Safari Slow on Mac

Safari is the fastest browser on the Mac, but it isn't immune from slowdowns and performance issues. If web pages take longer to load or site navigation doesn't feel responsive, read on to learn how to speed up Safari on Mac.

A note from our experts:

 

If you want Safari to run as well as possible, you need to make sure the apps on your Mac are up-to-date. That’s easy with MacKeeper’s Update Tracker:

1. Download and run MacKeeper.
2. Select Update Tracker.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. Select what to update, and click Update.

 

Why is Safari so slow on Mac?

Before we consider the solutions, let’s look at some of the possible reasons that Safari is lagging on your Mac. Understanding these issues will help you to identify them, so you can get Safari working as it should.

Common causes for the Safari browser to run slowly include:

• Your internet connection is running slow.
• There’s a problem with your Wi-Fi.
• You have too many Safari tabs open.
• You have problematic or unoptimized extensions installed.
• Outdated or corrupt cache and cookies slow down Safari.
• You’re running too many resource-intensive apps in the background.
• Safari or macOS is out of date.
• Faulty or incompatible drivers are interfering with Safari.
• Your Safari preferences have become corrupted.
• iCloud Private Relay is enabled and routes your web traffic through a proxy.
• Your VPN is interfering with Safari and slowing down the connection.
• You’re running out of disk space on your Mac.

In our article, we’re going to look at fixing these issues and more.

Why is Safari so slow after the update?

Have you just updated the Safari app but now it’s running painfully slow? A new, major update might have caused leftover files to conflict with the new patch update. We helped many Apple users combat this exact issue–advising them to check all their extensions, privacy settings, and website data to ensure there is no conflict.

Below, our top tips will help you know what features and permissions to check to help support Safari’s new update:  

• Clear сache: Open Safari Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data and select Clear All History.
• Check Extensions: In Safari Extensions, Uninstall extensions or check for updates.
• Toggle Privacy: In Settings, disable iCloud Private Relay or cross-site tracking to speed up Safari.
• Restart your Mac: Click on the Apple Icon and choose Restart Mac to quit and reload all processes.

How to speed up Safari on Mac

Is Safari running slow on your MacBook, iMac, or Mac mini? Connectivity issues, unoptimized extensions, cache corruption, and a host of other reasons often cause that. Try these suggestions to improve Safari performance on your Mac:

1. Check if your internet is slow
2. Close unnecessary tabs in Safari
3. Shut down apps and resource-intensive processes on Mac
4. Restart Safari
5. Disable unnecessary Safari extensions
6. Switch DNS servers for Wi-Fi and Ethernet
7. Clear the Safari cache and cookies
8. Manage and configure autofill
9. Update your Safari browser
10. Reset Safari to factory defaults
11. Boot your Mac into Safe Mode
12. Stop cross-site tracking
13. Disable iCloud Private Relay
14. Fix problems with the Startup Disk
15. Free up disk space on your Mac

1. Check if your internet is slow

If Safari isn’t loading pages, or it takes too long, it's important to figure out if it's just a matter of your internet being slow. The best way to do that is to use an online speed checker like Fast.com or SpeedTest.net. You can also just type ‘speed test’ in Google to bring an internet speed tester without leaving the search engine.

Restart your router if you find that your internet isn't uploading or downloading at a decent rate. If that doesn't speed it up, learn what else you can do to fix a slow internet connection on Mac. Also, don't discount server-side issues. If the problem is limited to a specific site, use a website monitoring tool such as Downdetector to see if that site is experiencing issues. Sometimes, websites go down, and there’s really nothing you can do about it except wait for them to be fixed.

2. Close unnecessary tabs in Safari

Although Safari is adept at handling dozens of tabs, having too many open simultaneously will eventually take its toll on your Mac's memory. That creates delays while loading new pages, and the performance hit could also result in erratic browser behavior.

The quickest way to speed up Safari on Mac is to shut down unnecessary tabs as soon as you notice any slowdowns. Getting used to moving between and closing tabs using the Ctrl+Tab and Command+W keyboard shortcuts can make the process even faster.

3. Shut down apps and resource-intensive processes on Mac

Tabs aside, having too many applications open can also make the Safari browser slow on Mac. If you find your Mac overheating, that’s a good sign it’s being overworked. This is less likely to be the case with newer Macs, which have fast Apple Silicon processors like the M1 and M2. Nevertheless, you should check your Mac's Dock and quit anything you aren't actively using. Try force-quitting troublesome programs if you can't close them normally.

If that doesn’t get Safari up to speed, you may have background processes that are using too much processing power and memory. Use the Activity Monitor to locate and stop them:

1. Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities. In the CPU tab, sort your Mac's activity using the % CPU column and shut down any third-party processes that use a significant amount of CPU.
2. Switch to the Memory tab and stop third-party items that use lots of RAM.

Important:

 

If you always end up pushing the hardware on your Mac to its limits, consider using MacKeeper's Memory Cleaner feature to keep things under control.

4. Restart Safari

In many cases, a simple close/re-open can be the trick to speeding up Safari–this helps to close all its processes and reopen it like new. It can force hidden processes to stop and clear the cache that might be another culprit in Safari running slowly.  

This is how we recommend you safely restart Safari on Mac:

1. Right-click the Safari Icon > Quit, or press Command + Q.
2. After a few seconds, reopen Safari from your Dock.

5. Disable unnecessary Safari extensions

Running Safari with multiple extensions increases the load on the CPU and RAM. That translates to slower browser performance, so review your list of browser add-ons and disable any items you don't regularly use. Here’s how:

1. Open Safari and select Safari > Settings on the menu bar.
2. Switch to the Extensions tab. Clear the boxes next to any extensions you want to disable.

A friendly reminder: 

 

We highly recommend you update Safari extensions periodically via the Mac's App Store or MacKeeper’s Update Tracker to ensure they run in top shape. If you notice anything suspicious that might be slowing you down, learn how to remove malicious browser extensions and toolbars from your Mac.

6. Switch DNS servers for Wi-Fi and Ethernet

DNS (short for Domain Name System) is a cataloging system that matches domain names with IP addresses. When you type in the web address of a site, DNS tells your browser which IP address to visit to load the site.

Not all DNS providers are fast, so changing your Wi-Fi or Ethernet's DNS settings to a popular service like Google DNS can make Safari run faster on Mac. For best results, clear the DNS cache on your Mac before you begin.

Change your Mac’s DNS settings like this:

1. In System Settings, select Network in the sidebar, then either Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on how you’re connected to the internet.
2. Click Details.
3. In the DNS section, click the plus button under DNS servers, and add 8.8.8.8. Then do the same with 8.8.4.4, and click OK.

7. Clear the Safari cache and cookies

Like most web browsers, Safari caches various forms of site data—images, HTML files, and JavaScript code—to improve load times in subsequent visits. However, a bloated or corrupt cache can adversely impact performance and result in Safari working slow on the Mac. You can clear the Safari cache after activating its hidden Develop menu.

Corrupt, outdated, or privacy-invasive browser cookies can slow down Safari. Deleting these cookies may help too. Here’s how to clear Safari’s cache and cookies:

1. In Safari’s settings menu, switch to the Advanced tab and check the box next to Show features for web developers.
2. Select Develop on the menu bar and pick the Empty Caches option.
3. Now for the cookies. Select Safari > Clear History on the menu bar.
4. Set Clear to All History, and click Clear History.

Hint from our experts:

 

You can also clear your Safari cache with MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup. In just a few clicks, it will clean up not only Safari but all your other web browsers and apps, log files, unneeded languages, and more. Run Safe Cleanup and get your Mac in order:

1. In MacKeeper, select Safe Cleanup, then click Start Scan.
2. When the scan is finished, choose what you want to delete, then click Clean Junk Files.
3. Now click Skip Trash or Empty Trash, and MacKeeper will clear out the junk data.

 

8. Manage and configure autofill

Autofill is a common feature in web browsers, which automatically fills in online forms for you. Information like your name, phone number, email address, and even payment cards are stored, so you don’t have to remember them or type them manually every time. As convenient as this feature is, it can also cause Safari to run slowly.

Changing your Safari browser’s autofill settings can stop it lagging:

1. Open Safari’s settings, and go to the Autofill tab. To disable a category of autofilled data, use the checkboxes. Click one of the Edit buttons for more precise configuration.
2. If you decide to edit the Credit cards autofill settings, for example, enter your password and click Unlock.
3. You can then add or remove credit cards. Now do the same with the other autofill settings.

9. Update your Safari browser and macOS

Like many software companies, Apple regularly releases new updates for its apps, including Safari, and they arrive alongside regular macOS updates. These include bug fixes and performance enhancements, so you should make sure your browser and operating system are always on the latest supported version. Updating may be enough to fix a slow Safari browser. To update your Mac:

1. In System Settings, select General from the sidebar, and then click Software Update.
2. Wait until the Software Update tool checks for newer macOS updates and select Update Now to install any pending updates.

Even if a new macOS update doesn't include anything Safari-related, installing it will still improve general performance across native apps. Whether your Mac is running slow or not, make it a point to install macOS updates as soon as possible.

10. Reset Safari preferences to factory defaults

Corrupt browser preferences and other underlying issues can also play a factor. There’s no way to repair your Safari preferences, so sometimes, the only way to fix a slow instance of Safari on Mac is to reset it to factory defaults. Here’s how:

1. Save your work and exit Safari. Open Finder, select Go > Go to Folder on the menu bar, and visit the ~/Library/Preferences/ directory.
2. Find the com.apple.Safari.plist file and delete it.
3. Reopen the Go to Folder box and visit ~/Library/Safari/. Then, delete each item within the folder except the Bookmarks.plist file.
4. Visit ~/Library/Containers/, search for Safari, and delete all files and folders that appear among the search results.

Next time you open Safari, you’ll need to set it up again to your liking. For example, you’ll need to visit its Settings pane to reactivate any extensions you want.

If you’re worried about security, check our guide on how Safari can get a virus.

11. Boot your Mac into safe mode

If none of the fixes above help speed up Safari, try booting your Mac into and out of safe mode. That helps flush out various forms of temporary data that can interfere with Apple's browser. It can also help you work out if third-party apps or drivers are hurting your Mac’s performance. These don’t load when you’re in safe mode, so if you think such programs are causing issues, you can uninstall them.

On an Intel Mac, you can get to safe mode while holding down the Shift key during the reboot phase. However, if you use an Apple Silicon Mac, follow these steps to get your computer into safe mode:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on but keep holding the Power button until you get to the Startup Options screen.
3. Hold the Shift key and select Macintosh HD > Continue in Safe Mode.

Important: 

 

In Safe Mode, repeat the fixes above if you cannot complete them earlier. Then restart your Mac normally. To delete additional forms of temporary data that can slow down Safari, learn how to delete your Mac's application and system caches.

12. Stop cross-site tracking

You can be harmlessly scrolling on Safari, flipping from one website tab to another, and then over time you start noticing a slowness in your activity–this can be caused by third-party companies using cookies or embedded widgets to follow you as you browse online. Thankfully, you can go to your Safari Settings to stop cross-site tracking.  

Let us show you how:  

1. Open Safari.
2. Go to Safari Settings.
3. Click on the Privacy tab.
4. Tick the box next to Prevent cross-site tracking. 

13. Disable iCloud Private Relay

Another common reason for Safari slowness could be linked to your iCloud–if it’s constantly processing Cloud data, Safari might struggle to load simultaneously. To combat this issue, you can disable iCloud Private Relay to help rescue lags. Here’s how:

1. Open System Settings.  
2. Click on your Apple ID.
3. Go to iCloud > Private Relay.
4. Toggle to either temporarily Turn Off Until Tomorrow or Completely Turn Off Private Relay.
5. Click Done.

14. Fix problems with the Startup Disk

Your startup disk is where macOS is stored, so if there are any issues with it, your Mac may not run as you expect. Apps like Safari may be affected, causing them to run slowly or freeze up. Fortunately, macOS contains tools that can help you diagnose problems with your disk drives:

1. Turn your Mac off completely.
2. If you’re using an Intel Mac, power it up while holding down Command+R. When you see the Apple logo, you can let go.
3. If your Mac has an Apple Silicon chip, press and hold the power button. Keep it held down until you see the startup options screen. Click Options > Continue.
4. This will put your Mac in recovery mode. Select your account, then click Next. Enter your password.
5. Choose Disk Utility > Continue. Select your Mac’s main system drive, and then click First Aid.
6. Now click Run. If Disk Utility finds anything wrong with your hard drive or SSD, it’ll try to fix it.

Pro tip from us: 

 

Diagnosing hardware-related issues can be tricky, and the tools built into macOS can only take you so far. If you need more help, check out our Premium Services. We offer expert help, 24/7, for all your technical issues—not just those related to Macs.  

15. Free up disk space on your Mac

It’s never a good idea to let your Mac’s storage get too full. The less space you have, the more your computer will struggle, and that could be why Safari is lagging. Whether you have an iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Air, or any other Apple computer, an overflowing hard drive or SSD is a big no-no.

How do you free up space on your Mac? Just do as follows:

1. In System Settings, go to General > Storage. Next to Applications, click the info icon.
2. Click Last Accessed to sort the column and put the least used apps at the top. Select an app and click Delete.
3. Click Delete to remove the app. Enter your password and click OK.
4. Now, work your way through all the Storage settings like this, removing any files you don’t need.

How to prevent Safari from running slowly on Mac

Keeping Safari in top shape is crucial for a great web browsing experience. There are a few ways to make sure Safari doesn’t start running slow:

• Avoid having too many open tabs.
• Shut down unwanted apps and processes.
• Cut down on the number of active extensions.
• Occasionally clear your Safari cache.
• Don’t let your Mac’s system drive get too full.
• Keep your macOS and Safari up to date.

It’s also important to keep other apps up to date as well, as they can also potentially cause Safari to slow down. If you’re looking for an easy way to update your apps, try MacKeeper’s Update Tracker. It will update all your favorite apps with a single click, saving you time and effort.

Full steam ahead

It’s no fun having a slow web browser, so hopefully, one of the fixes in our guide has helped you to get Safari back up to speed. If you’re still struggling, then give MacKeeper a try. It’s packed with features that can help you identify and fix issues with your Mac, and its Update Tracker means you never need to worry about out-of-date apps slowing you down.

FAQ about Safari performance on Mac

1. How do I make Safari work better?

There are many different ways to improve Safari’s performance, including:

• Clearing Safari’s cache
• Removing unnecessary extensions
• Resetting Safari’s preferences
• Closing down unnecessary Safari tabs
• Updating Safari and macOS
• Changing your DNS servers
• Configuring Safari’s autofill settings

2. Why is Safari being extremely slow?

If your Safari browser is slow, it might be caused by a slow internet connection. Check that first with a speed testing site. If that shows your internet connection is fine, then other causes for Safari to run slowly include:

• Too many tabs being open
• Lots of background processes holding back your system
• Out-of-date apps
• Problematic extensions
• Too much cached data in Safari

3. How do I accelerate Safari settings?

To fix a slow Safari browser, you should:

• Clear your Safari cache.
• Close all unnecessary tabs.
• Shut down any apps you’re not using.
• Close background processes with Activity Monitor.
• Update Safari and macOS.
• Change your DNS settings.
• Turn off or manage autofill.
• Reset your Safari to factory settings.
• Free up disk space on your Mac.
• Run First Aid on your system drive.

4. How do I stop my Safari from lagging?

Ideally, you want to prevent Safari from ever getting slow in the first place. Some steps to follow:

• Don’t open loads of tabs at once.
• Shut down apps after you’re finished with them.
• Don’t install loads of extensions.
• Make sure to clear your Safari cache every now and then.
• Try not to let your Mac’s storage get too full.
• Make sure you keep macOS, Safari, and all other apps up to date.

5. Why is Safari slow to load specific websites?

If you’re experiencing significant slowness and lags when trying to load specific websites, Safari might be struggling to keep up with the new command or not have enough memory to fully open a website–especially if there’s a lot of saved data on the site or complex files that play automatically.  

From our practice, Safari may also load specific websites slowly for the following reasons:

• The website is overloaded with cache or saved data
• Demanding graphics when you load a site demands a lot of Mac processes
• A Safari extension is out-of-date
• You’re experiencing network issues
• Your VPN is restricting you from accessing the website

6. Why is Safari slower than Chrome?

One web browser is not usually known to be slower than another. However, if you’re noticing significant slowness from Safari, as Chrome loads much faster, there could be a host of reasons for this.  

Here’s what might be slowing down your Safari browser:

• One of your Safari extensions is corrupted, old, or needs its permissions reset
• Bloated cache and web history are cluttering your browser and causing Safari to lag
• Safari’s security software might be trying to stop you from accessing harmful websites

7. Why is the start page so slow in Safari? 

In the scenario where your Safari start page is where you’re experiencing loading issues and slowness, this might be caused by a rendering bug that affects the dropdown features on the start page.  

To fix this Safari bug, we recommend:  

1. Open up Safari Settings.  
2. In the Search bar, type in Show Start Page.

This should reset the bug and allow you to reopen Safari’s start page like normal.