Safari Can't Open Page Because Server Cannot Be Found? Here's How to Fix It

Encountering the frustrating message “Safari cannot open the page because the server cannot be found” can disrupt your browsing experience. This error, common among Safari users on Macs, iPhones, and iPads, indicates that your browser is unable to connect to the website’s server. Before you assume the website is down, know that the issue is often on your end and easily fixable. This guide will walk you through effective troubleshooting steps to resolve this Safari error and get you back online.

1. Simple First Steps: Reload and Restart

Often, the “server cannot be found” error is temporary. The first and easiest steps are to simply reload the page or restart Safari.

Reload the Page: Click View > Reload Page in the Safari menu bar, or press Command-R. This refreshes the page and can resolve temporary glitches preventing the page from loading. Ensure your device is connected to the internet if reloading fails.
Restart Safari: If reloading doesn’t work, completely quit Safari. Press Command-Q. If Safari is unresponsive, force quit by pressing Option-Command-Esc and selecting Safari to force quit. Reopen Safari. Sometimes, restarting clears minor software conflicts that might be causing connection problems. If Safari reopens to unwanted pages, quit again and hold the Shift key while reopening to prevent automatic page loading.

2. Investigate Safari Extensions

Safari extensions enhance browsing but can occasionally interfere with website loading, especially if they are outdated or malfunctioning.

Update Extensions: Ensure all your Safari extensions are updated to their latest versions. Outdated extensions can cause compatibility issues.
Disable Extensions: To test if an extension is the culprit, turn them off one by one. Go to Safari > Preferences from the menu bar, then click Extensions. Deselect the checkbox next to each extension to disable it. After disabling an extension, try reloading the webpage. If the page loads, the disabled extension was likely the problem. Re-enable extensions one at a time to identify the specific problematic extension. Consider updating or removing it.

3. Review Safari Website Settings

Safari’s website-specific settings, especially privacy and security configurations, can sometimes block websites.

Check Website, Privacy, and Security Settings: Navigate to Safari > Preferences and click on Websites, Privacy, and Security tabs. Review the settings within these sections. Specifically, check settings related to:
- Content Blockers: Overly aggressive content blockers might mistakenly prevent website elements from loading.
- Cookies and Website Data: Restrictive cookie settings can sometimes interfere with website functionality.
- Security Warnings: Ensure security settings are not overly strict and blocking legitimate websites.

Adjust these settings cautiously, noting any changes you make so you can revert them if necessary.

4. Test in a Private Window

Website data stored by Safari, such as cookies and caches, can sometimes become corrupted and cause website loading issues. Private Browsing mode prevents Safari from using this stored data.

Open a Private Window: Go to File > New Private Window in the Safari menu bar, or press Shift-Command-N. Try accessing the website in the private window.
Clear Website Data (If Private Window Works): If the website loads correctly in a private window, the issue likely stems from stored website data. To remove this data:
1. Go to Safari > Preferences and click Privacy.
2. Click Manage Website Data.
3. Search for or select the problematic website from the list.
4. Click Remove then Done.
5. Reopen Safari in a normal window and try accessing the website again. You may need to sign back into websites after clearing data.

5. Software Updates: Keep Safari and macOS Current

Outdated software can lead to various issues, including browser errors.

Install Software Updates: Ensure your Mac, iPhone, or iPad has the latest software updates. These updates often include Safari improvements and bug fixes. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Software Update. On iOS and iPadOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available updates.

6. VPN and Security Software Interference

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and other security software can sometimes disrupt network connections, leading to the “server cannot be found” error.

Check VPN and Security Software: If you use VPN software, internet security suites, or firewalls, they might be interfering with Safari’s ability to connect. Temporarily disable these programs and try accessing the website again. If the issue resolves, adjust the software settings to allow Safari’s network traffic or contact the software vendor for support.

7. Network Settings and Potential Issues

Incorrect network settings can prevent Safari from accessing the internet or specific websites.

Check Network Settings: Investigate your network settings, particularly if you use a proxy server or custom DNS (Domain Name System) server. Incorrect proxy settings or DNS server addresses can lead to connection problems.
- Proxy Servers: Go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies to review proxy settings. Ensure they are correctly configured or disable them if you are unsure.
- DNS Servers: In System Preferences > Network > Advanced > DNS, check your DNS server settings. Consider switching to public DNS servers like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) to rule out DNS server issues.
Test on Another Device and Network: To isolate the problem, try accessing the website from another device on the same network. If it fails on other devices too, the issue might be with your network itself or the website server. Also, try connecting your device to a different network (like a mobile hotspot) to see if the problem persists. This helps determine if the problem is network-specific.

By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the “Safari Cannot Open Page Because Server Cannot Be Found” error and restore your browsing experience. In most cases, the solution is within these common fixes.