macOS Safari Error Code 1303: How to Fix It

Easy 10-30 minutes Medium Severity Verified June 2026
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Error Code
1303
Brand
macOS
Product Type
operating_system
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Fix Time
10-30 minutes
macOS Safari Error Code 1303 means Safari cannot establish a secure (SSL/TLS) connection to a website. This usually happens when your system clock is wrong, your network is blocking secure traffic, or a certificate is outdated or untrusted. In most cases, you can fix this yourself in just a few minutes without any technical expertise.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code 1303

  1. Check and Correct Your Mac's Date and Time

  2. Reload the Page and Clear Safari Cache

  3. Check Your Internet Connection and Network Settings

  4. Update macOS and Safari

  5. Reset the Keychain and Trust Certificates

    Be careful not to delete system-level certificates unrelated to the problem. Only remove entries clearly associated with the website causing the error.

  6. Disable or Reconfigure Antivirus and Firewall Software

  7. Try a Different Browser to Isolate the Issue

  8. Renew Your DHCP Lease and Flush DNS Cache

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When to Call a Professional

If you have tried all the steps above and Safari still cannot establish a secure connection, the issue may involve a deeply corrupted macOS installation, a misconfigured enterprise network environment, or an expired system root certificate that requires reinstalling macOS. Contact Apple Support at support.apple.com, visit an Apple Store Genius Bar, or consult a certified Apple technician. If you are on a corporate or school network, contact your IT department as they may have SSL inspection policies causing the block.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Safari show Error 1303 on only one website?
If the error only appears on one specific site, the website itself may have an expired, self-signed, or misconfigured SSL certificate. There is nothing you can do on your end in that case — the website owner needs to renew or fix their SSL certificate. You can verify this by checking the site on a different device or using an online SSL checker tool.
Can a wrong date and time really cause Safari Error 1303?
Yes, absolutely. SSL certificates are only valid within a specific date range. If your Mac's clock is set to a wrong date — even just a day off — Safari will see the certificate as expired or not yet valid and refuse the connection. Fixing your system clock is always the first thing to check.
Does using a VPN cause Safari Error 1303?
Yes, some VPN services can interfere with SSL connections by routing traffic through servers that do not support certain certificates or by breaking the secure handshake. Try disabling your VPN and reloading the page to see if that is the cause. If it is, switching VPN servers or using a different VPN provider often resolves the issue.
Is it safe to click 'Visit This Website Anyway' when Safari shows a security warning?
Only if you are absolutely certain the website is legitimate and you understand the risk. Safari shows this warning to protect you from sites with invalid or expired certificates, which could expose your data to interception. For banking, shopping, or any site where you enter personal information, never bypass this warning.
Will reinstalling macOS fix Safari Error 1303?
Reinstalling macOS refreshes all system certificates and core files and can fix persistent SSL errors caused by corrupted system components. However, it is a last resort. Try all the simpler fixes first — correcting the date and time, clearing Safari cache, updating macOS, and resetting Keychain entries. If none of those work, a macOS reinstall via Recovery Mode (restart while holding Command + R) can resolve deep system-level issues.

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