DuckDuckGo has long been a highly rated privacy-focused browser. For folks who prefer to browse with an enhanced layer of safeguards, it’s a go-to destination in more ways than one.
Though DuckDuckGo is neatly optimized and works like a charm on Mac, there are instances where it fails to load, doesn’t return search results, or becomes unresponsive in Safari. But bother not! Having gone to the root cause of the problem, I’m going to break down the 10 most effective ways to fix DuckDuckGo not working in Safari on Mac. Let’s jump right in to spot the issue and resolve it.
Fix DuckDuckGo Not Working in Safari on Mac
So, what derails DuckDuckGo and prevents it from functioning properly? Well, it happens due to several reasons such as misconfigured Safari settings, outdated software, problematic extensions, and cached data conflicts.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
If DuckDuckGo isn’t loading, make sure to verify whether your Mac is connected to the internet properly or not. Bear in mind that a weak or unstable connection can prevent websites from loading correctly.
- Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top-right to check if you are connected to the internet.
- After that, try visiting another website to confirm if the issue is specific to DuckDuckGo.
- If no site loads, I’d recommend you toggle Wi-Fi off and on.
- If needed, restart your router if the issue persists.
- Alternatively, connect to another network and test DuckDuckGo again
2. Clear Safari Cache and Website Data
It’s worth pointing out that Safari may have stored outdated or corrupted data related to DuckDuckGo, which might be causing the problem, blocking it from loading properly. Clearing the cache forces Safari to reload fresh data from the web.
- Open Safari on your Mac and head over to the Safari menu > Settings.
- Click the Privacy tab and select Manage Website Data.
- Then, search for DuckDuckGo > click it and press Remove.
- Optionally, click Remove All to clear all site data.
- Now, restart Safari and revisit duckduckgo.com.
3. Disable Safari Extensions Temporarily
It’s also important to mention that some Safari extensions, especially privacy filters and ad blockers, can interfere with DuckDuckGo scripts or page loading. Therefore, disable them to isolate the cause.
- Open Safari on your macOS device > Settings > the Extensions tab.
- Next up, uncheck all enabled extensions and then restart Safari.
- Up next, test DuckDuckGo.
- Re-enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit.
4. Try DuckDuckGo in a Private Browsing Window
Private browsing disables cache and many third-party extensions, which can help test whether the issue is tied to stored data or settings.
- Open Safari and click File > New Private Window.
- Navigate to duckduckgo.com.
- If it loads, the problem likely stems from cookies, cache, or extensions in your regular session.
5. Remove and Re-add DuckDuckGo as Default Search Engine
If the search integration is corrupted or not responding, resetting the default search engine can resolve the glitch.
- Open Safari and go to Settings > Search.
- Change the default search engine from DuckDuckGo to another (like Google).
- Close Settings and re-open Safari.
- Go back to Search and re-select DuckDuckGo.
- Test searching in the Safari address bar.
6. Update macOS
Outdated versions of Safari or macOS can cause compatibility issues with DuckDuckGo and other web technologies.
- Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, click Update Now or Upgrade Now.
- After updating, relaunch Safari and visit DuckDuckGo.
7. Disable iCloud Private Relay (If Enabled)
iCloud Private Relay may sometimes block or slow down access to certain sites, including privacy-focused ones like DuckDuckGo.
- Open System Settings on your Mac > click Apple ID > iCloud.
- Choose Private Relay and turn it off.
- Restart Safari and check if DuckDuckGo works.
8. Reset Safari to Default Settings
If misconfigurations are affecting DuckDuckGo, resetting Safari can eliminate conflicting settings without removing your bookmarks.
- On your Mac, open Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data > Remove All.
- Navigate to Settings > Extensions and disable all extensions.
- In Settings > Advanced, check Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- Click Develop > Empty Caches.
- Close and relaunch Safari.
9. Test DuckDuckGo in Another Browser
Verifying DuckDuckGo in a browser like Chrome or Firefox helps determine if the issue is Safari-specific or system-wide.
- Open Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox on your Mac.
- Navigate to duckduckgo.com.
- If the site loads correctly, the issue lies with Safari and not DuckDuckGo or your network.
10. Flush DNS Cache Using Terminal
If your Mac’s DNS cache is outdated or corrupted, it might block DuckDuckGo from resolving correctly. Flushing it forces macOS to rebuild its DNS lookup records.
- Open Terminal from Launchpad or Spotlight on your Mac.
- Enter the command:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - Press Return and enter your admin password.
- Finally, close Terminal and restart Safari to figure out if the issue has been sorted out.
Wrapping up…
When DuckDuckGo stops working in Safari on your Mac, it’s typically due to cached data issues, outdated software, misbehaving extensions, or privacy settings like iCloud Private Relay.
Thankfully, these problems are easily fixable using the methods above. By checking your connection, refreshing Safari’s cache, reviewing settings, and performing system updates, you can restore smooth access to your favorite private search engine. These steps not only resolve DuckDuckGo issues but also improve your overall browser health and performance.
