safari cannot open my yahoo

Top 8 Ways to Fix Safari Not Loading Websites and Pages on Mac

Thanks to the groundbreaking Apple M1 chip , the popularity of the Mac lineup is rising to new heights. On macOS, most users stick with what comes out of the box and that includes the Safari browser. While it gets the job done with a nice look and a good set of extension lists, sometimes, you run into websites not loading issues on the Safari browser. Mac not loading websites and pages mostly happens on Safari browser, sometimes due to Webkit. Before you go ahead and download Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for macOS, do check out the troubleshooting guide below to fix the issue. 

Fix Safari on Mac Not Loading Websites Issue

There are many factors behind the strange behavior. We will go through some of the basic steps and jump to extreme actions only if it doesn’t solve the issue. 

1. Check Internet Connection

This one is obvious. You should check if the Mac is properly connected to the internet. A sketchy internet connection might interfere with the website loading performance. It’s especially true when you try to load heavy web pages with lots of images and videos in Safari. 

Go to the macOS menu bar and click on the Wi-Fi icon. Make sure that it’s connected to the 5G network and not the 2.4G. I usually face this issue on my MacBook Air. Every now and then, my MacBook Air decides to connect to the 2.4G band and not the 5G band. The practice results in extremely long webpage loading times. 

2. Reset Router

Sometimes, the real culprit can be the router that you are using for the Wi-Fi connection. In such cases, you won’t be able to connect to the internet on any device, let alone loading websites on the Mac. 

In such cases, you need to reset the router or upgrade the firmware to the latest version available. Try connecting to the internet and browse the web comfortably.

3. Disable Extensions

Extensions play a major role in any browser’s ecosystem. The Safari browser is no exception here. Apple tightly controls the whole experience and only allows legitimate extensions from the App Store. 

However, some extensions might go out of date or become incompatible with the new macOS version resulting in Safari not loading websites on Mac. 

It can be hard to determine which extension is causing Safari to not load pages. In such cases, you need to disable all extensions and try your luck with the web browser again. Follow the steps below. 

1. Open the Safari browser. 

2. Click on the Safari option in the Menu bar. 

3. Go to Preferences . 

4. Move to the Extensions menu. 

5. On the right side, you will find all the installed extensions. 

6. Select an extension one by one and use the Uninstall button from the right side to remove them. 

4. Uninstall AdBlocker

No, I’m not talking about the Adblocker extension in a browser . Many users opt for a system-wide adblocker such as AdLock to remove any kind of ads from the OS. 

These programs might affect the webpage performance on the device. If you are using such software then you need to uninstall the program.

Open the Finder menu on Mac. Go to the Applications option. Identify the culprit app and move it to the Trash . 

5. Disable VPN

VPN apps allow you to establish a secure and private network connection . Some websites might not be accessible from the selected VPN location. You need to disable VPN and try the website loading again. 

Most VPN apps for Mac offer a shortcut through the menu bar. Click on the VPN icon in the menu bar and turn off the service. 

6. Clear Cache

A bad cache can ruin the day. It’s always advisable to clear cache and cookies from the browser at a regular interval. We are going to apply the same trick here to fix the website not loading issue on the Mac. Go through the steps below. 

3. Go to the Clear History menu. 

4. The following menu will offer to delete all the browsing history along with cookies and related website data. 

7. Update macOS

Safari not loading pages issue might be due to the recent macOS bug. Thankfully, Apple is quick to fix such annoyances. Go to the System Preferences > Software Update and install the latest macOS build. 

8. Switch to a Chromium Browser

Chromium is a universally accepted rendering engine. Some websites are specifically designed keeping Chromium in mind. The Safari browser uses a Webkit rendering engine to load web pages. You can switch to the Safari rival such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and try accessing the website again. 

Wrap Up: Safari in Mac Not Loading Websites

Go through the troubleshooting tips above and one of them should easily fix the website not loading on Mac issue. For me, the cache and VPN tricks work all the time to fix the website loading issues on Safari.

Parth previously worked at EOTO.tech covering tech news. He is currently freelancing at TechWiser, Android Police, and GuidingTech writing about apps comparisons, tutorials, software tips and tricks, and diving deep into iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows platforms.

You may also like

How to disable automatic driver updates on windows..., 6 free tools to create a bootable usb..., 9 fixes for poor print quality on an..., is copy and paste not working on windows..., 6 fixes for windows computer restarts instead of..., you need to try these fixes when whatsapp..., 7 fixes for sd card not showing up..., how to enable snipping tool to show recent..., 6 fixes for bluetooth device connected but no..., 10 fixes for snipping tool not working on....

How to Fix the Safari Cannot Open the Page Error in Safari Web Browser

It happens to us all. You're browsing contentedly in Safari, when suddenly Safari can't open the page you're trying to navigate to. So what causes this Apple Safari issue, and what can you do about it? We’ve laid out five easy ways to fix the Safari Cannot Open the Page error. Let's get started.

• Easiest Fix for Safari Not Working on Mac, iPhone, or iPad
• Safari Can’t Open Page? Extensions May Be to Blame
• Safari Can't Find Server Error
• Clear Safari Cache to Fix Safari Won't Load Issues
• How to Fix Safari Cannot Open Page Error If Above Steps Didn’t Work

1. Easiest Fix for Safari Not Working on Mac, iPhone, or iPad

Whenever there are internet issues and Safari can’t open pages or Safari is not working on iPhone , it’s best to try the most straightforward fixes first, such as swiping between tabs to see if the issue persists on all webpages or just one. Start with these steps before you move on to the more involved troubleshooting options. If they don't work, don't worry! There are plenty of other ways to fix the Safari Cannot Open the Page error.

• First, check your Wi-Fi or data connection. Sometimes a loss of connection happens briefly and then resolves on its own, or you may need to reconnect manually.

• If these methods fail, restart your iPhone or other Apple device, then try again.

If the above steps still haven't resolved the Safari Cannot Open the Page error, move on to the next section for further troubleshooting.

2. Safari Can’t Open Page? Extensions May Be to Blame

While extensions are helpful sometimes, they may interrupt the connection to a website you’re trying to load, especially ad blockers or VPN extensions. You can  remove all your Safari extensions  or one or two and try to open pages again. Once you can open pages you’re trying to reach, you can re-enable the extensions using the same steps.

3. Safari Won’t Load? Anyone Can Do This Easy DNS Server Trick

Another common cause for the Safari Cannot Open Page error message is the DNS server, which helps your device connect to web pages correctly. If needed, you can manually change your DNS server in Settings to use Google’s DNS. This can sometimes help with the Safari Cannot Load Page error. Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds! For iPhone or iPad, use the steps below. To change DNS on Mac to Fix Safari issues, skip ahead .

How to Change DNS on iPhone or iPad

Try loading the page again and see if this helps. If not, skip to the next Safari troubleshooting step .

Fix Safari Cannot Open Page Error: Change DNS on Mac

In most cases, this will resolve your Safari Cannot Open Page error. If not, continue on to the next troubleshooting step.

4. Clear Safari Cache to Fix Safari Won't Load Issues

Another way to resolve the Safari cannot open the page error is to clear your Safari cache. Doing this saves valuable storage space and is key to fixing quite a few Apple Safari issues, but it does mean a little bit of extra work signing back into everything you used to be logged into online. Clear the Safari cache on iPhone or iPad and see if it helps. To clear teh cache in Safari on Mac, use the steps below.

Still having trouble with Safari loading? Read on.

5. How to Fix Safari Cannot Open Page Error If Above Steps Didn’t Work

If you're still getting the Safari Cannot Open the Page Error, you may need to use a different web browser, such as Chrome. If the webpage opens with another browser, the issue likely lies with Safari. If it does not open on any browser, it's probably a problem with the site itself, such as a temporary outage.

Hopefully these steps helped you fix Safari browser issues! Know of another trick we didn't cover here? we'd love to hear it in the comments below.

Author Details

Emma Chase is a freelance writer for iPhone Life. She has her Bachelors degree in Communication from the University of Northern Iowa. Emma has worked in many sectors in her professional career, including the higher education, finance, and nonprofit. Emma lives in small-town Iowa with her husband and two children. When she’s not geeking out over the newest Apple product or wrangling her kids, Emma enjoys a good book, crocheting, and trying new foods.

Article Spotlight

How to organize your calendar in 2024.

Apple is pretty good about updating its products, but it seems to have forgotten about the Calendar app and its many downsides. The makers of Informant 5, on the other hand, do not forget to regularly  improve their app based on user experience . The latest updates to this calendar and task-management app are a productivity game-changer.

Featured Products

Join us as we explore the essential apps and tools to make the time spent on your iPhone more focused and enjoyable. You'll learn all about our favorite tips for saving time and creating a more efficient device when you  become an Insider today !

Most Popular

How to Tell If Someone Blocked Your Number on iPhone

How to Record a Phone Call on an iPhone for Free

How to Tell If a Dead iPhone Is Charging

How Many iPhones Are There? iPhone Model History

How to Schedule a Text Message on iPhone

10 Simple Tips To Fix iPhone Battery Drain

How To Put Two Pictures Together on iPhone

Can iPhones Get Viruses? How to Detect & Remove Malware (iOS 17)

How To Find My iPhone From Another iPhone

Answered: What Is the Flower on iPhone Camera?

iPhone Notes Disappeared? Recover the App & Lost Notes

How to Hide an App on Your iPhone

Featured articles, the history of every iphone model from 2007–2024.

How to Find a Lost iPhone, Even If It's Dead or Offline

Symbols on an iPhone & Their Meanings

How to find someone else's iphone when it's lost.

How to Name a Group Text on iPhone (iOS 17)

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Computer—PC or Mac

Email App Disappeared from iPhone? How to Find & Restore It (iOS 17)

Check out our sponsors.

• Each email reveals new things you can do with your phone (and other devices) with easy-to-follow screenshots.
• Enter your email to get your first tip immediately!

Sign up for our daily newsletter

• Privacy Policy
• Advertise with Us

Safari Not Working on Your iPhone? Here’s How to Fix It

Although iPhones and iPads support other apps to reach the Web, Safari remains the most favored and frequently used browser for iOS users. Troubleshooting on Safari can be frustrating, especially if its issues prevent you from searching for a solution online. Here are a few common reasons why Safari may not be working on your iPhone and how to fix the problems.

Turn on Mobile Data for the Safari App

Disable experimental features, change your network settings.

Also read: How to Make Mobile Safari Save Your Passwords on iOS

Test Your Internet Connection

To begin with, ensure that the problem is with Safari and not with your internet connection. For this, open, say, a non-Apple app like Facebook or Chrome, and see whether the website or the feed loads. If it does, then Safari is at fault. Otherwise, your internet connection is at fault. If it’s the former, move on to the next step.

If you’ve been exploring your iPhone’s data-saving features, which let you specify which apps have access to your phone’s mobile data, then there’s a chance that you turned off mobile data for the Safari app. That means Safari will work when you’re connected to Wi-Fi but not to mobile data. (Try running Safari over Wi-Fi to test this.)

If that’s the case, then to turn mobile data back on for Safari, go to “Settings -> Mobile Data,” and then in the “Mobile Data” list, make sure the slider next to Safari is in the green “On” position.

Also read: 20 of the Best Siri Shortcuts for iOS Power Users

You may not know about this, but Safari for the iPhone has a whole load of experimental features that you can disable and enable as you please.

The problem with these, as the name suggests, is that they are indeed experimental and subsequently don’t all work properly. Disabling them one by one can fix Safari if it’s not working and help you discover which exact feature was causing the problem,

On your iPhone, go to “Settings -> Safari -> Advanced -> Experimental Features.”

If you have more than one feature enabled here, disable just one, then check to see if Safari works normally again. If it doesn’t, re-enable that feature (if you want it) and disable the next one. Keep repeating this procedure until Safari starts working again.

Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Using “Shared with You” in iOS 15

Try resetting your Wi-Fi connection and reconnecting to the network.

• Go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi” and turn it off, then turn it back on after a few seconds.

• If you’re using mobile data, go to “Settings -> Mobile Data” and turn “Mobile Data” off and back on after a few seconds.

• If neither option works, go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi,” connect to a different Wi-Fi network, and try loading the web page again.

If the problem persists, try restoring your network settings to their original configuration.

• Go to “Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset” and choose “Reset Network Settings.”

Also read: How to Fix Contact Names Not Showing, Appearing as Numbers in iOS

Common Problems With Safari And How To Solve Them

By following the fixes we’ve mentioned above, you should be able to revive Safari and make it work normally again. However, there are some specific issues that commonly come up with Safari. Here’s how to solve them.

Problem: Safari Crashed and Won’t Open

If you’ve ever panicked after Safari closed unexpectedly and couldn’t get the app to start, you probably encountered a bug that affects Safari’s search engine suggestions. This issue can cause the app to crash, freeze, or fail to start altogether. Although the bug usually plagues devices running iOS 10, it can affect just about any iPhone or iPad.

How to Fix It: Disable Search Engine Suggestions

Go to “Settings” and choose “Safari” in your list of apps. Here, find “Search Engine Suggestions” and turn it off.

This feature offers suggestions for what you can search for as you type into Safari’s search bar. Disabling it gets rid of the problem for many users.

Problem: Safari Is Gray (and Won’t Open)

Sometimes when you update your iPhone’s iOS to a newer version, you may encounter a bug that turns some apps gray and prevent them from opening.This bug causes Safari to stop working and turns its icon gray when you switch to another app while Safari is running in the background.

How to Fix It: Update Your Software

To solve this problem, update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Apple includes important bug fixes in each software update, so it’s important to keep your iPhone or iPad up to date. iOS 11.1 fixed this bug for most users, so be sure to update to 11.1 or greater if you’re running an older version of iOS.

Go to “Settings -> General,” choose “Software Update,” and install the latest update.

Also read: How to Update to iOS 17 Smoothly

Problem: Safari Is Slow

As powerful as your iPhone can be, it can get bogged down with all the extraneous information that it processes. If you notice that Safari takes longer to load pages or graphics, it may be time to do some housekeeping. Try clearing your browser history, website data, and cache to make Safari run more smoothly.

How to Fix It: Clear Your Data

To delete your cookies, cache, and browsing history, go to “Settings -> Safari,” choose “Clear History and Data,” and confirm that you want to go ahead. Safari will remember your AutoFill information if you choose this option.

To keep your browsing history but clear your cache and cookies, first go to “Settings -> Safari -> Advanced.”

There, choose “Website Data -> Remove All Website Data” and tap “Remove Now.” Note that Safari will not remember your AutoFill information if you choose this option.

To remove only a portion of your browsing history, cache, and cookies, start by opening Safari and tapping the Bookmark icon. Here, open your history and tap “Clear.” Now Safari will give you the option to clear your history, cookies, and browsing data from the past hour, the past day, the past 48 hours, or from your entire history. Pick the relevant option.

Problem: Safari Still Isn’t Working

Although it sounds cliche, turning your phone off and back on again can be the solution to any number of Safari-related issues.

How to Fix It: Restart Safari or Reboot Your Phone

If none of the previous fixes help solve your problem, try restarting the app or rebooting your phone.

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and press on the screen when your finger is near the center to open the multitasking view, and then swipe up on Safari to close it. This will reset Safari.
• To shut down your phone, press and hold the sleep/wake button until a slider appears. Slide to the right to power off your phone. For iPhone X and above, press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the slider appears. Then slide it to the right to power off your phone.

Also read: How to Block Websites on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Android, and iOS

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix "safari can't find server" on iphone.

The most probable and common reason behind the “Safari can’t find server” error is not with Safari but with your internet connection. Here are a few ways to fix it.

• Reset your wireless router.
• Turn mobile data off and turn it back on again.
• Clear Safari cache and data.
• Restart your iPhone.

How to reset Safari on iPhone?

To reset Safari on your iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll to the Safari settings. There, tap on “Clear History and Website Data” and the bottom of the page and follow up along with the pop-up on your screen to confirm the action. Once it’s complete, all your data and cookies will be wiped clean, and Safari will be as good as new.

Can you reinstall Safari on your iPhone?

Yes, just like any other app, you can uninstall Safari from your iPhone by holding down the Safari icon on the home screen and tapping “Remove app.” Then, visit the App Store, search for Safari, and reinstall it from there. Can’t find the Safari app to delete it? Here’s how to delete hidden apps .

Image credit: Flickr

Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox

Ojash has been writing about tech back since Symbian-based Nokia was the closest thing to a smartphone. He spends most of his time writing, researching, or ranting about Bitcoin. Ojash also contributes to other popular sites like MakeUseOf, SlashGear, and MacBookJournal.

How-To Geek

Search engine keeps changing to yahoo here's what to do.

Stop browser hijackers from changing your homepage.

Quick Links

What is a browser hijacker virus, removing the yahoo redirect virus, resetting your browser.

If your browser homepage and search engine keep mysteriously changing to Yahoo!, your computer is probably infected with a browser hijacker. While resetting your browser might seem to fix the problem, here's how to do the job properly.

A browser hijacker is probably one of the least aggressive and destructive types of malware, but that doesn't mean you should allow it to exist on your computer. They are designed to make changes to the infected computer's browser settings so that advertising or a page that is beneficial to the malware distributor is shown instead of the one you chose.

Related: Browser Extensions Are a Privacy Nightmare: Stop Using So Many of Them

Because the people who spread this type of virus are somehow benefiting from the change of search engine or homepage, it is unlikely that a hijacker will cause your computer to crash or become inoperable. It can, however, cause performance problems, and can also be a sign that your computer is infected by other malware.

In this case, the virus is probably the "search.yahoo.com redirect virus." When you open your browser, this virus will redirect you to the Yahoo homepage via an intermediate website. If you click on any of the links on the Yahoo homepage, any revenue from those clicks will be paid to the intermediary website owner.

It should be noted that this is not the fault of Yahoo, and that search.yahoo.com is a genuine page used by millions of people daily. Yahoo simply sees the intermediary website as a referring site, without knowing that you were redirected through it using nefarious means.

First, try to work out how the malware got onto your computer. Browser hijackers are often spread by being bundled up with other software. This could be a free app you installed or a browser extension you have added .

Sometimes the PUA (Potentially Unwanted App) is made obvious during the installation process. You may be asked if you want to also install some supposedly beneficial tool alongside the app you are installing, or may even be asked if you want to let the app change your search engine or homepage . In other cases, the highjacker can be completely hidden and you don't have the option to reject its installation.

If you have added any new software recently, consider uninstalling it from your computer . At the very least, search online for "name of the software/extension" + "malware" and see if anyone else has experienced the same problems. That will allow you to narrow your list of extensions or software to remove.

Related: How to Scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10

The next thing to do is a complete virus scan using reputable and reliable antivirus software. Browser hijackers are not particularly sophisticated viruses and shouldn't prove too much trouble for a good antivirus scanner to find and remove.

A quick scan will often find browser hijackers, but we would suggest performing a full or complete scan anyway. As browser hijackers are sometimes a sign that your computer has other infections, it is a good idea to let your antivirus software do a full check of your system.

If you don't already have some installed, our roundup of the best antivirus software in 2022 will help you find some.

The final step is to reset your browser settings. This is sometimes said to be the only thing you need to do to fix the problem of your homepage and search engine switching to Yahoo, but it really only treats the symptom and not the cause. Once you've removed the virus, find the instructions for your browser below.

• To reset Chrome , open the browser and click the menu button.
• In Settings, expand the Advanced section and click "Reset and Clean Up."
• To be thorough, click "Clean Up Computer" and then click the "Find" button. Follow the instructions if any harmful software is found.
• Back in the Reset and Clean Up section, click "Restore Settings to Their Original Defaults."

Be aware that doing this will disable all of your extensions, clear cookies, and temporary site data, and reset things like Chrome shortcuts. It won't delete bookmarks, history, or saved passwords.

Related: How to Reset Chrome Settings to Default

Safari used to have a Reset Safari button in the settings, but now requires you to go through several steps to achieve a similar result.

• Open Safari and then open the preferences by clicking "Safari > Preferences."
• Select the "Advanced " tab and then check the box next to "Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar."
• Select the "Develop" tab and click "Empty Caches."
• Click "History" in the top taskbar and clear the search history. This step isn't essential for this problem, but still a good idea to do it.
• Go back to the Safari preferences and click "Privacy > Manage Website Data " and then click "Remove All."
• Click the "Extensions " tab and select any and all extensions you are suspicious of to disable them.
• Finally, restart Safari to check all of your changes have been applied.
• To reset Firefox , open the browser and click the menu button at the top-right corner.
• Select "Help " from the menu and then click "More Troubleshooting Information."
• On the Troubleshooting Information screen, click the "Refresh Firefox " button.
• Click "Refresh Firefox " again on the popup alert.

Extensions and customizations to Firefox will be removed. Essential information such as bookmarks and saved passwords will not be reset.

Microsoft Edge

• Resetting Edge is very easy. Click the menu button in the top-right corner and select "Settings."
• In the settings sidebar menu, click "Reset Settings."
• Click "Restore Settings to Their Default Values" and then click "Reset."

As with other browser resets, extensions and settings will be reset to default, but bookmarks and passwords will remain.

Safari User Guide

• Change your home page
• Import bookmarks, history and passwords
• Make Safari your default web browser
• Go to websites
• Find what you’re looking for
• Bookmark web pages that you want to revisit
• See your favourite websites
• Use tabs for web pages
• Pin frequently visited websites
• Play web videos
• Mute audio in tabs
• Pay with Apple Pay
• Autofill credit card info
• Autofill contact info
• Keep a Reading List
• Hide ads when reading articles
• Translate a web page
• Download items from the web
• Share or post web pages
• Add passes to Wallet
• Save part or all of a web page
• Print or create a PDF of a web page
• Customise a start page
• Customise the Safari window
• Customise settings per website
• Zoom in on web pages
• Get extensions
• Manage cookies and website data
• Block pop-ups
• Clear your browsing history
• Browse privately
• Autofill username and password info
• Prevent cross-site tracking
• View a Privacy Report
• Change Safari preferences
• Keyboard and other shortcuts
• Troubleshooting

If you can’t open a website in Safari on Mac

If you can’t open a website, try these suggestions.

Open Safari for me

It may suggest ways to solve the problem or include information you need to solve it.

Make sure you’re using the correct address for the web page.

If you copied and pasted the address, make sure it doesn’t have extra characters or missing characters at the beginning or end.

If the website requires a VPN connection, make sure it’s functioning properly.

See Connect your Mac to a VPN .

Try entering /index.html or /index.htm at the end of the address.

Choose View > Reload Page.

If the page still won’t open, quit Safari, reopen it, then try again.

Try again at a different time.

The website server may be busy, or the website may be unavailable temporarily.

Contact your network administrator for help.

If you connect to the internet using a corporate or enterprise network, the network may have a firewall that prevents you from opening the web page.

If your computer or network is protected by a firewall, you may need to specify proxy servers to access some internet sites.

See Set up a proxy server using Safari .

Contact the website’s owner to find out if the web server has a problem or if the website is incompatible with Safari.

For example, Safari can’t open a website that uses a protocol other than http or https.

Use the latest version of Safari. See Keep your Mac up to date .

The page might be blocked by a Content Blocker you have installed.

We explain and teach technology, solve tech problems and help you make gadget buying decisions.

9 Best Ways to Fix Safari Search Engine Keeps Changing to Yahoo

Parth Shah is an evergreen freelance writer covering how-tos, app guides, comparisons, listicles, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and smart TV platforms. He has over five years of experience and has covered 1,500+ articles on GuidingTech and Android Police. In his free time, you will see him binge-watching Netflix shows, reading books, and traveling.

Although it’s not as popular as Google Chrome, Safari remains a go-to choice for many iPhone and Mac users to browse the web. While Apple frequently improves Safari with new features and bug fixes, the default browser isn’t void of issues. Sometimes, Safari fails to work , can’t find server , and even keeps changing the search engine to Yahoo without your consent. Here are the best ways to remove Yahoo search from Safari.

Yahoo is no longer the choice of many while Google exists. Instead of wasting research hours in a Yahoo search engine, use the tricks below to stop Safari from redirecting to Yahoo. Before we start the troubleshooting tricks, learn why Yahoo keeps opening in Safari randomly.

Why Do My Google Searches Go to Yahoo in Safari

Several factors can affect Safari’s default search engine on Mac. If you frequently download files and media from unknown sources from the web, you may infect your Mac with bogus and malicious files. These harmful files and apps take over your Safari search engine and redirect your queries via Yahoo.

Some unknown extensions can also take over your Safari browser and change the search engine randomly.

How Do Browser Hijackers Work on Mac

Browser hijackers take over your search engine and suggests dubious websites with ads and trackers. Their aim is to get maximum clicks on such ads and earn money. Before the situation gets out of hand, use the steps below to remove the Yahoo Search from Safari.

1. Change the Default Search Engine in Safari

While Google is the default search engine in Safari, any app or malware may have changed it to Yahoo. So, you need change the default search engine in Safari and try again.

Step 1: Open Safari, click the Safari menu at the top-left corner and choose Settings from the context menu.

Step 2: Move to the Search tab and change the Search engine to Google or Bing.

2. Disable Unknown Extensions

One of the installed Safari extensions can cause issues with your browser’s search engine. You should remove unnecessary extensions from Safari.

Step 2: Click on the Extensions tab and select an extension from the sidebar and uninstall it.

Repeat the same for all unknown extensions and start browsing Safari without any problem.

3. Turn off Login Items

An unknown app or activity launching at a system startup can overrule your preferred search engine in Safari. You should turn off irrelevant login items on Mac.

Step 1: Click the Apple icon at the top-left corner and select System Settings from context menu.

Step 2: Scroll to General and select Login Items.

Step 3: Select an unknown app or service and click ‘-‘ icon.

4. Close Suspicious Activities

An unknown browser hijacker running in the background can take over Safari and change the search engine to Yahoo.

Step 1: Click the Applications menu on the dock and click the Activity Monitor.

Step 2: When you notice an unknown process from the list, select it and click the x mark at the top.

5. Remove Unfamiliar Files From Mac

You can also remove unfamiliar plist files from Mac and try running Safari without the Yahoo redirect.

Step 1: Open Finder and hit the Command + Shift + G keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Move to the following path:

Step 3: If you notice a suspicious file name, move it to the bin. Look for file names like these.

• com.pcv.hlpramc.plist
• com.updater.mcy.plist
• com.avickUpd.plist
• com.msp.agent.plist

6. Remove Unnecessary Folders

You need to remove irrelevant folders from your Mac and try running Safari search without interference from Yahoo.

Step 1: Launch Finder and press the Command + Shift + G keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Go to the following path:

Step 3: Find and move unnecessary folders to the Bin.

7. Clear Safari Cache

Corrupt Safari cache can also cause issues with the default search engine in the app. You should clear Safari cache and data on Mac and try again.

Step 2: Click on Privacy tab and select ‘Manage Website Data.’

Step 3: Hit Remove All and delete cached data.

8. Run an Antivirus Scan

If your Mac is infected with viruses and bogus files, they may change the search engine in Safari to Yahoo. Since macOS doesn’t come with an antivirus app, use a third-party solution to get the job done.

Malwarebytes is one of the popular options to scan and remove viruses from Mac. Download it using the link below and run it on your Mac.  

Download Malwarebytes on Mac

9. Update macOS

Apple frequently updates Safari with system builds with new features and bug fixes. You can update macOS to install the latest Safari version on Mac.

Step 2: Select General from the left sidebar and choose Software Update from the right pane.

Install any pending macOS updates. After that, launch Safari and Yahoo search will no longer bother you.

Enjoy Smooth Web Browsing

You can also ditch Safari in favor of Google Chrome on Mac. However, do note that Google Chrome suffers from the same issue. You can check our dedicated guide to remove Yahoo search from Chrome .

If you want to stick to Safari, check the steps above and remove Yahoo search in no time.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 30 August, 2023

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

DID YOU KNOW

More in Mac

How to Connect MacBook to TV – Wired and Wirelessly

How to Use Two Computers With One Display Monitor

Join the newsletter.

Get Guiding Tech articles delivered to your inbox.

• Editor's Choice: Tech Gifts for Mom
• Amazon Prime Tech Deals!

How to Fix It When Safari Is Not Working on an iPad

Restarts, updates, and checking your network are common fixes

• Swansea University, Staffordshire University

• Wichita Technical Institute

Fixing Safari issues on iPad can take seconds to fix due to an unknown minor issue, or it can take a lot longer. Here's how to fix it when Safari won't work on an iPad.

Causes of Safari Not Working On iPad 

There are many reasons why Safari may not be working on iPad. Try these troubleshooting tips to figure out what's happened.

• Your iPad is out of date. If your iPad is not up to date, you may find yourself running into trouble loading standard apps including Safari.
• You're offline. If your iPad doesn't have a data connection, Safari won't be able to load any websites, making it look as if Safari is the issue.
• Your iPad has a major problem. If your iPad won't load any apps including Safari, the problem may be deeper than just the one app.

How to Fix Safari Not Working On iPad 

If your iPad won't open Safari or it won't load correctly, it severely limits your ability to browse the internet. Here's how to fix Safari not working on iPad. 

Restart your iPad . Many common issues are solved by restarting or rebooting the device in question. Restart your iPad to hopefully fix Safari.

Check your data connection . If your iPad is a Wi-Fi model, check you're connected to a Wi-Fi network with internet access. If your iPad has a cellular connection, check it has a signal and is working correctly. Tap Settings > Cellular and check the toggle next to Safari is On.

Check Airplane mode . Check if Airplane mode is enabled on your iPad. If it is, you won't be able to browse online.

Check content restrictions . If you have parental controls set up on your iPad, these may stop you from browsing using Safari. Check the settings to confirm this isn't the issue.

Clear your browsing history . If Safari opens but is unresponsive, clear your browsing history to see if that makes it work more effectively. 

Disable Safari suggestions. Safari suggestions can sometimes cause Safari to crash. Try disabling them by tapping Settings > Safari > then toggle off the Safari Suggestions switch.

Update your iPad . If you haven't updated your iPad in a while, you may need the latest version of iPadOS to correct any issues. It's simple to do but set aside a while for the update process to complete.

Reset your iPad . Resetting your iPad to factory settings removes all your personal information but can sometimes solve an underlying issue previous steps haven't solved.

Contact Apple . If none of the above fixes work, you may have a hardware issue with your iPad. If you have remaining warranty or AppleCare+ , the appointment and fix may be free.

The first thing you should check is that you're entering the correct URL. If you're typing it manually, try finding a link. If you're following a link, try typing it by hand. The website may also be down, and you should try again later.

The best way is to delete your Safari data. Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data .

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Fix It When TikTok Isn't Working
• How to Fix a Google Chrome Black Screen Issue
• How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Won’t Load Messages
• How to Fix It When Mobile Data Is Not Working
• How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Isn’t Sending Messages
• How to Fix It When Facebook Dating Is Not Working
• How to Fix It When Reddit Apps Aren’t Working
• How to Fix It When an Apple Watch Is Not Getting Texts
• How to Fix It When Your iPad Won't Turn On
• 13 Ways to Fix It When a Fire Stick Is Not Loading Properly or Working Right
• How to Fix a Black Screen on FaceTime
• How to Clear Search History on iPhone
• 10 Ways to Fix It When Your Android Phone Won't Charge
• How to Fix an iPad That Won't Update
• How to Fix: Can't Add Bookmarks in iPad's Safari
• 8 Reasons Why Your iPad Keeps Crashing

Related Content

Email transition - lost outlook subfolders, cox email to yahoo email transition - ms outlook phase - final step, e-mail transition to yahoo is a mess, yahoo email transition - iphone setup, email switch to yahoo and outlook, recent discussions, help with yahoo and outlook transition.

Yahoo Mail = bigger discount?

Yahoo server settings smtp/pop etc.

Watch CBS News

Anti-abortion rights groups say they can reverse the abortion pill. That's fraud, some states say.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: May 10, 2024 / 6:50 PM EDT / CBS News

Some anti-abortion rights groups are selling a procedure called "abortion pill reversal," which they claim can help women halt medical abortions. That claim is now being challenged by state officials who allege the groups are veering into false advertising and fraud. 

Heartbeat International, an anti-abortion rights group, and 11 other anti-abortion organizations were sued Monday by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who alleged the organizations are making "false and misleading statements to advertise an unproven treatment." The complaint follows a similar lawsuit  filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta in September.

Heartbeat has countersued, asking the courts to throw out California's lawsuit on the grounds that it infringes its First Amendment rights. It also asserts that abortion pill reversal is safe and effective.

The litigation comes at a time when the so-called abortion pill — actually a combination of two drugs — accounts for almost two-thirds of abortions in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute, which researches reproductive rights. More women are turning to medication abortion, rather than surgery, partly because it allows them to seek care privately and manage the process at home. 

Meanwhile, abortion access has faced growing restrictions across much of the U.S. following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision  overturning Roe v. Wade . The high court is also currently considering a  case  that could ultimately curtail use of the abortion pill across the U.S.

In taking aim at the anti-abortion groups, New York and California are turning to state laws that prohibit deceptive business practices as well as false advertising — in effect, both are asking courts to rule on whether the clinics' advertisements for abortion pill reversal treatment amount to fraud. 

New York and California also want the courts to block Heartbeat and affiliated anti-abortion clinics from continuing to promote abortion pill reversal because they are allegedly misleading consumers. 

For its part, Heartbeat International told CBS MoneyWatch that James' lawsuit is a "clear attempt to censor speech." 

"By singling out these organizations solely because they offer an alternative to abortion, she is not only violating their rights but also denying women access to care and support as they seek to try and continue their pregnancies," Heartbeat said in an email. 

What is "abortion pill reversal"?

Medication abortion involves taking two pills: mifepristone, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, and misoprostol. To begin the process, a woman first takes mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy from growing. (The Supreme Court's case involving the abortion pill is focused on mifepristone.)

About 24 to 48 hours after that, the woman takes misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and abort the fetus.

As this process has become the most common abortion treatment, anti-abortion clinics have turned to promoting a technique they claim can "reverse" the effect of the abortion pill. But that claim is misleading because it implies the treatment can undo an abortion, James alleges.

The anti-abortion clinics "imply the impossible — that fetal tissue that has been expelled from the uterus due to a completed abortion can be returned to the uterus. It cannot," the New York lawsuit alleges. 

In reality, the treatment is aimed at halting the medication abortion process midway by giving a woman a high dose of the hormone progesterone after she's taken the first pill but before she's ingested the second — at that point, an abortion hasn't yet occurred.

Heartbeat International told CBS MoneyWatch the treatment has "saved" 5,000 babies of women who have sought to halt a medication abortion. It added that the cost of the treatment varies on the dose of progesterone used in the process. The group also vowed to "continue to offer support to those who seek it."

Is abortion pill reversal safe?

Heartbeat's website  about abortion pill reversal claims the process is effective and says it "increases the chances" of a pregnancy continuing. The site also contends that the treatment can save 64% to 68% of pregnancies, although it only cites "initial studies" for the statistic, without identifying the specific research. 

According to James' suit, however, "no competent and reliable scientific evidence exists to substantiate these claimed success rates." As a result, the complaint alleges such claims may mislead consumers about the treatment's efficacy. 

The lawsuit also claims that Heartbeat and other anti-abortion clinics describe the process as "proven safe and essentially risk-free," while in fact the treatment hasn't been tested in any reputable medical study.

In a response to CBS MoneyWatch, Heartbeat said the treatment "stands as a safe and effective option for women who change their minds immediately after taking the abortion pill, mifepristone." The group noted that progesterone, the hormone used in the treatment, is an FDA-approved medication that has been used "for decades to prevent miscarriage and preterm birth."

Heartbeat added that its assertions are supported by "both scientific evidence and the lived experience of women who are holding their babies in their arms today after starting a chemical abortion and experiencing a successful reversal."

However, medical experts agree that abortion pill reversal hasn't been proven safe, as the only double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial for the treatment had to be stopped after some women experienced "life-threatening complications like hemorrhage," said Dr. Stacy Sun, an obstetrician and gynecologist and a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, a group of doctors that advocates for reproductive health.

"This dangerous, non-evidence based regimen is used to prey on people making thoughtful decisions about their bodies, families and futures," Dr. Sun told CBS MoneyWatch. "It is infantilizing and manipulative."

In its countersuit, Heartbeat said that its claims the treatment has been effective in 64% to 68% of pregnancies are based on a 2018 study by Dr. George Delgado, a family physician who created the abortion pill reversal treatment. But James' lawsuit notes that the study was based on tracking women who called the abortion pill reversal hotline and wasn't a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Delgado told CBS MoneyWatch there are ethical issues with creating a clinical trial using placebos given that it would deal with pregnancy and potential abortion. He compared such challenges to that of studying CPR, which he said has also never had a placebo-controlled trial. 

"If someone is going down with a heart attack, we're not going to not do CPR," he said. "We have enough evidence that CPR is effective on everyone."

But Delgado asserted that the treatment is safe, citing his 2018 study as well as some animal trials.

Meanwhile, some states — primarily those that have restricted abortion access after Roe v. Wade was overturned — "actually require misinformation about medication abortion" to be provided to women who are seeking abortions, the Guttmacher Institute said in an email.

For instance, Nebraska requires that such patients be told: "If you change your mind and want to continue your pregnancy after taking mifepristone, it may not be too late." They are then directed to Heartbeat's abortion pill reversal hotline. 

"Note that this is misinformation about medication abortion generally, and some of these states put it out in their materials" even if it isn't required by statutes or regulations, the Guttmacher Institute said.

Heartbeat in February filed a suit seeking to throw out the California case, arguing that the organization is protected by the First Amendment in providing information about abortion pill reversal. The group's complaint also argues that it is "not appropriate to litigate the merits of scientific studies in the judicial system."

Heartbeat, which doesn't itself operate any clinics but provides support to about 3,000 anti-abortion rights centers, said it "receives no kickback or other payment for referring a woman to a physician" in the network of clinics offering abortion pill reversal, according to its suit.

"With this lawsuit, [Attorney General] James is protecting Big Abortion in New York while denying women in her state the right to continue their own pregnancies," said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, said in the statement sent to CBS MoneyWatch.

• Abortion Pill
• Letitia James

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

More from CBS News

Trump says he'd leave abortion to states, but if reelected, could he limit it?

Sean "Diddy" Combs asks judge to dismiss sexual assault lawsuit

What is the lowest amount debt collectors will settle for? What experts say

3 GOP candidates for WVA governor try to outdo each other on anti-LGBTQ issues