Strange issue: I am trying to type the word "analysis" in Safari on my Mac but the system erases my entry after the first three letters! I am simply unable to enter it! This almost seems to be a sort of "nanny" issue. This is a very new MacBook Pro M2 and Ventura 13.2.1 and Safari 16.3 (18614.4.6.1.6). Any thoughts??
MacBook Pro (M2 Pro, 2023)
Well, here's something interesting. For some reason I decided to check Safari Settings and then under Search I have Google set as my search engine and below that there are four items after Smart Search Field. All were checked. So I deselected each one separately and then restarted the computer each time. Lo and Behold after unchecking "Preload Top Hit in Background" and restarting, the issue had gone away! All the other check boxes remain as they were. I have no idea what Preload Top Hit in Background does, but for some reason when I had tried to enter those letters a-n-a, they were quickly removed and I was unable to search for things such as "anastomosis" or "anatomy", etc. So I THINK the issue is solved, but I really don't know why. Perhaps someone in the community has an idea. Maybe just a bug???
Well, here's something interesting. For some reason I decided to check Safari Settings and then under Search I have Google set as my search engine and below that there are four items after Smart Search Field. All were checked. So I deselected each one separately and then restarted the computer each time. Lo and Behold after unchecking "Preload Top Hit in Background" and restarting, the issue had gone away! All the other check boxes remain as they were. I have no idea what Preload Top Hit in Background does, but for some reason when I had tried to enter those letters a-n-a, they were quickly removed and I was unable to search for things such as "anastomosis" or "anatomy", etc. So I THINK the issue is solved, but I really don't know why. Perhaps someone in the community has an idea. Maybe just a bug???
You are not the only one experiencing this problem: Safari shuts down - Apple Community
John Galt wrote:
Add one more suggestion: Go to Safari's Preferences... menu > Search, and de-select each of the choices next to Smart Search Field. There are four of them. Try one at a time, or all of them. Test.
It's a bug related to one or more of those Smart Search Field options.
Do you have any Extensions installed at Safari > Settings > Extensions? Disable or remove all of them, then see if you still have the problem. Enable them one at a time to isolate.
Yes! When I rechecked "Preload Top Hit in background" the error recurred! And then went away when I unchecked it again. Weird bug!
Thank you for the reply oldmoi!
If the issue doesn't occur in safe mode, follow the actions under the "If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode" section of the article we provided you to help resolve this issue:
If the issue doesn't continue while in safe mode, leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally. Then test for the issue again. The issue might be resolved.
If the issue returns after leaving safe mode, startup items are probably at fault. Apps can install such items in numerous places, and they aren't always easy to find or recognize. For that reason, you should first make sure that you've installed any available updates for your Apple software and third-party apps.
If updating your software doesn't help, try any of these solutions:
* Test your login items.
* To learn whether software in your user account is causing the issue, set up a new user account, then log in to it and try to reproduce the issue in that account.
* Unplug all accessories from your Mac, including printers, drives, USB hubs, and other nonessential devices. You could have an issue with one or more of those devices or their cables.
* Reinstall macOS.
If you still need help, please contact Apple Support.
Cheers!
Hello oldmoi,
We understand you're not able to type the word analysis on your MacBook Pro M2. We'd like to help.
Let's check your keyboard settings and ensure something didn't get turned on or off that would prevent you from typing that word.
Go the Apple menu, then System Settings, then click Keyboard in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the Edit button next to Input Sources on the right, then turn on Show Input menu in menu bar.
Open the Input menu, then make sure the correct keyboard layout is selected.
Apple Menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Input Sources.
We can also reset the keyboard if the steps above don't correct the issue.
Apple Menu > System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard shortcuts > Modifier Keys > Reset to Default.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Take care!
Hi oldmoi,
If you're still unable to figure it out, we suggest trying in safe mode. This may help to isolate the issue further. You can find steps for booting into safe mode here: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
Keep us updated.
Have a great day!
Good afternoon oldmoi,
Based on the troubleshooting you have already tried, it might be helpful for you to speak directly with an Apple advisor about this issue.
They'll be in the best position to investigate this further. Click the link below, choose the phone number for your region (or the closest one to it) from the list, and call when it is convenient.
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
Take care.
Very strange. Have you tried turning it back on to see if the error was reproducible?
Anyways, glad your back in business.
John, that's exactly what I did above. Only the third choice (Preload Top Hit in background) caused the issue.
klllkl,Unfortunately that does not help. Immediately upon entering those first three letters (..ana..) they are erased! One thing that could be related is that I have a Safari menu item "Debug" that was put there quite some time ago for some reason I can't remember. I'll try to sort that out and reply back again.
OK. I did remove 2 login items and then restarted, but issue persisted. Turned off all login items that can run in background; again restarted but issue persists. Enabled guest account and in that, Safari does not have the issue. Went back into my user account, and I had only 1 extension, 1Password, which I disabled, and restarted, but, again issue persists. Just updated to MacOS 13.3 but issue persists. Would reinstalling OS now likely make a difference (hesitant to do so!)? Considering setting up online support session so that they can share screen and double check what I have done.
Thank you - very interesting! The issue does go away in safe mode but recurs after restarting normally. Oh boy, how to isolate this???!!!
problem entering "ana" in safari on mac
