Safari fails while other browsers work correctly

I usually use Safari and it usually works well for what I do... But now and then... I have a business website I visit maybe once a week or so... Until not too long ago, accessing that site worked OK using Safari... but then, one day, it put up a message like the following...


<h2>Our services aren't available right now</h2><p>We're working to restore all services as soon as possible</p>


And then a long line of letters and numbers beyond what I typed above... Seemed strange because it's sort of a major site... First time it did this I tried again a few times later, always with the same result... Then I tried another browser... Google Chrome Worked fine... then another browser... Firefox... Also worked fine...


Since then, these other two browsers always work ok (Chrome, Firefox), meaning it connects to the service I seek with no problem and Safari works but only occasionally... Most of the time it puts up the message above... Then it will surprise me and work fine!!!???


I reboot but not often... Otherwise, I don't like to empty caches or clear history when I don't know why that might help... Or what problems that can and does sometimes cause...


So why would two web browsers (Chrome and Firefox) always work on a modestly large business site where Safari fails with the above message more often than not... I would like to understand if possible!!!! thanks...

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Mar 22, 2023 12:01 PM

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3 replies

Mar 23, 2023 1:10 PM in response to Robert Paris

Hi Robert Paris,


Try testing the issue in safe mode. This will start up your Mac so that it performs certain checks and prevents some software from automatically loading or opening, which could help narrow down the cause of the issue. This article will walk you through the steps: How to use safe mode on your Mac.


"Apple silicon

1. Shut down your Mac.

2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.

3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”

4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.


Intel processor

1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.

2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 

3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window."


Regards.


Mar 23, 2023 6:06 PM in response to Robert Paris


Hello Robert Paris,


You can try the troubleshooting here next: If Safari doesn't open a page or work as expected on your Mac - Apple Support


If it's the only website with issues though, it's likely not supporting Safari as a browser as mentioned:


  • "If the issue continues to affect only a particular webpage, contact the website developer for help."


Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support


Thanks.

Mar 23, 2023 5:23 PM in response to MVegas21

I did just that yesterday... Restarted my M1 Pro Apple Silicon MacBook Pro in Safe Mode... And while in that mode I tried accessing this same business website with Safari... It failed with the same message I posted above... Then while still in Safe Mode, I tried the same website with Google Chrome and it worked fine...


It's something to do with Safari that causes this site to fail most of the time but to work sporadically... Prior to say about three months ago, Safari ALWAYS worked OK... But no more...

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Safari fails while other browsers work correctly

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