updating macOS Sonoma fails

Question

Level 1

4 points

updating macOS Sonoma fails

I have been trying to install the 14.7.1 update without success. Past Sonoma updates have installed without a hitch. This is on a 13" 2019 MacBook Pro currently with 14.7. My normal installation process is through Settings->General->Software Update. I was able to install the Safari 18.1 update this way without a problem. With 14.7.1 it starts downloading, then as it gets to the end, there is an error dialog that says "Failed to prepare the software update. Please try again." In a smaller font it says "An error occurred while downloading the selected updates. Please check your internet connection and try again." My internet connection is just fine, everything else works.

Then I downloaded a full 14.7.1 installer to see if that would behave any better. After starting it up, it grinds away for a few minutes, and a different error dialog appears stating "An error occurred installing macOS".

I have tried both approaches multiple times with the same results. I even tried once after doing a Safe Boot. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get past these errors?

I have noticed one other odd thing lately, but don't know if it could be related. Every time I boot the MBP, I get the dialog that says "You shut down your computer because of a problem" and then asking me if I want to open applications that were open when it shut down. It does this even though I shut down or rebooted the MBP normally. Could this indicate that something is in an odd state that could be blocking an update?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.7

Posted on Nov 4, 2024 6:01 PM

Reply

Answer 1

PRP_53

Level 10

91,831 points

Nov 6, 2024 1:35 AM in response to lowellmac

1 - Turn Off " Little Snitch " which we know is a Third Party Two-Way Firewall

[Running] Little Snitch Network Extension - version 5.7.6 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2024-05-16)

Application: /Applications/Little Snitch.app - version 5.7.6 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2024-05-16)

Description: This system extension enables Little Snitch to filter network traffic.

[Not Loaded] Little Snitch Endpoint Security - version 5.7.6 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2024-05-16)

Application: /Applications/Little Snitch.app - version 5.7.6 (Objective Development Software GmbH - 2024-05-16)

Description: Little Snitch Endpoint Security

2 - Get Rid of the Memory Cleaner

com.maintain.PurgeInactiveMemory.plist (Apple - installed 2024-09-05)

Executable: /usr/sbin/purge

Purge inactive Memory - Apple Community

Reply

Answer 2

PRP_53

Level 10

91,831 points

Nov 5, 2024 1:32 AM in response to lowellmac

OP wrote " Could this indicate that something is in an odd state that could be blocking an update? "

Yes it could indicate something is amiss

To avoid a series of Q & A

Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet " and is only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer

The application is free or paid from added features.

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

Reply

Answer 3

lowellmac Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 6, 2024 9:01 PM in response to PRP_53

One of my attempts that failed was while booted into safe mode, which disabled Little Snitch. (In the past, I have done updates with Little Snitch running without any problem.) I wasn't aware of the memory cleaner, which is apparently part of Cocktail.

Yesterday I figured it was another day, so I tried again. I ran the standalone installer once again, and before it got too far, the computer crashed. When it restarted, the report that it prompted me to send to Apple indicated some kind of bridgeOS panic. After that, I tried the standalone installer once again, and it actually worked. This was before your reply, so those things you mentioned were still in place.

I know bridgeOS runs on the T2, which has several important functions. Could the T2 have been somehow messed up and the crash reset it?

Anyway, all seems to be good now. Will be interesting to see what happens next time I try to install an update. Thanks for your suggestions, and reminding me of Etrecheck.

Reply