Software update preference pane and manual update using terminal both hang

Question

Both software update in the Preferences Pane and the manual software update are hanging.

What could be the problem?

OSX 10.15.7

Restart and reset NVRAM (or PRAM): Hold Command-Option-P-R for about 20 seconds. Reset SMC: Hold Shift-Control-Option on the left side of the keyboard, and press the power button at the same time. Do you use a VPN? Is this via Wi-Fi or LAN? — slartibartfast, Aug 02 '22 at 15:21

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 02 '22 at 15:12

1

Try this:

sudo /bin/launchctl kickstart -k system/com.apple.softwareupdated && softwareupdate -l

..and enter your admin password when prompted.

You might also need to remove the contents of /Library/Updates/.

answered Aug 02 '22 at 15:12

da4

1

What does this do? – lhf Aug 02 '22 at 16:55
launchctl is a macOS built-in binary to manage LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons; the first half of the command is telling the OS to restart the LaunchDaemon which initiates a software update check. By running it under sudo the process is elevated and can interact with system-level processes. The softwareupdate (after the &&) is simply the command-line interface to Software Update. (Both commands have extensive man entries.) – da4 Aug 03 '22 at 14:18

1 Answers1