macOS offers one of the best web browsing experiences to users. Besides its native Safari browser, macOS offers support for numerous other popular web browsers. According to Macworld, there are numerous top-tier web browsers available for Mac users. Whether it is the OS’ in-built Safari browser or other top-notch names like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, etc., each macOS-compatible browser offers all the necessary features, extensions, and plugins that facilitate users to perform any web-based activity flawlessly.
However, irrespective of which browser a Mac user is using, sometimes they may not be able to access a particular website or webpage, no matter how many times they try. At times, the issue can get quite frustrating. There are numerous reasons why it happens. In this article, we will look at some of the main reasons Mac users face trouble while trying to access certain websites, along with potential solutions. Let us dive right into it:
- Incorrect URL
An incorrect URL is a very common error that prevents browsers from loading any website or web page. The Uniform Resource Locator or URL of a website consists of a unique combination of alphabets and numbers. Hence, if you use even a single alphabet incorrectly, you will not be able to access the website. Therefore, while entering the URL manually or copy-pasting it, you should ensure that you use the prefixes “https://” or “www” and the rest of the web address correctly.
- DNS Cache
Every Mac user should know how to clear out the DNS cache to ensure that they face no trouble while accessing any website or webpage. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is a naming system that is universally used to name computers connected to the web. Therefore, every Mac connected to the Internet features a DNS. The DNS cache of your Mac stores the locations of websites present on the Internet. Over time, the cache keeps accumulating and reaches a point where it sometimes prevents users from accessing websites, so users should flush their Mac’s DNS cache from time to time.
There are numerous ways of flushing the DNS cache on Mac. For instance, you can use CleanMyMac X. This powerful third-party cleaning tool packs tons of useful features and functionalities that facilitate getting rid of malware, decluttering, deep cleaning, etc. The app also features a simple and easy-to-use interface, which makes operating it even more convenient. Besides using a third-party tool, you can also use macOS’ native settings and tools to get rid of the DNS cache. The steps involved in flushing your Mac’s DNS cache depend on your macOS’ version. For instance, if your Mac features Monterey or Big Sur, the OS X flush dns cache steps involve opening a Terminal window and typing in a specific command, entering the password, and hitting the “Enter Key.” Similarly, if your macOS version is 10.11 or higher, you would need to follow the same steps but enter a different command to clear out the DNS cache.
- Problematic Extensions
Extensions are useful add-ons that enhance the functionalities of a browser. However, not every website welcomes extensions with open arms. In contrast, numerous websites do not open if they detect extensions. Hence, if you cannot access any website, it may be because of some of your extensions. Therefore, disable all extensions and try reloading the page again to access it. If you are using Safari, you can conveniently disable extensions by following the given steps:
Step 1 – Open the “Preferences” section in Safari.
Step 2 – Navigate to the “Extensions” section.
Step 3 – Disable or uncheck the box beside the “Enable Extensions” option.
If the issue persists, you may need to go through each extension individually to find the one causing the issue.
- Browser Cache and Cookies
Another potential reason you cannot access a specific website may be your browser’s cache and cookies. Anything ranging from images and video files to passwords and filled forms can disrupt you from using your browser without any obstructions. Hence, you should clear your browser’s cache and cookies. If you use Safari, here are the steps following which you can easily get rid of the accumulated cache and cookies:
Step 1 – Open Safari and navigate the browser’s “Preferences” tab.
Step 2 – Click on the “Privacy” option and click on the “Remove all Website Data” option.
Step 3 – Click on the “Confirm” button to initialize the deletion process.
After cleaning out the stored data, refresh the website you were trying to access. If the cause of the problem were cookies and cache, you would now be able to access it without any issues.
Whether using macOS’ native Safari browser or other popular third-party browsers like Google Chrome, Opera, or Mozilla Firefox, you can conveniently solve any website-loading issues and restrictions by following the solutions mentioned above.
