Since updated to Ventura 13.2.1 I'm unable to access websites

This seems to be a critical bug in Apple's network stack probably due to a recent OS update. I typically only use an external Gbit ethernet adapter on the two M1 macbooks that I own. Both adapters are working perfectly. Non-apple devices work perfectly with the same adapters.

I have observed that if I reduce the number of hops by 1 between my macbooks and the modem / gateway (i.e. connect directly to the GW not through an ethernet switch), the issue goes away. The switch is not the issue, as other devices work with them without issue.

Oddly, the macbook does receive DHCP info from the GW, just ends up using a completely incorrect subnet mask, network, and default route. Manually setting those items also does not resolve the problem, so yeah, it appears to be a network stack and / or kext issue.

Max, the problem with my sisters iMac M1 has been partially solved after working with Apple Support. Maybe our solution can help you too. In our case by taking away the ethernet line connection of the iMac and so only WIFI connection in place made the system work completely normal again(reachable websites, reachable Icloud email, ...). So try to remove the fixed line ethernet connection and see if things go working again with only the WIFI connection active!

Remaining question is what is wrong with the fixed ethernet connection? As far as we found out so far is that the new Ventura 13.2.1 software has a problem with fixed line ethernet connections in certain cases (like ours). I still have to contact Apple Support to get that solved but meanwhile the user problem has been resolved by using only WIFI to connect to internet.

Hope it helps for you too! Good luck!

Regards, Paul

This is a real bummer - same issue. I just discovered a few things.

• The problem is not using Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver for the wifi router, or from using their Mac 1111 App. I turned that off and no still no success with loading websites.
• It's not browser specific: the loss of connectivity happens in Firefox, Chrome, Safari
• Oddly, some sites do load fine! the bug does not depend on whether there's a query string "?__=" in the address.
• the built-in Apple firewall is off.
• I tried bypassing WIFI completely, and no luck. Ethernet will not load either. (via USB dongle because laptops don't have ethernet porch, argh.)

SUCCESS!

Here's the best clue: I turned on my 3rd party VPN (Nord) and everything started working! WTH.

So this is a clue - something's up in the Apple software relating to networking at the application level... not in other low-level apps.

But why is the VPN allowing internet connectivity to work??

Fixed problem with help of Apple Support. We did the following:

• added a new network and changed from automatic
• unplugged Ethernet cable (it was not being used, I was using Wifi)

I believe the second item did the trick

My son just asked me the same thing about his M1 Monterey MacBook Pro not opening some websites that open OK in his Wi-Fi but not in his friend's Wi-Fi.

Disabling "Network > Limit IP address tracking" did not help.

But disabling Firewall fixed this.

...I have always enabled Firewall with stealth mode but maybe that is unnecessary overkill because it is not a default at least if a user's router with its own firewall is in between??

I found the solution. If anyone has still the same problem, try to swith from 2,4Ghz to 5Ghz wifi.

This works for me.

At this point in time, the most current version of Ventura is 13.4. Perhaps you could update to that and test again.

Have you tried changing your privacy settings in Safari preferences?

My sisters iMac M1 has a similar problem after upgrading to Ventura 13.2.1. A significant number of sites are not reachable anymore, also Icloud doesn't operate decently anymore and so Icloud mail is unreachable. After contacting Apple Support and trying several things, we finally reinstalled macOS Ventura once more without any positive result. I am also in need for help.

Does disabling the built-in Firewall help (AFAIK it is placebo anyway)?

I have the same problem after update Ventura 13.2.1., unfortunately I'm only on wifi (no fixed ethernet) and many websites and even servises (adobe etc.) is not working. I called with apple support for an hour. No solution. So I tried the internet provider for another hour. No solution.

When I tried Macbook at work, everything is working just fine, same when I did a hotspot and using data - works.

Just not working at home for several days. If any ideas, pls let me know. THX.

Hey there, interesting tip. I am experiencing the same wonky internet connectivity problems this week after upgrading to 13.2.1 -- but I am not using ethernet, nor is there a cable connected at all.

This is happening to me just using WIFI - both 2.4ghz and 5ghz (via linksys wifi router)

Thanks for the tip! I tried it, and it did not work. but curiously, when the problem occurred the first time, I Was on 5ghz. when I switched to 2.4ghz, connectivity returned for 1 page load, then failed again.

There's some other odd quirk happening here. I'll keep doing trial and error.

I just updated to Ventura and have the same problem. This is frustrating.

The cannot connect to websites through queries or through searches.

Our hardware is a 3 year old Mac mini. Not browser specific - same problem with Chrome.