How to Fix Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection Error?

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Let’s check them out in detail.

1. Check your Internet Connection

The first and foremost troubleshooting step you must follow is to ensure that your internet connection is stable and functioning properly.

You can try accessing the website on another browser such as Chrome or Firefox, or even use a different device to confirm whether the issue is specific to Safari or affects all platforms.

If the issue is found to be specific to Safari only, proceed with the troubleshooting methods provided below.

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2. Clear your Safari Browser data

Like any browser, Safari stores certain data in its cache and cookies to enhance user experience and facilitate faster page loading.

However, over time, this data can become outdated or corrupted, particularly the data related to a website’s SSL or encryption. When this occurs, it can trigger the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” error.

To resolve this issue, the easiest method you can do is to completely clear your Safari browser data or history. To do this follow the steps given below:

Step 1: First Open Safari on your device.

Step 2: Click on the “Safari” menu located at the top-left corner of the screen.

Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select “Preferences.”

Step 4: In the Preferences window, navigate to the “Privacy” tab.

Step 5: You will see an option labeled “Manage Website Data.” Click on it.

Step 6: A new window will open, displaying a timeline of all the websites that have stored data on your Safari browser.

Step 7: To remove all the data, click on the “clear history” option.

Step 8: Once the data is cleared, close the “Manage Website Data” window.

Step 9: Finally, click “Done” to close the Preferences window.

By following these steps, you will successfully clear the Safari browser data, including cache, cookies, and website data, which can help resolve various browsing issues.

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3. Update your Safari Browser

An Outdated version of Safari can lead to compatibility issues with websites that require a secure connection. To update Safari to the latest version available, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.

2. Go to the “Updates” tab and check for any available Safari updates.

3. If an update is available, click on the “Update” button next to Safari to install it.

4. After the update is complete, relaunch Safari and check if the error persists.

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4. Check your system’s date and time

An incorrect or unsynchronized date and time on your device can trigger SSL certificate errors, which ultimately result in the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” error.

To check and correct your date and time settings, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”

2. Choose “Date & Time” and ensure that the option to set the date and time automatically is Toggle on.

3. If the option is already Toggled on, Turn off it, wait a few seconds, and then ON it again.

4. Restart Safari and try accessing the website to see if the error is resolved.

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5. Change DNS Settings

If the “safari can’t establish a secure connection” error still persists, you can try to change your DNS settings. If there is something wrong in your DNS settings, it may be the reason you are facing this error message.

To check if this is the case, try changing your DNS settings. For example, you can try Cloudflare’s free DNS Settings.

Step 1: First, navigate to the System Preferences on your Mac. You can find this by clicking on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen, and then selecting “System Preferences“.

Step 2: Once you’re in System Preferences, locate the “Network” icon and click on it. From there, select the network connection that you want to modify (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

Step 3: In the Network settings, you should see a button labeled “Advanced“. Click on that, and then navigate to the “DNS” tab.

Step 4: Here’s where you’ll add the DNS server addresses. Click on the “+” button at the bottom-left of the DNS settings window, and then type in the IPv4 address for Cloudflare’s DNS servers: 1.1.1.1. Press enter, then repeat the process to add another address: 1.0.0.1.

Step 5: Finally, click “OK” to save the changes you’ve made. You should now be all set with your new DNS settings!

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6. Deactivate/Disable IPv6 on Mac

IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is a set of rules that govern how data moves throughout the internet. While IPv6 is the latest version available, many websites still use IPv4. This can lead to compatibility issues and trigger the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” error.

To check if it is causing the issue, you must try to disable the IPv6 on your network. To do so, follow the steps given down below:

To configure IPv6 settings on macOS, follow these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to System Preferences and click on “Network.”

Step 2: Select your network connection from the list.

Step 3: Click the “Advanced” button located at the bottom right corner of the window.

Step 4: In the new window, go to the “TCP/IP” tab.

Step 5: Under the “Configure IPv6” section, click on the drop-down menu and select “Manual.”

Step 6: Once selected, click the “OK” button to save the changes.

If the issue is related to IPv6, this configuration should resolve it. If not, you can proceed to the next troubleshooting solution.

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7. Disable VPN or Proxy settings

If you are using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or proxy server, try disabling them temporarily. Sometimes, these services can interfere with secure connections. Disable the VPN or proxy settings and then attempt to access the website again.

For Mac Users, they can do the following steps to disable proxy settings:

Step 1: Go to the Apple menu or click on the Apple icon located at the top left of your Mac screen.

Step 2: Click on System Settings or System Preferences, whichever is applicable.

Step 3: Now click on the “Network” in the sidebar.

Step 4: From the right pane, Select a network service > click the Advanced button.

Step 5: Click on the Proxy tab and uncheck all the protocols under “Select a protocol to configure” and click on the “Ok” button when done.

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8. Setup Keychain to trust the Certificate

Sometimes, when a website updates its certificate, there can be errors during the installation process. The certificate may also expire or be completely replaced with a new one. In any case, the Safari browser will not trust the certificate, resulting in a refusal to establish a secure connection and leading to the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” error.

However, if you are certain that everything is in order and correct, you can override this blocking feature of Safari by compelling the Keychain to trust the website.

Keychain Access is a built-in application on macOS that serves as a password and credential management system. It securely stores various sensitive information such as passwords, encryption keys, certificates, and secure notes.

To override keychain access and force it to trust the website, you need to follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Visit the website showing the error message.

Step 2: Click the lock icon to the left of the address bar.

Step 3: Select “View” or “View Certificate” from the menu.

Step 4: Press Ctrl + Spacebar to open the Spotlight search bar.

Step 5: Type “Keychain” in the search box and press Enter.

Step 6: In Keychain Access, locate the certificate in the “System” root directory.

Step 7: Go to the “Trust” section and select “Always Trust” from the drop-down menu.

That’s all you can do to fix the “Safari can’t establish a secure connection” error. However, if it doesn’t work in any case, the last resort is to contact the website administrator and ask for help.

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What’s the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server Error?

The “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” error is a message displayed by the Safari web browser when it encounters difficulties in establishing a secure connection with a particular website.

When you try to access a website that requires a secure connection, such as one that starts with “https://,” Safari initiates a process to establish a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the server hosting the website.

However, if Safari encounters any issues during this process, it will display an error message stating that “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server”.

This error indicates that Safari was unable to establish a secure connection with the website you are trying to visit due to various reasons, such as problems with SSL certificates, outdated browser versions, network connectivity issues, or interference from VPN or proxy settings.

When this error occurs, the Safari browser may not allow you to access the website or display a warning that the connection is not secure. This is intentionally done to make you aware of the consequences and protect your browsing experience, preventing potential security risks that may arise from an insecure connection.

Therefore, it becomes very important to address this error quickly, as it can hinder your ability to access the particular website you’re trying to reach or engage in any secure online transactions.

The best way to tackle this kind of issue is by trying to find out the underlying causes of the error first and then proceeding accordingly.

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Read: 🚩 How to Fix Your Connection is Not Private Error in Chrome?

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It’s important to note that the specific cause of the error may vary depending on the circumstances and the website you are trying to access. By understanding these common causes, you can narrow down the troubleshooting steps to fix the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection to the Server” error.

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Conclusion

The “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection” error can be frustrating when trying to access a website. However, by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can resolve the issue and browse securely.

• First, ensure that your internet connection is stable. Then,
• Clear your Safari browser data to remove any outdated or corrupted information.
• Updating your Safari browser to the latest version is also important to address compatibility issues.
• Check your system’s date and time settings, as an incorrect setting can cause SSL certificate errors.
• Changing your DNS settings or disabling IPv6 can help resolve connectivity issues.
• If you use a VPN or proxy server, temporarily disable them to see if they are causing the error.
• If all else fails, you can try overriding the Keychain to trust the website’s certificate.

Do Remember one thing, if none of these methods work, you always have the privilege to contact the website administrator to seek assistance.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can overcome the “Safari Can’t Establish a Secure Connection” error and regain access to the websites you need. Stay safe while browsing!

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Frequently Asked Questions

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