How to Troubleshoot Safari Issues on Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Troubleshooting Safari Issues on Mac

Safari is a fast and reliable web browser for Mac, but like any software, it can occasionally encounter issues that affect its performance. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve common Safari problems on your Mac.

Note: Before you begin troubleshooting, ensure that your macOS and Safari are updated to the latest versions. You can check for macOS updates in Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update and Safari updates in App Store > Updates.

Clear Safari Cache and Cookies:

Open Safari.

In the menu bar, click Safari > Preferences.

Go to the Privacy tab.

Click Manage Website Data.

Click Remove All and confirm when prompted.

Close the Preferences window.

Disable Extensions:

Extensions can sometimes cause issues in Safari. Try disabling them to see if that resolves the problem:

Go to Safari > Preferences.

Select the Extensions tab.

Disable all installed extensions by unchecking the boxes next to each extension.

Restart Safari.

If the issue is resolved, enable extensions one by one to identify the problematic one.

Clear History:

If you're experiencing problems with specific websites, clearing your browsing history might help:

Go to History > Clear History.

Choose the time range you want to clear (e.g., "all history").

Click Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Resetting Safari will remove your browsing history, saved passwords, and other data. Be sure to back up any important information before doing this:

Go to Safari > Preferences.

Click the Privacy tab.

Click Manage Website Data.

Select Remove All to clear cookies and cache.

Go to the Advanced tab.

Check the box that says Show Develop menu in the menu bar.

In the menu bar, click Develop > Empty Caches.

Restart Safari.

Check for Software Updates:

Outdated software, including macOS itself, can lead to Safari issues. Make sure your Mac and Safari are up to date as mentioned in the note at the beginning of this guide.

Disable Website Notifications:

Website notifications can be intrusive and may cause Safari to slow down. To disable them:

Go to Safari > Preferences.

Select the Websites tab.

On the left sidebar, click Notifications.

Select websites that are causing issues and change their notification settings to Deny.

Test in a New User Profile:

To determine if the issue is specific to your user profile, create a new user profile and see if Safari behaves differently:

Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.

Click the "+" button to create a new user account.

Log in to the new user account.

Open Safari and test if the issue persists.

Disable Hardware Acceleration:

Hardware acceleration can sometimes cause graphical issues. To disable it:

Go to Safari > Preferences.

Select the Advanced tab.

Check the box that says Show Develop menu in the menu bar.

In the menu bar, click Develop > Disable WebGL.

Restart Safari.

Check for Malware:

Malware can affect your browser's performance. Consider using a reputable antivirus or anti-malware tool to scan your Mac for potential threats.

Contact Support.Com:

If you are still having trouble consider seeking personalized assistance from Support.Com.