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cees66
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Macbook air doesn't update

When I ask my Macbook air 13" M3 2024 with Tahoe 26.6 for a software update it starts to search and keeps searching. There appear no results. What can I do reach the Apple updates?

Is there a dutch version of the community and how can I reach it?

Posted on Oct 31, 2026 4:05 AM

2 replies

Owl-53
User level: Level 10 (123,805 points)

Oct 31, 2026 5:15 AM in response to cees66

MacBook Air M3 – Software Update keeps searching without showing results


Your MacBook Air 13-inch M3 (2024) is compatible with macOS Tahoe 26. Therefore, the problem is unlikely to be a hardware compatibility issue.


If Software Update keeps searching without displaying any results, I suggest trying the following steps in order.


1. Check your internet connection


  • Make sure your Wi-Fi connection is stable.
  • Restart your router if necessary.
  • If possible, try another Wi-Fi network or a personal hotspot.
  • Temporarily disconnect any VPN or proxy connection.
  • Check whether Apple's services are operating normally: Apple - Support - System Status

2. Restart your Mac


  1. Click the Apple menu ().
  2. Choose Restart.
  3. Once your Mac has restarted, open System Settings.
  4. Select General >> Software Update.
  5. Wait a few minutes to see whether the update information appears.


3. Check Software Update settings


Go to:


System Settings >> General >> Software Update.


Check that automatic updates are configured as you prefer. Also check whether Beta Updates is enabled. If you are not participating in Apple's beta programme, select Off.


4. Try checking for updates using Terminal


If Software Update continues searching indefinitely, you can try Apple's built-in command-line update utility.


  1. Open Applications >> Utilities >> Terminal.
  2. Copy and paste this command:


softwareupdate --list


Press Return.


This asks macOS to list available software updates.


If updates are found, you can install available updates using:


sudo softwareupdate --install --all


You will be asked for your administrator password. Note that Terminal does not display the password as you type it. This is normal.


If the command also hangs or returns a connection error, this may indicate a network, Apple server communication or system configuration problem.


5. Download the macOS installer directly from Apple


Apple also provides an alternative way to download macOS.


You can find Apple's official instructions here:


How to download and install macOS - Apple Support (CA)


Apple explains how to download a complete macOS installer using Terminal.


For example, you can first check which full installers are available for your Mac:


softwareupdate --list-full-installers


If the version you want is listed, you can download it using the appropriate version number:


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 26.7.2


Or if you mean to upGrade to MacOS 27 Golden Gate


softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 27.2


Replace the version number with the version actually listed as available.


6. Contact Apple Support if the problem persists


If none of these steps works, I recommend contacting Apple Support directly. They can help investigate why your Mac cannot retrieve the update information.


Official support:


Contact - Official Apple Support


You should mention that you have a MacBook Air M3 (2024), running macOS Tahoe 26.6, and that Software Update keeps searching indefinitely without displaying any results.



Is there a Dutch Apple Support Community?


Yes! You can use Apple's Dutch-language support resources.


Apple Support Community (Dutch):


Official Apple Support Community


You can visit the community and look for Dutch-language discussions or post your question. Apple's Dutch support website also provides instructions on how to ask questions in the community:


Antwoorden krijgen en vragen stellen in de Apple Support Community - Apple Support (NL)


To post a question:


  1. Sign in with your Apple Account.
  2. Search for similar questions first.
  3. Select "Ask the Community".
  4. Choose MacBook Air and the appropriate topic.
  5. Describe your problem and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
  6. Submit your question.

You can write your question in Dutch and receive help from other Apple users.


Dutch Apple Support website:


Officiële Apple Support




My recommendation


I would start with the internet connection, a restart and the Terminal command softwareupdate --list.


These steps should help establish whether the problem is with the Software Update interface itself or with your Mac's ability to communicate with Apple's update servers.


One important precaution: make a Time Machine backup before installing a major macOS update or reinstalling macOS.


Additional official Apple references:




neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 31, 2026 9:53 PM in response to cees66

If you are not offered an update in System Settings and/or are unable to install an update downloaded via Terminal, then is likely that you are in Low data mode. Users have reported difficulty upgrading macOS over Wi-Fi in Low data mode, and that toggling that setting OFF enables them to perform a Software Update. 

 

Turn off Low data mode

  • Open System Settings 
  • Click on Wi-Fi
  • Click on the Details button on the right side of your connected network
  • Toggle the setting off

 

 

More info from Apple: Wi-Fi settings on Mac - Apple Support

 

If macOS 27.2 does not appear in Software Update, try the following steps in order.

  1. If you are using a VPN, shut it off.
  2. Restart your Mac.
  3. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and check again. Press Command-R to refresh that settings pane, just in case.

 

If macOS 27 still does not appear, you can check which software updates are currently being offered to your Mac.

 

Open Terminal (find the app with Spotlight or in Applications > Utilities) and paste the following, then press return:

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

 

If macOS 27.2 appears in that list, you can download the full installer with:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 27.2

 

It has been reported that if the update attempts to install but fails before completing, and your Mac stays on the previous version of macOS, that if you are in Lockdown Mode than disabling that will allow the update to install normally.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256386350