is good at figuring things out, so try giving it the time to do so. It’s not a bad idea to boot into Safe Mode first, as we discussed but set the update running and do not touch it until you are certain the problem isn’t going to solve itself.
This can mean letting the computer sit and work things out for eight to twenty-four hours; after that, you can be confident this isn’t a self-fixing problem.
When you’re doing regular updates, it’s a good idea to set them to run when you go to bed. Make sure your computer is plugged in and set so that it won’t go to sleep after a certain amount of inactivity. Then let it run all night, and in the morning, it should have had plenty of time to work out all the update issues it needed to; your mansion will be ready to move into.
Use a Recovery
If you absolutely cannot get your computer to install the update on its own, it may be time to bring in a recovery backup. This will do a few things; for one, it will make sure none of your files get lost in the update shuffle. But for another, it will act as a sort of air rescue for your lost computer operating system.
So let’s go back to our road trip metaphor from earlier. Running a backup would be like going back in time and making sure you had a road map and plenty of coffee on hand during your trip. This time, you don’t fall asleep, you catch every turn you take, and you get where you’re going just fine.
You can boot your computer into recovery mode by starting it back up or restarting it. When the apple logo appears on the screen, press Command+R. This will allow you to connect to the internet to get a new operating system download to start the process over.
Recover Your Data
Trying to answer the question “Why won’t my Mac update?” is frustrating, but you don’t have to resort to pitching a thousand-dollar machine. There are ways to manage a corrupted update, and as long as your files are safe, you can get things back up and go again. But you want to make sure none of your files are unprotected.
If you’re trying to recover data from a Mac that has crashed, check out Recoverit by Wondershare. We can help you rescue all your deleted files and restore everything to your device. Download Recoverit Data Recovery for Mac and get started saving your files today.
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Aug 28, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
There are a lot of times when your Mac won’t restart after an update and will get stuck. This can be due to issues with the installation of an update or due to bugs and glitches that might be present in the new update. New updates need to be created separately for different types of devices like Mac books or Mac PCs due to which such issues can easily creep in and cause distress. This issue can be easily resolved as there are a lot of methods to identify the issue and solve it without any delay.
Part 1. Overview of Mac Update and Mac Restart
Updates are a very important part of software experience and it is used to add new functionality, enhance efficiency, and better features to existing software. Mac OS updates are just that and they cater key points like bug fixes, security enhancement, and performance. If due to some reason, there are obstacles during the update is happening, it can cause issues like your computer getting stuck on the restart screen.
What’s Mac Update?
Mac updates are small OTA or Over the Air downloadable content that can bring new features, bug fixes, performance enhancements, and other such things. These updates are provided directly by apple and are only available to be downloaded from the official sources of the company. It is better to avoid the updates from sources that are not directly affiliated with Apple in any way as such software can damage your device and can compromise its security.
What’s Mac Restart?
Mac restart refers to the process where after the installation of new updates is finished, the system shuts itself down and starts again to reflect the changes and improvements in the Mac OS present in your device. A lot of times due to issues during installation of the update or due to bugs, your Mac may get stuck during this point.
Why Mac Won’t Restart After Mac Update?
If your update was disturbed in the middle during installation, there are high chances that it will crash and you won’t be able to restart and use it. This can also happen due to damage to your boot drive and internal systems. It is better to make sure that the system isn’t disturbed while the update is happening so that such issues can be avoided. Under this issue, your laptop won’t respond and will not even start.
Why Mac Is Stuck on Restart After Mac Update?
It can occur due to a lack of support for newer updates with your hardware.
It can be there because of low space in the hard disk due to which the update cannot complete.
If your update was disturbed or stopped in between, this can happen easily.
Part 2. How to Restart Mac after Mac Update?
If your Mac is stuck on the restart screen, it might be possible that it is due to an issue with the update. It is important to ensure that the installation of the update is not disturbed due to any reason by plugging your device in with a UPS or by ensuring constant high-speed internet.
Restart through the menu bar
This is the generally followed way of restarting Mac devices and is considered safe. By doing this, you will be able to prevent any type of data loss due to restart. Have a look at the steps given below as they will help you to do so-
Step 1. The first step is to click on the apple icon present on the top right corner.
Step 2. Now select the restart option by scrolling down and click on it.
Step 3. Your device will now be restarted.
Do not worry if you are facing issues or are stuck on the restart screen. Nowadays, it has become fairly easier to get out of such situations. In order to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you, check the free space in your device. Make sure that it is over 10GB before the update. This will allow you to have enough space so that the issue will not even come to surface. If it still gets stuck, press and holds the left shift key, soon a window will pop up, from there you will be able to login to the device and easily restart it once again.
Useful Solutions to 'Mac Won’t Restart After Mac Update'
If your Mac powered device isn’t booting up after a recent update, there might be some issues with the device or the update. If Mac stuck on restart after update make sure you follow the solutions mentioned below before you take it to an engineer or service center-
Solution 1. Reset the NVRAM or PRAM
These are memory units that will be active even if the device is shut off. They contain important information like sound settings, brightness, etc. By resetting them, your Mac can automatically start. The following are the steps that will help you do so-
Step 1. Restart your device.
Step 2. Hold command, option, R, and P keys together after restarting.
Step 3. Keep holding it until Mac automatically restarts.
Solution 2. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode
If you are trying to resolve issues with your Mac, safe mode can be extremely useful. It is basically a stripped-down Mac OS that will provide you with limited functionality which you will be able to use in order to troubleshoot system issues with ease.
Step 1. Start your Mac and immediately press and hold the shift key.
Step 2. Keep holding until the login screen appears. When it does, login to the system.
Step 3. After logging in, restart the system as you normally would.
Solution 3 Go to recovery mode and run disk utility
If you are constantly getting stuck on the restart screen and despite powering on the device, you are not able to load the system it may be because of the corrupted drive. This issue can easily be resolved with the recovery mode option provided in Mac OS. You will be able to restore Time machine backups is recovery mode, check internet connection, repair issues in your disk, and install updates, which might even resolve your problems.
Step 1. Before doing this, make sure that your Mac is off. If it is stuck on the grey, the blue or white screen just hold the power button for a few seconds until it turns itself off.
Step 2. Now press the power button again while holding the ‘Command button + R’ and keep holding it.
Step 3. Now you will enter the recovery mode, click on the disk utility option, and then choose the system drive and click on ‘verify disk’.
Part 3. How to Fix Mac Stuck on Restart after Update
Due to damage to the bootable drive, incomplete update, bugs, and glitches, there is a chance that you won’t be able to restart your Mac device after you update it. This can result in loss of data and files which can be troubling for some people. If your Mac stuck on restart after an update, you need not worry about it as there are a lot of ways in which you can avoid these issues. Also if you have lost your data, even that can be recovered with the help of tools present on the internet.
Symptoms
The following are a few symptoms which you will be seeing if your Mac is stuck on restart after update-
You will not be able to log in to the device.
Your Mac device will be running on a loop of turning off and getting stuck on the loading screen.
It won’t respond to any inputs and even the screen will be blank.
Blue, grey, or white screens.
Solution
Reinstall the Mac OS version you wish to use
If nothing else works, it will be better to reinstall the OS that you wish to use. You can do it by yourself or visit a service center to get it done professionally.
Steps
Step 1. The first method is to create a bootable USB drive with your desired OS version and then clean reinstalling the OS into the system.
Step 2. You can go to the recovery mode>install the latest OS in order to directly download the latest Mac OS version instantly.
Part 4. How to Restart Mac without Losing Data
If your Mac is stuck on the restart screen and is not being able to boot up, you might have to reset the drives and format it to be able to use it again. This will result in loss of data, which can be a real pain if you don’t constantly backup your important files. Luckily, there are a few ways in which you will be able to prevent the loss of data or to recover any data that you might have lost.
Right Methods to Restart Mac Daily
Restarting your Mac with the help of Keyboard commands
Keyboard commands are the easiest way to shut down and restart your Mac in urgency and will not result in any loss of data. The following are the steps to help you do so.
Step 1. Press Command and Eject button simultaneously after saving any file that you have been working on.
Step 2. Once that is done, you will see a dialogue box on the screen. Select the Restart option from it and your device will automatically restart within a few seconds.
Right Tool to Recover Lost Mac Files
Often time, you will find yourself with issues like deleting files accidentally or files getting corrupted. In order to resolve that, you will need to have the right tools like Recoverit Mac recovery tools. These tools are built exclusively to help users easily recover their files.
Step 1 Launch the software
Launch the recover it Mac version and select the drives where the lost or corrupted files are located. You can also directly select the location of the file if you remember it.
Step 2 Location will be scanned
This tool will scan the complete location in order to find the file that you want. You will be given filters to enhance your scanning experience. It will find all the deleted, formatted, and corrupt files present in the location with the help of advanced algorithms.
Step 3 Preview the files
After the scan is complete, you will be provided with all the files and folders that the software was able to find. Now, you can easily preview the files to check which one you wanted, images, PPT presentations, PDFs, etc will all be reviewed to you by clicking on it. After you find the file that you wanted simply select it and click on the recover option and select the location where you want it to be stored. After a few moments, you will be able to access your file.
Part 5. Important Tips for Mac Update and Restart
In order to ensure that no issues arise while updating and restarting your Mac, it is important to keep a certain few tips in mind. Download fastest youtube downloader for mac. These tips will help you to efficiently restart and update your devices without causing any issues to your Mac’s memory.
Mac Won't Download Update
Right Steps to Update Mac
The following is a small guide that will help you to properly update your Mac-
Go to the system preferences option on your Mac.
Now browse and choose the software update option.
Scroll the option and search for the checkbox labeled as ‘check for updates’ and check it.
Select the update setting on ‘Monthly’.
Check the box labeled as ‘Download important updates automatically’.
Prevent Mac Restart Issues after Update
Mac Update Won't Install
The following are the tips to help you avoid issues after update-
Ensure that your hard disk has got at least 10-12 GB of free space before installing the update.
Avoid using third party websites for downloading updates.
Ensure consistent, high speed, and stable internet connection while the update is being installed.
Make sure that your Mac has enough battery to last through the update installation process.
Conclusion
My Mac Won't Update Software
In order to avoid problems after updating your Mac, it is important to do everything according to the official guidelines. If you had to format your device due to issues during the installation of updates, you might lose a bit of data. You can also recover it with the help of recovery tools like Recoverit Mac recovery tool.