safari cannot find server

Well after years of having Safari as my default browser and experiencing frustrating "cannot find the server" and losing applications and inability to open pages

I'm confused as to what you mean by "losing applications"... ??

Losing what applications?

That's ok... just trying to figure this out.

Have you tried emptying the Safari cache more often?

Try OpenDNS... It only takes a minute to setup. If it doesn't work, just go back and delete the numbers from the DNS pane in System Preferences.

Use OpenDNS for better speed, more security, it's free, and prevents re directs.

Open System Preferences / Preferences then select the Network tab. Click the Advanced tab then click the DNS tab.

Click +

Enter these numbers exactly as you see them here.

208.67.222.222

Click +

208.67.220.220

Then click OK and restart your Mac.

More about OpenDNS here > Topic : Manually provided DNS server addresses are higher priority than DHCP's

I've never had problems with Safari in this respect myself and if you search this forum for this issue, yes you will see results similar to yours, but you have to understand, ASC is where people come to get help. It's a matter of perspective. Out of all the Macs sold worldwide, less 1% come here for help with Safari issues such as yours. To see similar threads for your topic click: More LIke This on the right side of this window. In many cases, users see the can't find the server dialog because they have a third party unsupported plugin installed, or an extension, or anti virus software, or apps such as Little Snitch installed. Nine times out of ten, we find a solution.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It won’t solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account. Enable guest logins and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select “Help” from the menu bar, and enter “Set up a guest account” (without the quotes) in the search box.

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

As Guest, launch the application(s) and test. Same problem(s)?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

Carolyn,

I think it worked! I used Safari all day today and never once did I have the same problem. THANK YOU!

PS: how often do you think I should shut down the router and wireless to "clean things up?"

I'm glad Peter 🙂

No need to shut down the router and Wi-Fi unless you are having problems.

HHi Carolyn...re your last paragraph and as this is two years old, things may have change but I want to tell you something anyway, if you're still around that is. I stayed away from Apple for various reasons and used Androids and PCs..I never once had an issue with the Internet or finding and loggin in to sites. I have succumbed to Apple, in the form of the iPad air, since its launch this year...I am always having trouble with Safari not being able to locate a server and not finding a website....yet my pc and my Androids still do not have this problem....it is without doubt a problem with this device or Safari....it is nothing else...it is not my wifi, or my router....it is solely with the iPad air or Safari....no question....and all the advise about clearing caches and rebooting etc etc should never be needed under any circumstances.....I have used the Internet on my Androids since their inception and I have used the Internet on my pc for some 15 years and never, ever encountered the problems I have with Safari....the only way I can stop the problem occurring is to use a VPN....but even then I experience problems locating that.....Apple is by far the better product and I have no axe to grind there....but as far as Safari goes...please don't try and make excuses for its failure or suggest only 1% of users are experiencing this problem or something similar....the problem is Safari or the software in the o/s.....nothing else and people like me are just so frustrated by it, when they have an otherwise brilliant product....enough said....

I live on an island where communications media are expensive and depend on Safari to get me where I want to go on time sensitive transactions. I was about to go purchase another Windows machine due to frustration with Safari not 'finding'. I applied Carolyns DNS advice and, thank you indeed, Safari hasn't missed a site since then.