Safari Not Working on MacBook: Troubleshooting Tips and Fixes

Posted By Volodymyr Chubei | 02 Sep 2024

Safari is a popular web browser for Mac users. Sometimes, various problems occur that interfere with proper browser operation. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why Safari may not work and provide step-by-step solutions to fix these problems.

Whether you're experiencing slow loading pages, freezing or closing your browser, we can help get your browser operation back to normal.

Why is Safari not working on Mac

Safari may not work for quite a number of reasons. To get a better understanding, we have listed the main ones:

Unstable or no Internet connection;
Excessive data amount in cache and cookies;
Outdated software that may not be compatible with modern web standards;
Conflicts with extensions;
Ñorrupted or missing system files;
Lack of free disk space;
Incorrect or slow DNS servers;
Problems with system updates.

How to fix Safari not working on Mac

If Safari on Mac does not work properly, there are several ways to fix the problem. We will share possible solutions to help you restore the best possible browser performance. Follow our tips to fix Internet connection problems, clear cache and cookies, update Safari and disable problematic extensions.

1. Checking the Internet connection

First of all, make sure that your Internet connection is stable. This can be done by connecting to another network or simply rebooting the router. Sometimes the problem may lie with your ISP or router. You can also check your Internet speed using online services to make sure it's fast enough for the proper operation of your browser. 2. Clearing cache and cookies

Data accumulated in cache and cookies can slow down Safari or cause problems with pages loading.

To purge unnecessary data:

Open your browser and select History.
Click on "Clear History" and specify the time period for which you want to delete cache and cookies.
Go to "Settings" and then to the "Privacy" section.
Click on "Manage Website Data" and on "Delete All."

This will not only improve browser performance, but it will also help solve loading issues with some websites.

3. Updating Safari

Outdated software can also cause improper operation of your browser.

To update Safari:

Open System Preferences.
Go to "Software Update" and check for available updates.
Install all updates for Safari and other apps, if any available.

Regular software updates also help eliminate possible vulnerabilities, which is important for safe Internet surfing.

4. Disabling extensions

Extensions may conflict with browser performance, especially if they are outdated or incompatible with the latest version of Safari.

To disable extensions:

Open Safari and click the Settings tab.
Select the Extensions tab and disable all installed software.
Restart your browser and check if it works without extensions.

If the problem is resolved, enable extensions one at a time to identify the one that causes problems.

Sometimes software for older browser versions can cause conflicts and negatively affect overall performance.

5. Reset Safari settings

If the steps mentioned above do not help, you can try resetting Safari settings:

Open Safari and select Settings.
Go to the "Advanced" tab and click "Reset Safari".
Select all options and click "Reset".

This step will help you delete all saved data and settings, returning the browser to its factory default settings.

Also: How to Upgrade a MacBook: Instructions for Different Models

Safari keeps crashing on your Mac

If Safari keeps freezing or closing, it could be caused by several factors:

lack of RAM;
conflicts with extensions or plugins;
errors in system files.

To address these issues:

Close unnecessary applications. Open System Monitoring and terminate processes that consume a lot of resources. This will free up RAM and may help resolve performance issues.
Remove the problematic extensions. Open Safari and disable or remove suspicious extensions. Check the browser performance after removing each of them. This is especially true for recently installed programs that may be the cause of the problem.
Restart your Mac. Restarting the system can temporarily resolve RAM and process problems. This may be useful if your computer has not restarted for a long time.
Clear the system cache. You can do this using macOS built-in utilities or third-party applications. From the built-in tools, you can use the terminal or Finder file manager to clean it up. For example, the process of clearing the cache through the Finder looks like this:

Open the file manager and select Go to.
Click Go to Folder and enter the command ~/Library/Caches.
Delete the contents of the Caches folder, but do not delete the folder itself.
Repeat the process for the /Library/Caches folder.

Also: MacBook Finder Search Not Working: 9 Tips for a Quick Fix

The best third-party programs are CleanMyMac X, OnyX, and CCleaner for Mac. All of them are clear and easy to use, even for those who have almost no experience.

Let's look at an example of clearing the cache using the CleanMyMac X program:

Download and install CleanMyMac X from the official website.
Open the program and select System Trash.
Click Scan and then click Clear.

What to do when Safari is not responding on your Mac

If Safari is not responding, it can be caused by various reasons. For example, among the most common ones are system crashes or conflicts with other applications. It is important to follow the step-by-step instructions to fix the problem and get your browser back to normal operation. Here are some simple steps to help you deal with Safari freezing.

1. Forcing Safari to shut down

This action will help to stop the browser from working. This is the first step that helps to restore its functionality.

Press Command (?) + Option + Esc to open the Force End menu.
Select Safari and click Finish.

2. Restarting the Mac

This step will help eliminate temporary glitches and free up system resources.

Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Select "Reboot" from the drop-down menu.
In the new dialog box, click "Reboot" again.

If you have running applications with unsaved data, the system will prompt you to save changes before restarting the laptop.

Also: How to Clear System Data on MacBook

3. Reinstall Safari

Installing a fresh version of the application can often help resolve software problems. Check for updates and install them. If they do not affect the browser, use the Recovery Mode option.

Restart your Mac in recovery mode. When it starts to boot, hold down Command (?) + R until the Apple logo or macOS utility screen appears.
From the utilities menu, select Reinstall macOS and follow the on-screen instructions. This will install a fresh copy of macOS, including Safari.

Reinstalling won't delete personal data, but it will install a fresh copy of the operating system and apps, including Safari.

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FAQ

1. Why is Safari not working on my Mac?

Safari may not work due to Internet connection problems, excessive amount of cache and cookies, old software versions or extension conflicts. There may also be problems with system files or insufficient free disk space.

2. How can I troubleshoot Safari issues on my Mac?

To fix Safari problems, check your Internet connection, clear cache and cookies, refresh your browser, and disable extensions. If these steps don't help, try resetting Safari or reinstalling it.

3. What are common reasons for Safari not loading pages on a Mac?

The most common causes include Internet connection problems, memory overflow with unnecessary data, outdated software, and extension conflicts. Problems can also occur due to incorrect DNS settings or system errors.

4. How do I clear Safari cache and cookies on my Mac?

Open your browser, click on History and click "Clear History". Go to "Settings", then to Privacy, click on the "Manage Website Data" tab and select "Delete All".

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Volodymyr Chubei
Computer Repair Specialist at TechToro.io

Volodymyr was born in Ukraine and has found his passion for electronics from his childhood. At the age of 13, he was capable of soldering some basic elements of a logic board and today he is one of the co-founders of TechToro.io