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Safari and Chrome lose internet connection intermittently but mail and messages are still connected

Following the Catalina update the browsers (Safari and Chrome) on my MacBook Pro lose internet connection intermittently - sometimes after 10 minutes, sometimes after a day. This happens on both WiFi and Ethernet connections. Mail and Messenger, however, are still connected to the internet.


When the browsers stop loading new internet pages (strangely those already open can still be refreshed), I cannot shut down the Macbook normally or change the user - only a forced shutdown (holding the power button until it shuts down) works.


I have searched every single post in the community, but unfortunately cannot find a solution.


This is not the WiFi or Captive Network Assistants problem that is described in other posts, so creating a new location in network preferences or renewing DHCP lease does not solve the problem.

It cannot be a network problem, since Mail and Messenger work just fine and no other devices in the house are affected simultaneously. Also, no VPN or Antivirus is installed.


My daughters' Macbook Airs have exactly the same problem after the update to Catalina.

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 8, 2020 5:33 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 8, 2020 6:14 PM

Hello MouseOnVenus and welcome to Apple Support Communities.


I see you are having some issue with browser connections after updating to Catalina.


You have already done some pretty extensive troubleshooting and isolation. I assume, given what you have already done, that you have also isolated to make sure this is not an issue confined to a site or related group of sites.


1) Start by doing a safe boot of the Mac. This will clear some cache files and give you a good foundation. After doing the safe boot, reboot normally and test. You mentioned that this issue occurs irregularly, so you may have to let things run for a day or two after doing a safe boot to see if that solves your problem.


Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support


2) If the issue persists after a safe boot, set up a test user account in order to isolate the issue to the system or the user data and ultimately resolve it.


How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support


If the behavior persists when running whilst booted to a test user account, then the next step would be to reinstall Catalina. Of course, you'll want to make sure you have a good backup before taking that step.


How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support


Time Machine - Apple Support


Cheers.





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3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 8, 2020 6:14 PM in response to MouseOnVenus

Hello MouseOnVenus and welcome to Apple Support Communities.


I see you are having some issue with browser connections after updating to Catalina.


You have already done some pretty extensive troubleshooting and isolation. I assume, given what you have already done, that you have also isolated to make sure this is not an issue confined to a site or related group of sites.


1) Start by doing a safe boot of the Mac. This will clear some cache files and give you a good foundation. After doing the safe boot, reboot normally and test. You mentioned that this issue occurs irregularly, so you may have to let things run for a day or two after doing a safe boot to see if that solves your problem.


Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support


2) If the issue persists after a safe boot, set up a test user account in order to isolate the issue to the system or the user data and ultimately resolve it.


How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support


If the behavior persists when running whilst booted to a test user account, then the next step would be to reinstall Catalina. Of course, you'll want to make sure you have a good backup before taking that step.


How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support


Time Machine - Apple Support


Cheers.





Safari and Chrome lose internet connection intermittently but mail and messages are still connected

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