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Safari Crashing on Your Mac? 6 Quick Fixes

Resolve Safari crashes with quick and effective solutions.

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Last updated: November 27, 2023

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TL;DR

To fix Safari crashing on your Mac:

  1. Update Safari to avoid bugs and compatibility issues.
  2. Close unnecessary tabs to reduce memory usage.
  3. Clear Safari cache and cookies to resolve crashes.
  4. Disable Safari extensions temporarily to check if they’re causing instability.
  5. Check if Safari’s version is compatible with your macOS.
  6. Use MacKeeper to remove malware that could be causing Safari to crash​.

Having dealt with Safari crashes on my Mac, I know how annoying it can be. In this guide, I’ll share some easy fixes that have worked for me. I’ll cover simple steps like clearing caches and updating software to fix these crashes. Let’s get started and fix Safari crashing on your Mac.

Before We Begin

To avoid unexpected crashes, you need to keep Safari up-to-date and virus-free. Download MacKeeper to track updates, clear junk files, and run virus scans on your Mac to streamline your Safari experience.

How to Fix Safari Crashing on Mac: 6 Easy Solutions

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Safari crashes can stem from various causes. The following solutions are designed to address these problems in a systematic and user-friendly manner. Let’s explore these easy solutions to get your Safari running flawlessly again on your Mac.

1. Close Unnecessary Tabs in Safari

The simplest way to prevent Safari from crashing is to close unnecessary tabs. Having too many tabs open can consume a significant amount of your Mac’s memory and processing power, leading to performance issues and crashes.

It’s good practice to keep only the tabs you’re actively using open. This will free up resources for Safari to run more smoothly and organize your browsing session.

Here’s how to close all unused tabs at once in Safari:

  1. Select your Safari window with multiple tabs open.
select your safari window with multiple tabs open
  1. Right-click the tab you want to keep and select the option Close Other Tabs from the context menu.
select the option close other tabs from a contextual menu

This will close all tabs except the one you selected and fix Safari crashing on your Mac.

2. Clear Safari Cache and Cookies

Safari stores data from websites in its cache to speed up browsing. However, if the cache becomes too large, it can cause issues with Safari, including crashing. Clearing your Safari cache and cookies can sometimes resolve Safari crashing on your Mac.

To clear cache and cookies on Safari, follow these steps:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, and select Settings.
click safari in the top menu bar and select settings
  1. Select the Privacy tab.
select the privacy tab
  1. Click Manage Website Data
select the privacy tab and tap the manage website data button
  1. Select Remove All to clear your cache and cookies.
select remove all to clear your cache and cookie
  1. Confirm by clicking Remove Now on the pop-up.
confirm by clicking on remove now
  1. Restart the Safari browser and it should fix the crashing issue.

3. Update Safari

Updating Safari often prevents crashes. Outdated versions of browsers can have bugs or compatibility issues with certain websites or plug-ins, which can cause crashes. These issues are generally addressed and fixed in newer versions of the browser.

Using the latest version may prevent Safari crashing on your Mac due to errors and bugs. To update Safari on your Mac, follow these steps:

  1. Head to the System Settings via the Apple icon.
click the apple icon and select system settings
  1. Select General and click Software Update.
click general and select software update
  1. If an update is available, click Update Now to download and install them.
click the update now button
  1. This will update your macOS, and Safari will be updated, too.
  2. Restart Safari and the crashing issue should no longer exist.

You can also use MacKeeper’s Update Tracker to identify outdated apps and select the ones you want to update. This step saves time and prevents future issues with outdated apps. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
  2. Open MacKeeper and click Update Tracker in the left sidebar.
click update tracker under performance
  1. Click Scan for Updates.
click scan for updates
  1. Once the scan is complete, you should see a list of apps that have available updates. Click individual apps or click the Check All box.
select individual apps or click check all
  1. Tap the Update All button.
click update all in update tracker
  1. Wait for the updates to complete. You can click Rescan to update more apps.
click rescan to run the scan again

4. Disable or Remove Safari Extensions

Extensions can enhance your browsing experience, but they can also be a common cause of Safari crashes, especially if they are outdated or not well-maintained. To troubleshoot, start by disabling your extensions. If Safari’s performance improves without the extensions, re-enable them one at a time to identify the culprit.

Sometimes, simply updating an extension can fix the issue. However, if an extension continues to cause problems, remove it completely to ensure a stable browsing experience in Safari.

Here’s how to disable or remove browser extensions on Mac in Safari:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, and select Settings in the drop-down menu.
click safari in the top menu bar and select settings
  1. Select the Extensions tab in the new window.
extensions tab in safari settings
  1. Uncheck the box next to each extension to disable them.
uncheck the box next to an unwanted extension
  1. Close Safari and reopen it to see whether the problem is gone.

5. Check for Safari Compatibility Issues

Compatibility issues between Safari and your macOS can lead to crashes. If your Safari version is incompatible with your macOS or any other software running in the background has compatibility issues, it can cause crashes. So, check Safari’s version and determine which program is causing it to crash.

To find the version of Safari on a Mac, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Safari icon in the dock.
click the safari icon in the dock
  1. Choose About Safari under the Safari menu.
click safari and select about safari
  1. Look for the Version number displayed in the small window that appears.
current version of safari
  1. Now, head to the other softwares installed on your Mac and check whether they are compatible with this Safari version.
  2. Uninstall the incompatible software, and it should resolve the Safari crashing issue on your Mac.

6. Get Rid of Malware on Your Mac Using MacKeeper

Malware can affect your Mac’s performance and cause Safari to crash. By removing malicious programs, you can improve the overall health of your Mac and prevent issues with Safari. You can use MacKeeper’s Antivirus to run a virus scan on your Mac. Here’s how:

  1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
  2. Launch Mackeeper and click the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.
click antivirus under the security section
  1. Click the Start Scan button to scan your system for issues.
click start scan in mackeeper antivirus
  1. Once the scan is complete, click the Fix items button to fix any problems found.
  2. If no threats are found, click Restart to run the scan again or close the process.
click restart to finish the process
  1. Restart your Mac and try using Safari again. Hopefully, you won’t face Safari crashing on your Mac after this.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides running a virus scan and updating apps, MacKeeper can improve your Mac’s performance by cleaning junk files, deleting duplicates, and freeing up RAM. Check out my detailed MacKeeper review to learn more about these features.

Why Does Safari Keep Crashing on Mac?

There are several reasons why Safari may crash on your Mac, but here are the most common culprits:

  1. 🔽 Too Many Open Tabs: Each Safari tab consumes system resources on your Mac. So, surfing or opening too many tabs at once may lead to high-level consumption of the system resources, causing it to overload and crash Safari.
  2. 🍪 Corrupt Website Data: Safari stores cache, cookies, and other website data to speed up your browsing experience. But over time, these files accumulate and often become corrupted, which can cause Safari to crash.
  3. 🌐 Poorly Designed Website: A website with broken code sometimes causes unexpected errors and bugs. It often results in slower performance, website freezing, and Safari crashing on your Mac.
  4. 🧩 Faulty Extensions: Some Safari extensions may be buggy, excessively using system resources, or still under development. These issues can also affect Safari’s performance and lead it to crash on your Mac.
  5. 🔙 Safari Version Compatibility: The Safari version you use with your macOS may not be compatible or outdated. Some of its bugs and errors may cause Safari to malfunction and crash your Mac.

Prevent Safari Crashes on Mac

Now that you’ve figured out how to troubleshoot Safari crashes on Mac, you may want to avoid such scenarios in the future. To prevent future crashes and performance issues on Safari, try these tips: 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I use another browser instead of Safari?

    You can use another web browser instead of Safari on your Mac, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. But make sure to download and install these browsers from their official websites to avoid security issues.

  2. Will clearing my cache and cookies delete my saved passwords?

    Yes, clearing your cache and cookies will delete any saved passwords. So, make sure to either save your passwords or note them down elsewhere before clearing your cache and cookies.

  3. Can a slow internet connection cause Safari to crash?

    Yes, a slow internet connection can cause Safari to crash. It happens because Safari may struggle to load content, which can cause the browser to become unresponsive or freeze. In this case, you should reset your modem or router or contact your service provider.

Hashir Ibrahim

Author

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Ojash

Reviewer

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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