What does it mean when Safari wont open?

If Safari isn't working as you expect, one of these solutions might help.

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

• A webpage is blank, doesn't show all of its content, or 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 or stops responding

Solutions for Safari on iPhone and iPad are also available.

Reload the page

To reload a page, choose View > Reload Page, or press Command-R. If you can't reload, make sure that you're connected to the internet.

If you still can't reload:

1. Press Command-Q to quit Safari. If Safari doesn't quit, press Option-Command-Esc to force Safari to quit.
2. Open Safari again and try to load the page. When Safari opens, if it automatically opens pages that you don't want to open, quit Safari again, then press and hold the Shift key while opening Safari. 

Check Safari extensions

If you installed any Safari extensions, make sure that they are up to date.

You can also try turning extensions off. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Click Extensions, then deselect the checkbox for each extension to turn it off. Learn more about Safari extensions. 

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 menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Then click Websites, Privacy, or Security to access these settings:

• Websites settings. These settings can be configured for specific websites.
• Privacy settings. These settings apply to all websites.
• Security settings. These settings apply to all websites. 

Test with a private window

A website can store cookies, caches, and other data on your Mac, and 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 menu bar in Safari, choose File > 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. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Privacy.
2. 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.

Install software updates

Check VPN or other security software

Check network settings

Certain network settings, such as those related to using a proxy server or custom DNS server, can affect access to content on the internet. Even if you haven't changed your network settings, you might have installed software that changed those settings for you.

To find out whether the issue is with the network settings on your Mac, try viewing the website from some other device connected to the same network.

To find out whether the issue is with your network itself, try viewing the website after connecting to a different network.

Resolve other issues

• If Safari appears to be stuck on an unexpected homepage
• If Safari can't open the page because too many redirects occurred
• If you want to block pop-up ads and windows
• If you deleted Safari and don't have a backup, reinstall macOS to put Safari back in your Applications folder. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove data from your computer.

Published Date: October 24, 2022

If you can’t open Safari or a new Safari window, try these suggestions.

• Make sure you’re using the latest versions of Safari and macOS. To check for a Safari or macOS update, choose Apple menu 

  
  > System Settings, click General
  in the sidebar, then click Software Update on the right. (You may need to scroll down.) See Keep your Mac up to date.

• Check your startup disk using Disk Utility.

• If the other suggestions don’t help, try reinstalling macOS.

Please don’t include any personal information in your comment.

Maximum character limit is 250.

Thanks for your feedback.

Why is my Safari not opening?

What would cause Safari to stop working?