5 Ways to Fix Safari Won’t Open on Mac

Although Safari is a lesser-known, lesser-used web browser when compared with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox; yet, it commands a cult following of loyal Apple users.  Its simple user interface and focus on privacy make it an attractive alternative, especially for Apple users. Like any other application, Safari, too, is not immune to glitches, such as Safari won’t open on Mac. In this guide, we have shared some quick solutions to fix Safari not responding on Mac issue.

Fix Safari Won't Open on Mac

How to Fix Safari Not Responding on Mac

If you notice the spinning beach ball cursor and Safari window will not open on your screen, this is Safari won’t open on Mac issue. You can fix this by following any of the methods listed below.

Click here to Download the latest version of Safari on your Mac.

Method 1: Re-launch Safari

Before trying any other troubleshooting method, the easiest fix is to simply, quit the application and open it again. Here’s how to re-launch Safari on your Mac:

1. Right-click on the Safari icon visible on your Dock.

2. Click Quit, as shown.

Click Quit. Fix Safari won't open on Mac

3. If this does not work, click on Apple Menu > Force Quit. Refer given pic.

Force Quit Safari

4. Now, click on Safari to launch it. Check if Safari not loading pages on Mac issue is resolved.

Also Read: How to Force Quit Mac Applications With the Keyboard Shortcut

Method 2: Delete Saved Website Data

Safari web browser constantly saves information regarding your search history, frequently viewed sites, cookies, etc., to make your browsing experience quick and efficient. It is quite likely that some of this saved data is corrupt or excessively large in size, causing Safari not responding on Mac or Safari not loading pages on Mac errors. Follow given steps to delete all web-browser data:

1. Click on the Safari icon to open the application.

Note: Though an actual window may not appear, the Safari option should still appear at the top of your screen.

2. Next, click on Clear History, as depicted.

Click on Clear History. Fix Safari won't open on Mac

3. Click Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Click Privacy then, manage website data

 4. Finally, select Remove All to delete all stored web data.

Select Remove All to delete all stored web data. Safari not loading=

With your website data cleared, the Safari won’t open on Mac issue should be resolved.

Also Read: How to Disable Split Screen in Safari

Method 3: Update macOS

Make sure your Mac is running on the latest operating system software as newer versions of apps might not function properly on an outdated macOS. This means Safari won’t open on Mac and hence, you should update your Mac as follows:

1. Click on System Preferences from the Apple menu.

2. Next, click on Software Update, as shown.

Click on Software Update | Safari not responding on mac

3. Follow the on-screen wizard to download and install the new macOS update, if any.

Updating your macOS should fix Safari not responding on Mac issue.

Also Read: How to Clear Browsing History in Any Browser

Method 4: Disable Extensions

Safari Extensions can make online surfing a lot easier by providing services like ads and tracker blockers or added parental control. Although, the downside is that some of these extensions might cause technical glitches like Safari not loading pages on Mac. Let us see how you can disable extensions in the Safari web browser on your macOS device:

1. Click on the Safari icon, and then, click Safari from the top right corner.

2. Click Preferences > Extensions, as depicted below.

Click Preferences then, Extensions. Safari not loading=

3. Toggle OFF the Extension one-by-one to ascertain which extension is troublesome and then, Disable it.

4. Alternately, Disable all at once to fix Safari won’t open on Mac problem.

Method 5: Boot in Safe Mode

Booting your Mac in Safe Mode bypasses a lot of unnecessary background processes and might possibly, fix the said issue. Here’s how to reboot Mac in safe mode:

1. Turn off your Mac PC.

2. Press the Power button to initialize the start-up process.

3. Press and hold the Shift key.

4. Release the Shift key once you see the log-in screen.

Mac Safe Mode

Your Mac is now in Safe Mode. You can now use Safari without any errors.

Note: To revert your Mac to Normal mode, restart your device as you would normally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why is Safari not opening on my Mac?

Ans: There could be any number of reasons why Safari is not working. This could be because of saved web data or faulty extensions. An outdated macOS or Safari app could also inhibit Safari from working properly.

Q2. How do I fix Safari not loading pages on Mac?

Ans: Your first step should be to Quit or Force quit the app and start it again. In case this doesn’t work, you can try to clear Safari web history and remove extensions. Updating the Safari app and your macOS version should also help. You can also attempt to boot your Mac in Safe Mode, and then try launching Safari.

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We hope you were able to fix Safari won’t open on Mac issue with our helpful and comprehensive guide. Let us know which method worked for you. If you have any queries or suggestions, drop them in the comment section.

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