How to Fix: Cannot Parse Response in Safari browser

It often happens when an excellent working website shows an error ‘Cannot parse response’ on the Safari browser on iPhone or Mac computer.

Being unable to parse responses in Safari is not limited to iPhones, as many users have reported the same issue on iPad and Macbooks.

It’s wise to notice that such errors are only visible on websites that make sure of xhr scripts to update website data. This means almost all websites can give you the same error anytime.

Before starting with the solution, I want to explain this error. Cannot parse response means that the web requests made by the Website are not interpreted by either the server or the Safari browser itself.

Such temporary issues may disappear with a simple device reset or browser restart. However, if the issue persists, you may follow these methods.

Check your Internet Connection

The prime reason why this issue is appearing on your end is because of faulty internet connections. Some websites have features that show when an internet connection is not available or slow. But some websites may stop working and show a “cannot parse response” error when not connected to the internet.

iPhone has a unique feature where you can limit the internet connection to apps. Make sure you have given Safari permission to access and use the internet.

1. Open Settings app
2. Choose Mobile Data settings.
3. Scroll down and make sure Safari has a toggle enabled.
   

Similarly, you can also check the internet connection on a Mac computer. You can test run to open other pages like Google.com to check if the network connection works.

Clear Cookies and Website Data

Cookies and website data play an essential role in the functioning of modern websites. Where the old Website does not need to store information on your device, new websites use this method to provide a better and faster experience.

But if the stored website data is corrupted, Safari may display a ‘cannot parse response’ or ‘can not load the webpage’ error. Here are the steps to clear browser data on iPhone:

1. Open Settings app
2. Scroll down and select Safari from the list.
3. Within Safari setting pages, tap on the Advanced menu.
   
4. Open the Website Data menu.
   This will display all website data stored on the Safari browser.
5. Swipe left on the Website, which is causing the problem, and hit on the Delete button.
   

Now try accessing the website causing the cannot parse error on iPhone.

Similarly, we can clear the website data on the Safari Mac computer that cannot parse the response error. Here are the steps to clear data on Safari computer:

1. Launch the Safari app on Mac.
2. Select Safari from the menu options.
3. Choose the Preferences/Settings option and switch to the Privacy tab.
4. Click and open the Manage Website Data… button.
5. Select the Website, and hit the Remove command button.
   
6. Hit the Done button to finish.

It will clear the browser cookies and cache storage for the selected site from the Safari browser on Mac.

Quit and Relaunch Safari

Safari is a browser app made by Apple for iOS and Mac devices. Safari may face some random or vocational bugs here and there. These are unfortunate but not very common and not severe. So force quit the browser and relaunch once again to see if the Website works.

Before force quitting Safari, save all your pending/unsaved work.

Check DNS and Use Google DNS

Having the “Cannot parse response error” in the Safari browser is unlikely due to DNS issues but impossible. Since all data traffic goes through the DNS (Domain Name Service) and your ISP (Internet service provider) provides sudden changes or malfunction may result in such errors on your end.

So have a call your ISP and ask for any DNS problems. If your ISP insists that there is no problem with DNS, you may consider using the free Google DNS service, which is equally reliable and reasonable.

Here are the steps to use Google DNS on iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on iPhone
2. Choose the Wi-Fi menu and select the Wi-Fi you are connected to.
   
3. Scroll down and select the Configure DNS option.
   
4. Switch to Manual and add DNS server details.
   
5. Type 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the new DNS server address
6. Hit on the Save command option.

Just check if this resolves the error in the Safari browser on iPhone.

Similarly, we can also change the DNS settings on Mac computers. However, this setup is network-wide and not limited to the Safari browser. Here are the steps to do:

1. Click on the Apple menu, and choose System Preferences/Settings.
   It will open the Preferences window with the list of options.
2. Click to open Network preferences.
3. In the list at the left, select the network connection you want to use (such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Hit on the Advanced command button.
   
5. Switch to the DNS tab, then click the Add button at the bottom of the DNS Servers list.
6. Enter the Google DNS Server addresses — 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
   
7. Hit the OK command button to save the changes.

The newly added DNS server will be active, and we will see if the problem is resolved. Do note and keep a backup of the existing DNS servers provided by your ISP, just in case.

Try a Different Browser

If the issue of cannot parse responses in the Safari browser still exists, then it’s a good idea to switch browsers. Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are equally good, and such errors are non-existent on these browsers.

• Safari alternative browsers for Mac
• Safari alternative for iPhone/iPad

Safari gets automatic security updates, and Apple addresses such issues urgently; until the issue is fixed, you may use other browsers to carry on your internet activities.

Bottom Line

Cannot parse response in Safari is a standard error occasionally appearing on iPhone and iPad screens. If you face the same issues again, it’s a good idea to close and restart the browser.

Since the issues may arise from corrupted website data, users are advised to occasionally clear website data, including cache and cookies, to avoid such mishappenings.

Perhaps, you should also consider changing the DNS server address, and if still, things don’t work, then moving to another browser is the only option.

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback on How to Fix: Cannot Parse Response in Safari browser, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.