Updating your macOS system is crucial to ensure that your device is running smoothly and secure. However, sometimes the update process can get stuck, leaving you frustrated and unsure of how to proceed. One common issue that many macOS users face is the update getting stuck at the “Preparing macOS Sonoma” stage, particularly at 5 minutes remaining.
If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the issue. Here are some tips to help you fix the “Preparing macOS Sonoma Stuck” problem:
1. Wait it out: Sometimes, the update process can take longer than expected, especially if you have a slow internet connection or a lot of applications running in the background. If you’ve been stuck at 5 minutes for a while, try being patient and waiting a bit longer to see if the update progresses.
2. Restart your Mac: If waiting doesn’t seem to be helping, try restarting your Mac. Sometimes, a simple reboot can help to kickstart the update process and get things moving again. To restart your Mac, go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “Restart.”
3. Check your internet connection: A stable internet connection is essential for downloading and installing updates. Make sure that your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is working properly and that you have a strong signal. If you’re using a VPN, try disabling it temporarily to see if that helps.
4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC): The SMC is responsible for a variety of hardware functions on your Mac, and resetting it can sometimes help to resolve update issues. To reset the SMC, shut down your Mac, then press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Release the power button, then turn your Mac back on.
5. Boot into Safe Mode: Booting your Mac into Safe Mode can help to troubleshoot and fix software-related issues. To do this, restart your Mac and hold down the Shift key as it boots up. This will start your Mac in Safe Mode, where you can try to update your macOS system again.
6. Use Disk Utility to check for errors: Sometimes, a corrupted disk can cause update issues. Use Disk Utility to check for any errors on your hard drive and repair them if necessary. To access Disk Utility, go to the Applications folder, then Utilities, and open Disk Utility.
If none of these solutions work and you’re still stuck at the “Preparing macOS Sonoma” stage, you may need to consider reinstalling macOS. You can do this by booting into Recovery Mode and selecting the option to reinstall macOS. Keep in mind that reinstalling macOS will erase all your data, so be sure to back up your files before proceeding.
In conclusion, dealing with a stuck macOS update can be frustrating, but with a bit of patience and troubleshooting, you can often resolve the issue and get your system back up and running smoothly. Hopefully, the tips provided in this article will help you fix the “Preparing macOS Sonoma Stuck” problem and successfully update your Mac.
