How to Fix Links in Safari Not Working on Mac

Want to find out how to fix links in Safari that are not working on your Mac? 

Browsing websites through Safari on your Mac used to be easy and fuss-free. Now, you can’t open some website links. Other links will work, but you can’t see all the content on the landing pages. Likewise, you can’t sign in to a particular website even when you’ve already typed in the correct log-in details or used a saved password.

Like any other apps, Safari is not without its flaws. This link problem can be caused by many things, like an extension causing a conflict or an outdated software version. Fortunately, the most common causes for this Safari link issue on the Mac are easy to fix. 

In this article, we list multiple ways to resolve this Safari link problem. Each method comes with easy-to-follow instructions so you can carry out the solution yourself. Here’s how to fix the issue of links in Safari not working on Mac.

Let’s jump in!

1. Check Your Internet Connection and Reload the Page. 

Sometimes, Safari can’t open a page due to an interrupted network connection. Go and check the Wi-Fi icon on your Mac’s menu bar. See if it’s connected. You can also try to use another device connected to the same Wi-Fi network to test the connection.

While you’re at it, double-check the URL of the website you’re trying to visit. See if it contains invalid characters or has missing parts. Make sure every detail is correct. 

If a page doesn’t open even if your Mac is connected to the internet and the URL is valid, reload it. This method works if the cause is only a minor network interruption.  

Here’s how to do it:

  1. On Safari, click View.
  2. Then, select Reload Page From Origin. Alternatively, press Command+R.
links in Safari not working on Mac


If reloading pages didn’t work, another solution you can try is to quit Safari. There could be minor bugs that you can eliminate by closing the app and reopening it after. 

Here’s how to quit Safari on Mac:

  1. On your Safari window, click Safari on the menu bar on top.
  2. Then, select Quit Safari. Alternatively, you can hit Command + Q.

Unable to quit Safari? You can try to force quit it. Here’s how:

  1. Click the Apple icon on your Safari’s menu bar. 
  2. Next, choose Force Quit. Another option is to press Option + Command + Esc. Then, click Safari from the pop-up window and click the Force Quit button.
Safari menu

Once that’s done, relaunch Safari. Then, visit the same link you were trying to open. See if it now loads without a fuss. If not, try another fix below. 

3. Update Your macOS.

Another possible culprit behind this Safari link issue is an outdated software system. If the two solutions above didn’t work, update your Mac to the latest macOS version. Since Safari is part of the macOS, updating macOS will also make Safari up-to-date. 

Here’s how to update macOS:

  1. First, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your Mac screen.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Next, click Software Update.
  4. If there’s an available update, click Update Now or Upgrade Now.
upgrade macOS
  1. Lastly, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. 

4. Turn Off Extensions on Your Mac.

Got extensions on your Safari? One or two of those extensions may be causing a conflict on Safari. To rule out that cause, turn off your extensions temporarily. 

Here’s how to do it:

  1. First, on your Safari window, click Safari.
  2. Then, select Preferences.
  3. Next, click Extensions.
  4. Browse through all the extensions. Deselect the box beside an extension you want to turn off temporarily. 
turn off extensions on safari
  1. After that, open Safari and click or visit a link you were trying to open. If the link opened successfully, then the extension you turned off caused the problem. You can reinstall or update it to ensure the link problem won’t happen again. 
  2. If the link didn’t open, repeat all the steps for every extension you have. That way, you can pinpoint which extension has been causing the link problem.

Does the problem persist after testing all the extensions you have on Safari? Keep reading for more potential solutions.

A website can store caches, cookies, and other data on your computer. Issues with that data can impact your use of that website on Safari. That could explain why links to that particular website don’t open or load completely. One way to rule out this cause is to test a website link using a private window on Safari.

Here’s how to perform the test:

  1. First, click File on the menu bar of Safari.
  2. Then, select New Private Window.
  3. Finally, load the website link in question. 

If the above steps worked, this confirms there are issues with the website data. The next thing you have to do is to delete that particular website’s data from your Mac. 

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Start by clicking Safari on the menu bar.
  2. Then, select Preferences
click preferences on Safari menu
  1. Next, click Privacy.
  2. Choose Manage Website Data.
  3. A list will show up. Select the affected website. Then, click Remove.
  4. Click Done to confirm the action.
  5. When you’re done with all that, open the website in a non-private window again. If the link works, the website will then create new caches and data.

Are you still experiencing the Safari link issue? If yes, try to reset Safari. Resetting this application means clearing history, cookies, caches, and other website data.

Here’s how to delete browsing history on Safari:

  1. First, click Safari on the menu bar. 
  2. Then, select Clear History. If you can’t see Clear History on the list, choose History instead. Then, click Clear History.
  3. Now, choose All History.
  4. Finally, click Clear History to confirm the action.
links in Safari not working on Mac

Here’s how to clear or empty caches on Safari:

  1. On Safari’s menu bar, select Safari.
  2. Choose Preferences. Then, click Advanced.
  3. Next, check the box beside the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
  4. Exit Preferences
  5. Look at the menu bar again. Find and click the new menu item named Develop
  6. Finally, select Empty Caches from the drop-down list.
links in Safari not working on Mac

Here’s how to delete cookies and other website data:

  1. First, click Safari in the Safari menu. 
  2. Then, choose Preferences.
  3. Select Privacy. Then, click the Manage Website Data button.
  4. Lastly, click Remove All. Then, click Done to confirm.
links in Safari not working on Mac

After all these steps, relaunch Safari. Test if you can now properly open website links in your Mac’s Safari. 

7. Change DNS Settings.  

Some network settings, like custom DNS server settings, can affect how you access content online. It can be a problem even if you didn’t change your network settings recently. After all, one of the apps or software programs you recently installed could change those settings for you without you noticing it. 

If nothing has worked to solve your Safari link problem, try to change DNS settings on your Mac. One safe way to do that is to switch your DNS server to a public Google DNS server. This Google server aims to make the internet faster, safer, and more secure for all users. 

Here’s how to perform this fix:

  1. First, click the System Preferences icon on your Mac’s home screen.
  2. Then, click Network.
  3. Choose Advanced.
click advanced on network settings
  1. Now, select the DNS tab. Then, click the plus button on the bottom-left corner. 
  2. Add a server and type 8.8.8.8. Then, click OK to confirm the action.
  3. Lastly, launch Safari. See if you no longer have problems opening site links.

Sometimes, this link problem isn’t due to caches, DNS, and other Safari-related causes. It could be because you’re trying to open a web page or website blocked in your area. For such websites, try using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

There are tons of good VPN services today. The most recommended are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. Compare your options before installing one on your Mac. 

nordVPN

That’s it. Hopefully, this article has been helpful for you. Leave a comment below and tell us which method worked for you. And if you have more Mac-related issues? Feel free to share them with us. We’re ready to come up with another how-to guide for you. 

Author

  • Mako Young

    Mako is a staff writer at Saint. He's been writing about tech for more than a decade. When he isn't reading about the latest news on Apple, he's busy studying cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, and other IT-related sectors. His exceptional work graces technology and Apple-related blogs like How-To Geek, VEED.io, Macgasm, onMac, PhotoWorkout, GameRant, and many more. He also has a Bachelors in Computer Science and has been writing since 2018, with over 400 posts published. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

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