When Safari says it cannot open the page because it could not connect to the server, Safari tried to reach the site and received no usable response. The issue is usually a bad address, network problem, stale DNS result, website outage, or a Safari extension blocking the request.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Safari on iPhone, iPad, or Mac when one site or every site fails with a cannot-open-page or could-not-connect message.
Check the basics first
These simple checks fix the problem more often than deeper resets.
- Check the web address carefully. A small typo such as .cmo instead of .com can trigger this exact message.
- Try a known reliable site such as apple.com. If that fails too, focus on your connection rather than the original website.
- On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and confirm Wi-Fi or cellular data is enabled.
- On Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and confirm you are connected to the expected network.
- Restart the router by unplugging it from power, waiting one full minute, plugging it back in, and giving it two or three minutes to reconnect.
- Reload the page by pulling down on iPhone or iPad, or pressing Cmd+R on Mac.
Reset network settings or clear Safari data
This can clear a stuck DNS result or damaged local site data.
- iPhone or iPad: Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings, then enter the passcode to confirm. You will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward.
- Mac: Open Safari > Settings > Privacy, click Manage Website Data, then Remove All. Quit Safari and reopen it before testing again.
More control
Disable Safari extensions
A content blocker, privacy extension, or ad blocker can occasionally stop a request before Safari reaches the site. On Mac, open Safari > Settings > Extensions, turn extensions off, and reload the page. Re-enable them one at a time if the site starts working.
Try different DNS servers
If the connection works but Safari cannot find certain sites, your DNS provider may be stuck. On iPhone, open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to the network, choose Configure DNS, switch to Manual, remove the old server, and add 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1. On Mac, open System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details > DNS, click plus, and add the same servers.
The site may be down
If other websites load normally and only one site fails, the problem may be on that site’s server or DNS. In that case there may be nothing to fix on your device; try again later.
Sources
- Apple Support – If you cannot connect to the internet in Safari (2025)
- Apple Support – Change Wi-Fi settings on iPhone (2025)
- Apple Support – Use extensions in Safari on Mac (2025)