The "Safari can't establish a secure connection" error means Safari is unable to create a safe, encrypted link to the website. This usually happens because Safari can't verify the site's security certificate or can't access the encrypted data properly. Common causes include outdated browser cache and cookies, incorrect system date and time, misconfigured DNS settings, firewall or antivirus interference, or issues with SSL certificates on the website. Here are the main ways to fix this error:
- Clear Safari's cache, cookies, and website data to remove outdated information.
- Verify that the website URL is correct and reload the page with a forced refresh (Cmd + R).
- Check and correct your device's date and time settings, as incorrect settings prevent SSL validation.
- Change your DNS settings to use more reliable DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
- Disable any Safari extensions or security software temporarily that might be blocking the connection.
- Restart your router or switch networks to eliminate network issues.
- Ensure your Safari browser and operating system are updated to the latest version.
If the problem persists, the website itself might have expired or misconfigured SSL certificates, in which case waiting or contacting the website admin might be necessary.