KeithCushman

Q: Safari freezes iMac, can't force quit

Hi all . . .

 

So, my iMac keeps locking up when I use Safari.  It doesn't happen with any other application.  It happens sporadically, but I feel it may be particular websites that are creating these "freezes."  Essentially, the computer goes to usable to a brick in the blink of an eye.  I can see safari open and move my cursor around, but cannot click anything on the page.  Neither can I flip between applications; it's just "stuck" on safari.  This is usually in full screen mode, though it did occur once on the main desktop.  I can't force quit Safari either, as the force quit box will not open.  The only option I have is to manually turn the machine off.

 

Any ideas?

 

El Capitan 10.11.5

OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 5, 2016 6:33 AM

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Q: Safari freezes iMac, can't force quit

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  • by JimmyCMPIT,Apple recommended

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Jul 5, 2016 7:10 AM in response to KeithCushman
    Level 5 (7,020 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 5, 2016 7:10 AM in response to KeithCushman

    While it is not out of the question for Safari to behave oddly on some websites, or to have a specific website crash a browser you can perform a general cleanup and see if that remedies the behavior:

     

    reboot into safe mode

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

     

    launch safari by clicking on the icon while the SHIFT key is held down.

     

    If you would like to remove the current cache of website data do the following:

    • go to Safari>Preferences
    • click the privacy tab
    • go to Remove All Website Data...
    • go to Safari>Clear History

     

    if the problem persists on particular sites see this article about disabling plugins for specific sites

    Safari: About Internet plug-in management - Apple Support

  • by Cmoore01,

    Cmoore01 Cmoore01 Jul 5, 2016 10:30 AM in response to KeithCushman
    Level 2 (186 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 5, 2016 10:30 AM in response to KeithCushman

    Might try this article: http://osxdaily.com/2016/06/28/safari-web-content-not-responding-mac-fix/ Seems a pretty good synopsis of First Aid and remediation for this problem.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jul 5, 2016 1:00 PM in response to KeithCushman
    Level 9 (70,049 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 5, 2016 1:00 PM in response to KeithCushman

    Safari/Preferences/Advanced - enable the Develop menu, then go there and Empty Caches. Quit/reopen Safari and test. Then try Safari/History/Show History and delete all history items.  Quit/reopen Safari and test. You can also try try Safari/Reset Safari. The down side is it clears all cookies. Doing this may cause some sites to no longer recognize your computer as one that has visited the web site. In Finder hold down the option/alt key while selecting the Go menu item. Select Library. Then Library./Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db and move it to the trash.

     

    Go to Safari Preferences/Extensions and turn all extensions off. Test. If okay, turn the extensions on one by one until you figure out what extension is causing the problem.

     

    Safari Corruption       See post by Linc Davis