I can't connect to devices on my network that only have http. It took me a while to realise that if I go to a site with http:, I get "Safari Can't Connect to the Server". But if I go to the same site, with https:, it works fine.
I'm having to use Chrome, having just stopped using it in favour of Safari. I'm seeing this Can't Connect message for a lot of sites, not just my local devices.
Hello Robert Burrowes,
For issues with loading website in Safari, try out these related steps: If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected - Apple Support
If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected
If Safari isn't working as you expect, one of these solutions might help.
These solutions are for issues that affect Safari on Mac, including issues such as these:
- A webpage is blank, doesn't show all of its content, or doesn't work as expected
- You can't sign in to a webpage, despite using the correct sign-in information
- A webpage asks you to remove or reset cookies
- Safari slows down or stops responding
Solutions for Safari on iPhone and iPad are also available.
Reload the page
To reload a page, choose View > Reload Page, or press Command-R. If you can't reload, make sure that you're connected to the internet.
If you still can't reload:
1. Press Command-Q to quit Safari. If Safari doesn't quit, press Option-Command-Esc to force Safari to quit.
2. Open Safari again and try to load the page. When Safari opens, if it automatically opens pages that you don't want to open, quit Safari again, then press and hold the Shift key while opening Safari.
Check Safari extensions
If you installed any Safari extensions, make sure that they are up to date.
You can also try turning extensions off. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Click Extensions, then deselect the checkbox for each extension to turn it off. Learn more about Safari extensions.
Check Safari settings
The webpage might not be compatible with one or more browser settings, which you can turn on or off as needed. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Then click Websites, Privacy, or Security to access these settings:
- Websites settings. These settings can be configured for specific websites.
- Privacy settings. These settings apply to all websites.
- Security settings. These settings apply to all websites.
Test with a private window
A website can store cookies, caches, and other data on your Mac, and issues with that data can affect your use of the website. To prevent the website from using that data, view it in a private window. From the menu bar in Safari, choose File > New Private Window, or press Shift-Command-N.
If that works, use the following steps to remove the website's data, including its caches and cookies. The website can then create new data as needed. If it's a website that you sign in to, make sure that you know your sign-in information before continuing.
1. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Privacy.
2. Click Manage Website Data.
3. Select the affected website from the list shown.
4. Click Remove.
5. Click Done.
6. Open the website again in a non-private browser window.
Install software updates
Install all available Apple software updates, which can include updates for Safari.
Check VPN or other security software
If you installed VPN or other software that monitors or interacts with your network connections, that software could affect your use of the website or the internet. Learn about network issues related to VPN and other software.
Check network settings
Certain network settings, such as those related to using a proxy server or custom DNS server, can affect access to content on the internet. Even if you haven't changed your network settings, you might have installed software that changed those settings for you.
To find out whether the issue is with the network settings on your Mac, try viewing the website from some other device connected to the same network.
To find out whether the issue is with your network itself, try viewing the website after connecting to a different network.
Resolve other issues
- If Safari appears to be stuck on an unexpected homepage
- If Safari can't open the page because too many redirects occurred
- If you want to block pop-up ads and windows
- If you deleted Safari and don't have a backup, reinstall macOS to put Safari back in your Applications folder. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove data from your computer.
Most Safari issues can be resolved with the above steps. In case your issue continues to occur, does this occur on other Wi-Fi networks? That'll help us to isolate this further.
Hoping this helps out, take care.
Hello Robert Burrowes,
For issues with loading website in Safari, try out these related steps: If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected - Apple Support
If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected
If Safari isn't working as you expect, one of these solutions might help.
These solutions are for issues that affect Safari on Mac, including issues such as these:
- A webpage is blank, doesn't show all of its content, or doesn't work as expected
- You can't sign in to a webpage, despite using the correct sign-in information
- A webpage asks you to remove or reset cookies
- Safari slows down or stops responding
Solutions for Safari on iPhone and iPad are also available.
Reload the page
To reload a page, choose View > Reload Page, or press Command-R. If you can't reload, make sure that you're connected to the internet.
If you still can't reload:
1. Press Command-Q to quit Safari. If Safari doesn't quit, press Option-Command-Esc to force Safari to quit.
2. Open Safari again and try to load the page. When Safari opens, if it automatically opens pages that you don't want to open, quit Safari again, then press and hold the Shift key while opening Safari.
Check Safari extensions
If you installed any Safari extensions, make sure that they are up to date.
You can also try turning extensions off. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Click Extensions, then deselect the checkbox for each extension to turn it off. Learn more about Safari extensions.
Check Safari settings
The webpage might not be compatible with one or more browser settings, which you can turn on or off as needed. From the menu bar in Safari, choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences). Then click Websites, Privacy, or Security to access these settings:
- Websites settings. These settings can be configured for specific websites.
- Privacy settings. These settings apply to all websites.
- Security settings. These settings apply to all websites.
Test with a private window
A website can store cookies, caches, and other data on your Mac, and issues with that data can affect your use of the website. To prevent the website from using that data, view it in a private window. From the menu bar in Safari, choose File > New Private Window, or press Shift-Command-N.
If that works, use the following steps to remove the website's data, including its caches and cookies. The website can then create new data as needed. If it's a website that you sign in to, make sure that you know your sign-in information before continuing.
1. Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Privacy.
2. Click Manage Website Data.
3. Select the affected website from the list shown.
4. Click Remove.
5. Click Done.
6. Open the website again in a non-private browser window.
Install software updates
Install all available Apple software updates, which can include updates for Safari.
Check VPN or other security software
If you installed VPN or other software that monitors or interacts with your network connections, that software could affect your use of the website or the internet. Learn about network issues related to VPN and other software.
Check network settings
Certain network settings, such as those related to using a proxy server or custom DNS server, can affect access to content on the internet. Even if you haven't changed your network settings, you might have installed software that changed those settings for you.
To find out whether the issue is with the network settings on your Mac, try viewing the website from some other device connected to the same network.
To find out whether the issue is with your network itself, try viewing the website after connecting to a different network.
Resolve other issues
- If Safari appears to be stuck on an unexpected homepage
- If Safari can't open the page because too many redirects occurred
- If you want to block pop-up ads and windows
- If you deleted Safari and don't have a backup, reinstall macOS to put Safari back in your Applications folder. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove data from your computer.
Most Safari issues can be resolved with the above steps. In case your issue continues to occur, does this occur on other Wi-Fi networks? That'll help us to isolate this further.
Hoping this helps out, take care.
Safari 16.1 works fine, as long as the site is https. The exact same site, with http fails with Can't connect. Other browsers work fine.
I tried the Safari debugger too, but I don't see anything helpful. It only shows the error page as the response. Nothing from the site at all
I tried all the above, short of reinstalling the OS, which would be massively disruptive. Much easier just to use Chrome.
Understood Robert Burrowes,
Something to bear in mind is the difference between the two, with HTTPS including additional encryption and verification. So these sites may be running afoul of Safari's data protection measures, which are outlined here and in following articles: Avoid fraud by using encrypted websites in Safari on Mac - Apple Support
Cheers!
I manage over a 100 devices, all on a private network, and many of them are hard coded to use http. The ones that do have https, all have self signed certs (which can't be updated to real certs). This means the https isn't verifying their identity.
If this is a new Safari feature, it would be helpful to have an error message that says Safari no longer supports http, rather than a generic Safari can't connect message.
Thanks for the reply, Robert Burrowes.
We recommend submitting feedback to Apple directly regarding Safari and the features you feel would help:
Ventura Safari 16.1 http not working but https does
