Safari won't load any web pages

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step 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. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

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.

Test while logged in as Guest. 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.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault in OS X 10.7 or later, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

1. Be sure your Mac is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, you can’t boot in safe mode.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

I have a similar problem in that only some sites won't load. I found that on some of them clicking the stop loading X on the right end of the address window will bring up a force reload dialog box. Force reloading sometimes helps. But first, have you tried resetting Safari from the Safari menu item in the top menu bar? That seems to have helped somewhat in my case. Also, I have found that in many cases just going to the URL in the address window and removing anything but the top domain, for instance shortening the address to just amazon.com, allows the main page to load.

I realize these are just work arounds but it looks to me like there are still some big problems with V6 that will hopefully be corrected soon. Take note Apple, my main work around is to fire up Chrome and use it instead of Safari. ;-) Chrome works just fine.

Select ▹ System Preferences ▹ Network ▹ Advanced ▹ Proxies. If any proxies are selected, deselect them, apply your changes, and try again. You must apply the changes before they take effect. You don’t need to change the other settings.

I just made Firefox my default browser, and downloaded an app form the App Store.

Try it and let us know.

Thank you "Linc Davis"

This solved my prolem also!

I have the same problem. I've tried signing in as guest. Safari worked fine. Still doesn't load web pages otherwise. No proxies are selected. What next?

Are you running the OS X firewall? If you are running something else you may have inadvertently created a rule to block all connections. I run Little Snitch and that happened to me the other day. :-)