How to fix macOS Mojave Update stuck error

macOS is getting better and smarter every year when Apple releases a new software update. In September, the Cupertino firm released macOS Mojave, the next version of its desktop operating system after months of beta testing. macOS Mojave does not bring with it a significant change but it includes a number of cool things that set it apart from its predecessors. One of the biggest additions to macOS Mojave lies in Dark Mode. This is something that’s been demanded for years and Apple is finally making it an essential part of macOS this year. In reality, macOS High Sierra previously allowed you to change your menu bar and Dock to a dark color, but things like UI, graphics, or images are preserved in their original form.

With macOS Mojave, Dark Mode now works across the entire operating system, meaning that elements like Safari, Photos, or Calendars now feature dark colors and themes. This makes your Mac’s display easier for your eyes, which is ideal for those who spend a lot of time on their laptop. Despite those improvements, macOS Mojave has its own problems ranging from issues with connectivity to installation failed. In reality, we have received a lot of reports claiming that their Macs get stuck in the middle of a macOS update. There could be any reason for why a macOS update fails on a Mac, from Apple servers and connection issues to frozen Mac.

In this guide, we will show you how to fix macOS update stuck error. For some background, macOS Mojave is still rolling out to compatible Macs. If you cannot install or download the update, then make sure you check out the section below.

Also read: macOS Mojave problems and how to fix them

1. Reboot your Mac

Rebooting helps fix a number of problems like app crashes, frozen keyboard or connectivity issues. In this case, this may come in handy as it addresses macOS update stuck error. There are a number of ways for you to reboot a Mac and we are going for the easiest and quickest one.

To do this, press the power button on your device, then simply click on the Restart button from the dialog box. Alternatively, you can reboot your Mac by pressing Control+Command+Eject keyboard shortcuts. Once your Mac finishes booting up, then check if the problem is fixed. If the problem still persists, then cancel the download. To do this, find the software you are downloading on your Mac, then simply press Option and hit the Cancel button. Once you are done, try updating your Mac and everything should be fine. Another solution is to download the software update directly from the Mac App Store. To do this, you simply open the Mac App Store and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

2. Install the update in Safe mode

Safe Mode is a perfect tool that helps you deal with certain macOS issues like slow Macs, apps freeze or app crashes. If your Mac is stuck in the middle of a macOS update, then try installing your update in Safe mode. To start a Mac in safe mode, start your Mac, then press and hold the Shift key and keep the button pressed until you see the login window. Your Mac should be in safe mode now and you can fix your issue. Now just simply open the Mac App Store and install the update while in safe mode. To disable Safe Mode, you simply shut down your Mac and restart it. Keep in mind that shutting down a Mac in Safe Mode may take a while so make yourself a sandwich.

If the problem is still present, then make sure you now have enough room to perform the update. Apple confirms that the macOS Mojave installer is around 5.7 GB to download from your Mac App Store. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clean up the mess on your Mac. Starting with macOS Sierra, you can save more storage space using Optimized Storage, a handy tool that automatically stores your files in iCloud.

If the Safe Mode tip does not work for you, then try resetting VRAM on your Mac. To do this, shut down your Mac, then turn it back on and quickly press and hold the following keys: Option, Command, P, and R. Keep all the buttons pressed for 20 seconds and release them when you hear the second startup sound. When your Mac finishes restarting, it should perform updates.

3. Reinstall macOS in Recovery mode

If none of the above-mentioned solutions work for you, then the best shot is to put your Mac in recovery mode and re-install the update. To do this, hold down Command + R at startup and you will be presented with a number of options. To re-install macOS, simply click Install new OS and let the process begin. Once done, everything should be fine.

These are the solutions for dealing with macOS update stuck issue. Hopefully, our solutions work for you. If you have got any issues during the process, let us know in the comments below.