How to Fix Webkit Encountered an Internal Error [Proven Solutions]

Why Webkit Encountered an Internal Error

Webkit encountered an internal error that may be due to Safari browser or network configuration issues on your device. Safari issues range from private relay feature conflicts to corrupted browser history and website data. This error occurs when trying to open a website in the Safari browser. However, the browser fails this and displays the aforementioned error. This error is reported by all Apple devices such as Mac, iPhone, and iPad. In some cases, other apps using the Safari API on Apple devices would also display the error.

1. Legacy device operating systems:

If your device's operating system (such as iOS on an iPhone) does not have the latest patches from Apple, then websites will not load properly in the browser due to incompatibility with other modules (especially Safari), causing an internal WebKit error. may occur.

2. Corrupted Safari browser history and website data:

Corrupted browsing history or website data (such as cookies) can cause internal WebKit errors in Safari. This corruption can interrupt the communication between your browser and the website, causing the current error.

3. iCloud Private Relay Features:

iCloud's Private Relay feature uses a double relay method to mask your IP from ISPs and websites. WebKit errors can occur when data packets exchanged between the Safari browser and a website are corrupted by this intermediary framework.

4. Safari HTTP/3 protocol:

WebKit may display an internal error in Safari when the browser tries to communicate with his website using the HTTP/3 protocol, but the website does not use the HTTP-3 protocol correctly. This can lead to incompatible communication between the website and Safari, causing Safari's WebKit internal error. 

How to Fix Webkit Encountered an Internal Error

1. Reboot your device

If force quitting Safari doesn't fix the "WebKit has encountered an internal error" message, you may need to restart your iPhone or Mac device to continue. This should fix random system issues that are preventing your browser from working. When you restart your Mac, be sure to uncheck the Reopen Windows on login option to prevent macOS from saving corrupted Safari application states.

2. Update your operating system

The fix below includes a Safari update. Since this is a native app, your only option is to update your Apple device's system software to the latest version. Clear your Safari cache if you continue to see the "WebKit encountered an internal error" message.

As for iPhones and iPads: Open the Settings. Scroll down and tap Safari. Tap Clear History and Website Data.

As for Mac devices: Open Safari and select Safari > Clear History from the menu bar. Set "Clear All" to "All History". Select Clear History.

3. Disable all Safari extensions

Another reason why Safari might display the "WebKit encountered an internal error" message is that your browser extensions are not optimized or conflicting browser extensions. Try disabling them.

As for iPhones and iPads: Open Settings and tap Safari. Tap "Extensions". Disable all content blockers and extensions.

As for Mac: Open Safari and select Safari > Settings/Preferences from the menu bar. Switch to the Extensions tab. Uncheck the boxes next to all add-ons and exit the settings panel. 

4. Disable Private Relay Feature

If you're enrolled in iCloud+, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac may have enabled a “Private Relay” feature, which improves privacy by protecting unencrypted website traffic. However, since it's still in beta, it causes issues with Safari. So try disabling the private relay and see if that makes a difference.

As for iPhones and iPads: Open the Settings. Go to Apple ID > iCloud > Privacy Relay. Turn off the switch next to the private relay.

As for Mac: Open the System Settings. Select your Apple ID in the sidebar. Then select "iCloud". Turn off the switch next to the Private relay.

5. Disable experimental HTTP/3 features

HTTP/3 is a protocol, which is capable of improving latency and load times. However, this is only available as an experimental Safari feature, so it can be easily broken. Check if it is active and disable it.

As for iPhones and iPads: Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Experimental Features. Turn off the switch next to HTTP/3.

As for Mac: Open Safari's Settings/Preferences section. Go to the Develop tab and check the box next to Show Develop Menu in the menu bar. Select Develop from the menu bar, export to Experimental Features, and uncheck HTTP/3. 

Conclusion

This guide provides several proven solutions for Webkit encountering an internal error. In our daily use, we inevitably encounter several errors and bugs when surfing. To reduce and fix those errors, you can select an automation test tool, WeTest. It is compatible with thousands of devices and is able to give you some aid in targeting troubles at a fast speed. Along with it, you won’t be troubled by those web errors at all. Give it a try if you still fail to find the error.