safari can't establish secure connection with netflix

How to Fix the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error (6 Solutions)

When you’re browsing the web, the last thing you want is to run into an error message. If you’re a macOS user, one of the issues you might come across is: “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server” error.

While it may seem intimidating at first, this is a relatively common problem with a few simple solutions. All it usually takes is a little bit of troubleshooting before you’re able to effectively (and safely) access the site.

This post will explain what this Safari error message is and some of its common causes. Then we’ll provide you with six easy ways to fix the problem.

Let’s get started!

What’s the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error?

Some of the best features of Mac devices are their built-in security settings . Apple has created an experience designed to keep you and your device safe, especially while browsing the web.

This is why its native browser, Safari, will sometimes prevent you from accessing a website that it doesn’t deem as secure. When this happens, you’ll likely see an error message that says, “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server.”

The specific wording of the error may vary. For example, as you can see in the image above, you might also come across a notification letting you know that “Safari Can’t Open the Page.”

In a nutshell, this error message means that the browser doesn’t trust the encrypted data on the site. Alternatively, Safari could not access and verify the information successfully. For example, this might happen when a site doesn’t have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate  properly configured.

Using SSL and Secure Shell Access (SSH)  is critical for websites today. This is especially true when you have a site that handles sensitive customer data, such as a WooCommerce store .

However, if you know the site that you’re accessing is secure, the problem is likely with Safari. Many people experience this error message when accessing popular websites, such as Facebook, YouTube, and Google.

What Causes “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error?

There are many different reasons you might be seeing this error message. As we mentioned, the main explanation is that Safari can’t verify that the website you’re trying to access is secure enough to protect your data.

However, it’s essential to understand  why it deems the site unsecured to know how to resolve it. Sometimes, you may not know what the culprit is until you try troubleshooting it.

With that said, there are a handful of common causes behind the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” message. For example, the issue may be attributed to a third-party extension or add-on you have installed on your browser. It could be something as simple as having outdated cache data. However, it could be a more complicated problem, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) version you’re using.

How To Fix the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” Error (6 Solutions)

Now that we understand more about the issue and its potential causes, it’s time to look at how to fix it. Below are six solutions you can use to resolve the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” error.

1. Clear Your Browser Data

When you visit websites, Safari will store some of the information in the browser cache and cookies. If this data includes outdated details relating to the site’s SSL or encryption , it can be the reason you see the error message.

Therefore, one of the quickest and simplest methods you can use to resolve this error is to clear your browser cache . To do that in Safari, you can start by opening up the browser.

Next, click on Preferences  > Privacy , then select Remove All Website Data .

After it finishes loading (it may take a minute or two), you can decide which websites to clear the data from. For example, you can select them all or simply the one you’re having trouble accessing.

When done, click on the Done  button at the bottom of the screen.

Next, to clear your entire browsing history, you can navigate to  Safari  > History  > Clear History .

When finished, try revisiting the site that was showing the error message. If it’s still there, you can move on to the next solution.

2. Check Your Device’s Date and Time

While it may seem odd, sometimes having the incorrect date and time on your Mac device can cause some issues within Safari. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that yours is set to the correct time zone and date.

To get started, you can click on the Apple icon, then navigate to System Preferences  > Date & Time .

From here, you can verify that you’re using the right date and time.

Under the  Time Zone tab, you can also enable your device to sync to your current location automatically. When you’re done, you can exit the window and try re-accessing the site.

3. Change Your DNS Settings

If the error is still there, you might want to check out your Domain Name Server (DNS)  settings. In a nutshell, your DNS acts like a phonebook that allows devices and sites to reach each other. Safari uses your DNS settings to connect to websites.

If there are issues with your DNS settings, it might be why you see the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server” message. To see if this is the case (and resolve it), you can try changing your DNS addresses. For example, you could use Google’s Public DNS.

To get started, browse to Apple  >  System Preferences  > Network .

From this window, select your connection, then click on the Advanced tab, followed by DNS . Next, click on the (+) icon next to IPv4 or IPv6 addresses .

Then you can enter the new DNS IP addresses. For example, if you want to use Google’s Public DNS, you can enter “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4”.

When you’re finished, click on the OK  button. Recheck the website to see if this process removed the error message.

4. Uninstall or Disable Your Browser Extensions

As we mentioned earlier, an extension or add-on in your browser may be conflicting with Safari’s ability to connect to a site securely. Sometimes, this is common with anti-virus programs and security-related extensions.

Therefore, the next step is to try deactivating all your browser extensions. To do this, you can open Safari, then navigate to Preferences  and click on the Extensions  tab.

A list of your extensions will display in the left column. You can click on the checkmark next to the add-on name to disable it.

Once you’re done, try revisiting the site. If this solves the problem, you’ll need to pinpoint which extension was to blame. You can do this by systematically enabling each add-on and visiting the site after each time.

5. Disable IPv6

Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules that controls how data moves across the internet. IPv6 is a newer protocol version. However, some websites still use the older version, IPv4. If this is the case, it might be why you’re running into the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” message.

Therefore, you can try disabling IPv6 on your network. To do so, navigate to System Preferences > Network once again, then click on your network connection, followed by the Advanced  button.

Under the TC P/IP tab, click on the dropdown menu under  Configure IPv6  and select Manually .

When you’re done, click on the OK button. This should resolve the issue if IPv6 were the problem. If not, there’s one last solution you can try.

6. Make Sure Keychain Trusts the Certificate

Earlier, we mentioned how Safari could sometimes present the connection error message if it cannot verify the validity of the site’s SSL certificate. If this is the case, you can bypass the issue by configuring settings in your macOS’s Keychain Access app.

Keychain Access is the application that stores your passwords , account details, and application certificates. It keeps your data secure and can control which sites are trusted by your device. As such, you can tell it to accept a site’s SSL certificate moving forward.

To do this, you can go to the website showing the error message, then click on the lock icon to the left of the address bar, followed by View/Show Certificate  > Details .

With the Details panel expanded, click Control + Space Bar . A Spotlight Search bar will appear in the top right-hand corner of your screen. Enter “Keychain” in the search field.

Next, on the left, click on System Roots . Search for the website’s certificate. Once you locate it, go to the Trust section. Then click on the dropdown menu next to When using this certificate section  and select Always trust :

That’s it! You should now be able to access the site successfully.

Trying to access a website only to be met with an error message can be highly frustrating. While Safari is simply trying to keep your data protected, sometimes it can get misconfigured. In this case, the browser may unnecessarily present a security notification such as “Safari can’t establish a secure connection.”

There are six methods you can use to fix this issue when it happens:

• Clear your browser data, including the cache and cookies.
• Check your device’s data and time.
• Change your DNS settings.
• Uninstall or disable your browser extensions and add-ons.
• Disable IPv6.
• Make sure Keychain trusts the SSL certificate.

Do you have any questions about fixing the Safari secure connection issue? Let us know in the comments section below!

Content & Marketing Editor at Kinsta, WordPress Web Developer, and Content Writer. Outside of all things WordPress, I enjoy the beach, golf, and movies. I also have tall people problems ;).

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Tried as much of this as possible, and Safari still doesn’t work. Couldn’t try some things, because I’m running it on a PC, and not on a Mac.

However, I am able to access all sites with FireFox, so teh problem does seem to be with Safari. Too bad.

Thank you so much!!! My date was wrong and it fixed the issue thank u ❤️👍

I tried all six of the fixes you offered. All seemed to work – except I did not fully grasp the extensions one. Also cannot get to the lock on the website I’m trying to open (gov.uk) because that website won’t open so no lock is shown.

Fixing date and time worked for me

Great information. I went through every step and got to the SSl certificate section. There is no certificate for the site I’m attempting to visit. Safari will not allow me to visit many sites. So it isn’t just the one site.

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Issues with accessing the Netflix website

Hello! I encountered a problem: every time I try to visit the Netflix website there is an error. It says “Safari can’t open the page. Safari can’t open the page “ https://netflix.com ” because Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server “ netflix.com ”. I also tried opening Netflix in several other browsers and encountered the same issue. Then I tried clearing cache, creating another administrator account, clearing SSL state. Nothing seems to work. I only get this problem on my computer(Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6), everything works fine on the phone and tv. What do I do?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 3, 2019 9:15 AM

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• Why Netflix mot opening on MacBook showing errordomain:-1,017? Netflix not opening on MacBook showing errordomain:-1,017 122 5

Loading page content

Page content loaded

Oct 3, 2019 9:50 AM in response to BohdanaMelnyk

Have you restarted the computer? Tried logging out of your user account and back in?

Are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?

try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply.        Pastebin

Etrecheck – System Information

Oct 3, 2019 11:01 AM in response to Eric Root

Yes, I have restarted the computer and tried logging out and I'm not using any anti-virus or vpn.

The reply I get when trying to connect to the website:

Safari Can’t Open the Page

Safari can’t open the page “ https://netflix.com ” because Safari can’t establish a secure connection to the server “ netflix.com ”.

Oct 3, 2019 11:36 AM in response to BohdanaMelnyk

I don't see anything in the report that should be the cause of the problem.

Try another browser as a test.

Firefox         10.9 or higher

Opera Browser         10.9 or higher

SeaMonkey       10.9 or higher8

Waterfox           10.8 or higher

Oct 3, 2019 11:44 AM in response to Eric Root

I tried, none of these work.

Maybe there is some information in the reply I got:

Secure Connection Failed

An error occurred during a connection to www.netflix.com.

SSL received a record that exceeded the maximum permissible length.

Error code: <a id="errorCode" title="SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG">SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG</a>

The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the authenticity of the received data could not be verified.

Please contact the website owners to inform them of this problem.

Oct 3, 2019 9:02 PM in response to Eric Root

Oct 3, 2019 11:12 AM in response to Eric Root

The link to the report: https://pastebin.com/Vc50n2Yu

Oct 3, 2019 12:48 PM in response to BohdanaMelnyk

Have you tried contacting Netflix?

Something to check. System Preferences/Network/Advanced/Proxies to make sure SOCK Proxy isn't checked.

Oct 3, 2019 9:07 PM in response to Eric Root

No proxies are checked

What To Do When Safari Cant Establish A Secure Connection

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Check Your Internet Connection

The first step in troubleshooting Safari's inability to establish a secure connection is to check your internet connection. A stable and reliable internet connection is crucial for secure browsing. Here's how you can ensure that your internet connection is not the culprit behind the issue:

Wi-Fi or Data Connection : If you are using Wi-Fi, ensure that your router is functioning properly and that you are within range. If you are using mobile data, check your signal strength and consider switching to a different network to see if the issue persists.

Speed Test : Conduct a speed test to determine the quality of your internet connection. There are various online tools and apps available that can help you assess your internet speed. A slow or unstable connection can lead to difficulties in establishing secure connections.

Network Settings : Verify that your network settings are configured correctly. Check for any proxy settings or VPN configurations that might be interfering with the secure connection process.

Restart Your Router : Sometimes, a simple restart of your router can resolve connectivity issues. Power off your router, wait for a few minutes, and then power it back on to see if this resolves the problem.

By ensuring that your internet connection is stable and properly configured, you can eliminate potential connectivity issues as the cause of Safari's inability to establish a secure connection. If the problem persists after confirming that your internet connection is functioning as it should, you can proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to address the issue.

Verify the Website's Security Certificate

When encountering issues with Safari's inability to establish a secure connection, it's essential to verify the website's security certificate. A security certificate, also known as an SSL certificate, plays a pivotal role in ensuring secure and encrypted communication between your browser and the website's server. Here's a detailed look at how you can verify the website's security certificate and address any potential issues:

Check the URL : Start by examining the website's URL. Secure websites typically begin with "https://" instead of "http://". The added "s" indicates that the website is using a secure connection. However, it's important to note that the absence of "https://" doesn't necessarily indicate a security concern, as some websites may not require encryption for all content.

Inspect the Padlock Icon : When you visit a secure website, Safari displays a padlock icon in the address bar. Click on the padlock to view the website's security details. This allows you to verify the authenticity of the security certificate and ensure that it is issued by a trusted certificate authority.

Examine Certificate Details : Safari provides the option to view the website's certificate details. By accessing this information, you can inspect the validity of the certificate, its expiration date, and the certificate authority that issued it. If any discrepancies or irregularities are observed, it could indicate a potential security issue.

Certificate Trust Settings : Safari maintains a list of trusted certificate authorities. If the website's certificate is issued by a trusted authority, it should be automatically validated. However, if the certificate is self-signed or issued by an untrusted authority, Safari may prompt a security warning, indicating that the website's identity cannot be verified.

Potential Security Warnings : In some cases, Safari may display security warnings when encountering issues with a website's certificate. These warnings serve as indicators of potential security risks and should be taken seriously. Understanding and interpreting these warnings can provide insights into the nature of the security concern.

By meticulously verifying the website's security certificate, you can gain valuable insights into the integrity of the website's encryption and authentication mechanisms. Addressing any discrepancies or security warnings related to the certificate can contribute to resolving Safari's challenges in establishing a secure connection. If issues persist after verifying the security certificate, further troubleshooting steps can be explored to ensure a secure and seamless browsing experience.

Clear Safari's Cache and Cookies

Clearing Safari's cache and cookies can often resolve issues related to the browser's inability to establish a secure connection. The cache and cookies stored by Safari serve various purposes, such as storing website data to enhance browsing speed and retaining login information for convenience. However, over time, this stored data can become outdated or corrupted, potentially leading to connectivity and security issues. Here's a detailed look at the process of clearing Safari's cache and cookies and its potential impact on resolving secure connection problems:

Accessing Safari's Preferences : To initiate the process of clearing the cache and cookies, start by opening Safari and accessing the "Preferences" from the Safari menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command + ," to access the Preferences window.

Navigating to Privacy Settings : Within the Preferences window, navigate to the "Privacy" tab. This section of Safari's settings allows you to manage website data, including cache and cookies. Click on the "Manage Website Data" button to proceed to the next step.

Removing Cache and Cookies : Upon clicking the "Manage Website Data" button, Safari presents a list of websites with stored data. You have the option to remove individual website data by selecting specific entries or clear all website data at once. Click on the "Remove All" button to clear the cache and cookies stored by Safari.

Confirmation and Restart : After clearing the cache and cookies, Safari may prompt for confirmation. Once confirmed, it is advisable to restart the browser to ensure that the changes take effect. Close and reopen Safari to initiate a fresh browsing session with cleared cache and cookies.

Impact on Secure Connection : Clearing Safari's cache and cookies can have a positive impact on the browser's ability to establish secure connections. By removing outdated or corrupted data, you eliminate potential obstacles that may have been hindering the secure communication between Safari and websites. This process can effectively reset the browsing environment, allowing for a clean slate when establishing secure connections.

Potential Login Implications : It's important to note that clearing cookies may result in the loss of saved login information for websites. After clearing the cache and cookies, you may need to re-enter login credentials for various websites. Additionally, website preferences and settings associated with stored cookies may be reset.

By following the steps to clear Safari's cache and cookies, you can effectively address potential issues hindering the browser's ability to establish secure connections. This process serves as a fundamental troubleshooting step in maintaining a secure and optimized browsing experience with Safari. If the issue persists, further investigation and troubleshooting may be necessary to identify and resolve the underlying cause of the connectivity challenge.

Update Safari to the Latest Version

Ensuring that Safari is running the latest version is crucial in addressing potential issues related to secure connections. Updates often include bug fixes, security enhancements, and compatibility improvements, all of which can contribute to a more reliable and secure browsing experience. Here's a detailed exploration of the process of updating Safari to the latest version and its significance in resolving secure connection challenges:

Accessing the App Store : To initiate the update process, launch the App Store on your Mac. The App Store serves as the central hub for managing and updating various applications, including Safari.

Navigating to Updates : Within the App Store, navigate to the "Updates" tab located in the toolbar at the top of the window. This section provides a comprehensive list of available updates for installed applications, including Safari.

Locating Safari Update : In the list of available updates, locate Safari and check if a new version is available for installation. If an update for Safari is listed, click on the "Update" button next to the Safari entry to commence the update process.

Installation and Restart : Upon initiating the update, the App Store will begin downloading and installing the latest version of Safari . Depending on the size of the update and your internet connection speed, the process may take some time. Once the update is installed, it is advisable to restart your Mac to ensure that the changes are fully applied.

Enhancements and Security Patches : Updating Safari to the latest version brings forth a range of benefits, including performance enhancements, feature updates, and crucial security patches. Security vulnerabilities that may have been present in previous versions are often addressed in the latest updates, bolstering the browser's ability to establish secure connections with websites.

Compatibility and Stability : Newer versions of Safari are optimized for compatibility with evolving web standards and technologies. By staying up to date with the latest version, you ensure that Safari is equipped to handle modern web environments, thereby contributing to the stability and reliability of secure connections.

User Experience Improvements : In addition to security and performance enhancements, updates to Safari may introduce user interface improvements and new features that can enrich the browsing experience. These updates contribute to a more seamless and intuitive browsing environment, complementing the browser's ability to establish secure connections effectively.

By proactively updating Safari to the latest version, you harness the benefits of improved security, enhanced performance, and optimized compatibility, all of which play a pivotal role in addressing challenges related to secure connections. This fundamental step in maintaining a secure browsing environment empowers users to leverage the full potential of Safari while mitigating potential security risks associated with outdated browser versions. If issues persist after updating Safari, further troubleshooting and support options can be explored to ensure a secure and uninterrupted browsing experience.

Disable Browser Extensions and Plugins

Disabling browser extensions and plugins can be a crucial step in troubleshooting Safari's inability to establish a secure connection. While extensions and plugins can enhance the browsing experience by adding functionality and features to the browser, they can also introduce compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, and conflicts that may hinder the establishment of secure connections. Here's a detailed exploration of the process of disabling browser extensions and plugins and its significance in addressing secure connection challenges:

Accessing Safari's Preferences : To begin the process of disabling extensions and plugins, open Safari and navigate to the "Preferences" from the Safari menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Command + ," to access the Preferences window.

Selecting the Extensions Tab : Within the Preferences window, click on the "Extensions" tab. This section provides a comprehensive list of installed extensions that augment Safari's functionality. Disable all extensions by unchecking the box next to "Enable [Extension Name]."

Managing Plugins : After addressing extensions, proceed to the "Websites" tab within the Preferences window. From the left-hand sidebar, select "Plug-ins." Here, you can manage various web plugins that Safari utilizes for displaying content such as Flash, Java, and other multimedia elements. Disable unnecessary or outdated plugins that may pose security risks or compatibility issues.

Restarting Safari : After disabling extensions and plugins, it is advisable to restart Safari to ensure that the changes take effect. Close and reopen the browser to initiate a fresh browsing session with disabled extensions and plugins.

Impact on Secure Connection : Disabling extensions and plugins can mitigate potential conflicts and security vulnerabilities that may have been impeding Safari's ability to establish secure connections. By removing third-party elements that interact with web content, you create a more controlled and streamlined browsing environment, reducing the likelihood of connectivity issues.

Security and Performance Considerations : Many security incidents and performance issues can be attributed to problematic browser extensions and plugins. Disabling these elements not only addresses immediate connectivity challenges but also contributes to a more secure and efficient browsing experience overall.

By meticulously disabling browser extensions and plugins, you can effectively address potential obstacles hindering Safari's ability to establish secure connections. This fundamental troubleshooting step empowers users to create a more controlled and secure browsing environment, thereby enhancing the overall reliability and security of the browsing experience. If the issue persists, further investigation and support options can be explored to identify and resolve the underlying cause of the connectivity challenge.

Restart Your Device

Restarting your device is a fundamental yet often overlooked troubleshooting step that can effectively address a wide range of technical issues, including Safari's inability to establish a secure connection. This simple yet powerful action can clear temporary system glitches, refresh network configurations, and reset various software components, potentially resolving the underlying causes of connectivity challenges. Here's a detailed exploration of the significance of restarting your device and its impact on addressing secure connection issues:

Addressing System Glitches

When your device runs continuously for extended periods, it may encounter temporary glitches and software hiccups that can impact its overall performance, including the ability to establish secure connections. Restarting the device allows it to undergo a clean shutdown and subsequent boot-up, effectively clearing any transient system issues that may have been affecting Safari's functionality.

Network Configuration Refresh

Restarting your device prompts a reinitialization of network configurations, which can be instrumental in resolving connectivity challenges. By restarting, your device renegotiates network connections, refreshes IP settings, and reestablishes communication with network components, potentially eliminating obstacles that hinder secure connections in Safari.

Software Component Reset

Various software components and background processes on your device may encounter errors or become unresponsive over time, leading to potential connectivity issues. A device restart initiates a comprehensive reset of these components, allowing for a fresh start and potentially resolving underlying software-related issues that impact Safari's secure connection capabilities.

Memory and Resource Optimization

Restarting your device clears the system's memory and optimizes resource allocation, which can have a positive impact on Safari's performance and its ability to establish secure connections. By freeing up memory and resetting resource usage, a device restart creates a more conducive environment for Safari to operate efficiently and securely.

Comprehensive Troubleshooting Step

In many cases, a simple restart can serve as a comprehensive troubleshooting step that addresses a myriad of potential issues, including those related to secure connections. It is often recommended by technical support professionals as an initial action to take when encountering various device and software-related challenges.

By incorporating the practice of restarting your device into your troubleshooting routine, you can harness its potential to effectively address secure connection issues in Safari, contributing to a more reliable and secure browsing experience. If the problem persists after restarting your device, further investigation and support options can be explored to identify and resolve the underlying causes of the connectivity challenge.

Contact the Website's Support Team

If you have exhausted all the troubleshooting steps and continue to encounter issues with Safari's secure connection to a specific website, reaching out to the website's support team can provide valuable insights and assistance in resolving the issue. The website's support team is equipped to address site-specific concerns and can offer guidance tailored to the intricacies of their platform. Here's a detailed look at the significance of contacting the website's support team and the potential benefits it can yield:

Site-Specific Expertise : The support team possesses in-depth knowledge of the website's infrastructure, security protocols, and technical intricacies. By reaching out to them, you gain access to individuals who are well-versed in the specific configurations and requirements of their platform, allowing for targeted troubleshooting and resolution strategies.

Security Protocol Alignment : Websites may have unique security protocols and configurations that can impact the establishment of secure connections with Safari. Engaging the support team enables you to align Safari's security settings with the website's requirements, ensuring compatibility and adherence to the site's security standards.

Diagnostic Insights : The support team can conduct diagnostic assessments to identify any site-specific issues that may be impeding secure connections with Safari. By leveraging their expertise, you can gain insights into potential server-side configurations, security certificate nuances, or other factors that may be contributing to the connectivity challenge.

Guided Troubleshooting : Support representatives can provide guided troubleshooting steps tailored to the website's environment. This personalized assistance can encompass specific browser settings, compatibility checks, and targeted actions to address any site-specific elements that may be affecting secure connections.

Timely Updates and Notifications : Contacting the website's support team allows you to stay informed about any ongoing maintenance, security updates, or known issues that may impact secure connections. This proactive communication ensures that you are aware of relevant developments and can adjust your browsing approach accordingly.

Feedback and Collaboration : Engaging with the support team fosters a collaborative approach to resolving secure connection issues. By providing feedback on your experiences and actively participating in the troubleshooting process, you contribute to the site's ongoing optimization and security enhancement efforts.

By proactively reaching out to the website's support team, you can leverage their expertise and site-specific insights to address challenges related to Safari's secure connections effectively. This collaborative approach not only facilitates issue resolution but also contributes to a more secure and optimized browsing experience for all users. If the issue persists, the support team can offer further assistance and escalate the matter as needed, ensuring that your browsing interactions with the website remain secure and seamless.

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How To Fix ‘Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection’ Error in 2024

I was exploring the new macOS 15 Sequoia when I suddenly received an error message saying, “ Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection ” on my Mac. This weirded me out because my internet network was working fine, plus performing quick restarts didn’t help work. It’s apparently a common issue when updating your device, especially with Developer Beta builds. Luckily, the fixes are easier than most fear. Let’s dive in.

How To Fix ‘Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection’ Error

1. change date & time settings.

Time needed:  5 minutes

Changing the date and time settings on my Mac instantly fixed the error. I discovered that they were set incorrectly and needed to be corrected. Follow these steps:

2. Remove Or Disable Anti-Virus Software

Another reason you are getting this error message could be due to the antivirus software installed on your system.

Many users who disabled or even uninstalled their antivirus software, such as Avast and Safari started working again.

Although a MacBook is a highly secure machine, you may not need anti-malware software to protect it. But to be on the safe side, it’s best to use trusted software that may not harm your system.

3. Update or Reinstall Safari Browser

If the browser has any internal bugs or errors, you can try updating it. Apple often recognizes these bugs and releases the necessary updates to fix them.

For this, you will need to update your macOS from the settings, and if available, the Safari browser will be automatically updated.

• Go to the Apple Menu at the top-left of the screen.

• Wait while the system checks for any available updates.

If none of the above methods are working for you, try opening the website with a different browser. The Safari server may be down, and it’s best to contact Apple support for more troubleshooting methods.

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How to Fix Can’t Establish Secure Connection Error in Safari

Samir works as a Senior Editor for Guiding Tech to guide writers towards the best approach for their ideas in solving the tech problems for people. While writing for over a decade and a half, his work appears on HowToGeek, MakeUseOf, GSMArena, BGR India, The Inquisitr, TechinAsia, MySmartPrice, Digit India, and other media sites. Whenever time permits, he tackles how-tos, tutorials, and guides on Mac, iOS, Windows, and Internet tools. He prides in using Windows 11 and macOS for work.

That nagging feeling of someone looking over your shoulder is quite discomforting. The same is being replicated by the nasty ad trackers that track your browsing activities and and the way you consume content. As much as I wish not to spook you, you need to be aware of what is really going on with your favorite websites.

Thankfully, Apple is cracking down on the creepy websites that track your behavior whether you click on their site or not. Besides that, Apple’s latest version of Safari incorporates the Intelligent Tracking Protection 2.0, which scrutinizes and wards off third-party as well as first-party cookies with a potential of tracking your browsing activities.

That’s why Safari may throw errors while opening a suspicious or improperly designed page. If you have been facing the “Can’t Establish Secure Connection” error with your frequently visited sites, then you are not alone. Here are the best working solutions to help you fix that error and continue browsing peacefully.

1. Check for Proper Certificate

To keep it simple, make sure you are accessing the correct website by clicking on the address bar. You should scrutinize the URLs, and look for the green lock icon in front of the site address. If it appears grey, then it is possibly a smartly crafted phishing site with the exact logo and layout of a bank or another website you frequently visit.

2. Clear the Browser History

Safari’s option to clear the Browser History is like a double-edged sword. Usually, the Clear Browser History option would remove the list of websites you visited. However, the latest iteration of Safari removes the related data such as cookies and content of the respective sites. So tread with caution.

Step 1: In Safari, click on History form the menu options at the top of the window.

Step 2: From the drop-down menu next to the word Clear, select All History. Then click Clear History.

3. Uninstall Suspicious Extensions and Plugins

Extensions, Plugins, and Add-ons are like little helpers that speed up the process of undertaking specific tasks with a click or two. However, installing too many of them does affect Safari’s performance. So, it is only wise for you to remove the unwanted and unused plugins or extensions.

Step 1: Click on the Safari menu and select Preferences.

Step 2: From the pop-up window, click on Extensions to view the list of extensions you have installed for Safari. I did not install any extensions. However, if you see any, then select and remove them.

4. Unblock All Cookies

It might be an honest mistake that you accidentally clicked on the box that appears right below the one that states – Prevent cross-site tracking. If that is the case, then that box is essentially blocking all cookies.

Step 1: Open Safari’s Preferences, and click on Privacy.

Step 2: Clicking on Manage Website Data will bring up a new window. From that you can select and remove the cookies of the sites you think you no longer need or want.

5. Check Permissions

Besides going overboard on plugins, some of them do force Content Blocking for websites that are known to carry unsolicited pop-ups and misleading ads with some code on them. If you believe that Safari is hitting a false-positive, then you better check the permissions for the Content Blockers and other elements such as Location.

Step 1: Click on Safari’s menu and select Preferences. From the window that pops up, click on the Websites tab.

Step 2: Click on the Content Blockers in the left pane and see if you have blocked any particular element of the site you are trying to access.

6. Flush DNS Cache

At times, flushing the DNS cache helps to fix a lot of connection and website speed related issues. This solution is quite simple provided you write the command accurately.

Make sure that Safari is not running, and if it is, then you can quit it. Launch the Terminal app on your Mac and feed the following command:

You will have to enter the Admin password and then tit the Enter key. Now relaunch the Safari to check if that helped.

7. Firewall Settings

Firewall protections you from nefarious requests to steal your data and resources. It is possible that some software has enforced strict Firewall policies and barring Safari from any Internet connectivity. Well, it happens when parents or office environment don’t want you to browse the web. There’s a safe way to check whether the Firewall is blocking Safari.

Step 1: Hit Command+Space keys together to launch the Spotlight Search bar.

Step 2: Type Firewall in the Spotlight Search and hit Enter.

Step 3: Click the lock at the bottom-left corner, type your system password, and tap on Unlock button to make changes in the Firewall settings. Once you get the access, click on the Firewall Options button.

Step 4: On the Firewall Options window, ensure that the box for Block all incoming connections is unchecked.

Also, check if Safari appears in the exceptions list and has Allow incoming connections enabled for it. If Safari does not appear there, then proceed to the next solution.

8. Sync the System Time

Though it sounds unlikely that the system time on your Mac is wrong, it’s best to check it once. Here’s how you can verify and change system time.

Click on the Apple Menu and select System Preferences. From the window that pops up, click Date & Time. Then click on the Time Zone to check if you have selected the correct one. If you want to make any change, then you must click on the lock icon at the bottom-left corner and enter your macOS account password.

9. Remove All Website Data

Apple removed the Reset Safari button since the Yosemite update. Thankfully, there are two easy ways to achieve stock Safari experience.

Step 1: Launch Safari, click on the Safari menu, and choose Preferences.

Step 2: Click the Privacy tab from the pop-up window and then hit the button that says – Manage Website Data.

Step 3: Wait for the pop-up window to populate the list of websites. Now you can either remove data of select sites or all. You can also hit the Remove all button and wipe the data clean.

Performing this solution, along with the first one, should be good enough to set the Safari to the factory state. You can quit Safari and relaunch it to try accessing the site giving you so much grief.

10. Use a Different Browser

If nothing works and you need to use a browser, then it’s better to use another browser like the Firefox or Chrome.

Download Firefox for macOS

Download Chrome for macOS

Pursue Secure Browsing

If none of the solutions mentioned above work, then the problem might be with the site. Reinstalling the macOS is the last resort, and I bet it won’t come to that. One of the solutions mentioned above should work for your Mac. It is entirely possible that the site you are trying to access is not available and is facing a downtime.

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Last updated on 15 February, 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.

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

Samir Makwana

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