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Get Safari spinning beachball consistently using El Capitan

Upgraded my 2012 Mac Mini (i7, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, HD Graphics 4000) from Yosemite to El Capitan several days ago. Consistently get spinning beachballs when using Safari (version 9.0.1). Sometimes page will only load part-way also. Tried using Firefox; it doesn't hang up as much as Safari, but it's very jerky and slow for some reason (only since upgrading to El Capitan). I keep Activity Monitor always open, and each time Safari hangs it shows 'Not Responding' error so I have to Force Quit. Time Machine backups not recent enough for me to revert to Yosemite (don't ask). Need help figuring out what's going on.

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), 2012 model, i7, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD

Posted on Oct 30, 2015 4:44 PM

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21 replies

Oct 30, 2015 5:52 PM in response to dick2111

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. 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 documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; 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 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, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup 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, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

Oct 30, 2015 6:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for the quick reply Linc.


Step 1: Safari seemed to work fine; no hang-ups or spinning beachballs when logged in as Guest.


Step 2: Same problems as described initially when in Safe Mode and after rebooting in normal mode. Left all the peripherals unplugged (2 external hard drives and unpowered USB 3 hub with external DVD writer plugged in).


Not sure where to go from here however.

Oct 30, 2015 6:42 PM in response to Linc Davis

Will do. Don't have any extensions operating, but do have a couple of small apps (like Scroll Reverser) doing their thing in the background as Startup items. Will try selectively killing those also to see if that has any effect (they weren't operating in Guest mode). Didn't notice if they were active in Safe Mode though. Thanks for all the help. It's much appreciated.

Oct 31, 2015 9:49 AM in response to dick2111

Tried something else this morning just to experiment. Unplugged all my peripherals (2 external drives, unpowered hub, external DVD writer). Also switched from Bluetooth keyboard and Apple mouse to a wired USB keyboard and mouse. No effect on Safari ... would still hang up and give me the spinning beachball.


Noticed in Activity Monitor that every time I get the spinning beachball that the line 'Safari Web Content' appears and shows 'Not Responding'. The line 'Safari' would also show 'Not Responding' at that point. Clicked on the 'Safari Web Content' line and selected 'Force Quit' then quit Safari and opened it back up. Hangup seemed to disappear at that point on the same websites I had been using. (Safari Web Content' line didn't appear).


Still periodically only get part of the Safari page to load however, as if the HD 4000 is trying to tell me that it's had enough fun. At least seem to be making some progress. Hopefully the next El Capitan update will solve this issue. Problem hasn't appeared by the way in my regular apps such as Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Mail, etc.

Nov 1, 2015 1:51 PM in response to Walter Moore

I've used that too Walter, but I really want to make Safari work like it's supposed to. When it works as advertised, its capability to sync on all my Apple products is great (Macbook Pro, Mac Mini, iPad Air and iPone 5). Have done tons of research on this issue at this point (never say die), and it seems to go back several OS versions (back to 2009 at least). Same indications on the Mac Minis. It's interesting that I upgraded my late-2008 Macbook Pro (with a 128GB Crucial SSD in it) to El Capitan just before I upgraded the 2012 Mac Mini, and it doesn't seem to have the same issues with Safari as my Mac Mini does (which has a 240 Kingston SSD in it). Some of the things I've read in several forums about the KINGSTON SV300S37A240G drive lead to believe that it may be part (or all) of the problem. Just have to keep digging I guess.

Nov 1, 2015 2:16 PM in response to dick2111

Me, too -- I want Safari to work as it should. I tried turning off my extensions, as suggested in the support article that Linc Davis posted, and, knock on wood, that seems to be doing the trick.


Hey, you mentioned that you've put a Crucial SSD in your MacBook Pro. I've been thinking of doing the same thing; I have a late 2011 model. Are you glad you did? Would you recommend the same brand? I was thinking of a bigger model, like the 1 terabyte size. I'm particularly interested in whether it makes your computer much cooler. Mine seems to get really hot.

Nov 1, 2015 2:52 PM in response to Walter Moore

Just bought the 2012 Mac Mini (i7, 16GB RAM, 240GB Kingston SSD) earlier this year specifically so that I could upgrade it even more later (can't upgrade the 2014 Mac Mini and newer ... everything's soldered). Haven't done that yet but will in the next couple of months.


Upgraded my late-2008 Macbook Pro (2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8 GB RAM, 120 Samsung SSD for OS/programs and 750GB WD 7200RPM HD for data storage) back about 2 years or so ago. It was a choice of upgrading it for about $300 or selling it and buying a new one, so I decided to try my hand at upgrading it (had never rebuilt a Macbook before but had done lots of PCs). Upgraded from 4GB to 8GB memory, then removed the DVD Superdrive and inserted the SSD in its place, plus upgraded the 320GB HD that my Mac with to the 750GB WD faster mechanical drive. On the late-2008 model it was quite easy, and took maybe an hour. Also replaced the battery at the same time (they're about $75 but well worth it if your computer is approaching 5-years old I think). Configured it so that my OS and programs run on the SSD, but I keep most of my data (a few small exceptions) on the 750GB drive. The performance after the upgrades amazed me. Even though it's now 7 years old (bought it in Dec 2008) it runs beautifully ... and fast. One thing that helps is that I bought the top-of-the-line model (in 2008) that had a dual-video capability: a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and a more powerful NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT (one of the key reasons I opted to upgrade by the way). Still looking for a way to upgrade the WiFi to the newer AC capability, but the Broadcom WiFi card in there (n) works fine, so I'm in no hurry.


When I upgrade the Mac Mini, I'll probably use 2 Crucial SSDs ... one 250GB MX200 for the OS/Programs and a second 500GB for data. Looking at the 'how-to' videos, looks like the process of upgrading hard drives on the 2012 Mac Mini is fairly similar to what I did on the 2008 Macbook Pro. The Crucial SSDs by the way (at least the MX200's) seem to have a more loyal following than the Kingston's do. Samsung seems to rank about the same as the Crucials from what I can tell from various SSD reviews. By the way, I misspoke when I said in the writeup that the Macbook Pro had a Crucial in it (I put in a Samsung not a Crucial). Have put in a couple of Crucial drives in 2 Toshiba laptops (4-yrs old) which I upgraded for 2 of my grandkids. Fell in love with the performance of those drives (both were MX200 SSDs). Extremely easy to upgrade those ... just clone the existing HD, pop off the back cover, pop in the cloned SSD, and you're in business.


Probably more than you care to know, but hope some of it helps. I've never needed to use these forums much, but they are invaluable when you do need them. Experts like Linc Davis are worth their weight in gold, and can save you hours and hours of research elsewhere.

Nov 1, 2015 3:05 PM in response to Walter Moore

Oops, just noticed what you said about your 2011 Macbook Pro running hot Walter. My 2008 Macbook Pro had the same problem ... before and somewhat after I upgraded. I took mine apart a second time after upgrading and cleaned the 2 fans really good (hadn't bothered to do that while I had it apart the first time ... duh). That helped some, but not enough (had noticed after upgrading to Mavericks that it started running hotter for some reason ... others had the same issue).


Played around with several fan software applications, and finally stumbled on Macs Fan Control (it's free). It's pretty much done the trick for me. I keep each fan set for 2000 (still goes up and down some, but that's the setting I settled on as working the best on mine). Fans used to max out at 6000 before, but now, not an issue. Worth experimenting with.

Nov 2, 2015 3:01 AM in response to maluv30013

Had already removed all extensions, but your reply prompted me to go back and experiment a little with Safari Preferences, and that (so far) turned out to be a good thing.


Double-checked 'Security' tab in Safari Preferences ... 'Do Not Allow Plug-ins' turned off (done previously).


Double-checked'Advanced' ... 'Stop Plug-Ins to Save Power' was selected in 'Internet Plug Ins' (done previously).


Double-checked 'Extensions' ... All were removed (done previously).


Double-checked 'Privacy' tab, and changed a couple of settings just to experiment.

o Changed 'Cookies and Website Data' to 'Allow from Current Website Only'

o Selected 'Remove All Website Data'

o Selected 'Deny without Prompting' in the 'Website Use of Location Services'


Safari now seems to be working like a champ. No spinning beachballs so far, and no partial page loads. Everything's fast once again. My best guess at this point is that changing the Privacy setting to 'Allow from Current Website Only' and also selecting 'Deny without Prompting' in the websites use of location services did the trick.

Get Safari spinning beachball consistently using El Capitan

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