AdamAdamAdamA
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Google Search sometimes not working on El Captain

Hi,

 

I'm so desperate to have it working, this is so frustrating that I'm wondering why I spent so much money on latest Macbook Pro while I could have something with the same ****** issues for half of the money.

 

So the issue is that most of the time Google search in address bar is not working. Going directly to google website doesn't work too.

This happens in both chrome and safari, so this is not related to browser and it happens in different wifi networks so it's not ISP issue as well, my other devices work fine. Reconnecting to wifi helps but it's so annoying. I tried to look into power/energy settings, console errors, I did malware scan, updated to latest osx (10.11.2 (15C50)) although it wasn't working on Yosemite as well...

 

Any other ideas? I found couple of threads like this but none contained any solution to my problem. I can provide relevant info just let me know what is needed.

Can I update wifi drivers or so? I can send it for repair but given my luck they will launch a browser and it will work at that time.

 

Appreciate any help.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Dec 27, 2015 3:03 AM

by Linc Davis,Apple recommended
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,000 points)
Applications
A:

Please start up in Recovery mode. In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.

Test. After testing, restart as usual and post the results.

Posted on Dec 27, 2015 11:56 AM

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AdamAdamAdamA

Q: Google Search sometimes not working on El Captain

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,Apple recommended

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 27, 2015 11:56 AM in response to AdamAdamAdamA
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Dec 27, 2015 11:56 AM in response to AdamAdamAdamA

    Please start up in Recovery mode. In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.

    Test. After testing, restart as usual and post the results.

  • by AdamAdamAdamA,

    AdamAdamAdamA AdamAdamAdamA Dec 28, 2015 1:34 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2015 1:34 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks for response.

    I'm running Recovery mode now and it didn't occur yet however I will test it some more. What are the next steps?

    I can't turn off extensions on my browsers because I don't use any and I don't think this problem is browser related as it's not working on both chrome and safari.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 28, 2015 6:06 AM in response to AdamAdamAdamA
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Dec 28, 2015 6:06 AM in response to AdamAdamAdamA

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

    Step 1

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

    Step 2

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

    Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

    Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

  • by AdamAdamAdamA,

    AdamAdamAdamA AdamAdamAdamA Dec 28, 2015 1:55 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2015 1:55 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Hi Linc, thanks for taking time to answer.

     

    Both tests failed and I get "Safari can't open the page" message. It happens mainly after waking up from sleep. It gets back to normal after couple of minutes or after reconnecting to wifi - other pages such as this forum works correctly.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 28, 2015 2:01 PM in response to AdamAdamAdamA
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Dec 28, 2015 2:01 PM in response to AdamAdamAdamA

    If possible, please test on another network, such as a public hotspot.

  • by AdamAdamAdamA,

    AdamAdamAdamA AdamAdamAdamA Dec 30, 2015 5:35 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 30, 2015 5:35 AM in response to Linc Davis

    This happens in different networks (different ISPs and Modems)

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 31, 2015 5:33 AM in response to AdamAdamAdamA
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Dec 31, 2015 5:33 AM in response to AdamAdamAdamA

    If you reproduced the problem on different networks, and both in safe mode and in the guest account, but never in Recovery mode, then that's an argument to reinstall OS X. Are you sure that's what happened?

  • by AdamAdamAdamA,

    AdamAdamAdamA AdamAdamAdamA Jan 1, 2016 10:29 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2016 10:29 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Yes, I'm pretty sure - I've tested some steps couple of times, and I'm 100% sure it works only in Recovery mode.

    If I want to reinstall (never did that)  should I do it by Recovery Mode? Will I lose any data?

  • by Linc Davis,Apple recommended

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jan 1, 2016 4:47 PM in response to AdamAdamAdamA
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jan 1, 2016 4:47 PM in response to AdamAdamAdamA

    If you don't already have a current backup, please back up all data, then reinstall the OS.* You don't need to erase the startup volume, and you won't need the backup unless something goes wrong. If the system was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you may need the Apple ID and password you used.

    There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.

    If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it. The same goes for Xcode. All other data will be preserved.

    *The linked support article refers to OS X 10.11 ("El Capitan"), but the procedure is the same for OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and later.

  • by dsdati,

    dsdati dsdati Jan 4, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 4, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Line Davis

    I have similar problem. google associated new tab (search, youtube, drive) often just doesn't load. I tried tests you suggested here and it seems to be fine with both guest and recovery. Also chrome works well problem is only safari and seems to be my account. what should I do? any help appriciated

  • by Duncan2011,

    Duncan2011 Duncan2011 Sep 28, 2016 11:17 PM in response to AdamAdamAdamA
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 28, 2016 11:17 PM in response to AdamAdamAdamA

    I had this problem after installing El Captain on my MacBook pro, after days of frustration of google.com.au search not opening quickly or just hanging in Safari. I deleted google.com.au search from bookmarks and went to google.co.uk, (no issues at all) searched google Australia, opened the link and bookmarked. Seems to have fixed the problem.