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Safari Not Working on Mac/MacBook, How to Fix?

Updated on Monday, April 8, 2024

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Safari Not Working on Mac/MacBook? Simple Fixes Are Here

Summary:  Safari not working on Mac? Follow this guide that explains how to troubleshoot Safari that's not working properly on Mac/MacBook Pro. All possible solutions are included.

As the default search engine on Mac computers, Safari has powerful features. Most Mac users work well with Safari until some recently find it is not working without warning. You may undergo Safari not working on Mac after an update or Safari not responding.

Whatever your specific problem with Safari is, this post can give you a hand. It contains almost all general solutions to troubleshoot the Safari not working on Mac/MacBook issue. Follow the methods in this post and make your Safari browser perform properly again.

Table of Contents:

• 1. Safari not working on Mac, try these solutions
• 2. Safari won't open on Mac, what to do?
• 3. Fix the error Safari can not be opened because of a problem
• 4. Why is Safari not working on Mac?
• 5. FAQs about Safari not working on Mac

Safari not working on Mac, try these solutions

If you are experiencing the Safari not working on MacBook issues, such as not opening because  Safari can't establish a secure connection  to the server or not responding, quitting unexpectedly, running slowly, not loading web pages, online  videos not playing on MacBook , or other problems, you can try the solutions below.

Quick solutions to fix Safari not working on Mac :

Check the network

Force quit safari, restart mac, clear the website data in safari, disable safari extensions, clean up the corrupted safari plist files and database, terminate the processes that may affect safari running, update safari.

It is worth mentioning that the network will affect your access to a website in the Safari browser. If your Safari not working on Mac , you can check if your Wi-Fi is down and reset your network settings.

When Safari is not responding on Mac, you can activate it by force quitting and relaunching it.

• Click the Apple logo and select Force Quit.

• Wait a few seconds and reopen Safari.

Sometimes, the Safari browser that doesn't perform properly on Mac is due to temporary operating system glitches. A restart will  refresh your Mac  and all programs.

To  restart your Mac device , go to the Apple menu > Restart.

Have you ever cleared the Safari browser data? If haven't, that may be the cause of your Safari not working on MacBook well. The accumulated website data will slow down the speed at which Safari loads pages.  

And also, some website data carry viruses that can lead to Safari freezing, crashing, or not responding.

To delete the website data, including cache files, cookies, and history, follow these steps:

Delete Safari cache:

• Launch Safari and click Safari at the top menu bar. Then, select the Preferences option.

• Choose Develop at the top Safari menu bar > Empty Caches.

Remove cookies and history:

• Choose the length of time you want (better choose all history) to clear cookies and other website data in Safari.

Extensions add new features to Safari and simplify your internet experience. But some extensions are auto-added to your Safari. And some of them may make conflicts in Safari when they proceed with tasks or self-maintenance, leading to Safari crashing or sudden quitting.

When that happens, you can disable all the extensions immediately to do troubleshooting.

• Open Safari and select Safari from the top menu bar > Preferences.
• Click the Extensions tab.
• Uncheck the extensions you are unfamiliar with or don't need.

Maybe the corrupted PLIST files or database of Safari result in Safari in a disordered state. You can remove this data to debug your Safari.

• Open Finder and click Go at the top menu bar.
• Select Go to Folder from the Go menu.
• Copy and paste ~/Library/Safari into the box and click Go.
• Move the LastSession.plist and file names containing "History.db" to Trash.

Then, relaunching Safari can enable it to recreate these PLIST files and history databases automatically. You'll find your unresponsive Safari back to normal now.

If Safari not working on Mac even after the above troubleshooting on it, check if other programs block Safari from normal working. Especially some third-party browsers or the recently installed software.

You can close the running third-party programs and then reopen the Safari app to see if it performs well now.

Apple releases software updates in routine to enhance software performance and fix existing bugs. So, when Safari not working on your MacBook properly, you also need to check if your Safari browser is up-to-date.

Safari is the default software in macOS. That means Safari will be updated along with a  macOS update .

• Select the Apple logo > About This Mac > Software Update.
• Click Update Now or Upgrade Now if new versions are available.

Safari won't open on Mac, what to do?

Unfortunately, you may even fail to launch the Safari browser on Mac. In that case, try the three general ways mentioned above - restart your Mac, clear up website data, and update Safari.

If these ways are useless, you can read this post carefully to fix your Safari that's not opening on Mac:  How to Fix Safari Won't Open Issue?

Fix the error Safari can not be opened because of a problem

Some Mac users report that they have received an error message from Safari - Safari can not be opened because of a problem. This error pops up at your every attempt to access Safari.

It is said that this problem is caused by the incompatibility between iTunes 12.8.1 and Safari. And some users give a testified but the temporary solution:

• Open Finder and select Go from the top Finder menu bar > Go to Folder.
• Enter /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ in the pop-up box and click Go.
• Find and remove the MobileDevice.framework file in the Library folder.

Then you can open Safari again to check if the Safari not working on Mac error is resolved.

[Proved] 9 Ways to Speed Up Safari on Mac

This article will tell you how to speed up Safari on Mac with nine proven ways and help you get Safari running smoothly on Mac again.  Read more >>

Why is Safari not working on Mac?

Whether your Safari is crashing, not responding, not opening, or has other abnormal performances, the Safari that's not working on Mac is usually caused by:

• The outdated current Safari version
• The old macOS
• Software bugs
• Too many tabs opened in Safari at once
• The accumulated cookies, cache, and history logs in Safar
• The viruses or errors in extensions, plugins, or opened websites

Google Drive Not Working on Mac [Proven Fixes]

Meet with Google Drive not working on Mac issue? This article will tell you how to fix that problem and explain to you why it occurs in the first place.  Read more >>

FAQs about Safari not working on Mac

To reset Safari on a Mac, open Safari and select Safari at the top menu bar. Then, click Preferences from the drop-down menu. Under the Privacy tab, select Manage Website Data to remove cookies. And you can also remove extensions and reset security in the Safari preferences window.

To debug Safari preferences, launch Safari and click Safari at the top menu bar > Preferences. To set preferences of a website on Safari, open the target website in Safari. Then, move to the top Safari menu bar and click Safari > Settings for this website.

You can clear the website cache, cookies, and history in Safari, restart Mac and update Safari.

Connie Yang is the primary columnist in the computer field at iBoysoft. She is enthusiastic about sharing tech tutorials on data recovery and operating system-related problems resolution. Over the years, Connie has published many computer-related guides and introductory articles.

Jessica Shee is a senior tech editor at iBoysoft. Throughout her 4 years of experience, Jessica has written many informative and instructional articles in data recovery, data security, and disk management to help a lot of readers secure their important documents and take the best advantage of their devices.

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Safari not working 

Experiencing difficulties with Safari on your Mac? Don’t fret – this comprehensive guide is here to help. Whether you’re facing issues with loading web pages, signing in, or dealing with unexpected browser behavior, these troubleshooting tips may be just what you need.

First, we’ll address some common issues that can plague Safari users on a Mac. Then, we’ll explore solutions that can help you overcome these challenges. And finally, we’ll delve into some additional settings and tools that might be worth checking out. Let’s dive in!

Why is Mac Safari not working?

There could be numerous reasons why your Mac’s Safari isn’t working, including a one-time bug, a missing update, a problematic extension, and more.

Some common issues you might encounter with Safari on your Mac include:

• Empty web pages, partial content display, or other unforeseen behavior.
• Inability to sign in to a particular site, despite entering valid login details.
• Sites requesting cookie removal or reset.
• Safari lagging, freezing, or suddenly shutting down.

Safari not working fix

If you are looking for a fix for your Safari not working as it should (or at all), we recommend trying the following troubleshooting methods that should help you resolve the problem:

Hit the refresh button

In Safari, head to the menu bar, click the View option and then select Reload Page .

Alternatively, you can use the Command-R keyboard combination to reload a web page. If Safari remains unyielding, close the app and attempt again. Should it persistently refuse to close, you can press together the Option , Command , and Esc keys to force it to quit.

If Safari reopens any unwanted sites, close it and then hold down the Shift key while reopening the browser. This manages which tabs and windows will automatically reopen in Safari.

Stay current with software updates and reboot

Upgrading macOS can also include Safari updates. If your Mac fails to restart on its own after updating, click on Apple menu > Restart. This ensures all vital background updates take effect.

Examine Safari extensions

Deactivate any Safari extensions by navigating to Safari > Settings (or Preferences) > Extensions and unchecking each one. If a troublesome extension is identified, verify it’s current. More details on Safari extensions can be accessed online.

Test out a private window

To stop websites from utilizing stored data (such as cookies and caches) that might be causing disruptions, view the site in a private window. Choose File > New Private Window or press Shift-Command-N. If successful, follow these instructions to eliminate the website’s data:

• Navigate to Safari > Settings (or Preferences) > Privacy.

• Click Remove, followed by Done.
• Re-access the website in a non-private browser window.

Adjust Safari settings

Some pages may be incompatible with specific settings in your browser. To check your Safari settings, open the browser’s menu from the menu bar, then go to Settings (or Preferences ), select the Websites tab, and then open Privacy (or Security ). Modify privacy, security, and website settings as required to determine a functional combination.

Review iCloud Private Relay

For iCloud+ users employing the Private Relay feature, attempt reloading the page without it. Choose View > Reload and Show IP Address in Safari’s menu bar. This option is visible only when Private Relay is enabled. Additional information on iCloud Private Relay can be found online.

Check any VPN services or third-party security software you might be using

VPNs or other security software interacting with network connections could influence your browsing capabilities. Investigate potential network complications related to VPNs and similar software.

Assess network configurations

Altered proxy or DNS settings can impact access to online content. Determine if the issue persists across different browsers or devices on the same network, or reset your network settings by establishing a new network location on your Mac.

iPhone Safari not working

Are you tired of Safari, the native browser on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, not working as expected? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many Apple users face issues with Safari from time to time, but luckily, there are various solutions to get it back up and running.

Safari comes pre-installed on almost every Apple device, providing a fast and efficient browsing experience. However, occasionally, Safari may not work correctly, leaving you unable to access the internet. To help you get Safari back on track, we’ve compiled a list of possible fixes.

If you are having problems with your iPhone’s Safari not working, then here are the possible troubleshooting methods that you can try in order to take care of the issue:

Clear Safari cache

Clearing all of Safari’s data can also be helpful, particularly if you have a lower storage capacity on your iPhone or iPad. To clear Safari’s data, navigate to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This will erase all extra data in the Safari app.

Update Safari

Keeping your iOS up-to-date can resolve issues with Safari. Apple is known for fixing widespread issues with their updates, so check for any available iOS updates on your iPhone or iPad.

A simple restart

First and foremost, try the classic solution: restart your device. Although it may sound like a cop-out solution, restarting your device can indeed help because this will clear its usable memory, speeding up Safari, and hopefully resolving any problems. If Safari is frozen or displaying a blank white screen, restarting your device might fix the issue.

Disable Safari Suggestions

Next, consider turning off Safari Suggestions. This relatively simple fix is often effective in resolving issues with Safari not loading or crashing. To disable suggestions, navigate to Settings > Safari > Safari Suggestions and toggle it off. While you’re at it, you can also turn off Search Engine Suggestions, as some users have reported this to be helpful.

Check your connection to the web

If you’re primarily connected to Wi-Fi, you may have disabled cellular data for Safari to save data usage. If your Wi-Fi isn’t functioning correctly, enabling cellular data could fix your issue. To do this, go to Settings > Cellular > Safari and toggle it on. Alternatively, try turning off Wi-Fi and connect using cellular data only. If this works, it indicates a network issue with your Wi-Fi.

Check your Screen Time and Content Restrictions settings

Have you ever altered your Screen Time settings or blocked certain websites? If so, try turning these settings off. Content Restrictions can inadvertently block websites you still want to use. To resolve this issue, go to Settings , then tap on Screen Time , open Content & Privacy Restrictions and then toggle it off if it’s currently enabled.

Reset the Network Settings

If you’ve encountered network-related issues before, resetting your Network Settings could help. To reset the Network Settings on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone (iPad) > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will only reset your Network Settings and won’t erase other data on your device.

Enable JavaScript

Ensure that JavaScript is enabled on your device, as it’s crucial for displaying interactive content on websites. To check if JavaScript is on and enable it if necessary, head to Settings > Safari > Advanced on your iOS or iPadOS device.

Perform a Factory Reset

When all else fails, consider resetting your iPhone to factory default settings. This will erase all data on your iPhone, and you’ll need to set it up from scratch. However, it’s a highly effective method for resolving various software issues. To reset your device, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone (iPad) > Erase All Content and Settings.

If you’ve tried everything and Safari still isn’t working, consider using an alternative browser while waiting for the next iOS update, which might contain a fix. Plenty of great browsers are available in the App Store that can cater to your needs. In the meantime, you can also start a new discussion in the Apple Discussions Community to see if others are facing similar issues.

iPad Safari not working

If the Safari browser on your iPad is not working properly, then we recommend trying out the solutions we’ve provided for when Safari is having problems on an iPhone. Since both devices use a very similar operating system, what works on iPhone should also work on an iPad.

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Top 8 Ways to Fix Safari Not Loading Websites and Pages on Mac

Thanks to the groundbreaking Apple M1 chip , the popularity of the Mac lineup is rising to new heights. On macOS, most users stick with what comes out of the box and that includes the Safari browser. While it gets the job done with a nice look and a good set of extension lists, sometimes, you run into websites not loading issues on the Safari browser. Mac not loading websites and pages mostly happens on Safari browser, sometimes due to Webkit. Before you go ahead and download Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for macOS, do check out the troubleshooting guide below to fix the issue. 

Fix Safari on Mac Not Loading Websites Issue

There are many factors behind the strange behavior. We will go through some of the basic steps and jump to extreme actions only if it doesn’t solve the issue. 

1. Check Internet Connection

This one is obvious. You should check if the Mac is properly connected to the internet. A sketchy internet connection might interfere with the website loading performance. It’s especially true when you try to load heavy web pages with lots of images and videos in Safari. 

Go to the macOS menu bar and click on the Wi-Fi icon. Make sure that it’s connected to the 5G network and not the 2.4G. I usually face this issue on my MacBook Air. Every now and then, my MacBook Air decides to connect to the 2.4G band and not the 5G band. The practice results in extremely long webpage loading times. 

2. Reset Router

Sometimes, the real culprit can be the router that you are using for the Wi-Fi connection. In such cases, you won’t be able to connect to the internet on any device, let alone loading websites on the Mac. 

In such cases, you need to reset the router or upgrade the firmware to the latest version available. Try connecting to the internet and browse the web comfortably.

3. Disable Extensions

Extensions play a major role in any browser’s ecosystem. The Safari browser is no exception here. Apple tightly controls the whole experience and only allows legitimate extensions from the App Store. 

However, some extensions might go out of date or become incompatible with the new macOS version resulting in Safari not loading websites on Mac. 

It can be hard to determine which extension is causing Safari to not load pages. In such cases, you need to disable all extensions and try your luck with the web browser again. Follow the steps below. 

1. Open the Safari browser. 

2. Click on the Safari option in the Menu bar. 

3. Go to Preferences . 

4. Move to the Extensions menu. 

5. On the right side, you will find all the installed extensions. 

6. Select an extension one by one and use the Uninstall button from the right side to remove them. 

4. Uninstall AdBlocker

No, I’m not talking about the Adblocker extension in a browser . Many users opt for a system-wide adblocker such as AdLock to remove any kind of ads from the OS. 

These programs might affect the webpage performance on the device. If you are using such software then you need to uninstall the program.

Open the Finder menu on Mac. Go to the Applications option. Identify the culprit app and move it to the Trash . 

5. Disable VPN

VPN apps allow you to establish a secure and private network connection . Some websites might not be accessible from the selected VPN location. You need to disable VPN and try the website loading again. 

Most VPN apps for Mac offer a shortcut through the menu bar. Click on the VPN icon in the menu bar and turn off the service. 

6. Clear Cache

A bad cache can ruin the day. It’s always advisable to clear cache and cookies from the browser at a regular interval. We are going to apply the same trick here to fix the website not loading issue on the Mac. Go through the steps below. 

3. Go to the Clear History menu. 

4. The following menu will offer to delete all the browsing history along with cookies and related website data. 

7. Update macOS

Safari not loading pages issue might be due to the recent macOS bug. Thankfully, Apple is quick to fix such annoyances. Go to the System Preferences > Software Update and install the latest macOS build. 

8. Switch to a Chromium Browser

Chromium is a universally accepted rendering engine. Some websites are specifically designed keeping Chromium in mind. The Safari browser uses a Webkit rendering engine to load web pages. You can switch to the Safari rival such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and try accessing the website again. 

Wrap Up: Safari in Mac Not Loading Websites

Go through the troubleshooting tips above and one of them should easily fix the website not loading on Mac issue. For me, the cache and VPN tricks work all the time to fix the website loading issues on Safari.

Parth previously worked at EOTO.tech covering tech news. He is currently freelancing at TechWiser, Android Police, and GuidingTech writing about apps comparisons, tutorials, software tips and tricks, and diving deep into iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms.

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Safari not working on Mac after update? 14 Ways to fix it!

With every new update, Apple adds more features to the Safari browser on Mac. Unfortunately, sometimes, these updates may bring unexpected guests, like bugs, that can affect the browser. So, let’s look at solutions to fix Safari not working on Mac after the update.

Why is Safari not working on my Mac?

Before getting into the fixes, here’s a look at the major culprits behind the Safari not working on Mac issue.

• Software glitches that came with macOS update.
• The website you are trying to access is down for maintenance or other issues.
• Your Mac might not have a stable internet connection.
• Heavy accumulation of cookies or cache.
• Viruses from plugins or extensions.

How to fix Safari not working on Mac

Here are some effective troubleshooting steps to fix Safari if it’s not working on your Mac.

1. Reload the webpage

Since Safari is not loading webpages on Mac after the update, you can start fixing it by reloading the webpage you are currently on. To reload : Press Cmd (⌘) + R .

Also, to ensure the problem is not with one particular website, try accessing another web page on Safari.

Alternatively, click View from the menu bar and select Reload Page . If neither is working, ensure you have a stable internet connection and look at other fixes.

2. Force Quit Safari

If Safari is frozen or not loading, try to force quit the app and see if that helps.

Once done, reopen the app, and it will automatically continue from where you left off.

3. Check and Reset Network Settings

If some bugs have fiddled with the default settings, even that may stop Safari from working.

To solve that, you can reset the network settings on your Mac and see if you are still facing the issue.

4. Turn off VPN

If you are using a VPN on your Mac, it might stop you from accessing geo-restricted websites. So, it would be wise to turn off the VPN and re-check if you can access the desired website in Safari.

Go to Apple menu → System Settings → Pick VPN in the sidebar → Toggle off VPN .

If you are using a third-party VPN app for your Mac, you might need to open the app and disconnect the service.

Then, retry using Safari. If this doesn’t fix the issue, proceed towards other fixes.

5. Try using a Private window

As mentioned before, the problem might be with certain websites. Interestingly, you can access some of the websites flawlessly when opened in a private window.

To open a private window in Safari, use Cmd (⌘) + Shift + N .

6. Give your Mac a quick restart

With a quick Mac restart, you might be able to solve the Safari not working issue.

Click Apple menu → Restart → Click Restart again to confirm.

7. Delete Safari History, Cache, and Cookies

Have you ever wished to erase some memories in life to start afresh?

While it’s not entirely possible in life, you can clear cache, history, and cookies on Safari on Mac . This will help load your web pages quicker.

That’s not all. You can further clear other unwanted files from Safari using Finder. Here’s how:

• Open Finder → click Go option from the menu bar.

You can use this to clean up the corrupted Safari PLIST files and database. Don’t worry; Safari will eventually regenerate these files. Clearing these files will also remove what’s making Safari not work on Mac after the update.

8. Disable Safari Extensions

While you downloaded them to improve your browsing experience, some corrupted extensions might be the reason Safari does not work on your Mac after the macOS Sonoma update.

• Launch Safari → click Safari in the menu bar → go to  Settings .
• Click  Extension s → disable extensions by unchecking them.
• To  uninstall  these extensions, press  delete .

9. Enable JavaScript

This is a solution that often goes under the radar. Certain websites need JavaScript to load properly.

To enable it, go to Safari Settings → Security → Check Enable JavaScript .

10. Disable iCloud Private Relay

Enabling iCloud Private Relay can mask your IP address and make it hard for you to access certain websites.

If you trust the website, try disabling Private Relay and accessing it again.

To do so, go to Apple menu → Click System Settings → Pick your Apple ID → Select iCloud → Click Private Relay → Toggle off Private Relay .

11. Delete Preference files 

As one can guess, Safari’s preference files contain information regarding all the settings and changes you have made in the browser. It might be why Safari is not working on Mac after the update. To solve that, you can simply clear it:

• Quit Safari if it’s running.
• Launch Finder .
• Hold the Option key and hit the Go menu.

12. Flush your DNS cache on Mac

Sometimes, adding multiple Domain Name Systems (DNS) can cause issues with Safari.

So, clear the DNS cache and see if the issue is solved.

13. Login using Safe mode 

Ever heard of playing it safe? While it is close to impossible in life, it’s possible in macOS with Safe Mode . With this, you can save Safari from freezing.

14. Update macOS

Suppose the underlying issue is indeed a result of the glitches that came with a macOS update you downloaded. Apple will surely release another update to fix such bugs.

So, update macOS as soon as the next version is available.

Happy browsing with Safari

With this tutorial, I hope these solutions could help you save Safari from not working on MacBook Air or other Macs after the update.

If none of the solutions are helpful, the last resort is to contact Apple Support and see if they can help you look at the issue.

If you still have any doubts or suggestions, do let me know in the comments.

More interesting reads:

• Safari running slow on Mac? 18 Ways to fix it!
• How to stop autoplay videos in Safari on Mac
• Safari keeps crashing on Mac? 11 Ways to fix it!

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5 Ways to Fix Safari Won’t Open on Mac

Although Safari is a lesser-known, lesser-used web browser when compared with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox; yet, it commands a cult following of loyal Apple users.  Its simple user interface and focus on privacy make it an attractive alternative, especially for Apple users. Like any other application, Safari, too, is not immune to glitches, such as Safari won’t open on Mac. In this guide, we have shared some quick solutions to fix Safari not responding on Mac issue.

Table of Contents

How to Fix Safari Not Responding on Mac

If you notice the spinning beach ball cursor and Safari window will not open on your screen, this is Safari won’t open on Mac issue. You can fix this by following any of the methods listed below.

Click here to Download the latest version of Safari on your Mac.

Method 1: Re-launch Safari

Before trying any other troubleshooting method, the easiest fix is to simply, quit the application and open it again. Here’s how to re-launch Safari on your Mac:

1. Right-click on the Safari icon visible on your Dock.

2. Click Quit , as shown.

3. If this does not work, click on Apple Menu > Force Quit . Refer given pic.

4. Now, click on Safari to launch it. Check if Safari not loading pages on Mac issue is resolved.

Also Read: How to Force Quit Mac Applications With the Keyboard Shortcut

Method 2: Delete Saved Website Data

Safari web browser constantly saves information regarding your search history, frequently viewed sites, cookies, etc., to make your browsing experience quick and efficient. It is quite likely that some of this saved data is corrupt or excessively large in size, causing Safari not responding on Mac or Safari not loading pages on Mac errors. Follow given steps to delete all web-browser data:

1. Click on the Safari icon to open the application.

Note: Though an actual window may not appear, the Safari option should still appear at the top of your screen.

2. Next, click on Clear History , as depicted.

3. Click Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data .

 4. Finally, select Remove All to delete all stored web data.

With your website data cleared, the Safari won’t open on Mac issue should be resolved.

Also Read: How to Disable Split Screen in Safari

Method 3: Update macOS

Make sure your Mac is running on the latest operating system software as newer versions of apps might not function properly on an outdated macOS. This means Safari won’t open on Mac and hence, you should update your Mac as follows:

1. Click on System Preferences from the Apple menu.

2. Next, click on Software Update , as shown.

3. Follow the on-screen wizard to download and install the new macOS update, if any.

Updating your macOS should fix Safari not responding on Mac issue.

Also Read: How to Clear Browsing History in Any Browser

Method 4: Disable Extensions

Safari Extensions can make online surfing a lot easier by providing services like ads and tracker blockers or added parental control. Although, the downside is that some of these extensions might cause technical glitches like Safari not loading pages on Mac. Let us see how you can disable extensions in the Safari web browser on your macOS device:

1. Click on the Safari icon, and then, click Safari from the top right corner.

2. Click Preferences > Extensions , as depicted below.

3. Toggle OFF the Extension one-by-one to ascertain which extension is troublesome and then, Disable it.

4. Alternately, Disable all at once to fix Safari won’t open on Mac problem.

Method 5: Boot in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in Safe Mode bypasses a lot of unnecessary background processes and might possibly, fix the said issue. Here’s how to reboot Mac in safe mode:

1. Turn off your Mac PC.

2. Press the Power button to initialize the start-up process.

3. Press and hold the Shift key .

4. Release the Shift key once you see the log-in screen .

Your Mac is now in Safe Mode. You can now use Safari without any errors.

Note: To revert your Mac to Normal mode , restart your device as you would normally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why is Safari not opening on my Mac?

Ans: There could be any number of reasons why Safari is not working. This could be because of saved web data or faulty extensions. An outdated macOS or Safari app could also inhibit Safari from working properly.

Q2. How do I fix Safari not loading pages on Mac?

Ans: Your first step should be to Quit  or Force quit the app and start it again. In case this doesn’t work, you can try to clear Safari web history and remove extensions. Updating the Safari app and your macOS version should also help. You can also attempt to boot your Mac in Safe Mode, and then try launching Safari.

Recommended:

• Fix A Device Attached to the System is Not Functioning
• How to Fix Messages Not Working on Mac
• How to Block Pop-ups in Safari on Mac
• Fix iMessage Not Delivered on Mac

We hope you were able to fix Safari won’t open on Mac issue with our helpful and comprehensive guide. Let us know which method worked for you. If you have any queries or suggestions, drop them in the comment section.

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How to Fix Safari Not Working on Mac

When you are browsing the web, either for work or for play, it can be very frustrating when Safari starts running slow or quits working altogether. So what causes Safari to malfunction? And how can you fix it?

We use our web browsers every day, so it can be pretty alarming when they don’t work right. Safari, just like every other browser, has its fair share of problems. Fortunately, there are a few solutions you can try to get back on track.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Solution 1: verify your network, solution 2: turn off vpn (virtual private network), solution 3: close unused tabs, solution 4: force quit safari, solution 5: clear website data and cache, solution 6: disable safari extensions, solution 7: clear safari history, solution 8: view safari processes in activity monitor, solution 9: restart mac, solution 10: update safari by updating macos, solution 11: use safe mode, solution 12: scan your mac for malware, final thoughts.

• Safari could malfunction due to a poor internet connection or a VPN, so verify that your network hardware is working properly and that your VPN is not causing any problems.
• You might need to force quit Safari , especially if it is frozen or if you have too many tabs open at once.
• Clearing website data and disabling unused extensions will go a long way in getting Safari back up and running.
• You should keep Safari updated to take advantage of any security fixes and patches.
• Booting up into Safe Mode is a good option if some of the simpler fixes do not work.
• If malware gets onto your computer, this could cause issues with Safari. Clearing out suspicious programs and running a malware scan on your Mac is a great solution to get things working again.

What to Do When Safari Is Not Working?

Safari might not be working for a number of reasons. The issue could be anything from a faulty internet connection to malware on your computer. Let’s start with some of the easier fixes first and rule out any possible causes.

The first reason that Safari may not be responding is that you may not have the proper internet connection. Verify if you are able to see any other websites or applications that require internet, if you cannot, then check your internet hardware to ensure everything is running correctly and the internet provider’s website for information on any potential outages in your area. 

If you use a VPN, try turning it off to see if Safari begins to work again. VPNs are known to slow down internet connection due to the additional steps it takes in order for data to be transferred from your network to the internet provider and back. 

There are also instances when VPNs can become “blocked” and no longer allow data to flow through, causing you to lose your internet connection. If you have no internet, Safari will not work. Unfortunately, all VPNs are configured differently on how to turn them off, so I suggest looking into your specific VPN on how to disconnect it.

Another item that could be slowing down your internet or the processing power for Safari is if you have a large number of tabs open. Having many tabs open, all loading different content and transferring different data, can become overwhelming for your Mac. 

Close all unused tabs (preferably all but the one you are currently trying to load) and see if this improves Safari.

If Safari is still unresponsive, it may need to be reset by force quitting . By quitting immediately, we stop all processes in their tracks. 

This means you may lose any unsaved data. There are several ways to Force Quit an application on Mac, let’s look at the three easiest ways.

Option 1 to Force Quit – Using the Dock

Right-click (click with two fingers) on the Safari icon. Click Quit in the menu that comes up.

Option 2 to Force Quit – Using the Apple Menu

With Safari Open, click the Safari Menu along the top, and select Quit Safari .

Option 3 to Force Quit – Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Press the three keys: Command + Option + Escape . The following will appear:

Click Safari and Force Quit . Click Force Quit again to confirm.

Another option that could be helpful for you to get Safari working again is to clear the Website Data and Cache that Safari is holding. 

Not only can deleting this information help to speed up Safari by removing tracking from different websites and clearing unnecessary data from Cache, but it is also a good practice to follow for your own security and privacy as well. 

To clear website data and cache in Safari, first, go to the Safari menu located at the top of your screen and click Settings .

Under the Privacy tab at the top, click Manage Website Data .

You can either remove data per website by choosing a website and clicking Remove or remove all website data by clicking Remove All . I suggest removing all. 

Note : This will clear all Cache data, Cookies, and local storage information. 

Click Remove Now to confirm.

While Safari Extensions are a great option, they also increase the load on your Mac. This means that you may experience the computer slowing down or even Safari not responding properly.

To disable Safari Extensions, enter the Safari menu at the top of your screen and click Settings .

In the Extensions tab at the top, you will see the extensions that are turned on indicated by a blue checkmark on the left. 

To turn that particular extension off, click the blue check mark so a gray box appears in its place (or light blue for the selected extension).

The last step to removing unnecessary data from Safari is to clear your history. This will remove the previous pages that you have visited on Safari. 

Open the History tab and click Clear history .

Change the drop-down menu to your desired time frame (for best results, I suggest choosing all history), and click Clear History to confirm.

Another option to see what could potentially be wrong with your Safari is to view the processes in Activity Monitor. 

This way, we can see what pieces of Safari are taking up a higher amount of processing power. We can also quit or restart these processes to see if allowing them to stop can help Safari begin to work as expected again. 

To View the CPU Activity of Safari, open Activity Monitor .

Under the CPU tab at the top, we can search Safari, and all the Safari-related processes will pop up. Using the X at the top of the screen, we can stop any processes that seem to be taking up a large amount of the CPU load. 

Note : My Safari application is working as expected, so my CPU usage percentages are very low. If there are any of yours that appear to be much higher than others or if they relate to items that are not responding, try to quit them using the X. 

If none of the above options work, you could try to restart your Mac. This will stop all the processes that are running, not just Safari related. If the problem was not truly Safari, this would be a good way to figure this out. 

In the Apple Menu, click Restart .

It is also possible that Safari needs an update to work properly. Apple releases their Safari updates with their macOS. This means, we will need to update the operating system for your Mac to see if it improves the performance of Safari. 

To check if you have a macOS update, go to the Apple Menu and click System Settings .

In the System Settings , navigate to General on the left and choose Software Update .

This screen will tell you if there are any updates available for your Mac at this time. Follow the prompts to update if needed. 

Note : I suggest keeping on automatic updates. While automatic updates are not always able to be installed on their own, they will remind you when they are unable to be installed. This is the easiest way to be on top of your software updates. Be sure to periodically check back to ensure you didn’t miss any!

At this point, there is a possibility that the problem could be more than just Safari. To rule this out, you can boot your Mac in Safe Mode in order to determine where the issue lies. Safe Mode helps to identify if the problem is in the software or the startup procedure.

To Open Safe Mode in Apple Silicon Macs

• Go to the Apple Menu and click Shut Down . Ensure your Mac is entirely shut down.
• Press and hold the power button until the Loading Startup Options screen appears.
• Choose a volume, if asked.
• Press and hold the Shift key and click continue in Safe Mode.

To Open Safe Mode on Intel Macs

• Turn on or restart the Mac, press and hold the Shift key immediately.
• Log in to your Mac. You may be asked to log in twice.

Note: for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, you will see Safe Boot in the menu bar to confirm that you are in Safe Mode.

If you are experiencing issues with the overall performance of your Mac – Safari included – I would suggest looking for possible malware on your machine. To start, use Activity Monitor as discussed above, looking out for suspicious activity that you don’t recognize.

Another way to identify Malware is by looking at your Applications. There may be applications that you do not recall installing. There may also be applications that look similar to your legitimate applications, but are slightly different and contain malware. 

Additionally, check your login items. 

To Access your Login Items, Go to Apple Menu and System Settings .

Look for General on the Left sidebar . Then select Login Items on the Right.

Look at the items that are under the Open at Login section. Anything here that you do not recognize could potentially be malware. 

Note : Parallels Toolbox is not Malware. I recognize this as an application as something that I installed and use personally, so I do not have a reason to be concerned.  

If you don’t want to go through all of these steps manually, you can always use a third-party application to clean up your Mac and remove malware. CleanMyMac X is one such app that I’ve had a good experience with in the past.

While not entirely free, it will go a long way in removing malware on your Mac, and ultimately making your system perform better. If malware or system junk is causing Safari to malfunction, running a scan using CleanMyMac X is a great solution.

After downloading and installing the app, launch it and look for Malware Removal from the options in the left sidebar. Then, hit Scan, and CleanMyMac X will handle the rest.

This article walked you through 12 different ways to identify why your Safari is not working on Mac and how to fix it. We also included other tips and tricks to ensure that you keep your Mac safe from potential Malware. 

Did this article help you solve your problem with Safari? What method did you use? Let us know in the comments!

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Fix: Safari Not Working On Mac

Updated: September 19, 2022

9 Revisions

Check the solutions we’ve put together to help you when your Safari browser is not opening or not working properly on your Mac computer.

Many Mac users have recently reported issues with their Safari Browser. What usually happen are they can’t open their Safari or the browser is not working properly.

If you’re also experiencing this issue, you’re no doubt very frustrated. But don’t worry. The following are a few fixes that have helped many Mac users.

Try these fixes

You may not have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.

• Update your Safari
• Temporarily disable your antivirus
• Clean your browser cache
• Restore your Mac computer with Time Machine
• Reinstall your macOS

Fix 1: Update your Safari

You may be having your issue with your Safari because you are using an old version . You should try updating your browser and see if this fixes the issues for you. To do so:

• Click the UPDATE button next to Safari if there’s any update available.
• Wait for the update process to complete.

Now check to see if this fixes your Safari issue. If it does, great! But if not, there are still other fixes you can try…

Fix 2: Temporarily disable your antivirus

Your firewall or antivirus software can sometimes cause interference to your Safari browser. To see if that’s the case for you, temporarily disable your firewall and see if your problem remains. (You may need to consult your firewall documentation for instructions on disabling it.)

If this resolves your problem, you can add your game to the whitelist of your firewall. You can contact the vendor of your firewall and ask them for advice. Or you can install a different antivirus solution.

IMPORTANT: Be extra careful about what sites you visit, what emails you open and what files you download when you have disabled your firewall.

Fix 3: Clean your browser cache

Corrupted cache can cause issues to your Safari browser. In this case, you should try cleaning it. Here’s how you can do it:

• Close your Safari browser if it is running.
• On your keyboard, press the Shift key, the Command key and G at the same time to invoke the Go to Folder dialog.

You’ve now removed your Safari cache. Try launching your browser and see if this fix works for you.

Fix 4: Restore your Mac computer with Time Machine

You can fix your Safari browser by restoring your Mac system to a previous state. If you’ve previously set up Time Machine to create backups for your Mac computer, you can use these backups to restore your computer.

To open Time Machine:

• Follow its instructions to restore your Mac computer from a backup.

Hopefully, this fixes your browser issue. But if not, you may need to…

Fix 5: Reinstall your macOS

If none of the fixes above works for you, you should try reinstalling your Safari to see if this fixes your browser issues. As it is included with your operating system, you should reinstall your macOS to reinstall the browser (this won’t erase your personal data and settings). To reinstall your macOS:

• Back up your important data on your Mac computer. ( Reinstalling macOS won’t erase your data in most cases, but it’s better safe than sorry. )
• Make sure your Mac computer is connected to the Internet.

• Immediately as your Mac computer restarts, press and hold the Command key and R on your keyboard at the same time. Then release the keys when you see the Apple logo appears.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation.

Hopefully one of the fixes above works for you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment below!

By Jonny Lin

Jonny, a Microsoft Certified Professional, is a technical writer and technology enthusiast. He believes technology should bring users satisfaction, not annoyance, so he writes to help people overcome their tech troubles.

Contributor(s):

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Safari User Guide

• Change your homepage
• Import bookmarks, history, and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark webpages that you want to revisit
• See your favorite websites
• Use tabs for webpages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a webpage
• Download items from the web
• Share or post webpages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a webpage
• Print or create a PDF of a webpage
• Customize a start page
• Customize the Safari window
• Customize settings per website
• Zoom in on webpages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill user name and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

Safari troubleshooting on Mac

If you have trouble browsing the web, try the suggestions listed below.

Open Safari for me

Webpages won’t appear

Make sure cables are connected, and that your network devices (such as a router) are turned on.

Check your internet connection.

Try working in another app that uses the internet, such as Mail, to see if your Mac is connected to the internet.

Problems opening webpages

If your computer is connected to the internet but you still have problems, wait a few minutes, then try again to view the webpage.

For more help, see:

If you can’t open a website in Safari

If you can’t open a Safari window

Webpages are garbled or hard to read

If webpages appear garbled or incomplete, or the text on them is too small, you may need to change Safari preferences. For more help, see:

If webpage text has odd or unusual characters in Safari

If features on a webpage don’t work in Safari

If you don’t see images on a webpage in Safari

Zoom in on webpages in Safari

Searches aren’t effective

If your web searches aren’t finding what you want, you can improve your search results with the right search terms.

AutoFill doesn’t work

The Safari AutoFill feature remembers information you use to fill in forms on webpages. If AutoFill doesn’t work in Safari , you may need to change AutoFill options in Safari preferences.

Problems downloading files

For solutions to other downloading problems, see If you can’t download an item from the web using Safari .

There are various issues on my iPhone since updating to iOS 17.4.1

This new updates seems to have too many bugs, instead of fix. Wi-Fi won’t work. None of the apps open, just keep getting black screen, phone overheating, draining battery faster than charging, can’t access shared iCloud pictures, can not FaceTime. Safari is just blank page. Restarted Wi-Fi, phone, apps, but NOTHING WORKS!!! Can’t surf at all, games are blank too…. Need immediate fix!!!!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Apr 8, 2024 11:17 AM

Posted on Apr 11, 2024 2:01 AM

Since I’ve updated I can’t call, text , send pictures etc. very stressful not being able to get ahold of anyone. Does anyone know how to fix this or if they will fix this?? Getting very sick of not having a working phone that was super expensive just for it not to work

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Apr 11, 2024 2:01 AM in response to Chinguu

Apr 9, 2024 8:45 PM in response to lobsterghost1

THIS WORKED!!!!

it takes a few times to figure the process out, but… IT WORKED.

BE PATIENT!!!

Apr 10, 2024 6:26 AM in response to Chinguu

Restart won't fix the problem. My iphone is mulfunctioning after 17.4.1

What's going on?

What's the fix?!

Apr 10, 2024 8:45 PM in response to Chinguu

My Face ID not recognize me anymore right after the update 17.4.1 which was updated while in my sleep

Apr 9, 2024 3:22 PM in response to Chinguu

My screen went black and buffered. Now it’s stuck it boot loop!

Apr 10, 2024 8:33 PM in response to Chinguu

imessage won’t work, can’t get any calls and FaceTime only works on WiFi.

Apr 11, 2024 6:52 AM in response to Chinguu

There is also a cellular data issue… ruined my whole day just like usually when there is a new ios.. i wonder why i spending this much money to a company like this… fixture may come but my patience is gone

Apr 11, 2024 9:43 AM in response to Chinguu

after updating my iOS to 17.4.1, my battery health level goes down. What happened? Before updating to latest iOS , it was fine. What’s going on Apple?

Apr 10, 2024 5:01 AM in response to Chinguu

I know and there is also some Bluetooth bug. If you pause Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or whatever music streaming platform you use for a few seconds, your AirPods, Beats Studio Buds, or whatever headphones or earbuds you use randomly disconnects and then reconnects. It’s annoying and Apple needs to do something about it ASAP

Apr 10, 2024 6:21 AM in response to Chinguu

My phone completely crashed and died - can’t even turn it on now!

Apr 9, 2024 6:27 PM in response to lobsterghost1

I did force restart twice, with continued glitches.

Apr 10, 2024 2:27 PM in response to Chinguu

I’ve lost all my bookmarks and favourites in safari, I didn’t realise I needed to sync these things on the iCloud, no previous update has wiped them from existence. Now all my saved quick links are gone.

edit: my works app now doesn’t work, and the baby camera monitor app doesn’t work either. Who even allowed this “update”?

among the other issues encountered with this update, that one is the most infuriating… haven’t had to try my AirPods yet with the Bluetooth issues but my garmin no longer gets notifications 😑😑😑

Apr 8, 2024 11:22 AM in response to Chinguu

Force Restart your iPhone, which is something recommended after every iOS update --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

Apr 9, 2024 6:18 AM in response to Chinguu

I also encounter a lot of problems. Some apps like Files and Waze crash for no reason. the only solution that works temporarily is to undo a forced restart but the problem comes back regularly.

The support told me to disconnect and reconnect, to reset all the settings, to reinstall the IOS version 17.4.1 via iTunes, but nothing works, it's very annoying.

Apr 10, 2024 9:37 PM in response to Chinguu

This page may be some help (thanks to MrBill3):

If your iPhone won't turn on or is frozen - Apple Support

And sometimes typing in the issue you're facing to the search box will turn up solutions.

If you can get back into your phone, so to speak, 9to5Mac reported that Apple released a new version of 17.4.1, but it was only available through a computer. On a Mac, plug the phone into the computer, open a Finder window, and select your iPhone in the side bar. If the side panel isn't showing, go to the View menu and click Show Side Bar. On older Macs you may have to use iTunes, but it is similar. On a Windows computer I believe you either open iTunes or the Apple Devices app, but I'm not familiar with that setup.

Anyway, once you have done that, there should be a "page" for your phone. Choose General from the top row, and there will be a Check for Update button. From there you should be able to update your phone the newer version of 17.4.1.

I updated "over the air" to 17.4.1 and didn't see any problems. But when I saw the article I updated again and my phone went through the whole process, which seems to indicate that this is a different update. Since then it has worked fine, as far as I can see.

9to5Mac reports that the build number for the over-the-air update is 21E236, but the one through a computer is 21E237.