CheckWebsiteNow

Address lookup (DNS) errors

Safari: Safari Can't Find the Server

Safari could not find the address for this website name.

Quick answer

Safari could not turn the website name into a network address. The name may be mistyped, your connection may be down, or the website may have no working address records.

When to wait: Rarely; check the address and connection first.

If you are visiting the website

  1. Check the address Look for typos in the web address, such as a missing letter or the wrong ending (.com instead of .de).
  2. Try another network Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or the other way round. If the site works there, your network or internet provider may be involved.
  3. Test without Private Relay or VPN iCloud Private Relay and VPNs route lookups through other servers. Test once without them, then turn them back on.
    macOS
    In Safari choose View > Reload and Show IP Address. This loads the page once without Private Relay. Disconnect any VPN in its app to test.
    iPhone and iPad (iOS)
    Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Private Relay, then tap Turn Off Until Tomorrow. It switches back on by itself. Disconnect any VPN in its app or in Settings > VPN.
  4. Refresh the device's lookups A remembered failed lookup can block the site even after it is fixed.
    macOS
    In Terminal run: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder. Enter your Mac password when asked. Restarting the Mac works too.
    iPhone and iPad (iOS)
    Turn Airplane Mode on in Control Center, wait ten seconds and turn it off, or restart the iPhone.
  5. Remove this site's stored data Old data for one site rarely causes lookup failures, but removing it is harmless. It may sign you out of that site only.
    macOS
    Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Search for the site, select it and click Remove.
    iPhone and iPad (iOS)
    Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data (older iOS: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data). Swipe left on the site and tap Delete.
  6. Check the DNS settings A manual DNS server you do not recognise may no longer work. Note the current entries before you change anything, so you can undo it.
    macOS
    System Settings > Network > your connection > Details > DNS. Remove servers you do not recognise, or add 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 with the + button, then click OK.
    iPhone and iPad (iOS)
    Settings > Wi-Fi > tap (i) next to your network > Configure DNS. Set it to Automatic, or choose Manual and add 1.1.1.1, then tap Save.
  7. Turn off content blockers and extensions Blockers can stop requests for some sites. Turn them off to test, then back on.
    macOS
    Safari > Settings > Extensions, then deselect each extension.
    iPhone and iPad (iOS)
    Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions (older iOS: Settings > Safari > Extensions) and switch them off one by one.

If you run the website

  1. Check DNS records Make sure the domain resolves to your server. Test from outside with dig example.com A +short and dig example.com AAAA +short.

Is it the website or me?

Try the same address on another device, ideally on mobile data. If it fails everywhere, the name probably has no working DNS records and only the owner can fix it. If it works elsewhere, look at this device's network, VPN or Private Relay.

What iCloud Private Relay changes

Private Relay (an iCloud+ privacy feature) sends Safari traffic and lookups through Apple's relay servers. Some networks and sites do not work well with it. Testing once without it quickly shows whether it is involved.

How it differs from Safari Can't Open the Page

Can't Find the Server means the name lookup failed before any connection was made. Can't Open the Page usually means Safari found the server but the connection or the page load failed. The first is a DNS problem, the second more often a network or server problem.

Common questions

Will removing website data delete my saved passwords?

No. Passwords live in the Passwords app or iCloud Keychain, not in website data. Removing one site's data may sign you out of that site, so you might need to log in again.

Should I turn off Private Relay for good?

There is no need. Test once without it; if the site then works, keep Private Relay on and reload only that site without it when needed.

Why does the site open on my Mac but not on my iPhone?

The devices may use different networks, VPN profiles or DNS settings. Compare Wi-Fi, VPN and Private Relay settings on both.

Is it safe to set my iPhone's DNS to 1.1.1.1?

Yes. It is a public resolver run by Cloudflare. The change only applies to the Wi-Fi network you set it on, and you can switch back to Automatic at any time.

Likely causes

  • Common A typo in the address. (Your side)
  • Sometimes No internet connection or a network problem. (Your side)
  • Sometimes A VPN or iCloud Private Relay setting. (Your side)
  • Sometimes The domain's DNS records are missing. (Website side)

Is the website down? Check it now

One measurement point. Results explain what we saw, not a worldwide verdict.

Sources

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