15 Ways to FIX When Mac Can’t Access & Open Certain Websites

Sometimes on your Mac, when you are trying to visit a website, the page does not open and display correctly. The webpage seems to be not working,

You may encounter errors such as “This webpage is not available“, “Safari cannot open the page“, and “404 error“, amongst others.

This post will list all the troubleshooting methods you can use to fix and resolve this problem.

How to FIX when Mac Cannot Open Certain Webpages?

Here are fifteen (15) ways to troubleshoot and resolve your error problem.

1. Use a different web browser

Instead of spending time troubleshooting and rectifying the problem, the fastest way is to use another web browser.

Besides using the Mac native built-in Safari web browser, you can use others.

Install the macOS version of these web browsers and go to your webpage to try again;

• Brave
• Chrome
• Opera
• Firefox

---

2. Use a VPN

Web browsers are generally stable and work right out of the box. However, the common reason for web browsers not displaying a webpage is blocked and geo-restricted content.

To bypass this, you need to install and use a VPN service.

The following VPN services are secure, reliable and have a free version for you to use;

• IPVanish
• ProtonVPN
• WindScribe

---

3. Disable browser extensions

It is a well-known issue that specific browser extensions can break your website viewing experience, making it unable to be displayed.

Specific settings made in ad-blocking and web tracker-blocking extensions such as Ublock Origin and Privacy Badger can hinder websites from displaying correctly.

Try to disable those browser extensions and refresh the webpage again.

---

4. Check if the website is online

Sometimes the problem lies with the website itself. Most websites are hosted with web servers with uptime of about 99% of the time.

The remaining 1% is the downtime where websites cannot be reached. This is commonly due to server failures and website upgrading.

Go to IsItDownRightNow or Downdetector to see if the website is down or if you are the only one encountering this.

---

5. Clear the browser’s cache, cookies and data

Sometimes the old cache files, cookies and browsing data can stop you from accessing the website. This may be due to a refreshed version of the webpage.

To be sure, always clear your browser cache, cookies and browsing data occasionally.

In Safari, go to the top menu <Settings>, <Advanced> and tick the <Show Desktop menu in the menu bar>.

Now go back to the top menu, choose <Develop>, and select <Empty Cache>.

---

6. Flushing your DNS cache

When you encounter a 404 error on your browser, it is always advisable to flush your DNS cache to troubleshoot the problem manually.

A DNS cache is a small database of websites’ IP addresses you visited before, which can sometimes get corrupted.

In macOS Ventura, Monterey and Big Sur, copy and paste this command in Terminal and hit <Enter> on your keyboard. You will be asked to key in your Mac password.

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

To open your Terminal app, go to Spotlight (the magnifying glass on the top-right) and type in “Terminal”.

---

7. Renew the DHCP lease

You can manually force your Mac to renew a new IP address for your computer. In some cases, renewing your IP via renewing the DHCP lease can resolve specific connection issues, especially on websites not working correctly.

To renew your DHCP lease, click the Apple logo (on the top left) and choose <System Settings>.

Select <Wi-Fi> on the left pane and click on <Details> on the right pane.

Click <Renew DHCP Lease> and click <OK>.

---

8. Disable IPV6 in macOS

Some internet connectivity issues have been related to and caused by using the IPV6 protocol. This is enabled by default in macOS devices.

The following command will override any settings interfering with your IPV6 being set to OFF mode.

Copy and paste the command in Terminal and hit <Enter>.

networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi

Restart your web browser and revisit the webpage to see if the error is resolved.

To re-enable back IPV6 in your Mac, use the following commands in Terminal.

networksetup -setv6automatic Wi-Fi
networksetup -setv6automatic Ethernet

---

9. Open a New Private Window

Using a new private window will open your webpage in a fresh and clean session while separating the old cache files and data from the old browser session.

In Safari, Opera, Brave and Firefox, go to <File> and select <New Private Window>.

Go to <File> in Chrome and select <New Incognito Window>.

---

10. Disable Security and Anti-virus software

Certain security and anti-virus software installed on your Mac may hinder the proper display of the webpage you are visiting.

Disable them and revisit the webpage.

---

11. Check your Internet Connection

Make sure your internet connection is working fine.

Visit other web pages, like YouTube, to verify your connection is stable and does not have an intermittent broken connection.

---

12. Confirm the correct URL address

Ensure you have the correct URL address.

Sometimes the difference can be the inclusion or exclusion of https (instead of http) and www (instead of not using it).

When keyed wrongly, your web browser will say, “This webpage is not available“.

---

13. Refresh the Webpage

In the Safari browser, use <Command> + R to refresh the page or go to the top menu <View> and select <Reload Page>.

Try to quit the web browser and restart it again.

---

14. Update your web browser to the latest version

Try updating your web browser to the latest stable version and try again.

---

15. Restarting your Mac

As a last resort, try to shut down your Mac properly by clicking on the Apple logo (top-left) and selecting <Shut Down>.

Wait for at least 2 minutes before turning it on again (via the physical Power button on your keyboard).

Try opening your web browser and revisiting the webpage.

---