How to resolve macOS installation failure on new SSD (Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur) in iMac?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How to resolve macOS installation failure on new SSD (Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur) in iMac?

iMac 2017 – macOS Installation Fails on New SSD (Ventura, Monterey & Big Sur All Stop Near the End)

Post:

Hello everyone,

I’m having a serious issue after installing a brand-new SSD in my iMac (2017). I removed the original HDD and installed the SSD correctly. The Mac boots into Internet Recovery with no problem, but macOS installation fails on every version I try.

Here’s what happens:

• The installer runs normally up to around 65–75%, then shows:

“An error occurred while loading the update.”

• When I retry, it goes all the way to “About a minute remaining” and then gets stuck for hours.

• This happens on Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur — so it’s not specific to one OS.

What I’ve already done:

• Erased SSD as APFS + GUID Partition Map using Disk Utility

• Used Command + Option + R (Internet Recovery)

• Corrected date/time using Terminal

• Tried reinstalling multiple times

• SSD is detected normally in Disk Utility

• Also tried different macOS versions, same issue

No matter which macOS version I select, the installation always hangs near the end or fails during the update/loading stage.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: macOS installation

Mac mini, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 27, 2025 3:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 27, 2025 2:23 PM in response to zubayer98

since you are using an iMac, I'm guessing that you are using a wired ethernet connection.

but if you are using wi-fi, you should move the mac as close as possible to the router, and temporarily remove your other devices from the wi-fi. you need the most bandwidth going to the mac as you can get while downloading a macOS. I would trash the current macOS installer (if there is one) and start over.

but if that is not your issue, I would then try this:

go to AppleMenu > Finder > Go and choose "Go To Folder...".

in the popup, type in /Library/Preferences and click Go

then locate the file "com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist" and delete it.

after that, go back to AppleMenu > Finder > Go and again choose "Go To Folder..." this time, in the popup, type in ~/Library/Preferences and click Go

then, again, locate the file "com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist" and delete it.

after you do that, empty your trash and restart your mac, then you should be able to proceed with the upgrade.

Reply