Nothing disrupts your workflow quite like a browser error message. Apple’s Safari browser is renowned for being the best browser for MAC users, but even the best can sometimes stumble.
One common Safari error is the “Safari Can’t Find Server” error. This error can lead to a lot of frustration and annoyance for both users and site owners.
In this quick guide, I’ve listed strategies to help you troubleshoot this Safari error. Keep reading, and you’ll be back online before you know it. Let’s get started!
What Does The ‘Safari Can’t Find Server’ Error Mean?
Before we discuss the solutions, it’s important to understand what is at the core of this error message.
When Safari informs you that it ‘can’t find the server,’ it means your browser could not locate the IP address of the website you’re attempting to visit.
The reasons for this could vary widely, from a simple one, such as a corrupted browser cache, to more serious issues within your network or with the site itself.
How Can You Fix ‘The Safari Can’t Find Server’ Message? [7 Easy Solutions]
Remember, the key here is not just to resolve the immediate error but to understand how it occurs and, more importantly, how you can prevent its recurrence in the future.
Ensure The Site Is Live / Works On Other Browsers
Start by verifying whether the problem lies with the website or your browser. First, try accessing the site from another browser, like Google Chrome.
If it loads for other browsers, there might be compatibility issues between Safari and the site; reach out to the site’s technical support for assistance.
If the site you want to visit doesn’t load on any other browser, the website might be down, and it’s not you; it’s them. You can double-check this theory by visiting a site checker such as DownDetector.com and know the website’s status. If the site is down, be patient; the site should be back up and running soon.
Check Your Internet Connection
Sometimes, flaky Wi-Fi or intermittent mobile data can easily lead to server errors like the one you’re encountering.
Check your network settings, reset your router, and refresh the site. Most router manufacturers recommend restarting the device by turning it off for 30-60 seconds and then turning it on.
Also, another easy way to double-check if you’re not having any internet issues is to switch to a mobile hotspot and re-access the site you want. If it loads, reach out to your ISP provider and let them resolve the network issue.
Disable The ‘Cross Website Tracking’ Feature
While Apple’s advanced privacy features are a definite plus for security-conscious users, they can sometimes cause browser errors for no reason.
Navigate to Safari’s Preferences, then the Privacy tab, and disable “Prevent cross-site tracking” for a temporary test.
If the website loads without errors, I suggest you add this site as an exception in your tracking protection settings.
Clear Cache And Cookies
Sometimes, browser data such as cache and cookies can become outdated or corrupted. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can refresh this data, possibly resolving the server error in Safari.
To clear cache and cookies in Safari, go to preferences and click the ‘privacy’ tab. Tap on the button that says ‘Manage Website Data,’ and a list of websites that are tracking your data will pop up.
Click the ‘remove all’ button and then select ‘Done’. Once you’ve deleted all browser data, refresh to re-access the site. If it loads now, this was the only fix that you needed.
If it still doesn’t work, head to the next solution.
Update Your MacOS
Check your device has the latest version of macOS to benefit from any recent bug fixes, including those that may address server-related issues.
To check for OS updates, go to the Apple menu and select ‘System Preferences’. Next click ‘Software Update’, and follow the instructions to download and install new updates.
Check Time & Date Settings
Believe it or not, incorrect time and date settings can sometimes wreak havoc on your browsing experience in Safari. If your computer’s clock is even slightly off, SSL certificates—the backbone of secure browsing—are declared invalid, causing a ‘server not found’ error.
Navigate to System Preferences, Date & Time, and ensure “Set date and time automatically” is enabled. This should keep your system clock in sync with the internet, preventing certificate hiccups.
Change DNS Settings
Your Domain Name System (DNS) is like a phonebook, translating domain names into IP addresses your computer can understand. If your DNS is misconfigured or your ISP’s DNS servers are experiencing issues, you might face server errors.
Consider switching to a public DNS service like Google DNS or OpenDNS to see if that resolves the issue. Here’s how you can do this:
- Head to System Preferences on your Macbook and then click Network.
- Next, inside the Wi-Fi tab, click the ‘Advanced’ button and head to DNS settings.
- Add Google’s Public DNS – ‘8.8.8.8’ and select the OK button to make changes.
- Refresh the site to see if it loads now.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts
The ‘Safari Can’t Find Server’ error is a pretty standard browser error for Apple users. With some Safari hacks under your belt, such as deleting browser data and changing DNS settings, I hope this guide helps you fix such digital detours.
If you’ve tried every solution in this guide and are still getting the error, I suggest reaching out to the website’s administrator. Let them know that their site is not compatible with Safari, and list all the solutions you tried above.
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Nirali has over a decade of experience working in marketing with startups in a variety of sectors, including e-commerce, ed-tech, and SaaS. She has a keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing early-stage companies and a track record of developing effective content strategies that drive growth and engagement.
You forgot what is probably the easiest solution: Just chill & don’t do anything – sometimes things like this just resolve on their own. There was nothing for me to get anxious about – 6 hours later, I came back to my MacBook and the site that was throwing the error (reddit was loading just fine on both my iPadPro and Pixel) finally loaded into a tab and I can get on with my life Lol.
I’ve been getting this error more frequently. The site usually works fine 5-10 minutes later. I’ve heard the error can be related to amount of traffic at that site or through your ISP.