Why am I getting Safari can't connect to server?

Question

Level 1

67 points

Why am I getting Safari can't connect to server?

I’m getting Safari can't connect to server at a site I visit daily — antiwar.com — but I can connect to it with Firefox.

I googled the problem and clicked on the most recent links google found and got Safari can't connect to server.

I had the same problem using Safari to connect to https://discussions.apple.com/welcome

No problem connecting to https://discussions.apple.com/welcome with Firefox.

Shutdown my 2020 Macbook Air and xfinity internet connection, restarted, problem persists.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 20, 2020 5:28 AM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

686,005 points

Jun 20, 2020 11:49 AM in response to Enver Masud

Are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?

Try setting up another admin user account in System Preferences/Users & Groups to see if the same problem continues. Please post back on whether or not this worked. Also try the Safe Mode. Please post back on whether or not this worked.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

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If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply. Pastebin.

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Answer 2

Enver Masud Author

Level 1

67 points

Jun 23, 2020 12:44 PM in response to Enver Masud

Solved issue by these recommendations from NordVPN:

Disable CyberSec in the NordVPN app settings
Switch to the TCP protocol in the app settings/preferences
Check if your GPS or other location services are disabled
Clear your browser's cache completely (even if you have done so before)
Connect to a different NordVPN server

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

686,005 points

Jun 21, 2020 7:22 PM in response to Enver Masud

You are welcome. The problem is your VPN is too restrictive to let Safari connect. Not every VPN is compatible with Safari.

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Answer 4

Enver Masud Author

Level 1

67 points

Jun 21, 2020 6:49 AM in response to Enver Masud

UPDATE: With NordVPN ON, I cannot connect to Apple Community Discussions — https://discussions.apple.com/welcome — with Safari.

I also cannot connect to a few other sites with Safari — for example antiwar.com — but I have no problem connecting with Firefox.

When I turn NordVPN off I have no problem connecting to both these sites.

Does this mean that the problem is with Safari?

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Answer 5

Enver Masud Author

Level 1

67 points

Jun 20, 2020 3:11 PM in response to Eric Root

I use Malwarebytes (recommended by Apple) and NordVPN. I've tried it with and without the VPN. No problem getting to most websites with Safari. All websites working with Firefox and NordVPN running.

I bought the Mac three weeks ago. I think I'll see what Apple Support has to say before trying other stuff. Thank you for your input.

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