Safari Too Many Redirects Error? 5 Fixes That Solve Looping Pages on macOS and iOS

Published On - February 20, 2026

ivan Blogging

Seeing the “Too Many Redirects” error in Safari can be frustrating, especially when a website keeps reloading without ever fully opening. The page may flash repeatedly before displaying a message stating that Safari cannot open the page because of too many redirects. This issue affects users on both macOS and iOS, and while it may seem like a serious technical problem, it is usually caused by misconfigured cookies, cached data, or browser settings that can be resolved quickly.

TL;DR: The Safari “Too Many Redirects” error is usually caused by corrupted cookies, outdated cache files, VPNs, or conflicting browser settings. Clearing website data, disabling content blockers, checking date and time settings, and reviewing extensions often fix the problem. On both macOS and iOS, these solutions take only a few minutes to perform. In most cases, users can resolve looping page errors without needing technical expertise.

This guide explains why redirect loops happen and provides five practical fixes that solve the issue on both Mac and iPhone or iPad.

What Causes the “Too Many Redirects” Error?

When a user visits a website, the browser communicates with the server to retrieve content. Sometimes, a site redirects the browser from one URL to another. This process is normal—for example, when redirecting from HTTP to HTTPS.

However, the problem occurs when:

  • The server is misconfigured and creates a redirect loop.
  • Cookies stored in Safari conflict with updated website settings.
  • Cached data becomes outdated and incompatible.
  • VPNs or content blockers interfere with site requests.
  • The device’s date and time settings cause security certificate mismatches.

In such cases, Safari keeps trying to load a page but ends up cycling between URLs indefinitely.

Fix 1: Clear Safari Cookies and Website Data

The most common reason for redirect loops is corrupted or outdated cookies. Websites use cookies to remember login sessions and preferences. If those cookies become invalid, the server may continuously attempt to authenticate the user, resulting in a loop.

On macOS:

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Go to Safari > Settings (or Preferences).
  3. Click the Privacy tab.
  4. Select Manage Website Data.
  5. Search for the affected website.
  6. Click Remove or choose Remove All.

On iOS (iPhone/iPad):

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
  3. Select Clear History and Website Data.
  4. Confirm the action.

This step removes problematic cookies and often resolves the issue immediately. Users should then revisit the website to test whether the problem persists.

Fix 2: Clear the Safari Cache

Safari stores cached files to load websites faster. While this improves performance, outdated cache files may conflict with newer versions of a website.

Clearing the cache forces Safari to download fresh data from the server.

On macOS:

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Click Safari > Settings.
  3. Go to the Advanced tab.
  4. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  5. Click Develop in the top menu.
  6. Select Empty Caches.

On iOS:

Clearing cache is combined with clearing history and website data:

  1. Go to Settings > Safari.
  2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

After clearing the cache, it is recommended to close and reopen Safari before revisiting the site.

Fix 3: Disable Content Blockers and Extensions

Content blockers, privacy tools, and browser extensions can sometimes interfere with website scripts. If a blocker prevents a necessary redirect or cookie from functioning properly, Safari may enter a loop.

On macOS:

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Go to Safari > Settings.
  3. Select the Extensions tab.
  4. Disable extensions by unchecking them.
  5. Restart Safari and test the website.

On iOS:

  1. Go to Settings > Safari.
  2. Tap Extensions.
  3. Disable content blockers.

If the page loads correctly after disabling extensions, users can re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.

Fix 4: Check Date and Time Settings

Incorrect system date and time settings can interfere with SSL certificates and secure connections. If Safari cannot validate a secure connection properly, it may trigger repeated redirect attempts.

On macOS:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Go to General > Date & Time.
  3. Enable Set time and date automatically.

On iOS:

  1. Go to Settings > General.
  2. Tap Date & Time.
  3. Enable Set Automatically.

This ensures Safari can properly validate website security certificates.

Fix 5: Disable VPN or Proxy Connections

VPNs and proxy services route internet traffic through external servers. While useful for privacy, they may sometimes interfere with redirection rules or geo-based routing systems.

If a website behaves differently depending on location, using a VPN may trigger conflicting redirects.

To disable VPN on macOS:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Click Network.
  3. Select the active VPN connection.
  4. Click Disconnect.

To disable VPN on iOS:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Toggle the VPN switch off.

After disabling the VPN, the website should be tested again.

When the Problem Is on the Website’s Side

Sometimes, the redirect loop is caused entirely by the website’s server configuration. If the problem persists after trying all five fixes:

  • Test the site in another browser (such as Chrome or Firefox).
  • Try accessing the site on a different device.
  • Check whether the site loads on another network.

If the error appears everywhere, the website administrator must correct the server redirect rules. In that situation, there is nothing the end user can do except wait.

Preventing Redirect Loops in the Future

Although redirect errors are sometimes unavoidable, users can reduce the likelihood of encountering them by:

  • Regularly clearing old website data.
  • Keeping Safari updated to the latest version.
  • Maintaining accurate system date and time settings.
  • Limiting unnecessary browser extensions.
  • Using reliable and properly configured VPN services.

By maintaining a clean browsing environment, Safari behaves more predictably and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does “Too Many Redirects” mean in Safari?

It means the browser entered a redirect loop, where a website kept sending Safari from one URL to another repeatedly without loading the final page.

2. Is the “Too Many Redirects” error caused by a virus?

In most cases, no. The issue is typically caused by corrupted cookies, cache files, or browser settings rather than malware.

3. Will clearing cookies log the user out of websites?

Yes. Clearing cookies removes stored login sessions, so users will need to sign in again to affected websites.

4. Why does the error appear on one device but not another?

This usually indicates device-specific stored data or settings are responsible, such as cached files, cookies, or VPN configurations.

5. Can private browsing mode fix redirect loops?

Private browsing disables stored cookies and cache temporarily. If a site works in private mode, stored website data is likely the issue.

6. Does updating Safari help resolve the problem?

Yes. Keeping Safari updated ensures compatibility with modern website standards and security certificates.

7. What should be done if none of the fixes work?

If all troubleshooting steps fail, the issue likely originates from the website’s server configuration. In that case, the site administrator must resolve the redirect loop.

By systematically applying the five fixes outlined above, users on macOS and iOS can usually eliminate Safari’s redirect loop error in just a few minutes. With proper maintenance and updated settings, the browsing experience remains smooth, secure, and free from frustrating loading cycles.