Safari Problems: Tips If The Browser Isn’t Working Or Is Slow

What to do if Safari is having problems? When is the browser slow to load websites, or do we even get no internet access? We give tips for solving problems.

Problems With Safari: Install Update

Most Safari problems are directly related to the browser. Often an update caused difficulties, for example, an iOS update in 2016. Conversely, this means: If there are errors, we should keep our eyes open for another update to fix the mistake again. On Mac, we can find the updates in the Mac App Store -> Updates, in iOS through Settings -> General -> Software Update. If there are severe Safari problems, it is always good to be able to fall back on an alternative browser. For example, Firefox, Opera, or Google Chrome are suitable for Macs. Same for iOS, see also Web Browsers for iPhone & iPad.

Safari Is Slow: Check The Internet Connection

If a website loads very slowly in Safari, it can be something other than the browser. It can also be a bad internet connection or an overloaded network. Regarding cell phone tariffs (iPhone, iPad Cellular ), you also have to ask yourself: Has the monthly high-speed volume been used up, or has my cell phone operator throttled my connection?

Usually, there is an automatic SMS in advance as a “warning.” A browser alternative (see above) can serve as a check or, even better, a small checking software. Regular websites should load quickly if the connection is at least 1 Mbit per second. A decent video stream should have at least 6 Mbit per second available. An app for iPhone, including for Mac: Speed ​​​​Test – ADSL Speed ​​​​Test and Speed ​​test by Ookla.

WiFi Makes For Slow Browsers

Poor values ​​​​in a previous test can also be due to your network. A glance at the WLAN symbol provides information about the connection quality. If the icon is partially grayed out, switching to a wired connection (Mac) or taking a few steps toward the router should help.

Safari Is Slow: Clean Up Memory & Tabs

Safari manages numerous browser windows and tabs quite well, but the web browser occasionally reaches its limits. Therefore, close some windows and accounts (if necessary, create a bookmark first). With iOS, also close other browsers if necessary. Generally, iOS and macOS slow down when the hard drives are entirely to bursting point. Then it is best to delete a few files or apps and restart.

Disable Extensions And Plugins If You Have Problems On Mac

A tip for Mac owners: In the settings of Safari -> Advanced, check whether the checkbox ” Stop power-saving plugins” is ticked. This could affect not only the power consumption but also the functional performance. Extensions can be the culprit of Safari problems, so it may be worth trying to disable them: they can be found in the Extensions tab of Settings. Here you can remove the tick for each installation individually. The Library folder (which can be called up, for example, by searching for “/Library” in macOS) contains add-ons that can also be checked. The files or files in the following folders can be deleted here:

1. Internet plugins (except Default Browser. plugin, nsIQTScriptablePlugin.xpt, Quartz Composer. web plugin, and QuickTime Plugin. plugin)
2. input methods
3. InputManagers
4. ScriptingAdditions

If this solves the problem after restarting Safari, you can always restore a file individually from the recycle bin and restart Safari until you find the culprit.

Use Safari Private Mode (iPhone & Mac)

In 2016, a nasty search query bug in iOS 9.2.1 wasn’t encountered in “private mode.” This way, we avoid cookie problems, but some Safari functions are omitted. You start the private mode on the Mac via File -> New private window. On the iPhone and iPad, at the bottom right in the tab overview -> Private.

Clear History And Data In Case Of Problems

On iPhone, we clear history and data in iOS Settings -> Safari -> Clear History and Website Data. On Mac, we can find them in the menu bar -> Safari -> Clear history. The cookies can be found in Safari Settings -> Privacy ->  Website Data -> Remove All. Now close the application ultimately (see Closing apps, how it works ) and start it again. ( This deletion was necessary with iOS 8.2, for example, if the address bar did not respond or empty pages were repeatedly loaded.) Don’t worry: the bookmarks etc., are still saved. You must fill out various forms, passwords, etc., and log in to the website accounts again.

Also Read: The Importance Of Linux For The World Of Technology