App Store Stuck at “Checking for Updates”

[osxuser]

About my Mac:
OSX Yosemite 10.10.2
Model Name: MacBook Air
Model Identifier: MacBookAir6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
==

When I open the App Store to download updates, it shows the following two are available:
1) Itunes 12.1.2
2) Textual 5

When I click “update” for either, a message “checking for updates” appears in the top left-hand corner. I’m not able to switch between windows within the App Store, and it basically seems to be frozen.

I have tried all of the troubleshooting steps at http://www.cnet.com/news/tackle-a-hung-app-store-update-in-os-x/ , and have also tried restarting in safe mode but was still unable to get the updates to start. Does anyone have ideas on what else I could try?

Thank you in advance for the assist.

 

[chscag]

When you click on updates, you first should be notified that Yosemite 10.10.3 is available and requires a reboot of the system to install. Are you seeing that at all?

 

[akatyk]

I've installed Yosemite 10.10.3 but it requires a restart. Problem is that the app store is stuck on "Checking for updates..." and I can't press the "Restart" button.

 

[harryb2448]

One question. Your Air originally came with Mavericks. Did you do the update to Yosemite yourself on your Apple ID account?

 

[akatyk]

I've restarted using that method. Interestingly, installed combo update for Yosemite 10.10.3 but it got stuck at the stage where it was going to ask to restart... Completed the instal but wouldn't promo for a restart. Will let you guys/girls know whether manual instal solved or not in few hours.

 

[akatyk]

Confirming combo updating failed too as can't restart after install.

 

[akatyk]

It seems the combo update is stuck on "Preparing OS X Update Combined" (the blue bar is complete).

 

[akatyk]

Unfortunately, none of that worked previously. Trying to re-install the OS - first attempt failed... Trying again. Will keep you in loop.

 

[harryb2448]

Again how did Yosemite get on the machine. You or someone else?

 

[akatyk]

Me. Have the iMac for few years now (2 at least). Upgrade for 10.10.3 came through Apple Store - tried installing the update and here I am

Computer did start to lag too. Probably related to it being unable to restart to complete time installation.

 

[harryb2448]

Boot into Recovery when you get the iMac started, hold down Command and R keys immediately after the chime, go to Utilities in the Menu Bar and run Repair Disk to check the health of the hard drive. I know you said you checked Perrmissions, but try the Repair Disk. AN update will not install onto a drive with problems.

 

[johnodd4]

most likely a failed update.

10.10.3 has major bugs

 

[akatyk]

Unfortunately, when leaving for work I've just launched the reinstall of the OS. Didn't know about the Repair Disk feature in there — thank you. Hopefully won't have to use it anytime soon.

The reinstallation of the OS worked and now I am finally running Yosemite 10.10.3

 

[HiPerBeauLee]

Props to harryb2448. I faced the same issue as akatyk reported on 18-Apr-2015 03:07 PM and had tried the same initial trouble-shooting steps. What got things freed-up and working again was Repair Disk in Recovery Mode. Many thanks!

 

[harryb2448]

My pleasure Hiper. Keep coming back lots of good info here!