Safari Showing Blank White Page on Mac (Sequoia/Sonoma)

Safari includes a commendable array of features, but once in a while, many users may encounter glitches and bugs, and one such issue in the limelight is “Safari showing a blank white page”. Is that the same with you? Don’t worry. You can swiftly access your favorite browser by following the troubleshooting tips mentioned in the below article. Follow this guide to go through various solutions to fix Safari’s not loading start page.

Case #1. How to fix Safari showing a blank start page and tabs

Here are different ways to fix Safari showing a blank start page.

Solution #1. Force Quit Safari app

First, we will start with a basic solution–force quitting the Safari App.

Step 1: Open the Apple Menu from the top Menu > Select Force Quit or Press three keys together (Option (or Alt) + Command + Esc (Escape)).

Open Apple Menu Select force quit on Mac

Step 2: From the Prompted Menu, Select Safari App > Tap on Force Quit.
Step 3: A pop-up asks, Do you want to force “An app” to quit? Go with Force quit.

Select Safari Tap Force Quit on Mac

Solution #2. Change Safari Settings For Tabs

Step 1: Launch the Safari App on your Mac.

Open the Safari App on Mac

Step 2: Click on Safari from the Mac menu bar and Select Settings.

Click on Safari from Menu bar Select Settings on Mac

Step 3:  Tap on General Tab > Click on the drop-down next to the New Windows Open With and select Start Page.

Click on New Windows Open With Select Start Page on Mac

Step 4: Next, click the drop-down next to the New Tabs Open With and select Start Page

Tap New Tabs Open with Select Start Page on Mac

Step 5: At last, force quit Safari App; Open the Apple Menu from the Mac Menu bar > Select Force Quit Safari.

Open Apple Menu Select Force Quit Safari on Mac

Step 6: Select Safari App > Tap on Force Quit.
Step 7: if asked, Do you want to force “Safari” to quit? Choose Force Quit.

Select Safari Tap Force Quit on Mac

Case #2. How to fix Safari showing a blank webpage

Here are different ways to fix Safari showing a blank webpage on Mac. If you want to reset Safari to its default settings, we have a brief guide to help you.

Solution #1. Reload the webpage

Since Safari shows a blank white page, you can resolve the problem by reloading the web pages you are trying to access on your device. Since this will force Safari to reload data on the page once again. To do so, press Command + R. Alternatively, you can click on the View from the menu bar and select Reload Page. If it’s still not working, move forward to the next solution.

Solution #2. Check internet connection

You must check your internet connection. That’s because the unstable internet can prevent Safari from loading the web page. To check internet speed, navigate to Fast.com. If your internet speed is slow, then we suggest contacting the ISP and asking for a solution. 

Solution #3. Force Quit Safari

If Safari can’t open the website, try force quitting Safari and check for the issue.

Step 1: Open the Apple Menu from the menu bar > Select Force Quit.

Open Apple Menu Select force quit on Mac

Step 2: Select Safari App > Tap on Force Quit.

Select Safari Tap Force Quit on Mac

Once you do so, reopen the Safari app, and it will automatically reload the same website. However, it is still not working; move forward to following troubleshooting tips.

Solution #4. Reset Networking Settings

Some bugs within the device can interrupt default settings, and in the worst case, it can cause Safari not to load a page or webpage. In this scenario, the best solution is to reset network settings. To do so, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: Launch the Finder App on your Mac > Select Go from the Mac menu bar > Tap on Go To Folder.

Launch Finder Select Go from menu Tap Go to Folder on Mac

Step 2: Paste the following command in the Go To folder box: 

  • /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
Paste the Command in Go to Folder on Mac

Step 3: Search and copy the following files from the SystemConfiguration folder > Right-click to choose the Move to Trash option.

  • com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
  • com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist or com.apple.network.identification.plist
  • Com.apple. Wi-Fi.message-tracer.plist
  • NetworkInterfaces.plist
  • preferences.plist
Select Files Tap on Move to Trash on Mac

Solution #5. Enable VPN and check for the issue

Safari displays a blank white page can be fixed by enabling a VPN on your Mac. That’s because it might not be Safari but a particular website that’s causing the issue. For instance, a website might be blocked in your region. So, we suggest enabling the VPN on your Mac. Further, don’t forget to read our article on Best VPN for Mac.

Solution #6. Delete Safari Extensions 

Removing all extensions from Safari can fix Safari showing a blank white page. Extensions basically help to enhance the capabilities of Safari. But there are instances where it often becomes the source of conflicts. As a result, it causes various issues, such as Safari loading blank pages. To delete Safari extensions, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Safari app on your Mac > Click on Safari from the Mac menu bar > Select Settings from the menu.

Launch Safari Open Safari From menu Select Settings on Mac

Step 2: Go to the Extensions Tab > Choose the desired extension you want to remove and then click on Uninstall.

Select Extension Tab Choose Extension to remove Tap Uninstall on Mac

Step 3: From the prompted menu, Select Show In Finder

Select Show in Folder on Mac

Step 4: Then, Click on the Extensions in the Finder Application > Right-click on the extensions to Choose Move To Trash to finish the process. 

Right Click on Extensions Choose Move to Trash on Mac

Solution #7. Try Clearing Safari Cache, History, and Cookies

If Safari isn’t loading the website, then you can try clearing the cache, history, and cookies of Safari and then check for the issue. For that, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Finder App on your Mac > Click on Go from the Menu bar > Select Go to Folder.

 Launch Finder Select Go from Menu Tap Go to Folder on Mac

Step 2: Copy-paste and enter the following command: ~/Library/Safari.

Enter the Command on Mac

Step 3: Now, clear the files tagged as History.db and LastSession.plist to Select Files > Right-click to Tap on Move to Trash.

Select Files Tagged as History.ab Move to Trash on Mac

Besides this, you can also clear the Safari Plist Files and database with this. Fuss not, these files will be regenerated by Safari eventually. Clearing these files will also help fix Safari not working on Mac.

Solution #8. Delete Safari Preferences

For those who have just come across with blank screen on macOS Safari – let’s try something extreme; it means clearing the Safari preferences. Doing so will eliminate every unwanted setting causing an issue with the browser. To do so, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: First of all, force quit the Safari on your Mac. Open the Apple Menu from the menu bar > Select Force Quit.

Open Apple Menu Select force quit on Mac

Step 2: Select Safari App > Tap on Force Quit.

Select Safari Tap Force Quit on Mac

Step 3: Launch the Finder App on your Mac > Then click on Go from the Mac menu bar. Select Computer.

Launch Finder Click Go from Menu Select Computer on Mac

Step 4: In this instance, search for the file com.apple.Safari.

Search for file com.apple.safari on Mac

Step 5:  Select them all, and then Right-Click to tap on Move to Trash.

Select All Tap Move to Trash on Mac

Once the procedure is finished, all the deleted preferences will be regenerated. However, remember that this process will remove all customizations & saved data with Safari. 

Solution #9. Update macOS 

Apple rolls out frequent updates to fix common bugs and enhance the device’s performance. So, Apple will likely update Safari to resolve the problem seamlessly. To verify the macOS update, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Apple Menu and Select System Settings from the menu.

Open Apple Menu Select System Settings on Mac

Step 2: Select General from the left pane > Click on Software Update.

Select General Option Tap Software Update on Mac

Step 3: Now, let your Mac check for updates. Click Update Now.

Tap Update Now on Mac

Solution #10. Login using Safe Mode

The only solution left to fix Safari not working on Mac is to boot Mac to Safe Mode. For this, you can refer to our article on how to boot a Mac to safe mode. 

Solution #11. Contact Apple Support 

If the issue continues even after performing all the solutions, then it’s time to contact the Apple Support Team. That’s because they are a team of experts who can help you diagnose the reason behind the issue and, accordingly, will offer you a solution.  

Final Verdict!

That’s It! This is how you can resolve Safari, showing a blank white page on your Mac running the latest macOS. Further, if you have any Safari-related queries, feel free to drop them in the comment box below.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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