How To: Mac OS X 10.6 Error “Software Update can’t check for updates because of a network problem.”
Odd problem – when attempting to install a new printer (a HP B210 all in one), one that OS X can actually see fine via Bonjour, the final step (“Add Printer”) doesn’t work as the following error message appears:
“Software Update can’t check for updates because of a network problem.”
I had good network connectivity, Safari, iTunes, Chrome, Mail etc all working fine.
The following didn’t help me:
1. Restarting the Mac.
2. Changing to a different network interface (from ethernet to 802.11N to 802.11G and back to ethernet).
3. Deleting /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist , /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist and /Home/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.xxx.plist as we ll as the entire folder at /Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate/ , emptying the trash and restarting.
A piece of advice I noted a few times was to create a new user on the Mac with Admin rights, and see if that worked. If it did, transfer all user info to the new profile and trash the old one.
I didn’t do this – I held it as a final nuke from orbit option.
Finally I found a post on the Apple Support Communities here (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2139500?threadID=2139500 – look at the end of page 2).
Hats off to user gpolk50.
Re: Software Update can’t check for updates because of a network problem.
15/10/2009 11:29 AM (in response to Gerchak)
Solved it! I had the same issue and just fixed my problem by resetting my proxy settings for my connections.Navigate to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network
In the left window pane you should see your current connections (AirPort, Ethernet, Firewire, etc.)
Select whatever connection you are experiencing the problem with and hit the minus symbol at the bottom of the pane (thus deleting the connection)
Hit apply.
Click the “Plus” button and re-add the connection(s) you just deleted.
Hit apply.
DONE!
For good measure, I deleted “Airport” and “Ethernet”, restarted, and added them back in.
Success!