safari running slow

Question

Level 1

10 points

safari running slow

My safari browser is running very, very slow. I'm running 10.9, safari 7.0 on an 13" retina macbookpro i7, 3Ghz dual core with *gb ram and 750Gb SDD.

I've put up with it being slow for some time. The laptop is new and I transferred my data from my old macbook air which also had the same issues of safari running slow.

I guess this is a legacy issue. I've tried all the usual stuff, resetting safari, switching off extensions and it still runs like a dog.

If anyone has any suggestions, please share!

Chris

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Nov 1, 2013 5:41 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 17, 2017 6:17 AM in response to nothingbutmacs

hmmm amazing.. Tried this and now my Safari browser is back to it's normal zippy self. Thanks I'm curious as to what it did exactly - or what it was that caused it to slow to a crawl that was eliminated.

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Answer 2

Nov 1, 2013 8:05 PM in response to BillyBaldwin

I transferred my data from my old macbook air which also had the same issues of safari running slow.

May have transferred a third party plug-in that was compatible with a previous version of Safari but not Safari 7.

Try troubleshooting Safari third party plugins. (not extensions)

Go to Safari > Preferences > Security.

Deselect: Allow all other plug-ins. Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

If that made a difference, instructions for troubleshooting plugins here.

And emtpy the Safari cache ...

From your Safari menu bar click Safari > Preferences then select the Advanced tab.

Select: Show Develop menu in menu bar

Now click Develop from the menu bar. From the drop down menu click Empty Caches.

Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

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Answer 3

BillyBaldwin Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 2, 2013 3:14 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thanks Carolyn

I did as you suggested and it made a small difference but its still extremely slow.

Its compounded by the fact that you cannot delete Safari and reinstall which would solve the problem easily.

If you know of anything else that could be tried?

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Nov 2, 2013 9:02 PM in response to BillyBaldwin

Please answer as many of the following questions as you can. You may already have answered some of them. In that case, there's no need to repeat the answers.

Have you restarted your router and your broadband device (if they're separate) since you first noticed the problem? If the answer is no, do that now and see whether there's any change.

Are any other web browsers installed, and are they the same?

What about other Internet applications, such as iTunes and the App Store?

Are there any other devices on the same network that can browse the Web, and are they affected?

If you can test Safari on another network, is it the same there?

If you connect to your router with Wi-Fi and you can also connect with Ethernet, do that and turn off Wi-Fi. Any difference?

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Answer 5

BillyBaldwin Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 3, 2013 5:54 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc

Went through your checklist, answers are in bold.

Have you restarted your router and your broadband device (if they're separate) since you first noticed the problem? If the answer is no, do that now and see whether there's any change. - No change

Are any other web browsers installed, and are they the same? - I have Chrome and Firefox and these are fine.

What about other Internet applications, such as iTunes and the App Store? - Again working perfectly

Are there any other devices on the same network that can browse the Web, and are they affected? - A work laptop and this runs Safari perfectly

If you can test Safari on another network, is it the same there? - Yes

If you connect to your router with Wi-Fi and you can also connect with Ethernet, do that and turn off Wi-Fi. Any difference? - No difference, still runs very slow

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Nov 3, 2013 7:43 AM in response to BillyBaldwin

Step 1

From the Safari menu bar, select

Safari ▹ Preferences ▹ Extensions

Turn all extensions OFF and test. If the problem is resolved, turn extensions back ON and then disable them one or a few at a time until you find the culprit.

If you wish, you may be able to salvage the errant extension by uninstalling and reinstalling it. Its settings will revert to their defaults. If the extension still causes a problem, remove it permanently or refer to its developer for support.

Continue if the problem isn't resolved.

Step 2

From the Safari menu bar, select

Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data

and confirm. Test.

Step 3

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. 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?

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, 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 4

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. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. 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 steps 3 and 4.

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Answer 7

BillyBaldwin Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 3, 2013 8:16 AM in response to Linc Davis

Ok

Step 1 and 2 I've already done several times. Doesn't have any impact or improve performance

Step 3, running in Guest. Safari worked as it should with quick opening pages.

Step 4 running in safe mode: Same issue in safe mode with Safari as running normally - only exacerbated by the slower safe mode.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Nov 3, 2013 9:08 AM in response to BillyBaldwin

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.

Third-party system modifications are a common cause of usability problems. By a “system modification,” I mean software that affects the operation of other software — potentially for the worse. The following procedure will help identify which such modifications you've installed. Don’t be alarmed by the complexity of these instructions — they’re easy to carry out and won’t change anything on your Mac.

These steps are to be taken while booted in “normal” mode, not in safe mode. If you’re now running in safe mode, reboot as usual before continuing.

Below are instructions to enter some UNIX shell commands. The commands are harmless, but they must be entered exactly as given in order to work. If you have doubts about the safety of the procedure suggested here, search this site for other discussions in which it’s been followed without any report of ill effects.

Some of the commands will line-wrap or scroll in your browser, but each one is really just a single line, all of which must be selected. You can accomplish this easily by triple-clicking anywhere in the line. The whole line will highlight, and you can then copy it. The headings “Step 1” and so on are not part of the commands.

Note: If you have more than one user account, Step 2 must be taken as an administrator. Ordinarily that would be the user created automatically when you booted the system for the first time. The other steps should be taken as the user who has the problem, if different. Most personal Macs have only one user, and in that case this paragraph doesn’t apply.

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.

When you launch Terminal, a text window will open with a line already in it, ending either in a dollar sign (“$”) or a percent sign (“%”). If you get the percent sign, enter “sh” and press return. You should then get a new line ending in a dollar sign.

Step 1

Triple-click anywhere in the line of text below on this page to select it:

kextstat -kl | awk '!/com\.apple/{printf "%s %s\n", $6, $7}' | open -ef

Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Then click anywhere in the Terminal window and paste (command-V). I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, you may have to press the return key after pasting. A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. If the command produced no output, the window will be empty. Post the contents of the TextEdit window (not the Terminal window), if any — the text, please, not a screenshot. You can then close the TextEdit window. The title of the window doesn't matter, and you don't need to post that. No typing is involved in this step.

Step 2

Repeat with this line:

{ sudo launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.(apple|openssh|vix\.cron)|org\.(amav|apac|cups|isc|ntp|postf|x)/{print $3}'; echo; sudo defaults read com.apple.loginwindow LoginHook; echo; sudo crontab -l; } 2> /dev/null | open -ef

This time you'll be prompted for your login password, which you do have to type. Nothing will be displayed when you type it. Type it carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. Heed that warning, but don't post it. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.

Note: If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before taking this step. If that’s not possible, skip to the next step.

Step 3

{ launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple|org\.(x|openbsd)/{print $3}'; echo; crontab -l 2> /dev/null; } | open -ef

Step 4

ls -A /e*/{cr,la,mach}* {,/}Lib*/{Ad,Compon,Ex,Fram,In,Keyb,La,Mail/Bu,P*P,Priv,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Spo,Sta}* L*/Fonts .la* 2> /dev/null | open -ef

Important: If you formerly synchronized with a MobileMe account, your me.com email address may appear in the output of the above command. If so, anonymize it before posting.

Step 5

osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get name of login items' | open -ef

Remember, steps 1-5 are all copy-and-paste — no typing, except your password. Also remember to post the output.

You can then quit Terminal.

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Answer 9

BillyBaldwin Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 3, 2013 10:15 AM in response to Linc Davis

Ok Linc

results below

Step 1

com.avatron.AVExVideo (1.7)

net.telestream.driver.TelestreamAudio (1.0.5)

com.panasonic.jp.WMsound (1.0.0)

com.avatron.AVExFramebuffer (1.7)

com.Symantec.kext.SAVAPComm (11.0.6)

Step 2

com.zeobit.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon

com.snowsoftware.Metering

com.snowsoftware.Inventory

com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool

com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent

com.adobe.SwitchBoard

com.adobe.fpsaud

Step 3

com.freenet.tray.34352

com.avatron.AirDisplayMenuExtra.51776

wondershare.DVDAuthorizeHelper.51600

com.aliph.Jawbone_Updater.36640

com.fiplab.MailTabHelper

com.symantec.quickmenu.application

com.oracle.java.Java-Updater

com.divx.update.agent

com.divx.dms.agent

com.valvesoftware.steamclean

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.trashWatcher

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.scheduledScan

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2Helper.diskSpaceWatcher

com.google.keystone.user.agent

com.adobe.ARM.df0ab5bbe6f698196fcc21e3c1e66dcb758bd911f4d637272d9d8109

com.adobe.ARM.8c48b9ee752cb35b8cc86d81481fa66942f7d40f1e87ab88a21713fe

com.adobe.AAM.Scheduler-1.0

Step 4

#SqzS VERSION = 1.0.0

#SYMANTEC SCHEDULER CRON ENTRIES. THESE ENTRIES ARE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED

#PLEASE DO NOT EDIT.

# Enc=1 Name="My Product Update Task" EvType1=1 EvType2=0 Sched=1

0 11 5 * * "/Library/Application Support/Symantec/Scheduler/SymSecondaryLaunch.app/Contents/schedLauncher" -u 4 "/Applications/Symantec Solutions/LiveUpdate.app/Contents/MacOS/LiveUpdate" " " "oapp" "aevt" "exAG" "-update LUal"

# Enc=1 Name="My AntiVirus Scan Task" EvType1=2 EvType2=0 Sched=2

0 12 * * 3 "/Library/Application Support/Symantec/Scheduler/SymSecondaryLaunch.app/Contents/schedLauncher" -n 5 "/Library/Application Support/Symantec/AntiVirus/ScanNotification.app/Contents/scheduledScanner" " " "NVsi" "SCae" "path" '/Users/chrisbaldwin' "kydo" "niCE" "long" 0

#SqzS END SYMANTEC CRON ENTRIES

Step 5

iTunesHelper, Dropbox, AdobeResourceSynchronizer, Jawbone Updater, DVDAuthorizeHelper, AirDisplayStatusItem, ScreenCapture

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Nov 3, 2013 10:56 AM in response to BillyBaldwin

Remove the Norton/Symantec product by following the instructions on either of these pages:

Uninstalling your Norton product for Mac

Removing Symantec programs for Macintosh

If you have a different version of the product, the procedure may be different. Back up all data before making any changes.

Remove "MacKeeper" as follows.

"MacKeeper" has only one useful feature: it deletes itself.

Note: These instructions apply to the version of the product that I downloaded and tested in early 2012. I can't be sure that they apply to other versions.

IMPORTANT: "MacKeeper" has what the developer calls an “encryption” feature. In my tests, I didn't try to verify what this feature really does. If you used it to “encrypt” any of your files, “decrypt” them before you uninstall, or (preferably) restore the files from backups made before they were “encrypted.” As the developer is not trustworthy, you should assume that the "decrypted" files are corrupt unless proven otherwise.

In the Finder, select

Go ▹ Applications

from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-A. The "MacKeeper" application is in the folder that opens. Quit it if it's running, then drag it to the Trash. You'll be prompted for your login password. Click the Uninstall MacKeeper button in the dialog that appears. All the functional components of the software will be deleted. Reboot.

Failure to remove MacKeeper will result from neglecting any one of these points:

Quit MacKeeper before dragging it to the Trash.

Don't empty the Trash after dragging the application to it. Let MacKeeper delete itself.

Don't try to drag the MacKeeper icon in the Dock to the Trash.

Here are some general suggestions. If you want your computer to be usable, don't install crapware, such as “themes,” "haxies," “add-ons,” “toolbars,” “enhancers," “optimizers,” “accelerators,” "boosters," “extenders,” “cleaners,” "doctors," "tune-ups," “defragmenters,” “firewalls,” "barriers," “guardians,” “defenders,” “protectors,” most “plugins,” commercial "virus scanners,” "disk tools," or "utilities." With very few exceptions, this stuff is useless, or worse than useless.

The more actively promoted the product, the more likely it is to be garbage. The most extreme example is the “MacKeeper” scam.

The only software you should install is that which directly enables you to do the things you use a computer for — such as creating, communicating, and playing — and does not modify the way other software works. Never install any third-party software unless you know how to uninstall it.

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Answer 11

FabioEC

Level 1

0 points

Nov 21, 2013 1:12 PM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis,

I am having the same issue with my Safari 7.0.

Just to answer your question:

Have you restarted your router and your broadband device (if they're separate) since you first noticed the problem? If the answer is no, do that now and see whether there's any change. - No change

Are any other web browsers installed, and are they the same? - No

What about other Internet applications, such as iTunes and the App Store? - iTunes is very slow, even slower when I try to connect with the iTunes Store

Are there any other devices on the same network that can browse the Web, and are they affected?- Other devices are fine

If you can test Safari on another network, is it the same there? - Yes

If you connect to your router with Wi-Fi and you can also connect with Ethernet, do that and turn off Wi-Fi. Any difference? - No difference, still runs very slow

I ran the test that you suggested. Here are the results:

com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool

com.adobe.fpsaud

jp.co.canon.cijscannerregister.35936

com.oracle.java.Java-Updater

com.google.keystone.user.agent

com.divx.agent.postinstall

com.adobe.ARM.202f4087f2bbde52e3ac2df389f53a4f123223c9cc56a8fd83a6f7ae

/Library/Components:

/Library/Extensions:

ATTOCelerityFC8.kext

ATTOExpressSASHBA2.kext

ATTOExpressSASRAID2.kext

ArcMSR.kext

CalDigitHDProDrv.kext

HighPointIOP.kext

HighPointRR.kext

PromiseSTEX.kext

SoftRAID.kext

/Library/Frameworks:

AEProfiling.framework

AERegistration.framework

AudioMixEngine.framework

NyxAudioAnalysis.framework

PluginManager.framework

iTunesLibrary.framework

/Library/Input Methods:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins:

AdobePDFViewer.plugin

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin

Default Browser.plugin

Flash Player.plugin

JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

Quartz Composer.webplugin

QuickTime Plugin.plugin

RealPlayer Plugin.plugin

Silverlight.plugin

flashplayer.xpt

iPhotoPhotocast.plugin

nsIQTScriptablePlugin.xpt

/Library/Keyboard Layouts:

/Library/LaunchAgents:

com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist

/Library/LaunchDaemons:

com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

/Library/PreferencePanes:

Flash Player.prefPane

JavaControlPanel.prefPane

/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools:

/Library/QuickLook:

GBQLGenerator.qlgenerator

iBooksAuthor.qlgenerator

iWork.qlgenerator

/Library/QuickTime:

AppleIntermediateCodec.component

AppleMPEG2Codec.component

/Library/ScriptingAdditions:

/Library/Spotlight:

GBSpotlightImporter.mdimporter

Microsoft Office.mdimporter

iBooksAuthor.mdimporter

iWork.mdimporter

/Library/StartupItems:

/etc/mach_init.d:

/etc/mach_init_per_login_session.d:

/etc/mach_init_per_user.d:

Library/Address Book Plug-Ins:

SkypeABDialer.bundle

SkypeABSMS.bundle

Library/Fonts:

Library/Input Methods:

.localized

Library/Internet Plug-Ins:

Library/Keyboard Layouts:

Library/LaunchAgents:

com.adobe.ARM.202f4087f2bbde52e3ac2df389f53a4f123223c9cc56a8fd83a6f7ae.plist

com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXCardDAVSource.026F3B56-AAEB-430C-8442-7BB C07003B37.plist

com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXCardDAVSource.DD87E569-2749-4D5C-BFE1-6FD 13B137791.plist

com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-******@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

com.divx.agent.postinstall.plist

com.google.keystone.agent.plist

Library/PreferencePanes:

Library/Services:

.localized

iTunesHelper

I hope you cal help me.

Thank you very much.

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Answer 12

Dec 20, 2013 4:13 AM in response to BillyBaldwin

I was getting frustrated with Safari because it would stall or hang when searching or loading websites. A simple solution was to delete the cache.db for Safari.

users/library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/

Check the size of the file Cache.db.

Delete the file.

Delete the folder fsCacehdData

Restart Safari.

Worked really well and the webpages pop open now.

Good luck.

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Answer 13

BillyBaldwin Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 20, 2013 5:52 AM in response to nothingbutmacs

I followed Linc's advice on this which helped but it didn't fix the problem. The solution came almost by accident. For some reason Safari has favourited every single web page I had visited for 3 years - some 18000 pages.

The reason I had the same problem on all macs I owned during the 3 years is that Time Machine carried over my immense favourites folder and continued adding to it. The open time on pages and documents was tens of seconds.

Deleting all these pages cured the issue. Has anyone else encountered this?

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Answer 14

Blank0

Level 1

0 points

Jan 25, 2014 9:36 AM in response to BillyBaldwin

I have been having the problem of Safari stalling / hanging when searching and loading websites... even when opening a new tab, it would hang for a while, with the blue bar going across the address / search bar just stopping around a fifth way across... I was getting infuriated by it, as my Mac is only a month old, and is fast. Pages should load within a second (my broadband is really good). I read this thread... nothing helpful, so I looked in the Safari preferences - EXTENSIONS. I have no Safari extensions, though I had extensions turned on. I turned it off as it was redundant anyway AND VOILA!! Fast Safari, loading pages and new tabs and searches in super quick time!

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Answer 15

Jun 16, 2014 1:17 AM in response to Blank0

Thanks BlankO, This worked perfectly for me also!

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