If Safari doesn't work as expected on Mac

If Safari doesn't load a webpage correctly, stops responding, quits unexpectedly, or otherwise doesn't work as expected, these solutions might help.

About these solutions

These solutions are for issues that can affect Safari on Mac, including issues such as these:

  • A webpage is blank, doesn't load all of its content, or otherwise doesn't work as expected.

  • You can't sign in to a webpage, despite using the correct sign-in information.

  • A webpage asks you to remove or reset cookies.

  • Safari slows down, stops responding, or quits unexpectedly.

If using an iPhone or iPad, learn about solutions for Safari on iPhone and iPad.

Reload the page

From View menu in Safari, choose Reload Page. Or press Command-R.

If Safari doesn't reload the page, quit Safari, then try again. If Safari doesn't quit, you can press Option-Command-Esc to force Safari to quit.

If Safari automatically reopens unwanted pages, quit Safari, then press and hold the Shift key while opening Safari. Learn how to control which windows Safari automatically reopens.

Install software updates and restart

Safari is included with macOS. If a later version of Safari is available for your device, you can get it by following the steps to update macOS. If your Mac doesn’t restart automatically after updating, choose Restart from the Apple menu . Some important background updates take effect only after restarting.

Check Safari extensions

If you installed any Safari extensions, turn extensions off. From the Safari menu, choose Settings (or Preferences). Click Extensions, then deselect each extension to turn it off. Learn more about Safari extensions.

If an extension is causing the issue, make sure that the extension is up to date.

Check cookies, caches, and other data

A website can store cookies, caches, and other data on your Mac. Issues with that data can affect your use of the website. To prevent the website from using that data, view it in a private window: From the File menu in Safari, choose New Private Window, or press Shift-Command-N.

If that works, use the following steps to remove the website's data, including its caches and cookies. The website can then create new data as needed. If it's a website that you sign in to, make sure that you know your sign-in information before continuing.

  1. From the Safari menu, choose Settings (or Preferences).

  2. Click Privacy, then click Manage Website Data.

  3. Select the affected website from the list shown.

  4. Click Remove.

  5. Click Done.

  6. Open the website again in a non-private browser window.

Check Safari settings

The webpage might not be compatible with one or more browser settings, which you can turn on or off as needed. From the Safari menu, choose Settings (or Preferences). Then click Privacy, Security, Websites, or Advanced to access these settings:

  • Privacy settings. These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might require that you allow cross-site tracking or show your IP address.

  • Security settings. These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might require that you enable JavaScript.

  • Websites settings. These settings can be configured for specific websites. For example, a website might require that you turn off content blockers, allow access to your camera or microphone, allow downloads, or allow pop-up windows.

  • Advanced settings. These settings apply to all websites. For example, a website might not work as expected until you reduce advanced privacy protections, such as by deselecting “Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection.” It might also require that you not block cookies.

Check iCloud Private Relay

If you subscribe to iCloud+ and are using its Private Relay feature, try reloading the page without Private Relay: From the View menu in Safari, choose Reload and Show IP Address. This menu item appears only when Private Relay is turned on for your network. Learn more about iCloud Private Relay.

Check for VPN or other security software

If you installed VPN or other software that monitors or interacts with your network connections, that software could affect your use of the website or the internet. Learn about network issues related to VPN and other software.

Check network settings

Certain network settings, such as custom proxy settings or custom DNS settings, can affect access to content on the internet. Even if you haven't changed these or other network settings yourself, you might have installed software that changed them for you.

To find out whether the issue is with the network settings on your Mac, try viewing the page from a different web browser or different device on the same network. Or reset your network settings by setting up a new network location on your Mac.

If the issue affects other devices and web browsers on the same network, the issue is probably with the website. Contact the website developer for help.

Report a website issue

If the issue continues to affect a particular website, or the website incorrectly says that Safari is out of date, report the issue to the website owner or developer.

Beginning with Safari 26, you can also report the issue to Apple to help Apple improve web compatibility. Safari 26 is included with the latest updates for macOS Sequoia 15 or later.

  1. Reload the page.

  2. From the Smart Search field at the top of the Safari window, click the Page Menu button, then choose Report a Website Issue. This menu item appears only after reloading the page in Safari 26 or later.

  3. In the dialog that opens, use the menus to describe the issue you’re experiencing. Then click Report.

Learn more

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