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User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Safari cannot connect to Server - a tricky question for someone smart

Safari says that it cannot connect to the server. That is when I type in a website I get that message for the corresponding server. Spotify, email, Firefox and all other programs do not connect either. Network diagnostics says that the internet connection is working properly. All other computers in the house connect normally. A ping test works normally. A traceroute does not. I have access to the router by typing in the IP address. We are on Wifi. I have done the following

- restarted router and computer, manytimes!

- uninstalled little snitch

- deleted and the renewed the wifi connection

- deleted all cookies

- reset PRam

- renewed the DHCP lease

- have run disc utilities and repaired permissions

- made sure none of the proxy boxes are checked except for use passive ftp

I am using a Macbook Pro 17" i5 on 10.7.5. The problem started when the computer did not shut down properly last nite.


I have exhausted all my known fixes, any ideas? Thanks, John

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Mar 30, 2013 1:37 PM

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16 replies
User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 30, 2013 6:27 PM in response to Linc Davis

Cannot link to any website, or anything else on line. So no mail, no apple store, no nothing. But network diagnostics shows a clean internet connection and a ping test works. But a trace test will not link to any server. The computer has its own distnct Ip address that is not shared by any other computer. So internet is there, but for some reason nothing is going through and I have tried resetting everything. All other computers on the network work fine. This is a home network so only three computers on it in total. Has me stumped.

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User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,547 points

Mar 30, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Splurf

Triple-click the first word in the line below to select the whole line:


curl -I http://www.apple.com


Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).

Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:


☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)


☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.


☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.


Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You should almost instantly get several lines of output below what you entered, the first of which begins with something like this:


HTTP/1.1


If there's no output within ten seconds, consider that a failure. You can then quit Terminal. Post your results.

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User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 30, 2013 9:20 PM in response to Linc Davis

Here are the results to your suggestion as well as the ping test and trace route test and a photo showing that internet should be working. I am writing this on a second computer on the same network. Thanks for taking your time with this problem.


curl -I http://www.apple.com


curl: (7) Failed to connect to 118.215.93.15: Connection refused

LaptopJohn:~ CaptainGlitter$


PING google.com (74.125.237.101): 56 data bytes

--- google.com ping statistics ---

10 packets transmitted, 10 packets received, 0.0% packet loss

round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 48.414/50.242/52.311/0.924 ms


Traceroute has started…


traceroute: Warning: google.com has multiple addresses; using 74.125.237.101

traceroute to google.com (74.125.237.101), 64 hops max, 72 byte packets

traceroute: sendto: No route to host

1 traceroute: wrote google.com 72 chars, ret=-1

*traceroute: sendto: No route to host


User uploaded file

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User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,547 points

Mar 30, 2013 9:34 PM in response to Splurf

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, or by a peripheral device.


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:

  • Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
  • When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
  • If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.


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 next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
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.


Test while in safe mode. Same problem?


After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.
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User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,547 points

Mar 31, 2013 6:55 AM in response to Splurf

Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.


Note: You need an always-on Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to use Recovery. It won’t work with USB or PPPoE modems, or with proxy servers, or with networks that require a certificate for authentication.


From the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.


Test. After testing, reboot as usual and post the results.

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User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 31, 2013 2:46 PM in response to Linc Davis

While in recovery mode, Safari was able to access the internet and access all websites per normal. When I returned to normal mode, Safari was able NOT able to access the internet nor was any other program. Does this mean I have to reinstall my operating system? FYI my discs that came the computer are in Australia but I did back up Lion when I purchased that from the APP store.

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User profile for user: Linc Davis
Linc Davis
User level: Level 10
209,547 points

Mar 31, 2013 2:56 PM in response to Splurf

Does this mean I have to reinstall my operating system?


It seems that way, although I've never seen a report quite like yours.


Back up all data.


Boot into Recovery again. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, follow the prompts to reinstall the OS. You don't need to erase the boot volume, and you won't need your backup unless something goes wrong. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade, so make a note of those before you begin.

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User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 31, 2013 4:22 PM in response to Linc Davis

Ok I will do that. We are gone for most of today, but will make a full back up of my hard drive and do the reboot and report back most likely tomorrow. Yes I have never seen a problem like this either in my limited experience. I appreciate your time and effort on my behalf. Will report back once I have done the re-install. Thank you

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User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 31, 2013 11:56 PM in response to Greg A.

I was running LittleSnitch, but I ran the littlesnitch uninstall application. And before I did that I did double check the rules to see if something inadvertantly got in there. The problem not only affects Safari, but all programs assess to the internet. So no mail, no Skype, but as we say from a Ping test and the from your test, the internet is there.

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User profile for user: Splurf
Splurf Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Apr 2, 2013 3:57 PM in response to Linc Davis

Dear Linc Davis. Problem solved and a big Thank you!! I re-installed Lion and everything worked per normal. That saved me trip to the repair shop and a few dollars. I know you get paid by the forums in points, which I hope in turn has Apple doing special things for you. Though I cannot re-imburse you for your help in any way, there is one small thing I can do for you. I own a bar in New Zealand in Auckland called RIckshaw Eddys. If you are ever down this way, and who knows maybe you are posting from here(?!) there are a few free beers on tap for you. Just asked for John at the bar and I will make sure you are well looked after. And if you are not able to collect it is always nice to know that somewhere in the world there is a free beer waiting for you (or whatever you might enjoy drink or food wise). Thanks again and your time was much appreciated!!!!!

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Safari cannot connect to Server - a tricky question for someone smart

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