11 Tips to Fix Safari Cannot Connect to Server on iPhone

Safari is the most preferred browser for Apple users. Not only because it is the default browser of iPhone or iPad, but users also love it for its fast, reliable, and smooth performance. However, one disturbing thing you might encounter while using the browser is the "Safari cannot connect to server" error.

This error can appear because of a variety of reasons. Below, we will let you know why Safari can’t connect to the server on your iPhone and what you can do to fix this error with ease.

Why Does My Safari Says Cannot Connect to Server?

As we said above, several things can prevent the Safari browser from connecting to the server. Some of the reasons are as follows:

• Weak Internet Connection: The most common reason that prevents Safari from connecting to the server is weak internet. If your Wi-Fi or mobile data is extremely weak, Safari will fail to establish a connection to the server.
• Typos in Website Address: It also occurs when you enter a misspelled website address.
• Corrupted Data and Cache: Sometimes, the corrupted data and caches can cause conflict and prevent the browser from connecting to the server.

The underlying cause of this issue can sometimes be technical, such as:

• DNS server not responding.
• The device is configured to use an unreliable DNS.

Simple Tips When Safari Cannot Connect to Server

Now that we have a clearer understanding of the issue and its potential causes, let's explore how to resolve it.

Check Internet Connection

As mentioned earlier, Safari fails to connect to the server mostly because of the issues with your internet connection. So what you need to do first is to check the internet connection:

• Go to iPhone Settings > Wifi and ensure that the toggle is on.
• If it's enabled, check whether your connected network is functioning properly.

Use Correct Webpage URL

Make sure that you have entered the correct webpage address. Sometimes we forget the correct URL and enter the misspelled one. Many of us make the same mistake while trying to visit a website when we are in a hurry. This may lead to the “safari cannot connect to server” error.

Reload Your Page

When you try to load a webpage, the browser sends several requests to its server. However, sometimes the server fails to send a response immediately, and the browser fails to connect to the server, which leads to this error. Refreshing may help to solve the issue in such cases.

Clear Safari History and Data

Your browsers save website history, cache, and data to provide you with a personalized and faster browsing experience. Sometimes, the saved data conflicts or becomes corrupted, which causes the error. Cleaning these data should solve it.

Here is how to remove website cache and data on Safari browser:

• Open the browser and go to "Settings". 
• Now go to "Safari" and press "Clear History and Website Data". 

If the issue is with cache and website data, the web page should load perfectly after the cleanup.

Use IP Address

If the problem is because of the DNS issue, you can consider visiting the webpage through its IP address instead of the domain URL. Some online tools enable you to find the site's IP address. We will also let you know how to fix the DNS issue below.

Modify DNS Settings

When you visit a website by entering its URL, the DNS server you are using converts the URL to its IP address. If you are using a problematic DNS server, it may fail to convert the URL sometimes, which will cause the error.

Steps you need to follow for modifying the DNS settings are as follows:

• Open "Settings" on your iPhone and go to "Wi-Fi." Press on the "i" icon aside from the network you are connected to.
• Select “Manual” instead of “Automatic” under the “Configure DNS” option.
• Now press “Add Server” and enter 8.8.8.8 (Google’s DNS server). You are done!

Reset Network Settings

Consider resetting the network settings if you are still encountering the issue even after trying all the solutions above. If there are any issues with the network settings, resetting should solve the error. Here is what to do:

• Go to “Settings”> “General”> “Transfer or Reset iPhone”.
• Now press “Reset Network Settings” under the Reset option.
• Confirm the operation from the popup.

Restart iPhone

Another thing you can do is restart the iPhone. Sometimes, the Safari browser cannot connect to the server due to minor iOS system issues. Restarting the device usually solves these errors.

Here is how to restart: If you are using iPhone 8 or earlier, tap and hold the Top or Side buttons. For the newer iPhone devices, tap and hold the side button and either volume buttons. You will need to hold the button until the slider occurs for both cases.

Update Your iPhone

Another simple fix you can try to solve the issue is to update your iOS version. If Safari is failing to connect to the server because of bugs in the operating system, the update should solve it. Here is how to update your iOS:

• First, open the "Settings" of your iPhone and go to "General."
• Find and press on "Software Update."
• Check for iOS updates and if available, tap “Download and Install” to complete the update.

Advanced Ways If Safari Still Cannot Connect to Server

Fix Safari Can’t Connect to Server without Data Loss

If you cannot solve the Safari error by following the above simple methods, there might be some issues with your iPhone's system software. In such a case, tools like FoneGeek iOS System Recovery can be very beneficial. It is a powerful tool that enables you to fix more than 200+ issues in iOS devices.

Here are some features of the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery tool:

• Fix iOS issues like Safari error, iPhone black screen, boot loop, etc.
• Fix your iOS system without losing any data.
• You can downgrade the iOS version without jailbreaking.
• Compatible with all the new iOS versions and devices like iOS 17 and iPhone 16/15.
• Easy to use and ensures high success rate.
• Recommended by Filehorse, GetDroidTips, Lera Blog, Webku, TechTricksWorld and many other media sites.

Here is how to install and use the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery tool to fix the Safari cannot connect to server error:

Step 1: Download and install FoneGeek iOS System Recovery on your Windows or Mac computer. Launch the program. Select “Standard Mode” from the app UI.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the PC through a USB. If the phone is running in normal mode, unlock it and press "Trust" on the device’s screen.

Sometimes, the tool might not be able to detect the device. In such a case, you will need to boot the device to DFU or recovery mode by following the on-screen guide.

Step 3: In the next window, you will see the model of your device and the available firmware package for it. Select the preferred version of firmware and press "Download."

Step 4: The download will take a while to complete. Once the firmware download extraction is completed, you will see the confirmation on the screen. Press "Fix Now" to start solving the iOS issue.

That’s it; you are done!

Restore iPhone via iTunes (Data Loss)

You can also use iTunes to solve the Safari cannot open page because server cannot be found issue, but this will erase all the data from your iPhone. Make sure to backup all the current data before restoring the device.

You need to launch the latest version of iTunes from your computer and then connect your iPhone via USB. Then you can perform the reset from the iTunes interface.

The Verdict

We know how disturbing it is when you cannot visit the preferred website because Safari cannot connect to the server. However, thanks to the methods mentioned above, now you should be able to fix the problem quickly.

If you don't want to go through the hassle of trying all the mentioned methods, we will suggest utilizing FoneGeek iOS System Recovery. By using the advanced tool, you should be able to efficiently fix the browser error and any other system issues of your iPhone.