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You are here: Home / iPhone / Software Update Problem: “Unable to Check for Update. An Error Occurred” (How to Fix)

Software Update Problem: “Unable to Check for Update. An Error Occurred” (How to Fix)

By Sudz Kar 56 comments Last updated October 12, 2023

Several users have reported that they see the following message when trying to update their iPhone or iPad: “Unable to Check for Update | An error occurred while checking for a software update“. This can be especially problematic when you consider that new software updates can improve your device’s performance, and there’s also the nice added benefit of getting to use new features.

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  • How & Why You Should Update iOS or iPadOS With iTunes or Finder

Fear not if you’re seeing the message that your iPhone or iPad is unable to check for a software update. In this guide, we’re going to show you some of the best ways to solve this issue. You’ll also discover some of the tips that our readers have provided, which has helped them out.

Contents

  • Quick Tips to Solve the “Unable to Check for an Update” Problem
  • Check Apple Servers for a Problem
    • If Apple System Status Shows All Green
    • If Apple System Status Shows some Yellow
  • How to Troubleshoot Unable to Check for Update Error
    • Solution 1: Turn Wi-Fi Off and On Again
    • Solution 2: Turn Cellular Data Off
    • Solution 3: Airplane Mode
    • Solution 4: Turn Your iPhone Off and On Again
    • Solution 5: Change Date and Time to “Set Automatically”
    • Solution 6: Delete Your Beta Profile
    • Solution 7: Reset Network Settings
    • Solution 8: Free Up Some Space
    • Solution 9: Change DNS Settings
    • Solution 10: Try a Forced Restart
  • Remove and Download the iOS or iPadOS Update Again
    • Check for Partial Update
  • Reader Tips
  • Unable to Check for Update: Try These Fixes

Quick Tips to Solve the “Unable to Check for an Update” Problem

Follow these quick tips to troubleshoot when your device is unable to check for an update or if an error occurred while checking. 

  • Visit Apple’s System Status page and check for any ongoing issues and problems with Apple’s Servers.
  • Try another Wi-Fi network or use iTunes or Finder (for macOS Catalina+) to update your device instead of over-the-air
  • Toggle Airplane mode on and off.
  • Update your Date & Time to Set Automatically or toggle Set Automatically off and on.
  • For iPhones and iPads with cellular service, try toggling off Wi-Fi and use cellular data instead. This may incur additional mobile data charges as updates tend to be large files, so keep that in mind and ensure that your allowance is big enough.
  • Reset your network settings.
  • Restart or force restart your device.
  • Remove any beta profiles (if applicable).

Check Apple Servers for a Problem

This error often happens when Apple Servers are down. To check, visit Apple’s System Status site and see if any of Apple’s services are impacted. Services include things like iCloud, App Stores, iTunes, Software Updates, Siri, Maps, Apple Pay, and so forth. Services listed in green on the System Status page are working normally. Things listed in yellow are experiencing current issues.

The server overview in Apple

On the System Status page, click on the particular service name next to the yellow warning icon to get more information from Apple. This data usually includes the date, time, and short description of the reported problem as well as the number or percentage of users impacted and if the issue is ongoing or resolved.

Software Update Problem: Unable to check for update. An error occurred while checking for a software update, how to fix

And usually, you see the following message or something along these lines:

“Users are experiencing a problem with the service listed above. We are investigating and will update the status as more information becomes available.”

If Apple System Status Shows All Green

  • That means the problem is likely on your end, and performing the steps below should help.
  • Sometimes, there is a small problem on Apple’s end that doesn’t show up on the System Status page. So, if you try all the steps and nothing helps, check the internet for news stories about your specific problem.

If Apple System Status Shows some Yellow

  • There is a problem with Apple’s current servers and services, so check if your problem is listed with the yellow caution sign.
    • If your issue is reported and cautioned, there’s not much you can do. The problem is way beyond just you and your device. The only real thing you can do is wait for Apple to solve the problem.

How to Troubleshoot Unable to Check for Update Error

If you’ve verified that Apple’s servers are working, now is the time to try and solve the problem on your end.

First, try updating your software via iTunes (Windows and macOS Mojave and below) or Finder (macOS Catalina+). Updating your software via an alternative means may fix this problem. You can refer to this guide if you need further information:

  • How to Update iOS and iPadOS Using Finder

If that doesn’t work, try each of the following to get your iPhone or iPad checking for updates.

Solution 1: Turn Wi-Fi Off and On Again

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn your Wi-Fi off and on again. You can also toggle this setting via the Control Center.

 

Solution 2: Turn Cellular Data Off

Your mobile data can sometimes interfere with your Wi-Fi, and it’s worth turning your data off before trying again. Here’s how to do that:

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
  2. Toggle the Cellular Data option off. If you have data roaming switched on, you should turn that off as well. How to turn off your iOS Cellular Data

Solution 3: Airplane Mode

Toggle Airplane Mode on and off at least a couple of times. Either go to Settings > Airplane Mode or open the Control Center and enable/disable the feature.

Toggle on Airplane Mode in iOS 17
Control Center Switch On for iOS 17

Solution 4: Turn Your iPhone Off and On Again

Sometimes, a simple restart can allow your iPhone to perform at an optimal level — and hopefully, it’ll be able to check for important software updates after you’ve done that.

If your iPhone or iPad uses Face ID instead of a Home Button: 

  • Hold either volume button and the standby button simultaneously until you see slide to power off. Turn your device off, wait 20-30 seconds, and then power it back on.

If your iPad or iPhone uses a Home Button: 

  • Hold the standby button until you see slide to power off. As is the case with devices using Face ID, wait 20-30 seconds after turning your device off. Then, switch it back on.

Solution 5: Change Date and Time to “Set Automatically”

Change your device’s date and time to Set Automatically or toggle it off, wait 30 seconds, and toggle it back on again. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.

Solution 6: Delete Your Beta Profile

Some users may download the Beta version of iOS and iPadOS to try out all the new features. And considering that the software is more accessible now, you may have decided to do precisely that. However, Beta software can sometimes interfere with the proper update. So, if you’re a Beta Tester, delete your Beta Profile and try again.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Profiles and tap the iOS Beta Software Profile > Remove Profile.
  2. Restart your device and try updating again.

Solution 7: Reset Network Settings

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad. Select Reset and choose Reset Network Settings.

Reset iPad Settings in iPadOS 17

Solution 8: Free Up Some Space

Your iPhone or iPad may not have enough space if you continuously see the “Unable to Check for Update” message. You can try each of the following:

  • Delete photos, videos, Voice Memos, and screenshots that you no longer need.
  • Remove messages with large attachments.
  • Delete or offload apps that you don’t use.

Solution 9: Change DNS Settings

Tap Settings > Wi-Fi and then tap the blue arrow next to your current Wi-Fi network. Tap the “Configure DNS” field and enter the DNS servers; 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 (Google’s Public DNS). After this, try a software update.iPhone Podcast Download Not Working, How-To Fix

Solution 10: Try a Forced Restart

  • iPhone 6S or below and iPads with Home Buttons: Press Home and Power at the same time until you see the Apple logo.
  • For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons for at least 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo.
  • On an iPhone 8 or later and iPad without a Home Button: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then, press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

Remove and Download the iOS or iPadOS Update Again

If this error happens multiple times, check for a partial update and remove that update. Once removed, try downloading the update again — preferably using iTunes or Finder.

Check for Partial Update

  1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage.
  2. Locate that iOS or iPadOS update in your list of apps.
  3. Tap the iOS or iPadOS update, then tap Delete Update.delete iOS 13 software update from iPhone
  4. Open iTunes or Finder and check for an update.

    iPhone iOS software update options from Finder or iTunes on a computer
    Click Check for Update to install the latest iPhone software.
  5. Or go to Settings > General > Software Update and try and over-the-air update again.

Reader Tips

  • “I just reset all [Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings] and it worked.”
  • “I deleted unnecessary apps on my iPad and now I’m able to update.”
  • “I put mine in Airplane Mode and after a couple of retries, it worked.”
  • “DNS changed to 8.8.4.4 on my iPad 3 and worked. Many thanks.”

Unable to Check for Update: Try These Fixes

If your iPhone or iPad is unable to check for an update, it’s often because of problems associated with your network or device storage. In some cases, it can be due to Apple’s servers dropping — and if this happens, it’s likely at peak times (i.e., on the first day of a major fall release). Sadly, “Unable to Check for Update” is a problem that prevails each year — and it’s not something that any particular software update can really solve.

You should now have the information you need to solve this problem, and you can always let us know what worked for you in the comments section.

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sudz - apple
Sudz Kar

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 56 Comments

  1. John Judah-Praise says

    October 22, 2020 at 2:56 PM

    Please am using iPhone 11
    Anytime I try updating. It turns unable to update, an error occurred

    Reply
  2. Jean Urkums says

    May 12, 2020 at 1:47 PM

    “Unable to check for software update”. New computer. Bought last year and just now trying to set it up. Has 9.4. Looking to update to latest.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      May 13, 2020 at 8:13 AM

      Hi Jean,

      Try signing out of your Apple ID, if you are signed in

      Reply
  3. Daniel Bakole says

    April 19, 2020 at 9:18 AM

    Hallo !
    I have a problem with my IPad, IT can not Update to new verson. It on on 10.3.3

    Reply
  4. Jakayi Victor says

    February 23, 2020 at 4:03 AM

    Am facing that problem so what do I do? When I want to update my phone that an error occurred when checking for updates pls.

    Reply
  5. Reydenbert Bolante says

    November 19, 2019 at 3:12 PM

    Hi !

    May I ask if why i cant update to ios 13 anymore?
    I already update it but in the middle of updates i accidentally stop it. I want to delete the update on storage but i cant find it the update. Please help on how to reupdate the ios .
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      November 20, 2019 at 7:43 AM

      Hi Reydenbert,

      Sorry to hear about your problems updating. Depending on how far the update got, it might not show up in your storage.

      If you haven’t already, power off your device then wait for a few minutes and power it back on. Then check if you can update and/or delete the partial update. If possible, update your device again using the same network you used previously.

        Go to Settings > General > Storage
        Find the update in the list of apps
        Tap the update, then tap Delete Update
        Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest update

      If you encounter the same issues, reset your network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Then connect back to your network and try updating again.

      Reset Network Settings

      Resets all your network connection options and sets your device’s network settings back to the factory defaults. Clears your current cellular (if applicable) and WiFi networks including saved networks, WiFi passwords, and VPN settings.

      Before you reset your network’s settings, be sure to have your WiFi network name and passwords available for re-entry.

      Finally, if you continue to not see the update or if the same issue happens again, try instead to update your device with a computer using Finder or iTunes. It doesn’t have to be your computer–it just needs iTunes (macOS Mojave and below or Windows) or Finder (macOS Catalina+)

      Reply
  6. Jordan Hansen says

    September 23, 2019 at 6:38 PM

    I haven’t gotten the update yet and it keeps saying that message, I don’t have WiFi at my house but when I’m at school it still won’t do it, and idk any other way to fix it

    Reply
    • Elizabeth Jones says

      September 24, 2019 at 8:58 AM

      Hi Jordan.

      Sorry about getting these errors when trying to update your iOS.

      First, try forgetting your WiFi network–tap Settings > WiFi > the network name > Forget this network

      Next, close all your open apps:

      1. On an iPhone or an iPad with no home button from the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen
      2. On an iDevice with a home button, double-click the Home button and swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close
      3. Swipe right or left to locate the app you want to close
      4. Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
      5. Repeat for all opens apps
      6. Restart

      After restarting, connect back to a WiFi network (5GHz if available) and then with no other apps open/suspended, try to update again via Settings > General > Software Update.

      Alternatively, try updating via iTunes on a computer (it doesn’t have to be your computer–it just needs iTunes.)

      Hope something works!

      Liz

      Reply
  7. Zebwood says

    September 4, 2019 at 6:36 PM

    Trying to update an old iPhone that had been off for 9 months.

    After trying everything else in the list, I noticed the time was out of whack, checked the settings > general > date & time, and found the date was also 9 months previously and the time sync was set to ‘manual’ rather than ‘automatic’ – I have absolutely no idea why!

    Changed it to auto and bingo – software update and a number of other things that were causing problems (google IMAP certificates) suddenly started working fine.

    Motto: try the simple obvious things first!

    Many thanks for the exhaustive list + the comments.

    Reply
  8. Aiden says

    April 8, 2019 at 3:14 PM

    Still not working for me. i’ve tried everything on the list and the error still comes up. Can someone help me?

    Reply
  9. karina says

    February 13, 2018 at 7:55 PM

    I just reset all and it worked.

    Reply
  10. Ahtisham says

    June 18, 2016 at 8:04 AM

    ur the best thanks a lot

    Reply
  11. Bobby says

    June 3, 2016 at 12:48 AM

    It worked perfect for me.
    I used step 5
    Thanks a lot

    Reply
  12. angelia says

    April 11, 2016 at 6:28 AM

    I deleted unnecessary apps on my ipad and now able to update.

    Reply
  13. unknown bluelady says

    April 5, 2016 at 5:13 AM

    thanks ios ghandi tried all the steps mentioned but it didnt work for me then ive read your message and luckily it work… thanks again 🙂

    Reply
  14. Amando says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:33 PM

    Please help i did not get it!

    Reply
  15. Elliott Royle says

    March 3, 2016 at 10:30 AM

    I tried the steps mentioned above and nothing worked for me. Finally, it occurred to check how much space was available on the device. It was full. I freed up lots of space because updates can be large and it resolved the update issue.

    Reply
  16. iOS Ghandi says

    February 26, 2016 at 5:01 PM

    Put mine in airplane mode after a couple of retries, it worked.

    Reply
  17. Anassgw says

    January 21, 2016 at 12:48 AM

    New update for iPhone 6.
    1.80 GB iTunes
    40 MB iPhone not working
    Stupid thing

    Reply
  18. Ceri says

    January 20, 2016 at 11:14 AM

    Switching phone 6s off and back on worked for me

    Reply
  19. hamidreza says

    January 17, 2016 at 4:05 AM

    not working for me 🙁

    Reply
  20. Dea a says

    January 9, 2016 at 6:14 PM

    It’s worked! Thanks:)
    I prefer downloading on my iphone than itunes lol
    All i do was just turning wifi off and then on. And when i check the software update it worked!

    Reply
  21. Anon Anon says

    December 22, 2015 at 7:40 PM

    Step 1 should be – make sure you have enough memory. I got rid of some unused/unneeded items and it freed up enough space to allow the update.

    Reply
  22. Mohsen says

    December 16, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    Not Workinggg!!!!!!! 🙁

    Reply
  23. iPhoneSavvy says

    October 23, 2015 at 6:37 AM

    I can use iTunes to download the update but the stupid itunes is downloading a *complete* iOS file (Worth more than 1.3GB) which is ridicoulous.. Updating through iPhone means a smaller file (iOS 9.0.2 update was a mere ~40MB if I remember right)..

    For iOS 9.1 update, as I read in other forums, is around 300MB for iPad; since I’m using iPhone 4S I bet it’ll be smaller than that.

    Not of the above methods are working for me. Apparently iTunes is the only way to go but I have such limited bandwidth.

    Would appreciate if someone has a solution.

    Reply
  24. Sakthivel says

    October 10, 2015 at 9:09 PM

    DNS change worked for me.

    Reply
  25. Krishna Panthi says

    September 28, 2015 at 5:42 PM

    Amazing! It worked like a charm. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  26. Xander says

    September 18, 2015 at 12:50 PM

    None of these worked? Help

    Reply
  27. Marjeo says

    September 17, 2015 at 10:24 PM

    It worked like a charm, thanks so mch…

    Reply
  28. Supo says

    June 25, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    DNS changed to 8.8.4.4 on my Ipad 3 and worked. Many thanks.

    Reply
  29. Deanna says

    January 16, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    Tried all of the above with no luck. Anything else I can try?

    Reply
  30. Maurine says

    December 24, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    Many Thanks. Worked a treat! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  31. Bill says

    December 4, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Thanks, worked like a charm!!!

    Reply
  32. Marie says

    November 30, 2014 at 8:51 AM

    Followed steps 1-4. When I checked my I-phone 5s, I had no internet access, so I had to enter my network security key to reestablish my wireless connection. Once I did that, I went back to settings and was able to download the update. What a process, but it finally worked.

    Reply
  33. geff says

    November 20, 2014 at 1:26 AM

    didnt work for me

    Reply
  34. Jane says

    October 28, 2014 at 9:12 AM

    Worked for me. Thanks.

    Reply
  35. Bhukailas says

    August 6, 2014 at 12:11 AM

    It worked for me. Thank you very much

    Reply
  36. GP says

    September 18, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    I got it to work! I followed Step 5, and then when to software update. It showed ios7 ready to download but I kept getting an error message when downloading. I changed my DNS back to what it was before by clearing the DNS and going back to the main wi-fi page. Once reconnected to my wifi, I went back to the software download page. I tried a few more times after getting the error message, but after about the third time I got it to download! As expected, it took a little while because of the overload of people.

    Thanks for this tip!! Really appreciated.

    Reply
  37. April G says

    March 24, 2013 at 7:30 PM

    I have followed exactly what was explained… Step by step & it didn’t work for me. So you mean to tell me only one person out of all of us got it to work? ! Please if anyone has gotten it to work let us all know… Thx so much…

    Reply
  38. Abdullah says

    March 22, 2013 at 11:33 PM

    ufffffffff not working

    Reply
  39. William says

    March 22, 2013 at 3:52 AM

    Not working

    Reply
  40. sushi says

    March 12, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    not working !!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  41. Abs says

    November 15, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    Not working duhhh

    Reply
  42. kyle says

    October 2, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    worked for me! Thank you

    Reply
  43. Bart says

    September 24, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    Thanks fir nothing! Didn’t work for me either.

    Reply
  44. Genius123 says

    September 24, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    Doesnt work

    Reply
  45. olebogeng says

    September 22, 2012 at 12:39 AM

    Same problem here.I tried to use itunes for update but it also gives error message “you do not have permission to access the requested resources”.

    Reply
  46. Alfredo Schiavo says

    September 21, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    I had tried to install ios 6 everything seems to run, but after 2 hours the process do not finish. It keep showing the apple and the bar filled almost till the middle.
    Someone can help?

    Reply
  47. Emily says

    September 20, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    Mine either, help

    Reply
  48. Greg says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Doesn’t work. I’ve tried everything… Reset, changing the DNS, restating the settings etc. I cannot download the update to iTunes on my pc either. always gives me a timed out message after downloading for a half hour.

    Reply
  49. Viktor says

    April 9, 2012 at 12:16 AM

    same here. Can anyone give the correct solution please?

    Reply
  50. Brit says

    April 5, 2012 at 5:29 AM

    Ive tried all of those and it’s not working for me either..

    Reply
  51. Jen says

    March 18, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    I tried all the steps and it is still not working…

    Reply
    • Robert says

      February 2, 2015 at 11:04 AM

      I just tried it and it WORKED! I did not do the final step, the DNS entry, because once the wifi picked up the networks after the reset, I simply redid the password for the router, the password for iTunes (I reset it last night while setting up my wife’s new MacBook Pro), and away we went!

      Reply
      • Zee Me says

        October 26, 2015 at 7:30 PM

        Thank you very much. It worked!

        Reply

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