How to fix Safari browser extensions causing page crashes or slow loading on macOS

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Safari browser extensions causing page crashes or slow loading on macOS. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

If you have noticed that Safari is behaving erratically, crashing on specific websites, or taking an unusually long time to load pages, the cause is often a third-party browser extension. Extensions can conflict with website scripts or consume excessive system resources, leading to instability on your macOS device.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into the settings, try these rapid steps to determine if an extension is the culprit:

• Restart Safari: Completely quit the application using Command + Q and relaunch it.
• Try a Private Window: Open a new Private Window (Command + Shift + N). Some extensions are disabled by default in private mode; if the site loads correctly here, an extension is likely the cause.
• Clear Cache: Go to Safari > Clear History... to ensure old cached data isn't conflicting with an extension update.

Detailed Instructions to Manage Extensions

Follow these steps to identify and disable problematic extensions to restore browser performance.

How to Disable Extensions

1. Launch Safari.
2. In the top menu bar, click on Safari and select Settings... (or press Command + ,).
3. Click on the Extensions tab located in the top icon bar of the settings window.
4. On the left-hand sidebar, you will see a list of all installed extensions.
5. Uncheck the box next to each extension to disable it. Note: We recommend disabling all extensions first, then enabling them one by one to identify the specific one causing the crash.

How to Uninstall an Extension

If you have identified a specific extension that consistently causes crashes, it is best to remove it entirely.

1. Navigate back to Safari > Settings... > Extensions.
2. Select the problematic extension from the list.
3. Click the Uninstall button.
4. If the extension was installed as part of an app, macOS will prompt you to remove the associated application from your Applications folder.

Troubleshooting Persistent Issues

If disabling extensions did not resolve the slow loading or crashing, please try the following advanced steps:

Checking for macOS Updates

Safari is updated as part of the macOS system. An outdated browser version may be incompatible with modern web extensions.

1. Click the Apple Menu > System Settings.
2. Go to General > Software Update.
3. Install any available updates to ensure you have the latest security and stability patches.

Analyse System Resources

If Safari is slow but not crashing, a "runaway" extension might be using too much CPU or RAM.

1. Open Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities).
2. Click the CPU tab.
3. Look for processes named Safari Web Content or specific extension names.
4. If one process is using a disproportionate amount of CPU (e.g., over 100%), highlight it and click the X icon at the top to force quit that specific process.

If you have disabled all extensions and updated your software but Safari continues to crash, please Open a Ticket so our technical team can analyse your system logs.

Still Having Issues?