
Introduction to solutions for failed iMac update
Sometimes, you need to update your macOS (operating system) to run the latest applications like Microsoft Office for Mac or Adobe Suites. If you haven’t updated for a while, you could fall behind and be unable to update through your App Store. Additionally, if you update your macOS version without the right hardware, like a Solid State Drive (high-speed hard drive) and enough RAM, you might encounter lag and sluggishness when using your iMac. In the following sections, we’ll discuss how to ensure a pleasant user experience on your iMac.
Pro Tip 1
Microsoft Office for both Mac and Windows functions similarly, so files created with Microsoft 365 apps are compatible with both systems. However, there are minor differences to note: the Mac version may lack some visual basic functions found in the Windows version.

Common Types of iMac Update Failures

There are four common types of failures that can occur during an iMac software update. The first is an error during software downloading, the second occurs during update preparation and the third happens during the installation of the update, resulting in an error.
The fourth type is related to the App Store’s inability to detect and download software updates. For the first three errors, we will provide troubleshooting guidance below. However, addressing the fourth issue with the App Store will require erasing and performing a clean installation and you can find a guide for that here.

Pro Tip 2
Before you perform any updates or upgrades, ensure that you’ve backed up all your data and files. This step is crucial because in the event of an upgrade failure, you could lose your data and files. You can use cloud services like iCloud or an external hard disk with Time Machine or simply copy and paste to back up your data.
Troubleshooting iMac Update Failure
1️⃣ Date & Time
Make sure your Mac’s system time and date are accurate; otherwise, connecting to the App Store (Apple Server) will fail. You can correct it by going to System Preferences, under Date & Time settings. Alternatively, if your Mac is connected to the internet, it should automatically adjust the date and time based on your location.

If your Mac isn’t booting up properly into the system, you can access Recovery Mode. Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, then click on ‘Utilities’ and navigate to ‘Terminal.’ Next, type either of these commands: ‘ntpdate -u time.apple.com’ to automatically set the date and time or if that doesn’t work, try ‘sntp -sS time.apple.com.
2️⃣ Check Storage Available Space
Ensure your hard drive has enough available storage space for downloading and installing the new macOS. Having at least 30GB of free storage space is recommended. You can always check your storage space by going to About This Mac, under the Storage tab.


3️⃣ Server Down
Sometimes Apple may experience issues, such as overloading or performing updates. Alternatively, your internet service provider might be conducting updates or experiencing problems with their server connections. You can always check the Apple System Status here.

4️⃣ Hard Drive Issue
For software updates, it usually takes between 30 minutes, but in some cases, it can take two to three hours. If it takes longer than that, it might indicate a problem with the hard drive. When a hard drive is about to fail, one of the signs is slower loading times. It could also be due to using an older hard drive model like the spindle hard drive.

Conclusion to failed iMac update
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t update your iMac system software, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you troubleshoot the issue together.
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