Issue Safari Crashing On Mac

Safari Crashing On Mac

Every major software update presents the risk of introducing new bugs, glitches, or problems, no matter how carefully it has been tested internally. One such issue that some Mac users have begun experiencing after upgrading to macOS Big Sur is their Safari browser crashing frequently. To try and fix this annoying problem, explore the solutions listed below.

Use the latest Safari version

The first step is to make sure that you have the latest Safari version installed, as it may include fixes for the underlying cause of the crashes. 

  1. Go to the Apple menu.
  2. Select 'About this Mac.'
  3. Open 'Software Update.'
  4. Install any available updates.

Check for incompatible browser extensions

With the upgrade to Big Sur, some of the browser extensions you have may start to malfunction if they are not compatible with the new macOS version. To check if this is the case you can manually disable each extension. 

  1. Open Safari and open the 'Preferences' menu.
  2. Select 'Extensions.'
  3. Take a look at the list of extensions and uncheck each one.
  4. Close 'Preferences' and shut down Safari.
  5. Relaunch the browser and see if it is now more stable.

Clear the cache

A potentially corrupted or malfunctioning cache file could be the cause of the crashes. Clearing the cache should be able to help if this is the case.

  1. Open Safari and go to 'Preferences.'
  2. Select 'Advanced' from the available options.
  3. Locate the 'Show Develop menu in the menu bar' and check the corresponding box.
  4. Close 'Preferences.'
  5. Open the newly appeared Develop menu.
  6. Select 'Empty Caches.'
  7. Quite and then relaunch Safari.

Other solutions

If Safari is still crashing, then you can try clearing the entire browser history. However, this is a bit risky, as it could affect the Safari history on your iPhone or iPad if you are logged into the devices with the same iCloud account. 

The underlying cause of the Safari crashes could be a bug related to having the Reading List and Siri suggestions enabled on the system. Check if disabling them will have a positive impact on Safari's stability. Open a new tab, go to the Reading List and Favourites in the bottom right of the window. Disable the options.

It may seem like a long shot but check if switching to a different homepage helps when it comes to stopping Safari from crashing.

Loading...