Safari Won't Open a Handful of Sites on 1 of my 3 Macs!

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Level 1

9 points

Safari Won't Open a Handful of Sites on 1 of my 3 Macs!

I have two desktop Macs (both Mac minis) and one laptop (MacBook Air).

On one of the desktop Macs, Safari will not open a handful of sites that I use regularly (LinkedIn, Mailchimp, and a few others). Here are a few specifics:

It's always the same handful of sites.
If I use a different browser on the same computer (Brave, Firefox, or Chrome), those sites work fine.
There is no problem accessing those sites using the other mini or the laptop (with the laptop running on the same Wifi network as the problematic computer).
This problem has persisted for 2 or 3 years.
Since there's no problem with other browsers running on that machine, and Safari on my laptop using the same network works fine, it is clearly a problem with Safari on that one computer and not a problem with my network connection or the operating system.

Here is the error message I get:

"Safari Can't Open the Page"

"Safari can't open the page "https://mailchip.com" because the server unexpectedly dropped the connection...."

Here is what I've tried:

Updating the OS. (It's now running Tahoe. But this problem started two operating systems ago!)
Clearing the Safari cache.
Clearing the Safari history.
Removing all cookies for the problematic sites.
Checking site-specific settings for the problem websites.
Using a private window.
Restarting the computer.
Using a VPN.
Turning off my virus software and Mac firewall.

Possible solution?

If I make a copy of the Safari app (or some particular preferences file) on my laptop, which works fine, and replace the app or preferences on the problematic mini, is that likely to fix the problem?

Suggestions would be welcomed.

Posted on Sep 27, 2025 4:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

155,420 points

Sep 27, 2025 7:52 PM in response to kinggama

Using a VPN.
Turning off my virus software and Mac firewall.

FYI it is generally insufficient to "turn off" or disable non-Apple "anti-virus" products or VPNs. They have to be uninstalled in accordance with their instructions. Rule 1 of Macs is don't install junk.

For desktop Macs the macOS firewall is just a hindrance. Turn it off and leave it off. There are occasions in which enabing the application firewall may be appropriate for portable Macs that need to connect to open wireless networks, but I don't even bother in those circumstances. Read about what the macOS application firewall is, what it does, and what it is not: Block connections to your Mac with a firewall - Apple Support

For reference: If Safari doesn't open a page or work as expected on Mac. Review all those suggestions. Don't omit any, even if they appear to be inapplicable or trivial. Additional, related suggestions can be found here: If your device has network connectivity issues, check for VPN and other third-party security software - Apple Support

If I make a copy of the Safari app (or some particular preferences file) on my laptop, which works fine, and replace the app or preferences on the problematic mini, is that likely to fix the problem?

No, but you can reinstall macOS: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support.

You can also create a new, temporary User Account for the purposes of troubleshooting: Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support. If Safari works while logged in under that Account, you will have advanced troubleshooting. However, fixing the problematic User Account can be tedious and time-consuming.

Delete the temporary Account when you are finished troubleshooting: Delete a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

Back up all data just goes without saying: Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

155,420 points

Sep 28, 2025 2:39 PM in response to kinggama

As a category all non-Apple "anti-virus" products are junk. All they are capable of doing is to prevent a Mac from working as designed, and yours is not working as designed. The first step in fixing an ailing Mac is to uninstall those products. Often, it's the only step.

As for VPNs read Don't use VPN services. Your particular use case is to circumvent regional restrictions that may or may not be lawfully imposed upon the site hosts, so at best your intent is to work around impositions you may not agree with. It is acting as a "glorified proxy" as that author explains, but since Apple is super sensitive to public image they consider discussions on those subjects off-limits for this site. They don't want to be associated with anything even potentially illegal, so they often take a heavy handed approach and make those discussions disappear. On a more technical matter though, VPNs often alter a user's network settings in such a way that is not easily discoverable or undoable. If you decide to use a VPN you must accept the likelihood that they will cause your Mac to misbehave, and yours is misbehaving.

So do those "anti-virus" products for that matter, which is the reason for my statement "Rule 1 of Macs is don't install junk." It is the original sin that leads to endless miseries, lost time, data, productivity, money... a neverending parade of horribles. They have also been known to embed components that can be difficult to identify and eradicate, and often result in the need to completely erase the Mac and reconfigure them from the ground up. Exhaust all the other suggestions first, and before reaching that extreme step consider using EtreCheck and upoading its report in a reply. Instructions are here: How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report - Apple Community.

I chose both apps because they were top Macworld reviews in their categories.

MacWorld ceased to be a reputable publication decades ago. Any publication (website, media outlet, etc) that accepts advertising cannot act objectively. You will never hear any of them say "do not buy this product". I just did.

Macs work fine, if you let them.

I have previously consulted the "If Safari doesn't open a page...." site that you shared and followed all its suggestions. It made no difference.

Including contacting each website developer for help? What were their responses? Did you consider the passage about VPNs? Apparently not, because it remains a factor.

If you reviewed that document a while ago, please take the time to review it again, since it has changed over the years. Every word of it is important.

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Answer 3

kinggama Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 27, 2025 8:26 PM in response to John Galt

John, thanks so much for your detailed suggestions. I will certainly try setting up a temporary user to see if that solves the problem. (Though if it does...I'm not sure how to use that information.)

In the meantime, a couple of questions if I can impose on you a bit more?

The anti-virus and VPN software I use are Sophos and Surfshark. (I use the VPN only for watching foreign TV.) I chose both apps because they were top Macworld reviews in their categories. Do you consider them "junk" software?

You suggested reinstalling Mac OS. Since the problem occurred when the machine was running Ventura, and has persisted through updates to Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe — doesn't that satisfy the suggestion of reinstalling the OS?

I don't normally use the Mac firewall. I mentioned it only because I tried toggling it on, and then off, to see if that made a difference. (It didn't.)

I have previously consulted the "If Safari doesn't open a page...." site that you shared and followed all its suggestions. It made no difference.

More broadly: I've confirmed that the system and security settings and extensions (which I've tried turning off) are 100% identical on the two Mac minis — both of which are the same hardware, have been on the same network, use the same OS version, and have identical VPN and antivirus software installed. Yet only one of the two has a problem (and that problem affects only 3 or 4 websites). If identical machines running identical software with identical settings react differently on the same network, wouldn't that suggest that the issue is a glitch or damage specific to the Safari app and not a third-party software conflict or system-wide setting issue?

Thanks again!

Paul

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