Apple has put in a lot of hard work in improving and optimizing the Safari browser on Mac. It is known to be an efficient browser that loads websites faster using less battery. However, unlike other web browsers, Safari also displays technical errors.
If you experience MacBook Pro Safari not working properly and you are not able to access the web pages, here are several resolutions that can help.
Common Problems That You Face With Safari
More often, the browser shows one of the following problems when you try to open a website or browse anything.
- The webpage you are trying to access is blank.
- The website displays all the contents properly.
- The webpage is not working as expected.
- The browser stops responding or slows down suddenly.
- The webpage asks you to reset or remove cookies.
- You are not able to sign in to a webpage.
So, if you are facing any of these difficulties, move on to the solutions section to fix Safari functionality.
. Reload the Webpage
If you are thinking about why MacBook Pro Safari not working appropriately and want to fix it, click on View and press the Command + R keys. However, make sure that you are connected to the internet. If the webpage still can’t reload, close Safari by pressing down the Command + Q keys.
Launch Safari again and if the browser can open web pages that you frequently visited on Safari automatically but not open new sites, close it and then relaunch it. Now when you reopen Safari, make sure to press and hold down the Shift key while opening the browser.
Check Safari Settings
The webpage you are trying to access may not be compatible with one or more Safari settings. You can tweak the settings to check what works best for you. Go to the menu bar in Safari, select Safari, and then click Settings or Preferences.
Next, click on Websites to configure settings for any particular website. Changing the Privacy settings will apply to all the websites you browse in Safari. Similarly, changes you make to the Security settings will reflect on all the websites.
- Update/Delete Safari Extension
Safari extensions customize and enhance your browsing experience on the Mac, but they also slow down your browser. If you have downloaded and installed any browser extensions, make sure they are up-to-date.
Also, check if turning off the extensions can help fix the Safari issues on MacBook Pro. To turn off extensions, choose Safari, click on Settings or Preferences, and select Extensions. Now, untick the checkbox displayed with each browser extension to turn it off.
Clear Browser Cache
A website can store cache, cookies, and other data on your computer, and any kind of problem with that data can affect your use of that website. Cache files, when stored in bulk on a computer, slow the performance of the associated program.
Even though cache files are meant to improve your browsing experience, they also make the app sluggish. Make sure to clear the cache regularly. To do that, go to Safari and select Preferences.
Now click on the Advanced tab and check the Show Develop menu in the menu bar option. This will Add a new menu Develop in the Safari menu bar. Click on it and select the Empty Caches option. You can remove the Develop menu if required.
Delete Safari Preferences
When the browser settings have been incorrectly configured, deleting the files that store your Safari Preferences can sometimes resolve the problem. Before you start deleting these files, stop and make sure to quit the Safari browser.
Now, launch the Finder window, and press the Command + Shift + G keys. This will open the Go to the folder dialog box.
Now type in ~Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Preferences and tap on the Go button. Next, right-click on the file named com.apple.Safari.plist and click on Move to Trash. You don’t have to worry about the file, as the browser will recreate it in due course.
Now restart your MacBook Pro, launch Safari, and open a webpage to check if it works properly. You can also reconfigure settings for the homepage, default search engine, or new tabs by navigating to the Safari Preferences.
Check Network Settings
Some of the network settings, such as those associated with the DNS Server or proxy server, can affect the way you view content on the internet. Most often, users do not change network settings intentionally; however, settings change automatically on downloading a program.
In that case, try to open the same webpage on another device connected to the same internet network. If you are able to browse Safari on other devices connected to the same network, problems may exist in your MacBook Pro network or WiFi settings.
Alternatively, update Safari by navigating to the Software Updates section. Click on the Apple menu, tap System Settings, click General, and then select Software Update. Alternatively, go to System Preferences and then select Software Update. If you find new software, click the Upgrade Now or Update Now button to install it.
