iPhone Tips

[iOS 17] An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update

by Anna Sherry   Updated on 2024-02-27 / Update for  Fix iPhone

iPhones are known for their optimized iOS, coming up with a substantial 5-year update plan. Yet, facing an error “iPhone an error occurred while checking for a software update” can open a surprise box for users eagerly waiting to update the device. If you’re also facing the “An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update” while updating your device, there’s something wrong with the device that needs to be addressed to fix the error. This guide will provide you with the ultimate ways to fix this error.

Part 1: Why Is My iPhone Saying An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update?

There can be several reasons why your iPhone shows an “Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update” error while updating your iPhone. Here are some of the most common culprits for this error:

1. Network Issues OTA updates need an internet connection to get loaded on the iPhone. If your device isn’t connected to a strong internet connection, the update might get interrupted and show the prompt “An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update”.

2. Server Issue Whenever Apple rolls out a new software update, thousands of iPhone users rush to update their iPhones - eagerly, waiting to update it. This causes the server problem, making it inaccessible for some time. This is also why “iPhone an error occurred while checking for a software update”.

3. Insufficient Storage Updating files requires storage space in the iPhone to load the files. If there isn't free space on the iPhone, it’ll give an error and stop downloading.

4. Software Glitches Temporary iOS glitches can sometimes interfere with the iOS because of an error “An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update”.

Part 2: [No.1 Choice] Fix "An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update"

The best way to resolve such errors on an iPhone is via a powerful troubleshooting tool - Tenorshare ReiBoot. It’s designed to help fix all iOS-related 150+ issues with a one-click process.

Whether your iPhone is stuck on an Apple logo, an iPhone showing a black screen or showing an error while updating it, this tool can fix it with a one-click process. Plus, you don’t need any prior knowledge to use it, as it comes with a self-explanatory user interface.

Here’s how to fix “An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update‘ using Tenorshare ReiBoot:

  • Install the Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer and launch it. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a cable, then click on the Start Repair button to start the process.

    launch reiboot
  • On the next screen, choose the Standard Repair process, and click on the Standard Repair button.

    fix with reiboot
  • The program will suggest to you a firmware package required for the repair process. Click on the Download button to download it.

    fix with reiboot
  • Once the downloading is completed, click on the Start Standard Repair button.

    fix with reiboot
  • Wait for the progress bar to get completed. Your iPhone will automatically reboot once the process is completed.

    repair successfully

Part 3: 6 Ways to Fix "An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update" Issue

If you've received a new software update on your iPhone, but couldn't proceed to install it due to “iPhone an error occurred while checking for a software update”. Here are the fixes you can try to resolve this error, and finally update your device.

Way 1: Check Compatibility

Before we get into the solutions to fix the “An error occurred while checking for a software update”, check that your iPhone supports the update. Apple provides 5 years of software updates. However, if you’re using an old device such as iPhone 5, 6, 7, 8, it might show an error while updating it since they’re out of Apple’s update program.

Check the Apple site for the update if your device is included in the list of the supported devices. If yes, try the troubleshooting methods below to fix it.

Way 2: Check If Apple Server & Network Connection

As mentioned before in the potential reasons section, sometimes, the issue can originate from the Apple server. When a new update is rolled out, it gets overcrowded due to thousands of iPhone users trying to update it. In this case, you wait for some hours or one day, then download the update later.

To check if the Apple server is down or not, you can visit the Status Page on Apple’s official website. Besides, this makes sure your iPhone is connected to a stable internet connection.

Apple system status

Way 3: Restart Your iPhone

When an iPhone shows an error while updating it, the first step to resolve the issue is restarting it. It’ll simply include shutting down your iPhone, and turning it on again. This will clear the memory of the iPhone, and help the feature reconfigure.

Here’s how to restart your iPhone:

  • Press and release the Volume Down button.
  • Press and hold the Power button.
  • Drag the power slider to shut it down, and wait for 30 seconds.
  • Once it’s successfully powered off, press and hold the power button to turn it on.

    restart iphone

Way 4: Force Restart iPhone

If the simple restart doesn't fix the “An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update '', you can try to force restart the iPhone. It’s an advanced level of a troubleshooting method, effective when the iPhone is behaving abnormally. It’ll fix the temporary iOS glitches and bugs.

Here’s how to force restart an iPhone:

  • Press and release the Volume Up button.
  • Press and release the Volume Down button.
  • Press and hold the Power/Side button, until the Apple logo appears.
  • Release the Power button as soon as the Apple logo appears.

    force restart iphone

Way 5: Free Up Enough Storage before Checking for Update

When updating an iPhone update, it requires free storage space on the iPhone to load the update file. If your iPhone is running low on the storage space, it might show unexpected errors like “iPhone an error occurred while checking for a software update”.

Delete the unnecessary photos, vidoes, and apps to free up the space. To get an idea what’s taking space on your iPhone, go to the Settings >> General >> iPhone Storage.

free up iPhone storage

Way 6: Update Your iPhone via Computer

If none of the above solutions fix the “iPhone an error occurred while checking for a software update” error, there can be unknown issues with the OTA update. Alternatively, you can update your iPhone via a computer like iTunes or Finder.

Steps to update your iPhone via computer:

Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on the computer and launch it. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the compatible cable.

Step 2. Click on the tiny iPhone next to the Music option.

Step 3. In the right pane, click on the Check for Update option, then follow the onscreen instructions to update your iPhone.

check for update

Alternatively, you can also update your iPhone using the Tenorshare ReiBoot through its iOS Upgrade/Down feature. If you’ve already installed the Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer, then you don't need to install iTunes.

Conclusion

Updating an iPhone should be a pretty straight forward process - comprising of a fewer steps. However, sometimes an unexpected “An Error Occurred While Checking for A Software Update” error might occur and make it difficult to update the device.

In this device, we discussed how to resolve “iPhone an error occurred while checking for a software update”. With the troubleshooting methods mentioned in this guide, you can easily resolve this error. The best effective solution to fix iOS related issues is via Tenorshare ReiBoot.