"Request is Blocked" Error on macOS Sequoia? Here's What Was Discovered

After upgrading to macOS Sequoia, many users have been surprised to find that a familiar website suddenly cannot be accessed — even across multiple browsers. Instead of loading, a message reading “Request is blocked” is shown, or a 403 Forbidden error appears in the console log. This issue has been shared by several users online, including discussions on Reddit and Apple forums in early 2025.

In this post, the issue will be explained based on first-hand experience, along with helpful steps that can be taken to work around it.

What Was Happening – “Request is Blocked” ?

The issue occurred after switching to the Arc browser as the default on a new MacBook Pro. When attempting to visit a frequently used site — in this case, StandardProcess.com — the page refused to load. The same result was observed in Safari, Firefox, Orion, and Brave, even after changing the default browser again and restarting the system.

The exact message seen in the browser console was:

nginxCopyEditGET https://www.standardprocess.com/ 403 (Forbidden)
GET https://www.standardprocess.com/favicon.ico 403 (Forbidden)

No system-wide network blocks were knowingly applied by the user, and even on an iPad, the site failed to open.

What Was Tried

Several attempts were made to isolate the issue:

Restarting the Mac and switching browsers
Bypassing Wi-Fi and using cellular or alternative connections
Testing the URL from marketing emails (which sometimes worked)
Running browser dev tools (F12) to capture logs
Checking with a local network technician to confirm it wasn’t a router issue

These steps suggested that the problem was not local, but instead server-side or possibly linked to how the request was being interpreted by the website’s security filters.

What is Error “Request is Blocked” on macOS Sequoia

The 403 Forbidden error usually indicates that a request was recognized by the server — but intentionally blocked. This can happen due to:

Region- or IP-based restrictions
Blocked metadata or headers attached to the request
Outdated or invalid website certificates
A misconfigured firewall or web application filter
Misinterpreted traffic (for example, if security software thinks you’re a bot)

It was also observed that links clicked directly from emails did occasionally load, suggesting that URL metadata and referral source may have affected the server’s decision to block or allow access.

How to fix “Request is Blocked” Error on macOS Sequoia ?

Here are some actions that may help resolve or work around the issue:

Try a VPN – If the block is region-based, using a VPN may allow access from a different IP location.
Clear Cache and Cookies – Browser data may contain expired or problematic tokens. A full cache clear may help.
Disable Browser Extensions – Ad blockers or privacy-focused extensions can alter headers or strip information the server needs to allow the request.
Contact the Website Admin – A polite message to the company’s support team can bring attention to the issue. If enough users report it, fixes are often applied.
Use Direct Email Links – If links from emails work, they can be bookmarked as a temporary solution.

Final Thoughts

Although the problem seemed isolated at first, it turned out to be a server-side block that could not be fixed locally. In 2025, with privacy tools and browser behaviors evolving quickly — especially on macOS Sequoia — certain websites may be more sensitive to how requests are made.

If a website shows “Request is blocked,” and the 403 error appears across multiple browsers and devices, it’s best to report it to the site’s technical support. In many cases, the issue lies with how the server interprets the request, not with the Mac, browser, or user.