Mac update stuck on Estimating time remaining
Your Mac is checking files and your internet connectionbe slow. Leave it alone for another 10 minutes first. The estimating step is normal and takes longer on slower internet. If it's still stuck after 20 minutes total, restart your Mac and try the update again.
When your Mac starts an update, it first checks all your files and downloads the update files. This is the 'Estimating time remaining' step. If your internet connection is slow, this step can take much longer than expected. Most of the time, waiting another 10 minutes fixes it. If the Mac is truly stuck and not moving at all, restarting and trying again is the next step.
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step — just tap, no typing needed.
Skip — I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Force-restarting your Mac while it's updating. Let it finish or restart normally through the menu
- Checking for updates every minute instead of giving it 20 minutes to work
- Assuming the update is broken when slow internet is just making it take longer
Signs you need professional help
- You've waited 20 minutes and restarted and it's still stuck on the same screen The update gets past estimating but then fails with an error message
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