Safari very slow on MacBook Air

Your MacBook Air’s hardware specifications do not , by themselves, suggest that storage or RAM is the problem.

Since Chrome is working normally on the same Mac, I would focus first on Safari and anything that can affect its operation.

Start by going to System Settings >> General >> Software Update, install any available update, and restart your Mac. Safari is updated through macOS. Apple: If Safari doesn't work as expected on Mac

Next, turn off all Safari extensions under Safari >> Settings >> Extensions, quit Safari, reopen it, and try YouTube and a few other sites. 

If you use a commercial VPN, antivirus, firewall, web filter, DNS filter, or other third-party security/network software, temporarily disable it and test Safari again.

If you use iCloud+, try bypassing Private Relay for an affected website by choosing View >> Reload and Show IP Address in Safari.

Then open File >> New Private Window and test the same sites. 

If they work normally there, go to Safari >> Settings >> Privacy >> Manage Website Data and remove the affected website's data. 

Since you have already found that clearing Safari's history and cookies only fixes the problem temporarily, I would not keep repeating that as the main solution.

If the problem continues, take a look at Safari's Privacy, Security, Websites, and Advanced settings, particularly anything affecting JavaScript, cookies, content blockers, or website access.

It is also worth checking System Settings >> Network >> Wi-Fi >> Details for any custom DNS or proxy settings. 

If possible, try Safari on a different Wi-Fi network as well. That can help determine whether your current network is involved.

Because Safari is also crashing, if it becomes completely unresponsive you can use Option–Command–Esc to force it to quit. 

If the crashes continue, try starting your M4 Mac in Safe Mode and test Safari there. 

Apple notes that Safe Mode can help determine whether software that loads during startup is contributing to a problem.

You can also test Safari from a temporary macOS user account. 

If Safari works normally there or in Safe Mode, that would provide useful evidence that something associated with your normal user account or startup environment may be involved.

o avoid a game of 20 questions   

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 

The application is free or paid for added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

You haven't given much information. Which MBA? What configuration? What version of macOS? How much free space do you have on your internal drive?

magsafe4_creator wrote:

ok, so now, ram usage plummeted from 16gb to 7gb, and safari seems a bit more stable, although gemini still takes long to load, but I think that is a google problem to report on google forums. Either way, websites are generally faster and load faster now. Many thanks for your help, I appreciate it. Just a shortcut, Option + shift + k types:, useful for when you want someone to go to the apple menu. Thank you again for the help.

Thank you for the feedback

You may actually be helping Others with a similar issue

Remember - doing good does/ usually comes back when we least expect it - Karma sort of speak

🦉-53

magsafe4_creator wrote:

No worries, thanks for supporting me to reach the levels I have in mind, which in my case, is at least level 6. Did you know the opt+shift+k typing , or not? anyways, thanks for your help, and happy to support here in this community. I realize how wide online can spread, especially things like these forums here, helping apple users all around. It definitely took lots of work to reach level 10, I understand the progress!

Take your time and where possible test you answers on you own machine before replying

Hook onto a fellow contributor or fellow contributors and observe

That is what I found most beneficial at, the beginning, 21 year ago this past September 18

magsafe4_creator wrote:

Sorry, I didn't understand, so you are saying my good replies and good reputation is my only point im doing good here?

Owl is saying just the opposite. Points cannot measure intent. And frequently, they don't even measure how good the replies are. Case in point. I have more points than Owl. However, Owl writes much better answers than I do. However, the answers they provided are generally for more complicated issues. People may upvote them once in a thread but not for all of the other in-depth, carefully considered answers. I tend to answer simpler questions.

People also frequently don't upvote even posts they say are helpful. So, if your only goal in posting here were points, you'd quickly get frustrated.

magsafe4_creator wrote:

Sorry, I didn't understand, so you are saying my good replies and good reputation is my only point im doing good here?

Points and Levels are IMHO are only by-product of what we may or not receive as as Award Apple has made available

As my colleague @IdrisSeabright has outlined and my understanding

If we allow ourselves to only chase after points and thusly eventual Level Ups

That is and of itself, allowing the Tail to Wage the Dog

virtue is its own reward; the saying means that doing things that are useful and good should be rewarding in itself. In Hebrew the term is Mitzvah has similar meaning. If you are helpful for the purpose of being helpful you will get satisfaction, and, as others find your responses helpful, points will accumulate, but that should be secondary. Participating for the purpose of accumulating points will get tiresome quickly.

magsafe4_creator wrote:

Thank you very much, I will try it and keep you updated

Yes please do and and when your time permits

🦉-53

I'm seeing Gemini take a long time to load on my Windows work computer using Chrome. So, you're probably correct about it being a Gemini problem.