ESPN Won't Load On Safari - iPhone & Mac

ESPN Won’t Load On Safari – iPhone & Mac

ByTauqeer

Are you trying to access the ESPN or the ESPN+ web page, but it won’t load on the Safari browser of your iPhone or Mac computer?

In today’s read, you’ll discover the possible reasons for this issue and how to fix it so that you don’t miss your favorite sports content on this streaming service’s web player.

Why is my Safari not loading ESPN?

  • Your iPhone or Mac software might be temporarily glitching.
  • Javascript is disabled. 
  • Internet connection is unstable.
  • Safari cookies and cache data are corrupt, or the history is too bulky.  
  • Safari or device software is outdated.
  • ESPN service is down. 
  • Default DNS settings are interfering with the ESPN website on the Safari browser.

How do I fix ESPN not loading on Safari?

1. Restart Your Device

Temporary session data saved on your iPhone or Mac might be interfering with the ESPN website, and that can be why it is failing to load. The quick workaround here is to simply restart your device and then try to load the website again on the Safari browser.

2. Resolve Network Issues

ESPN and ESPN+ websites need at least 7 Mbps internet speed to play HD or 25 Mbps for 4K content on the web player. But if your network connection is below the minimum requirement, the streaming service won’t work or load any live sport or event on the Safari browser. 

To fix this, run a speed test on your connection to check the download and upload speed. If the result is unsatisfactory, unplug your router from the mains, wait 30-40 seconds, and connect it to the power source again to refresh the connection. 

Here are some other steps you can take to resolve the issues with your internet connection:

  • Move your computer closer to the router for better Wi-Fi range. 
  • Change the Wi-Fi frequency bandwidth from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz.
  • Update the router firmware and reboot it afterward.
  • Connect your iPhone to mobile data or any other Wi-Fi network in your area.

3. Enable JavaScript 

ESPN WebTV supports the latest versions of JavaScript to let users access many pages of the website. So, it is wise to enable it on the Safari browser, and that may prove to work in your favor. Here’s how:

iPhone:

  • Open iPhone “Settings.”
  • Tap “Safari.”
  • Tap “Advanced.”
  • Toggle on “Javascript,” and check if the ESPN website is loading content now.

Mac:

  • Open “Safari.”
  • Go to Safari Menu.
  • Click “Preferences.”
  • Click “Security.”
  • Check “Enable JavaScript.”

4.  Change DNS Settings 

Changing the default DNS to Google DNS often resolves network issues when the ESPN website is not loading on Safari. Here’s how:

iPhone:

  • Open iPhone “Settings.”
  • Tap “Wi-Fi.”
  • Tap “ⓘ” next to the Wi-Fi connection that you want to change DNS servers for.
  • Scroll to find “DNS.”
  • Tap “Configure DNS.”
  • Tap “Manual.” 
  • Type 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 for IPv4 and 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2001:4860:4860::8844 for IPv6 to add Google IP addresses.

NOTE: You can always revert to the default DNS server of your Wi-Fi network by selecting “Automatic” under “Configure DNS.”

Mac:

  • Click “Apple Menu.”
  • Go to “System Settings.”
  • Click “Network.”
  • Choose your network.
  • Click “Details” > “DNS.”
  • Scroll to “DNS Servers.”
  • Select the default DNS server in the list and remove it.
  • Click the “Plus” sign.
  • Type 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 for IPv4 and 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2001:4860:4860::8844 for IPv6 to add Google IP addresses.
  • Click “OK.”

Afterward, open the ESPN website and see if it is working on your Safari browser.

5. Update Safari

It is possible that you are using an older version of the Safari browser on your device, which is causing ESPN to stop loading on it.

So, try updating the Safari browser with these step-by-step instructions:

iPhone:

  • Open “Settings.”
  • Select “General.”
  • Tap “Software Update.”
  • Tap “Download and Install” below the available iOS update, and this will update Safari as well.

Mac:

  • Click “Apple Menu.”
  • Go to “System Settings.”
  • Select “General” (in the sidebar).
  • Click “Software Update.”
  • Tap “Update,” type in your Apple ID password, and the new Safari version will be installed.  

After updating Safari on your iPhone or Mac, open the ESPN page and log in to your ESPN Plus account to verify this fix.

TIP: Update your iPhone and Mac software as well if updating the Safari browser fails to work.

6. Clear Safari Cookies and Cache Data

Cache and cookies are data files where Safari stores website data, such as login information, preferences, images, and scripts, to speed up loading times.

However, if this data gets outdated or conflicts with recent updates made to the ESPN website, it can cause loading problems. To fix this, clear the website data and cache on the Safari browser with these steps:

iPhone:

  • Open iPhone “Settings.”
  • Tap “Safari.”
  • Choose “Clear History and Website Data.”
  • Tap to confirm.
  • Go back and tap “Clear cookies and data” or “Clear Cookies and Clear Cache.”

Mac:

  • Open “Safari.”
  • Click “History.”
  • Click “Clear History.”
  • On top, click “Develop.”
  • Click “Clear Caches.”
  • If you can’t see the “Develop” option in the Safari menu, go to “Preferences” > “Advanced,” and check the “Show Develop menu in menu bar” option.

Now re-open the Safari browser, go to the ESPN website, and hopefully, it will load this time!

7. Use Private or Incognito Mode

The next workaround is to use the Private mode on Safari to access the ESPN website on your iPhone or Mac. Here’s how:

Safari:

  • Launch “Safari.”
  • Tap the “Tabs” button.
  • Tap “Private” > “Done.”

NOTE: On the newest iOS version, tap “Tabs” and then swipe to the “Private” tab group button. Here, tap the tab you want to open and type in the ESPN website address.

8. Check ESPN Service Status

Sometimes, the ESPN website simply won’t load due to issues on the server side. This could be due to scheduled maintenance or high traffic on the website. 

To verify this to be the source of the problem, go to the Downdetector or the official ESPN social media page for any updates or announcements regarding service interruptions. If confirmed, wait for the ESPN developers to resolve the problem and get the service back up and running. 

Takeaway

In this article, we’ve discussed why ESPN won’t load on Safari and how you can sort out this problem to enjoy uninterrupted live sports right from the comfort of your home. 

Hopefully, one of the methods worked for you, and you can now enjoy streaming your favorite sports on ESPN WebTV using your iPhone or Mac computer. 

Tauqeer Ahmed is an IT graduate and got years of experience on his back writing technical articles and blog posts about phones, laptops, desktop PCs, electronics, gadgets, gaming, apps, and software.

He has contributed to many tech websites. In his free time, he searches for issues people face while using everyday gadgets and conducts in-depth solutions that can work for an average user.