Mac Won't Update to Sonoma? Try These 8 Fixes

It can be frustrating when you're unable to update your macOS to Sonoma, but don't worry. In this blog post, we will not only explain why your Mac won't update to macOS Sonoma but also provide you with quick solutions to resolve the issue.

Let's get started.

Why Won't My Mac Update to Sonoma?

During the macOS download and installation process, you may encounter false warnings, and the reasons behind these alerts can vary. Here are the most common ones:

• Incompatibility
• Low Storage Space
• Poor Network Connection
• Apple Server Errors
• Unexpected Power Loss
• SMC/NVRAM Bugs
• Third-Party Software Conflicts
• Hardware Issues

8 Fixes for Mac Not Updating to Sonoma

Now that we've uncovered why your Mac won't update, let's explore how to fix the problem.

1. Check If Your Mac Is Compatible

Incompatibility can lead to an update issue. Before actually updating your Mac, you'd better check whether your Mac is compatible with the macOS you want to install.

Apple has a list of Macs compatible with the latest macOS Sonoma. If you wish to update to an earlier version, check this article for compatibility.

Related Article: How to Install macOS on an Unsupported Mac

2. Free Up Enough Storage Space

One of the most critical factors preventing a Mac update is insufficient storage space. The installer package for macOS Sonoma requires approximately 13 GB, but that doesn't mean you only need 13 GB of free space. To ensure a successful installation, it's advisable to have at least 25 GB of free space available.

To check your available free space, click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.

If you find that you're running low on storage space, consider using BuhoCleaner, one of the best Mac cleaners. This tool can quickly clear unnecessary files from your Mac, including cleaning junk files, removing unwanted apps, and detecting and deleting large or duplicate files. In just a few seconds, you can free up gigabytes of storage space.

3. Check Network Connection

Network connection plays an essential role in a successful macOS update. The macOS installer needs to get the relevant Mac information over the network. Therefore, make sure your Wi-Fi is connected and stable.

To have a better Wi-Fi connection, follow the steps below to reset your Wi-Fi.

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the status menu.
2. Turn it off and on again.
3. Check if you can update your Mac properly.

Related Article: Mac Won't Connect to Wi-Fi? Here's the Fix

4. Restart Your Mac

If your Mac is stuck on a screen for over 10 minutes, most likely, your update has failed. In this case, you can press and hold the Power button, turn off your Mac, and then restart your Mac to see if the update is successful.

5. Check If There Are Issues with Apple's Servers

Update problems occur when Apple's servers are experiencing issues. What you need to do is go to Apple's System Status page to check if there is a problem with Apple's servers.

1. Open the Apple System Status page.
2. Find the macOS Software Update and see its status. (Green means available, while red or yellow means issues with Apple's servers, and there is nothing you can do but wait. )

If there are no issues with Apple's servers, try the next step.

6. Reset NVRAM

NVRAM is short for Non-Volatile Random Access Memory. It stores your Mac's preferences such as date, time, desktop, mouse, and so on. These preference files help your Mac run smoothly, and they will not be erased even if you turn off your Mac. However, they may also make your Mac run problematic. Regarding this case, you can reset your NVRAM.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Immediately press and hold Command + Option + P + R keys.
3. 20 seconds later, release the keys.
4. When your Mac reloads, try to update your macOS.

7. Update Mac in Safe Mode

Safe Mode can solve a lot of problems with Macs. If your Mac fails to boot up because of a black or blank screen, you can update your Mac in Safe Mode.

Here are the steps:

1. Shut Down Your Mac: Make sure your Mac is turned off completely before starting.

2. Boot into Safe Mode:

   • On an Intel-based Mac:

     1. Press and hold the Shift key.
     2. Keep holding the Shift key until you see the login window appear. You should also see Safe Boot or similar words in the right corner of the login window, indicating that you're in Safe Mode.

   • On an Apple Silicon Mac:

     1. Long press the Power button until you see the Startup Options window.
     2. Press and hold the Shift key.
     3. Click on Continue in safe mode and release the Shift key when you see the login screen.

3. Log in to Your Mac: Enter your username and password to log in to your Mac.

8. Update macOS via Recovery Mode

macOS Recovery Mode is the ultimate solution for you. With the macOS Recovery Mode, you can reinstall the latest version of macOS that is currently or recently installed. But to avoid any bad surprises, it's a good idea to back up your Mac first.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Turn on your Mac.
2. Do one of the following:
   • On an Intel-based Mac: Immediately press and hold the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo or other images.
   • On an Apple silicon Mac: Press and hold the Power button until you see the Startup Options, select your startup disk, and then click Continue to start your Mac in Recovery Mode.
3. In the macOS Utilities list, choose Reinstall macOS.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have successfully updated your Mac by using one or more of the above methods. If your Mac still fails to update, you may need to check your hardware. Overall, Mac update issues are common, and finding a solution is not difficult. It's worth noting that lack of storage space is the main reason you cannot update your Mac to macOS Sonoma. So don't forget to reserve enough storage space before performing an update.