How to fix 'a critical software update is required' error on Mac by forgetting the network in safe mode?

OMG. I have a MacBook Pro and have been dealing FOR MONTHS with the following error when booting my computer.


"a critical software update is required for your Mac, but an error was encountered while installing this update. Your Mac can’t be used until this update is installed.”


The only way I was able to use my computer was in safe mode and it's pretty much impossible to do anything.


I saw the solution on an obscure developer blog and I wish I had the name of the person to credit. The solution they suggested sounded too good to be true but IT WORKED AND IT IS EASY!


SO....DRUM ROLL.. To fix this error, all you need to do is boot your computer up in safe mode (press the left shift key at start up). Next, go into the network settings and simply "forget the network". On my MacBook, I had to go into System Preferences and then Network. Then I went in and unchecked the boxes to automatically join the network. After that, I rebooted my computer and it was back to normal.


After my computer started back up normally, I joined the network again and put in my password etc and rebooted my computer again. I honestly thought the error would come right back but it didn't! Ever since I did the fix above my computer has finally been working normally again!


I HOPE THIS HELPS!!!


[Re-Titled By Moderator]




Posted on Mar 31, 2025 2:45 AM

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Apr 1, 2025 2:14 PM in response to coloradoprof

SOLVED!!!!! READ ABOVE AND READ BELOW!!


I'm not sure why the moderator "retitled" my post. The new title does to make sense to me. To be clear, THIS IS HOW YOU FIX YOUR MACBOOK PRO when you receive the following error when trying to boot your computer:


"A critical software update is required for your Mac, but an error was encountered while installing this update.

Your Mac can't be used until this update is installed"


I've been through **** and back over the past few months trying to fix this. I could only boot my computer in Safe Mode and I really couldn't use my Mac because it was so slow.


I tried all the fixes out there (short of replacing the touch screen or other hardware) such as a clean install, factory OS install, resetting the NVRAM and SMC etc etc. NOTHING WORKED.


Finally, this week while reading through some developer comments on a site I don't even remember I came across a post from someone adamantly stating that the fix is super easy....just boot your computer in Safe Mode, go into your wifi settings, click on your network and click on "Forget This Network". Then restart your computer.


I thought after everything I've tried, that this was a crazy recommendation and that it would never work. I WAS WRONG. THIS WORKED! After my computer restarted I did not have the error! I then went directly to my network settings, put my password in and set it up to automatically log in AND MY COMPUTER STILL WORKS. I have not had the error again.


I don't know if this stupid, easy fix will help everyone but I am trying to get the word out to help anyone else going crazy because of this problem. I hope this helps you!!

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How to fix 'a critical software update is required' error on Mac by forgetting the network in safe mode?

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