Safari has a straightforward layout that makes it easy for users to navigate, which contributes to a enjoyable browsing experience. It is a popular choice for Apple users and offers many features compared to other browsers. However, like all apps, Safari may have its own set of issues, such as the “Safari could not connect to the server” error.
Many Mac users have reported issues with the Safari browser not being able to connect to the server. In this article, we will provide an explanation for this problem and offer troubleshooting steps to fix it. Simply follow the instructions provided in the article to resolve the issue.
There are several potential causes for the “Safari cannot connect to server” error, including:
- Internet connection problems
- System issues in iOS
- DNS server issues
- The site not being considered secure by Safari
- Problems with third-party extensions or add-ons
- Issues with Safari itself
There may also be other possible causes for this error. Now that you have an understanding of some of the potential reasons for the “Safari cannot connect to server” error, let’s discuss potential solutions for it.
Steps to troubleshoot the “Safari Cannot Connect to Server” error
In this section, we will discuss the methods for fixing the “Safari cannot connect to server” issue on both iPhone and Mac devices. Before proceeding, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the potential causes of this error.
For Iphone
Troubleshooting the “Safari Cannot Connect to Server” error on iPhone
If you are experiencing the “Safari cannot connect to server” error on your iPhone, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue. One simple first step is to restart your device, as this can often fix technical issues. If this doesn’t help, try the following methods to fix the “Safari could not connect to the server” error:
Possible solutions for “Safari Cannot Connect to Server” error on iPhone:
- Check your internet connection: It’s possible that a poor or inactive internet connection is causing the “Safari cannot connect to server” error. Go to your Wi-Fi or Mobile Data settings to make sure your connection is active and working properly.
- Verify the entered domain name: A typo error can also cause the “Safari cannot connect to server” error. Make sure that you have correctly entered the website’s domain name in the search bar of Safari or Google.
- Clear history and website data: It’s possible that accumulated tabs from previous browsing sessions can cause issues, including the “Safari cannot connect to server” error. To clear this problem, try clearing your Safari history. To do this:
- Open Safari on your iPhone.
- Tap the “Bookmarks” icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap “History” and then select “Clear” from the bottom of the screen.
- Choose how much history you want to delete, such as the last hour or all history.
- Tap “Clear History” to confirm.
“If the first two methods haven’t resolved the issue, you can try resetting your network settings. This is only effective if the problem is related to the device’s network. Keep in mind that resetting your network settings will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords and reset the DNS settings to the factory defaults. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings and select General
- Now scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Select “Reset Network Settings.”
If the previous methods haven’t been successful, you can try resetting the DNS settings as a potential solution. The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for translating web addresses into the IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other. If you are using a poorly functioning DNS server, it can cause issues with Safari’s ability to connect to servers. Resetting the DNS settings may resolve this issue. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings and tap on Wi-Fi.
- Click on the (i) icon next to the selected network.
- Then scroll down and click on Configure IP
- Select Manual.
Now in the Add Server option, add Google DNS server: 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
These are the steps you can follow on your iPhone to fix the “Safari could not connect to the server” error. If you are an iPad user and experiencing a similar issue, you can use the same steps. If you are using a Mac and encountering the “Safari cannot connect to server” error, you can try the following methods:
For Mac
If you are wondering why Safari is unable to connect to the server on your Mac, there are a few possible causes. To fix the “Safari could not connect to the server” error, you can try the following methods:
One solution to the “Safari could not connect to server” error is to clear your browser data. Safari stores cookies and caches as you browse the web. If this data includes outdated or incorrect information about a website’s SSL or encryption, it can cause the error to appear. Clearing Safari’s cache may fix the issue. Here’s how to do it
- Open the Safari browser and click on Safari from the top left
- Tap on Clear History.
- Flush the DNS Cache
Another possible cause of the “Safari could not connect to server” error is an outdated DNS (Domain Name System). Flushing the DNS cache can help resolve this issue. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Launchpad and search for Other.
- Then click on Terminal.
- After that, run the following command:
- sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
You can easily modify the DNS settings of your Mac by following these steps:
Note: These steps are based on the latest version of macOS. If you are using an older version, it’s recommended to update to the latest version.
- Tap on the apple icon and select System Settings.
- Tap on Wi-Fi.
- Now tap on Details, next to the selected Wi-Fi
- Once the new tab appears, select DNS from the column of options on the left
- After you click on it, press the + icon below DNS Servers
- Now add the following entries and click OK to save the changes.
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
- Turn Off Content Blocking
Sometimes, ad-blocking extensions can cause issues when loading websites on Safari. If you think this may be the case, you can try reloading the page without content blockers. Here’s how to do it
Solution Synopsis: Safari < Search Selected Website< Control Click on Reload Page Icon < Select Reload Without Content Blockers
- Disable Private Relay
If you are an iCloud+ user, Apple offers a “Private Relay” feature that enhances your privacy by encrypting your internet traffic. However, this feature may also prevent Safari from connecting to certain servers that it considers unsafe or unsecured. If you want to disable it, you can follow these steps :
- Go to Settings and tap on your profile photo
- Select iCloud
- Then tap on Private Relay
- Now, you can disable it by clicking on Turn Off. Then press Done to save the changes