When attempting to update your system software, you may get a prompt saying “An error occurred while checking for a software update”. What’s wrong with your device? And What to do to fix that? This article from NewsPivot will answer these questions.

Why Is Your iPhone Unable to Check for an Update?

What’s wrong with your device when you fail to check for a software update? There are a few real culprits behind this annoying problem.

  1. Incompatible device
  2. Server malfunction
  3. Unstable network conditions
  4. Insufficient space for iOS update

Knowing the main reasons responsible for the “an error occurred while checking for a software update” issue, then we will move to the next part to explore the solutions.

Solutions to “An Error Occurred While Checking for a Software Update”

Check If Your Device Is Compatible with the New Software

Step 1: Identify your iPhone model.

Step 2: Check whether your iPhone model is on the list of compatible devices for the latest version of iOS.

If your device is incompatible with the latest version, then it is unable to update; if your device is compatible with the new software but unable to check for an update, you can try the methods below.

Check Apple’s System Status

If you find the “unable to check for update” error on iPhone, there may be something wrong with Apple’s system. Therefore, you should check Apple’s System Status with any browser. You should know that services listed in green on the System Status page are working normally, while services listed in yellow are experiencing current issues.

You should check if your problem is listed in the green sign. If not, the only thing you can do is wait for Apple to solve the problem.

check Apple’s system status

Check the Network Condition

The network connection should be well-built. If the device is connected to poor Internet, the update process is very slow and even unable to check for an update. Therefore, you need to make sure the Internet is stable and fast enough to be used to download the installation package. Follow the steps:

Step 1: Go to the Settingsapp, and tap WLAN to see if your device is connected to a network.

check the network connection

Step 2: If your device has already connected to a network, turn the WLAN off and on again or use a different network to refresh the Internet connection.

If you have trouble with a network connection, you can read this post: 5 Solutions for the Mobile Network State Disconnected Error.

Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, a simple restart can refresh your device and resolve certain performance malfunctions, and hopefully, it’ll be able to check for important software updates after you’ve done that.

If your iPhone uses a Home Button:

Hold the Side button until you see the slide to power off option. Drag the Slider to turn off your device. Then wait a few seconds and hold the Side button to restart your device again.

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

Hold one of the Volume buttons and the Side button simultaneously until the slide to power off appears. Drag the slider. Then wait a few seconds, and then hold the Side button to restart your device again

Free up Space for Software Update

If there isn’t enough space to download and install an update, it may occur the “unable to check for update” error on iPhone, too. In this case, you should try to make room for the update by removing some content and apps on your device that you don’t use. Follow the steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings app > General > iPhone Storage, then you can have an overview of the storage use.

Step 2: Select the apps or contents you don’t use and then tap Delete App. The deleted apps can be redownloaded from the App Store.

If your Android has insufficient space, you can read this post to seek solutions: 4 Effective Methods to Fix Insufficient Storage Error Android.

Bottom Line

You can follow the instructions described in this post when encountering the “an error occurred while checking for a software update” issue. After that, you can enjoy the new iOS version on your device. Have you tried? Hope this article can lead you out of the woods.

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