Safari Slow on a Mac? Here Are Fixes

Apple’s Safari is the second popular browser globally. If you are reading this article, the chances are you are one of the people who uses it daily. As every browser, sometimes Safari can also experience performance issues. Today, I will look at one of the most common Safari problems that users struggle with which is low speed. So, if you want to find out why safari is so slow on a Mac, keep on reading. In this blog, you will find solutions that will help you fix the problem.

Part 1. Why Is Safari So Slow on My Mac?

While Apple’s Safari browser is known or its speed and efficiency, it can still run into performance issues. There are many possible reasons of why Safari might be slow. Before you consider trying other browsers or resetting your Mac, it’s helpful to know what could be causing the issue.

These are the common reasons Safari runs slowly on a Mac:

• Too many open tabs – Too many open tabs can slow your browser as each tab uses CPU power.
• Poor Internet connection – A slow Internet connection can make Safari slow.
• Too much cached data, cookies, and browsing history – Too much stored data can slow down browser’s performance.
• Outdated macOS or Safari version – An older version of macOS or Safari can also directly impact browser’s performance.
• Auto proxy discovery is enabled – macOS checks the network for a proxy server every time you open a website which can cause a delay.

Also Read: How to Fix "No Sound on YouTube on Mac?" 6 Proven Ways

Part 2. How to Fix Slow Safari on Mac?

In this section, I will show you 4 possible solutions that will help you to fix slow Safari on a Mac.

Fix 1. Restart Safari

Sometimes the simplest solution is also the most effective. Restarting Safari will clear temporary glitches and free up memory.

You can use one of these options to restart Safari:

1. Force quit Safari by selecting Option + Command + Esc
2. Restart Safari while holding the Shift key down.

Fix 2. Clear Safari History and Restart Mac

One of the common reasons why Safari slows down is because it’s holding onto too much data, for example, history, cookies, or cached pages. Clearing your search history and then restarting your Mac will free up memory.

1. Launch Safari, select “History” from the top menu, and click “Clear History”.

Now your search history will be deleted.

Fix 3. Disabled 'Auto Proxy Discovery'

When Auto Proxy Discovery feature is enabled, your Max spends additional time on checking for proxy servers on the network. This can cause a delay which means your browser will work slower. You can easily disable this feature by following the steps below.

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings.

• In System Settings, click on Network from the sidebar > Wi-Fi and then “Details”.

• Click the Proxies tab and uncheck the box next to Auto Proxy Discovery and Automatic Proxy Configuration. Then save the changes.

Fix 4. Reinstall Mac

If previous fixes haven’t resolved the issue and Safari is still running slow, the problem may be related to your system. In this case, a reinstall of macOS can be the most effective way to reset everything. Remember to back up your Mac using Time Machine or an external drive to avoid losing your personal files.

Reinstall macOS (Apple Silicon Mac)

1. Click the Apple menu and Restart your Mac.

• As your Mac reboots, hold the Power button until “Loading startup options” appear.

• Select macOS Utilities from the menu and click “Reinstall macOS”. Then continue following on-screen instructions.

Reinstall macOS (Intel)

1. Click the Apple menu and Restart your Mac.

• Press and hold the following keys:

• Click “Reinstall macOS”. Then continue following on-screen instructions.

Also Read: How to Fix Finder Not Responding on Mac? (7 Ways)

Part 3. Bonus Tip: The Best PDF Reader and Editor on Mac

UPDF for Mac is a powerful AI-powered PDF editor that can transform how you work with your documents. The software has a user-friendly interface and all essential tools that will help you successfully manage and edit your files. UPDF for Mac is one of the best options on the market. If you are looking to improve your work efficiency, UPDF is worth checking out. Download UPDF to your Mac here.

Why should consider UPDF for Mac?

1. Seamless PDF managing and editing – seamlessly manage your files and edit text, images, links directly within PDFs
2. AI chat & summaries – users can ask UPDF AI questions about their documents and summarize long files
3. OCR – convert image-only and scanned documents into editable files
4. Batch processing – convert multiple files at the same time
5. Convert files to other formats – easily convert PDF files to other formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
6. Cost-Effective – compared to its competitors, UPDF has affordable plans, including a lifetime licence. You can check the price here.

In this video, you can watch a short review of UPDF’s features. If you prefer reading, check out this in-depth review.

Final Words

When Safar is not responding properly, it may be harder for users to complete their search. That’s why in this article; we have presented a few common solutions to this issue. We hope that with our help, you were able to fix your Safari being slow on a Mac. If you are looking for the right PDF editing software, download UPDF – an all-in-one, advanced PDF editor that makes managing and editing files seamless.