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Safari Can't Find the Server: Fixes for Mac

Safari couldn't look up the website's address: a typo, a DNS problem on your Mac or network, or a domain that doesn't exist.

Safari Can't Find the Server

Safari asked DNS for the site's address and got no usable answer, so it couldn't find which server to connect to.

Quick checks

  • Check the address for typos.
  • Try another site; if none load, check your connection.
  • Try the same site on another device.

Fixes on Mac

  1. Flush the DNS cache

    1. Run sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder in Terminal.

  2. Change DNS servers

    1. System Settings › Network › Wi-Fi › Details › DNS: add 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8.

  3. Check Private Relay and VPNs

    1. Turn off iCloud Private Relay and VPNs briefly; they handle DNS for Safari.

  4. Look up the name directly

    1. Run dig +short example.com. No answer means the name doesn't resolve for you.

Fixes on Windows

  1. Not applicable

    1. Safari isn't available on Windows.

Other devices

  1. iPhone and iPad

    1. Toggle Airplane Mode; in the Wi-Fi network's settings, set Configure DNS to Manual and add 1.1.1.1.

Still not working?

If a public resolver (dig +short name @1.1.1.1) can't resolve the name either, the domain is broken or expired; nothing on your Mac will fix it. “Safari cannot open the page” is a broader message that also covers connection failures; check the details line under it.

See what’s happening

LightAtom's connections view shows the domain behind each of Safari's connections.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Safari say it can't find the server?

The website's name didn't resolve to an IP address: a typo, a DNS problem on your network, or a domain that no longer exists.

How do I flush DNS on a Mac?

In Terminal: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. Enter your password; nothing is printed when it works.

What is the Chrome version of this error?

DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN or ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED, both explained in their own guides.

Related errors and tools

Related

LightAtom team

The people who build LightAtom, a network monitor for macOS.