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Safari Not Working on Mac/MacBook? Simple Fixes Are Here

Updated on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

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Summary:  Safari not working on Mac? Follow this guide that explains how to troubleshoot Safari that's not working properly on Mac/MacBook Pro. All possible solutions are included.

As the default search engine on Mac computers, Safari has powerful features. Most Mac users work well with Safari until some recently find it is not working without warning. You may undergo Safari not working on Mac after an update or Safari not responding.

Whatever your specific problem with Safari is, this post can give you a hand. It contains almost all general solutions to troubleshoot the Safari not working on Mac/MacBook issue. Follow the methods in this post and make your Safari browser perform properly again.

Safari not working on Mac, try these solutions

If you are experiencing the Safari not working on MacBook issues, such as not opening because  Safari can't establish a secure connection  to the server or not responding, quitting unexpectedly, running slowly, not loading web pages, online  videos not playing on MacBook , or other problems, you can try the solutions below.

Quick solutions to fix Safari not working on Mac :

Check the network

Force quit safari, restart mac, clear the website data in safari, disable safari extensions, clean up the corrupted safari plist files and database, terminate the processes that may affect safari running, update safari.

It is worth mentioning that the network will affect your access to a website in the Safari browser. If your Safari not working on Mac , you can check if your Wi-Fi is down and reset your network settings.

When Safari is not responding on Mac, you can activate it by force quitting and relaunching it.

• Click the Apple logo and select Force Quit.

• Wait a few seconds and reopen Safari.

Sometimes, the Safari browser that doesn't perform properly on Mac is due to temporary operating system glitches. A restart will  refresh your Mac  and all programs.

To  restart your Mac device , go to the Apple menu > Restart.

Have you ever cleared the Safari browser data? If haven't, that may be the cause of your Safari not working on MacBook well. The accumulated website data will slow down the speed at which Safari loads pages.  

And also, some website data carry viruses that can lead to Safari freezing, crashing, or not responding.

To delete the website data, including cache files, cookies, and history, follow these steps:

Delete Safari cache:

• Launch Safari and click Safari at the top menu bar. Then, select the Preferences option.

• Choose Develop at the top Safari menu bar > Empty Caches.

Remove cookies and history:

• Choose the length of time you want (better choose all history) to clear cookies and other website data in Safari.

Extensions add new features to Safari and simplify your internet experience. But some extensions are auto-added to your Safari. And some of them may make conflicts in Safari when they proceed with tasks or self-maintenance, leading to Safari crashing or sudden quitting.

When that happens, you can disable all the extensions immediately to do troubleshooting.

• Open Safari and select Safari from the top menu bar > Preferences.
• Click the Extensions tab.
• Uncheck the extensions you are unfamiliar with or don't need.

Maybe the corrupted PLIST files or database of Safari result in Safari in a disordered state. You can remove this data to debug your Safari.

• Open Finder and click Go at the top menu bar.
• Select Go to Folder from the Go menu.
• Copy and paste ~/Library/Safari into the box and click Go.
• Move the LastSession.plist and file names containing "History.db" to Trash.

Then, relaunching Safari can enable it to recreate these PLIST files and history databases automatically. You'll find your unresponsive Safari back to normal now.

If Safari not working on Mac even after the above troubleshooting on it, check if other programs block Safari from normal working. Especially some third-party browsers or the recently installed software.

You can close the running third-party programs and then reopen the Safari app to see if it performs well now.

Apple releases software updates in routine to enhance software performance and fix existing bugs. So, when Safari not working on your MacBook properly, you also need to check if your Safari browser is up-to-date.

Safari is the default software in macOS. That means Safari will be updated along with a  macOS update .

• Select the Apple logo > About This Mac > Software Update.
• Click Update Now or Upgrade Now if new versions are available.

Safari won't open on Mac, what to do?

Unfortunately, you may even fail to launch the Safari browser on Mac. In that case, try the three general ways mentioned above - restart your Mac, clear up website data, and update Safari.

If these ways are useless, you can read this post carefully to fix your Safari that's not opening on Mac:  How to Fix Safari Won't Open Issue?

Fix the error Safari can not be opened because of a problem

Some Mac users report that they have received an error message from Safari - Safari can not be opened because of a problem. This error pops up at your every attempt to access Safari.

It is said that this problem is caused by the incompatibility between iTunes 12.8.1 and Safari. And some users give a testified but the temporary solution:

• Open Finder and select Go from the top Finder menu bar > Go to Folder.
• Enter /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ in the pop-up box and click Go.
• Find and remove the MobileDevice.framework file in the Library folder.

Then you can open Safari again to check if the Safari not working on Mac error is resolved.

[Proved] 9 Ways to Speed Up Safari on Mac

This article will tell you how to speed up Safari on Mac with nine proven ways and help you get Safari running smoothly on Mac again.  Read more >>

Why is Safari not working on Mac?

Whether your Safari is crashing, not responding, not opening, or has other abnormal performances, the Safari that's not working on Mac is usually caused by:

• The outdated current Safari version
• The old macOS
• Software bugs
• Too many tabs opened in Safari at once
• The accumulated cookies, cache, and history logs in Safar
• The viruses or errors in extensions, plugins, or opened websites

How to Uninstall and Reinstall Safari Browser on Mac

This article delves into the process of Safari uninstallation. You will learn how to completely delete Safari from your Mac and how to reinstall it if you need it again.

Connie Yang is the primary columnist in the computer field at iBoysoft. She is enthusiastic about sharing tech tutorials on data recovery and operating system-related problems resolution. Over the years, Connie has published many computer-related guides and introductory articles.

Jessica Shee is a senior tech editor at iBoysoft. Throughout her 4 years of experience, Jessica has written many informative and instructional articles in data recovery, data security, and disk management to help a lot of readers secure their important documents and take the best advantage of their devices.

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Mac connected to internet but web browsers not accessing internet

• Thread starter Zircon2020
• Start date Aug 18, 2020
• Sort by reaction score
• Older macOS Versions
• macOS Catalina (10.15)

macrumors newbie

• Aug 18, 2020

Running Catalina with latest upgrade. Network is showing Ethernet and wifi is connected but web browsers (Safari and Chrome) are not loading. Operating in safe mode doesn’t fix the problem. Oop  

duanepatrick

Macrumors 6502.

What is the blocking page looks like? There should be some sort of message why you can't browse the net.  

macrumors 604

Try creating a new clean user, login to the new user and see if you can access the internet from a browser.  

macrumors 601

Another thing you can try: Hold down your Option Key and click on the WiFi symbol at the top menu and then choose "Open Wireless Diagnostics". Run the diags to see if it tells you anything about why you can't connect.  

macrumors 6502a

Are you getting email on this computer using Mail or Outlook to similar?  

• Aug 19, 2020

duanepatrick said: What is the blocking page looks like? There should be some sort of message why you can't browse the net. Click to expand...

ssmed said: Are you getting email on this computer using Mail or Outlook to similar? Click to expand...

Taz Mangus said: Try creating a new clean user, login to the new user and see if you can access the internet from a browser. Click to expand...

chscag said: Another thing you can try: Hold down your Option Key and click on the WiFi symbol at the top menu and then choose "Open Wireless Diagnostics". Run the diags to see if it tells you anything about why you can't connect. Click to expand...

Reset your router - leaving it off for a couple of minutes and then see what happens. Also try using Ethernet or wifi, not both for troubleshooting purposes  

ssmed said: Reset your router - leaving it off for a couple of minutes and then see what happens. Also try using Ethernet or wifi, not both for troubleshooting purposes Click to expand...

Dale Collie

Macrumors member.

• Oct 5, 2020

Solved this issue by making sure the router and DNS numbers are the same. Go to Half Eaten Apple/ System Preferences / network/ advanced/ TCP/IP and make a note of your router #. Then click DNS on the top bar and compare that number with the router. If they are different, click + sign at bottom and add the exact number. Then highlight the wrong number and hit the minus button. Now, closer your browser and reopen ... voila!  

brianmowrey

• Oct 6, 2020

Can be time and date issue, which PRAM reset would fix. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063  

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Fix “Safari Can’t Open Page” Error on iPhone, iPad, Mac

Have you ever tried to visit a web page or web site with Safari and the browser giving you the “Safari Can’t Open the Page” error message? It stops you in your tracks as the web page can’t be viewed at all.

The “Safari Can’t Open the Page” error can happen on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, on any version of the web browser. If this happens, you can usually resolve the problem quickly by following the troubleshooting steps below.

Fix 1: If “Safari Can’t Open the Page” Error, Check Your Internet!

The first thing you should do is check your internet connection, make sure it is active and enabled. This applies to Mac, iPhone, iPad, and anything really.

If the device or computer is disconnected from the internet, you will see the “Safari Can’t Open the Page” every time.

Confirm that you have an active and functioning internet connection first, this is often the problem. Maybe it’s due to low cell phone reception, or a junky wi-fi connection, whatever it is, confirm that your internet actually works. Load other web pages, use other services, etc.

Fix 2: Check the URL!

The next thing you want to do is check the website URL address, so that you know it is correct and proper. This is a really common reason why web pages can’t be loaded. A typo in the URL web address will prevent the site from loading. Make sure it is correct!

Fix 3: Refresh the Web Page

Simply refreshing the web page often fixes the problem, particularly if the connection was interrupted for some reason.

You can refresh the webpage by clicking the ‘refresh’ button, it looks like a little circular arrow in a circle and it is near the address URL bar.

You can also hold down the OPTION button on a keyboard to force refresh a webpage without caches.

Fix 4: Quit and Relaunch Safari

Quitting and relaunching Safari can often fix a problem where a web page can’t be loaded.

After you open Safari again, the web page should load fine.

Fix 5: Check DNS and Use Google DNS

Sometimes DNS servers and problems are to blame for poorly loading web pages. One solution to this is to use custom Google DNS servers.

Google DNS servers are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 and you can learn how to change your settings here:

• How to change DNS settings on iPhone, iPad
• how to change DNS settings on Mac

6: Another Fix: Update Software

Finally, you may need to update your Safari software or your system software. Check for any available software updates, and install them if they are available. This can be particularly true with old versions of software.

7: Empty Safari Web Browser Caches and Site Data

Sometimes Safari caches can cause strange browser behavior like displaying a “Can’t open page” error message. Emptying the browser caches and site data can often remedy this issue.

On Mac, you can empty browser data by going to “Safari” in the menu bar > Preferences > Privacy > Remove all website data, and confirm that you want to remove website data.

On iOS, you can empty Safari browser data by going to Settings app > Safari > “Clear History and Website Data” and confirm that you want to remove and clear website data.

Note that by clearing caches, cookies, and site data you will have to login again to any site you have saved a password or other customizations for.

8: Try a Different Browser

Another choice is to use a different web browser of course too, if the site loads in Chrome or Firefox or Opera but not in Safari, it may indicate a specific problem with Safari.

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How to Fix “Safari Can’t Find the Server” Error on Mac

Parth Shah is an evergreen freelance writer covering how-tos, app guides, comparisons, listicles, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and smart TV platforms. He has over five years of experience and has covered 1,500+ articles on GuidingTech and Android Police. In his free time, you will see him binge-watching Netflix shows, reading books, and traveling.

Arshmeet has been a tech tinkerer since childhood, but she realized her love for technology and writing about 5 years ago. Since then, she has been honing her skills and helping people figure out how things work, troubleshoot problems, choose the right app and products, and dig deep into the new and old concepts of technology. She is a self-professed Apple Enthusiast who loves debating what’s good and what’s not. It is her passion for finding techniques, hacks, apps, and products that make everyday life simpler.

• Firstly, try some basic fixes like check if the website is down or blocked, restart the router, disable VPN, etc.
• Next, clear Safari Cache to remove any glitches or issues caused due to it.
• Lastly, flush DNS cache, modify DNS Settings, disable content blocker, etc., to fix the issue.

Why Can’t Safari Connect to Server on Mac?

If your Mac has network connection issues, Safari can’t connect to the server normally. You will keep running into the ‘Safari can’t find server’ error. Apart from Wi-Fi problems, here are several reasons behind the irritating problem.

• Wi-Fi connectivity issues
• Router malfunction
• Outdated Safari browser on Mac
• iCloud Privacy Rely outage
• Issues from a specific website
• An active VPN network
• Incorrect URL

Basic Fixes

• Double-check URL : Did you type the correct URL of the website? Even a single typo in a web address can cause the ‘Safari can’t find server’ issue on Mac. You should recheck the URL, fix any typos, and try reloading the webpage.
• Check your network connection : You should ensure a stable network connection on your Mac. Most Macs support dual-band Wi-Fi frequency. We recommend connecting to a 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency on your Mac.
• Check if the website is down or blocked : Every website stores content and other data on a third-party or company’s server. These servers face occasional outrage. You can confirm the issue from Downdetector . If the issue is with the server, you have to wait it out.
• Restart router : Do you face the ‘Safari can’t find server error’ on iPhone and other devices too? If your home or office router is acting up, internet connectivity won’t work. You should turn off the router, remove it from the power plug, and switch it on again.
• Disable VPN : An active VPN connection may interfere with some websites from specific regions. You have two options: continue with the VPN and connect to another server or completely turn off the VPN and try again.
• Update macOS : Notably, Apple bundles Safari with macOS updates. You can update macOS to the latest version to enjoy all the new Safari add-ons and bug fixes.

Fix 1. Clear Safari Cache

Clearing Safari data is one of the effective ways to troubleshoot common browser issues on Mac.

Step 1: Open Safari on Mac. Select Safari at the top and open Settings .

Step 2: Move to the Privacy tab . Click Manage Website Data .

Step 3: Select Remove All and hit Done .

Tip: You can also turn off AdBlock in Safari .

Fix 2. Flush DNS Cache on Mac

Resetting the DNS cache can help when facing connectivity issues. The process differs from flushing DNS on Windows; on Mac, we’ll use a Terminal command.

Step 1 : Open Terminal . You can launch Spotlight and search for Terminal or go to Finder → Go → Utilities → Terminal .

Step 2 : Type in the following command into Terminal and press return .

Step 3 : Enter your device password and press return .

This will reset DNS cache immediately. Notably, there will be no indication for the same; it is carried out in the background silently.

Fix 3. Renew DHCP Lease

If your device employs the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), maybe the issue is caused due to it. You can renew DHCP Lease or reset it to resolve the issue.

Step 1 : Open the System Settings menu on your Mac.

Step 2 : Click Network from the sidebar > select the Wi-Fi from the right > click Details .

Step 3: Select TCP/IP from the sidebar > click Renew DHCP Lease .

Step 4 : Click OK .

Fix 4. Modify DNS Settings

You can tweak the default DNS settings with Google’s public DNS and browse Safari without any issues. This is one neat way to fix the ‘Safari can’t open Google’ issue.

Step 1: Go to Mac System Settings / System Preferences . Select Wi-Fi and open Details /Network → Advanced menu.

Step 2: Click DNS . Select + and enter Google’s public DNS entries , i.e.,

Step 3: Click OK and close the app.

You can now check if Safari is working fine.

Fix 5. Disable Content Blocker for the Website

While content blockers may offer a better reading experience on the Safari browser, they heavily affect the website revenue. That’s why some websites won’t let you read an article unless you disable the content blocker for them.

In this case, you are connecting to a server in the Safari browser. But you can’t browse anything on the website. Here’s what you must do.

Step 1: Hover the mouse to the search bar at the top and right-click on it. If you are using a trackpad, use a two-finger click on the trackpad.

Step 2: It will open a pop-up menu to modify website settings. Disable the content blocker . Reload the website, and you are all set to read the post.

Fix 6. Disable iCloud Private Relay

With the macOS Monterey update, Apple has enabled iCloud Private Relay for iCloud+ subscribers. This service reroutes internet traffic through an Apple-branded server and protects your exact location.

Some location-based websites may require your exact location and have problems working with iCloud Private Relay enabled.

Thankfully, Apple allows users to disable iCloud Private Relay for a specific Wi-Fi connection on a Mac. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open the System Settings / System Preferences menu on Mac.

Step 2: Select Wi-Fi and open Details . In the older version of macOS, go to Network → Wi-Fi .

Step 3: Disable the Limit IP address tracking toggle or iCloud Private Relay (for older macOS).

Notably, some websites may not be properly optimized for Safari on Mac. You can temporarily switch to Google Chrome and check if it’s working.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 16 August, 2024

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.

None of these worked for me I would love to play EverQuest again but can’t find the server

How do I find dns on ventura?

None of these worked for me. I can’t disable ad blockers on the website that I’m unable to access because the lock doesn’t come up in the search bar. Right clicking simply asks copy or paste but that’s it

My result is exactly the same as Bryana’s 🙁

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Access to Facebook on MacBook pro with newly installed BigSur 11.3

Can't open Facebook.com. Just get a blank screen but all ok on iPhone and iPad. Help please

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.3

Posted on Apr 30, 2021 3:26 AM

Posted on Apr 30, 2021 4:00 AM

1. If Safari doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected

    Try suggestions given in this article.

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204098

2. If it works on any of your devices, try  Develop > User Agent > iPhone

    Enable Develop menu.

    https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-the-developer-tools-in-the-develop-menu-sfri20948/mac

3. Enter https://www.facebook.com in Safari’s search bar and test.

Similar questions

• No Facebook with Safari Since a few hours I can't connect to Facebook with my Mac. A blank screen. Facebook works with Firefox and on my iPhone so I don't understand what's going on. Anyone else this problem? 340 2
• I cannot open Facebook on my Mac Pro laptop, only my iPhone This has only just happened on my MacBook Pro running Big Sur 11.2.3 (20D91). The Facebook tab comes up but the page stays blank?? I have cleared the browsing cache and history but still the same. Facebook loads immediately on the iPhone. Can anyone help?? Thanks 354 1
• I can't open Facebook on my MacBook Pro April 30,2021. What can I do? I can't open Facebook on my MacBook Pro April 30,2021. What can I do? Please Help!!!! 584 1

Loading page content

Page content loaded

Apr 30, 2021 4:00 AM in response to Juneyish

If Safari isn't loading websites or quits on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If you can't load a website or webpage, or Safari quits unexpectedly, follow these steps.

Connect to a different network

Try to load a website, like www.apple.com , using cellular data. If you don't have cellular data, connect to a different Wi-Fi network , then load the website.

If you're using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), check your VPN settings . If you have a VPN turned on, some apps or websites might block content from loading.

Restart your device

Turn off your device and turn it on again.

Restart your iPhone

Restart your iPad

Restart your iPod touch

Clear website data

You can clear website data occasionally to improve Safari performance.

Go to Settings > Safari.

Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Tap Clear History to confirm.

Turn on JavaScript

Turn on JavaScript if it's not already on.

Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced.

Turn on JavaScript.

Get more help

If the issue continues and only affects a certain website or webpage, check if you have Private Relay turned on. You can temporarily turn off Private Relay in iCloud Settings . If Safari still doesn't load websites and you tried all of these steps, contact the website developer for more help.

Explore Apple Support Community

Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

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How to Add a Facebook Account to a Mac: Connect Facebook to macOS

A simple guide to adding a Facebook account to your Mac

Last Updated: January 24, 2023 Fact Checked

Add Facebook Account on macOS Monterey and Later

Add facebook events to your mac calendar, add facebook contacts to your mac, add facebook account on macos high sierra and earlier.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith . Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 85,522 times. Learn more...

Are you looking for an easy way to sync your Facebook calendar to your Mac? While older versions of macOS (High Sierra and earlier) offered an easy way to add your Facebook account to your Mac's System Preferences and sync your calendar and contacts, this option no longer exists in current versions. Fortunately, it's still easy to access Facebook on your Mac using a web browser. And while it's no longer possible to sync your Facebook calendar and contacts to your Mac automatically, you can still add events and contacts manually. This wikiHow article will teach you easy to add your Facebook account to your Mac desktop or MacBook.

Things You Should Know

• There's no longer an option to add a Facebook account to System Preferences, but you can still access Facebook in your browser at https://www.facebook.com .
• If you're using an older version of macOS, you can add your Facebook account in Apple menu > System Preferences > Internet Accounts > Facebook.
• While you can no longer sync your Facebook calendar and contacts to your Mac automatically, you can export events and add contacts manually.

• If you're still using macOS High Sierra or earlier, see this method to learn how to add a Facebook account.

• If you've forgotten your Facebook password , click the Forgot password? link to reset it.

• If the file doesn't download automatically, choose a location on your Mac and save it.

• Note that this method only works for macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and earlier. Facebook was removed from later versions of the macOS Internet Accounts feature.

• If you don’t see Facebook as an option, click Add Other Account at the bottom of the list. Then, select the type of account and enter in the account details.

• If you use Instagram, you can also connect your Instagram and Facebook accounts .

• Click the Contacts box to toggle contact syncing. When this is enabled, Facebook contacts will appear in your Contacts app.
• Click the Calendar box to toggle Facebook events. When this is enabled, Facebook contacts will appear in your Contacts app. Unchecking this box will prevent those contacts from syncing. [5] X Research source

Community Q&A

• If you’re looking for more helpful Mac info, see our guides on deleting cookies on your Mac and how to use Focus Mode. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/152652248136178
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/calendar/import-or-export-calendars-icl1023/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/contacts/add-people-and-companies-adrbk1080/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/add-your-email-and-other-accounts-mh35565/mac
• ↑ https://www.lifewire.com/set-up-mac-integrate-with-facebook-2259916

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MacBook Pro / Air Butterfly Keyboard Issues (Repeating, Stuck, Unresponsive)

Apple in 2015 and 2016 introduced updated keyboards for its MacBook and MacBook Pro, debuting a butterfly key mechanism with home switches beneath each key that minimize thickness while also providing a satisfying press under the fingers. Butterfly keys were offered in Macs between 2015 and 2019.

Apple in 2019 began phasing out the butterfly keyboard in favor of a scissor switch keyboard, and as of May 2020, it is no longer in use in new ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models. Older machines will continue to experience issues as these cannot be updated with the new scissor switch mechanisms.

What's the problem?

Butterfly keys use a butterfly mechanism that's different from the scissor mechanism used for traditional keyboards. It's called a butterfly mechanism because the components underneath the key resembles a butterfly's wings, with a hinge in the center rather than overlapping like a pair of scissors.

Apple swapped to a butterfly mechanism to make a thinner keyboard, which is possible because each key moves less when pressed so less space is needed. The keyboard provides a satisfying amount of travel and stability when each key is pressed, but unfortunately, the thin butterfly mechanism can get jammed up with crumbs, dust, and other particulates, resulting in keys that don't press properly, keys that skip keystrokes, or keys that repeat letters.

Which Macs are affected?

All MacBook models have the potential to experience keyboard issues because the 2015 MacBook was the first machine to get a butterfly keyboard. All 2016, 2017, and 2018 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are vulnerable to failure despite some generational changes Apple has made to the keyboard with different models, which we'll explain more below.

Apple's 2018 ‌MacBook Air‌ uses the same butterfly keyboard that's in the MacBook Pro, which has also been the subject of some failure complaints on Reddit and the MacRumors forums.

According to Apple, only a "small percentage" of Mac users have experienced problems with the butterfly keyboard, but anecdotal claims and the high visibility of the issue have resulted in a public perception that most butterfly keyboards fail. This isn't true as some people have keyboards that are fine, but any Mac with a butterfly keyboard has the potential to experience issues.

What has Apple done?

Apple in June 2018 launched a keyboard repair program for MacBook and MacBook Pro models equipped with butterfly keys, and in May 2019, the program was expanded to encompass all MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ machines equipped with a butterfly keyboard, including the new 2019 models.

• MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)
• ‌MacBook Air‌ (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2019)

Customers with eligible 2015 to 2019 machines that experienced keyboard issues were able to visit an Apple retail store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to receive repairs free of charge. The repair program was a huge deal, as prior to its initiation, some customers had to pay upwards of $500 in fees to get their MacBook and MacBook Pro models repaired.

All MacBook, MacBook Pro, and ‌MacBook Air‌ models were covered for four years from the date of purchase, so 2019 machines were covered until 2023.

What about 2018 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models?

Apple in 2018 debuted ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models that use an updated third-generation butterfly keyboard. The third-generation butterfly keyboard has a thin silicone barrier behind each key, which was put in place as an ingress-proofing measure to prevent dust from getting in the keys.

We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry. The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard.

It's possible 2018 machines with updated butterfly keyboards are failing less often, but 2018 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ owners still reported issues, so these models should be avoided if you're planning on buying an older machine.

What about 2019 MacBook Pro models?

Apple in May 2019 debuted new MacBook Pro models with additional improvements to the third-generation butterfly keyboard. The 2019 MacBook Pros have keyboards built with a new material that Apple claims will significantly cut down on the keyboard failures that users have seen.

Apple did not provide specific details on the material change in the updated butterfly keyboard. According to an iFixit teardown , Apple made changes to the membrane that covers the keyboard switches.

According to Apple, 2018 MacBook Pro and ‌MacBook Air‌ machines that experience keyboard failures can be upgraded with this new upgraded third-generation butterfly keyboard. Older machines that do not use the third-generation butterfly keyboard will not be able to be updated with the 2019 technology, but even this newer technology is prone to failure on occasion.

What do I do if my butterfly keyboard fails?

Regardless of which MacBook, ‌MacBook Air‌, or MacBook Pro you have, you should contact Apple support or visit an Apple retail store for repair options. Repairs will be covered if it is within four years of when you purchased your Mac. If it has been longer than that, the repair program is no longer applicable and Apple will not offer free repairs.

No more butterfly keyboards?

With the launch of the 2020 16-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌, Apple eliminated the butterfly keyboard from its notebook lineup. As of May 2020, there are no MacBooks made that feature the butterfly key mechanism, with Apple's newest machines all featuring a newer, more durable scissor switch mechanism for the keyboard, which Apple calls the "Magic Keyboard."

The scissor mechanism in the Magic Keyboard offers 1mm of key travel and a stable key feel, plus an Apple-crafted rubber dome that's designed to store more potential energy for a more responsive key press. Apple says that Magic Keyboard delivers a comfortable, satisfying, and quiet typing experience. Design wise, the keyboard is similar to the butterfly keyboard options, but there's a physical Escape key instead of a virtual key on the Touch Bar, and the Touch ID button is a separate button too.

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1 day ago by Joe Rossignol

2 days ago by Tim Hardwick

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Facebook Messenger Not Working on MacBook Air M2 - Shows Continuous "Getting Started" Loop (Dec 12, 2022)

Hello. This is my first time trying this forum. I have tried sending messages to Meta/App reviews etc, but no success.

I am uable to start the Facebook Messenger on my Macbook Air M2 after installation. It keeps showing the "Getting Started" loop with no end, no login / password input fields. I have tried everything: deleting the App, reinstalling it, restarting the Mac. Please advise if there is a way to fix this error.

MacBook Air, macOS 13.0

Posted on Dec 12, 2022 8:00 AM

Posted on Dec 17, 2022 1:27 PM

I had the same problem with the FB Messenger on my MacBook Pro M1 and just found a solution via the YouTube clip https://youtu.be/tEoHoDU3lBA - by deleting 'Messenger Desktop.v1' in the login area of the Keychain Access the Messenger app started working again without having to change my user name.

It is all not very logical to me but at least I hope this offers you a solution, HCH11, to this little but oh so irritating problem.

All the best!

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Dec 17, 2022 1:27 PM in response to HCH11

Dec 17, 2022 4:21 PM in response to iGaston

This worked finally, yoohoo!

Initially, system was not allowing me to delete the 'Messenger Desktop.v1', so I followed all the steps shared by @ James Brickley and then the last step of deleting the 'Messenger Desktop.v1' shared by @ iGaston .

This solution worked perfectly. Thank you very much for very clear and detailed responses to resolve my 'Getting Started' issue with the Facebook Messenger for MacBook Air M2.

Appreciate you both very much!

Dec 14, 2022 3:35 PM in response to HCH11

Did you install Messenger from the App Store or from link below?

https://www.messenger.com/desktop

Dec 14, 2022 4:27 AM in response to HCH11

Okay that eliminates the obvious. Now to dig into the nitty-gritty. When an App installs it may install more than what is found in /Applications. While running Facebook Messenger, I see the following file locations being used as observed by Activity Monitor, Process -> Open Files & Ports.

Delete the Messenger App again and then delete the two folders listed below. Then re-install Facebook Messenger and try again.

~/Library/Containers/com.facebook.archon

~/Library/Group Containers/V9WTTPBFK9.com.facebook.Messenger

Dec 14, 2022 9:44 AM in response to James Brickley

Thank you once again. I tried but still no success. I even tried a little more creativity, such as: I restarted the Mac after deleting the app and the folders (like you suggested), before installing the Messenger App again. There were some additional Messenger & Facebook files within the Folders you had suggested, I deleted them as well in addition to those Folders, emptied the Trash permanently, restarted, and then reinstalled the Facebook Messenger, still no success.

Any other ideas?

Here is a long shot. Do you think there could be some system settings conflicting with the Messenger getting started? Maybe unintentionally, I changed some settings not realizing the aftereffects on an App like Facebook Messenger, or maybe there are some universal factory system settings conflicting with the Messenger getting started.

I appreciate you trying to help. Thank you!

Dec 14, 2022 3:00 PM in response to HCH11

Hold down the Option key when you launch Messenger.

Alternative test, create a new user on macOS and sign-in then see what happens when you launch Messenger. That may rule out your user account and any configurations you made if the problem re-occurs.

Dec 14, 2022 3:27 PM in response to James Brickley

Creating a new user was a great idea. THANK YOU!! The Messenger is working in the New User. It means there are system settings I must have changed, that's why the Messenger is not working in my main user profile on Mac. Any suggestions on the areas of system settings to look/change to make the Messenger work within my main user profile?

PS: The option key step did not work.

Dec 14, 2022 3:57 PM in response to James Brickley

I had not tried the link you shared, but I had tried everything else, installed from the App Store directly, and Install Messenger from the Facebook login in Safari. I just tried the link as well, no success.

Dec 14, 2022 5:24 PM in response to HCH11

I cannot think of anything you could have changed via system settings that would have broken Facebook Messenger but only in your account on the Mac.

Perhaps you have some malware / adware or some other application this interfering. You could run a scan with EtreCheck (be sure to give it Full Disk Access) and post the report using the Additional Text button on a reply.

Dec 14, 2022 1:30 AM in response to James Brickley

Dec 13, 2022 7:21 PM in response to HCH11

Upgrade macOS to the latest Ventura version which released about 9 hours ago. Version 13.1 is now available.

Dec 14, 2022 9:29 PM in response to James Brickley

I will try that. Thank you very much for taking time to assist. I appreciate it very much.