Safari Slow On macOS Sequoia? Try These 13 Fixes

author avatarIvelin Krastev Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

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Is Safari being slow after you updated to macOS Sequoia?

Many Mac users experience slow page loads and delayed responses after the latest macOS update, making browsing a frustrating experience.

But don’t worry—there are several simple ways to get Safari back up to speed.

In this post, we’ll guide you through 13 effective fixes to improve Safari’s performance so you can browse smoothly again in no time.

Let’s explore the solutions!

This Article Contains:

Why is Safari slow on macOS Sequoia?

Here are some common reasons why Safari may be running slowly on macOS Sequoia:

  1. A weak internet connection may cause pages to load slowly.
  2. Using an old version of Safari may lead to performance issues.
  3. Excess cache, history, and other data can build up, slowing down Safari.
  4. Having too many open tabs at once can consume memory and affect performance.
  5. Some Safari extensions may be resource-heavy, causing Safari to lag.
  6. Search engine suggestions can slow down your browser by using extra system resources.
  7. Certain VPN or proxy settings can interfere with your connection and slow down Safari.

These are just a few potential causes, and fortunately, there are effective ways to address them.

How to fix slow Safari on macOS Sequoia

If Safari is running slowly on your macOS Sequoia, the good news is that there are several effective fixes.

Follow these steps to help improve Safari’s performance and get back to fast, smooth browsing.

1. Restart your Wi-Fi connection

Sometimes, slow Safari performance is caused by a weak or unstable internet connection. A quick way to refresh your connection is to turn off Wi-Fi and then turn it back on.

To do this:

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar or go to System Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Toggle the Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, and toggle it back on.
wi-fi network in system settings

This should help reset the connection and resolve any temporary issues.

2. Check your router and internet connection

If restarting Wi-Fi didn’t work, it might be an issue with your internet connection itself. Make sure everything is working correctly by restarting your router or switching to a more reliable connection like Ethernet.

Unplug the router, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it in again. Try to connect your Mac to the router using an Ethernet cable for an even more stable connection.

3. Quit and restart Safari

Sometimes, simply quitting and restarting Safari can clear out minor issues that cause it to run slowly.

To quit Safari, go to the Safari menu in the menu bar and select Quit Safari. Wait a moment, then open Safari again to see if performance improves.

4. Update the Safari app to the latest version

Running an outdated Safari version can lead to performance problems, especially after a macOS Sequoia update. Make sure you have installed the latest version of Safari.

To update Safari:

  1. Go to the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Click General > Software Update.
  3. Install any software updates available for Safari or macOS.
macos sequoia update in macos software update window

Once updated, restart your Mac and try browsing again.

5. Clear Safari history, cache, and browsing data

Over time, Safari stores a lot of caches, website info, and history that can slow down your browsing experience. Clearing these can give Safari a fresh start.

To clear history and data:

  1. Open the Safari app and go to the Safari menu.
  2. Select History > Clear History, then choose the time range and click Clear History.
  3. To clear cache and other data, go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy, then click Manage Website Data and remove the data you don’t need.
manage website data button in safari settings

6. Scan your Mac for malware

Malware can be one of the hidden culprits behind Safari running slowly on macOS Sequoia. Harmful software can clog up system resources, interfere with browsing, and cause your browser to slow down significantly.

Running a malware scan can help identify and remove these threats, keeping your Mac in peak condition.

One of the most effective tools for this is SpyHunter for Mac. SpyHunter is designed to detect and remove various types of malware, including those that may be affecting Safari’s performance.

It also helps optimize your system, freeing up resources to make sure your browser runs smoothly.

Here’s how to use SpyHunter to scan your Mac:

  1. Download SpyHunter for free here.
  2. Follow the installation instructions to set up SpyHunter on your Mac.
  3. Once installed, open SpyHunter and run a full system scan. This will check for any malware, junk files, or other issues that could be slowing down Safari.
  4. After the scan, review the results and follow the prompts to remove any detected threats.
remove malware, trojans, and other threats with spyhunter

By regularly scanning your Mac with SpyHunter, you can keep your system clean and ensure that Safari runs smoothly.

7. Disable VPN and proxy settings

VPNs and proxy settings can sometimes slow down your browsing speed, particularly when they’re improperly configured or active in the background.

To disable VPN or proxy:

  1. Go to System Settings > VPN.
  2. Select your connection and then click Advanced.
  3. Turn off any proxy or VPN settings and see if Safari’s speed improves.
mac global vpn preferences

8. Renew the DHCP lease

Sometimes, network settings need a refresh to fix connectivity issues. Renewing the DHCP lease can help resolve slow internet problems that affect Safari.

To do this:

  1. Go to System Settings > Network.
  2. Select your active Wi-Fi connection, click Details, and select TCP/IP from the sidebar.
  3. Choose Renew DHCP Lease.
renew dhcp lease settings on mac computer

If this doesn’t work, there is one more thing you can try in the same preferences window:

  1. Click Proxies in the sidebar.
  2. Turn off the Auto Proxy Discovery option.
  3. Restart your Mac.
auto proxy discovery in network preferences

9. Close unnecessary tabs

Having too many tabs open in Safari can consume your Mac’s memory, slowing down the browser. If you don’t need certain tabs open, closing them can free up resources and improve performance.

Simply go through your tabs and close any you’re not currently using to lighten the load on Safari.

10. Disable unwanted Safari extensions

Certain Safari extensions can eat up system resources, especially if they’re running in the background. Disabling extensions you don’t use can help speed things up.

To turn off extensions:

  1. Open Safari and go to Safari > Settings > Extensions.
  2. Uncheck any unnecessary extensions or click Uninstall for the ones you no longer need.
safari extension settings

11. Turn off search engine suggestions

Search engine suggestions can slow down your searches by using extra system resources. Turning off this feature can boost your Safari performance.

To turn off search engine suggestions:

  1. Go to Safari > Settings > Search.
  2. Uncheck the Include Safari suggestions box.
safari search preferences

12. Turn off iCloud private relay

If you have iCloud Private Relay enabled, Safari might slow down by rerouting your internet traffic. Turning off this feature could help speed up your browsing.

To turn off Private Relay:

  1. Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.
  2. Click Private Relay and toggle it off.
private relay icloud settings

13. Disable DNS prefetching and change the DNS provider

Another potential reason for Safari running slower on macOS Sequoia is DNS prefetching. This process attempts to resolve website IP addresses before you even click on a link, but it can sometimes cause delays instead of speeding things up.

Disabling DNS prefetching could improve your browser’s performance. Here’s how to achieve this:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type the following command:
    defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDNSPrefetchingEnabled -boolean false
  3. If Safari is open, quit and relaunch it to apply the changes.

Switching to a faster DNS provider can also improve browsing speed. Follow these steps:

  1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details > DNS.
  2. Click the + button to add a new DNS server.
  3. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google’s public DNS) and click OK.
change dns provider

By following these 13 steps, you should see a significant improvement in Safari’s performance on macOS Sequoia, making browsing the web faster and smoother.

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author avatar

Ivelin is a Mac security expert who works hard to keep computers safe. He helps develop SpyHunter for Mac, a tool that fights off new cyber threats. With a lot of experience, Ivelin knows a lot about keeping Macs safe and makes sure people can use their computers without worry.

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