Safari User Guide
If you have trouble browsing the web, try the suggestions listed below.
Webpages won’t appear
A window will open, you can see the Safari version listed. If it is not the updated version, go to the Mac App Store and update it to the latest version. If Safari crashes on opening, it might be the case of older versions which is no longer compatible with the system. When we update it, the issues can be resolved quickly. How To Unfreeze Safari On Mac Step by Step Restarting Safari. If Safari has crashed then sometimes a pretty simple restart can help fix the issue. However, if it’s frozen to the point where you can’t even close it, then you could force quit Safari. The default browser for Apple devices and there are no official versions of Safari for other devices. Apple no longer supports Mac OS 10.14 for Macbooks older than 2012. You should now see the Activity Monitor window. All you need to do is click on the Safari app (or any other app that is not responding) and then click “Force a process to quit” in the left corner. Apple Mac: Safari still won’t force quit or open. Well, in this case of Safari still not quitting or opening, you still have options. I Have a new MacBook and the safari application is not responding. A new window won't open and it won't force quit or close using optn+cmd+esc. It won't let me shut down my laptop whilst safari is still open.
- 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:
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:
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
- Click the Show Downloads button in the toolbar to see the status of items being downloaded.
- If the download is paused, click the Resume button next to the file in the list.
- To reveal a downloaded file in the Finder , click the magnifying glass to the right of its name in the downloads list.
For solutions to other downloading problems, see If you can’t download an item from the web using Safari.
This article explains how you can fix when Safari won’t open on your Mac. Several users have reported this issue. The problem is that Safari won’t load or start a window. And when this problem occurs, the spinning beach ball (or spinning wait cursor) is displayed because Safari cannot handle whatever happening, indicating Safari is unresponsive.
If you are having this problem, please try each step below until you resolve your problem.
Before you try anything, quit Safari and then try again. If Safari is unresponsive, the best way to quit is to right-click (control-click) the Safari icon in the Dock. Then select Quit.
This article explains what you can do if Safari won’t open at all. See this article instead, if Safari opens but won’t load a site.
See also: Safari kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork Error, Blank Page Fix
If quitting does not work, try force-quitting Safari and then try again if that fixes your problem before going on to the next. You can do so by clicking the Apple menu, Force Quit, and Safari.
See this article if Chrome won’t open.
Clear your history, cookies, and website data
On your Mac, open safari and go to History > Clear History and clear your history. Then, in Safari still, click Safari, Preferences, Privacy and Manage Web Site Data. Then click Remove all.
Check for updates
Make sure that your Mac has the latest version of the macOS software. To update your Mac, click the Apple menu, System Preferences, and Software Update. And if there is an update available, follow the onscreen instructions. Updating your software will also update Safari to the latest version.
Restart your Mac
Restart your Mac. Restarting may help you resolve your problem. To restart your Mac, click the Apple menu and then select Restart.
Safe mode
Restart your Mac in Safe Mode. Safe mode does certain checks and may resolve your problem. Here is how you can do this:
- Turn off your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the Shift key when you see the login screen. And login (you may have to log in a few times).
- Now your computer is in Safe Mode. Test Safari in Safe Mode too.
- In either case, exit Safe Mode by restarting your Mac normally without pressing the Shift key.
- And then test Safari again if you can open it.
Manage your extensions
A Safari extension may cause this problem. You can easily figure out if this is the case by turning off extensions. Here is how:
- Open Safari, I know it is not opening but you will see the Safari menu bar.
- In the Safari app, click Safari > Preferences.
- Click the Extensions tab.
- And turn off all extensions by deselecting the checkboxes “Enable… extension.”
- Now try to open Safari. Does it load? If you can now open Safari without any issue, then one of your extensions is causing this problem. Enable one extension at a time until you find the extension that is causing this issue.
- You can also try updating your extensions by clicking Updates in the lower-left corner.
Delete Safari preference files
Safari Not Responding On Mac
Your problem may be caused by a corrupt preference file. Deleting may resolve your problem. Here is how:
- Open a Finder window and press and hold the Option key, while holding the Option key, click Go and then Library.
- Click Preferences.
- Find the com.apple.Safari.plist file. And delete this file by dragging it to the Trash.
- Then go back to the Preferences folder.
- Find and click the Caches folder.
- And find and delete the com.apple.Safari folder.
- Then again go back to the Preferences folder.
- Find and click the Containers file.
- And find and delete the com.apple.Safari folder.
Safari App Will Not Open On Macbook Air
If you are still having this issue, you may want to reset Safari. If this also does not help you, you may want to reinstall macOS.
See also: Safari won’t open YouTube.