Google search bar doesn't work on Safari

Hi guys,


I have been experienced this problem for a while. It used to come and go but these days it's become permanent!

So I'm using "Safari browser 10.1.2" on "macOS Sierra 10.12.6" with Google search engine set up in URL tab.

The problem I have is that I cannot use the URL to search, although I can access any website if I type full url address (eg. facebook.com). Say I'm searching with Facebook as a keyword, my Safari browser will not bring me to anywhere but if I type facebook.com, I can easily access the website.


I have looked up solutions here and I tried a few things, none of them works for me. Things I tried include

1) Deselect "Include search engine suggestions" and "Include Safari Suggestion"

2) Remove all cache (but some cache just won't be removed and I seriously don't know why. I tried to remove one by one but still didn't work)

3) No Safari extension is installed

4) Restart Safari, as well as reboot my macbook


What works is to change search engine to something that is not Google. Other search engines work fine and now I'm using DuckDuckGo with no problem. However, I'd love to go back to Google since I'm more familiar with the interface and I have a belief that I can discover more things with Google search. I'm not looking to change my browser either as Chrome took really long time to load and play audio/video files.


Does anyone have any solution other than what I have tried and failed? It'd be much much appreciated!


Thank you 🙂

MacBook Air, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), null

Posted on Jul 29, 2017 2:38 AM

Reply
3 replies

Nov 26, 2017 4:10 PM in response to choooer

I am having a similar issue on my iPhone 8 plus IOS 11.1.2. This was also happening with earlier versions and a prior model phone. I have checked all the settings and done several of the suggestions I have found online. I have resorted to changing to yahoo which works fine but I too prefer google. I can use google if I am connected to wifi but using LTE I cannot.

Jul 29, 2017 6:27 AM in response to choooer

Do a backup, using either Time Machine or a cloning program, to ensure files/data can be recovered. Two backups are better than one.


Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.


Isolating an issue by using another user account


If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.


Safe Mode - About El Capitan
also Sierra


Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan. also Sierra


If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

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Google search bar doesn't work on Safari

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