How do I fix internet explorer not responding?
Internet Explorer, once the dominant web browser, has faced its fair share of issues over the years. One common problem that users encounter is the “Internet Explorer not responding” error. This error can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of an important task. In this article, we’ll discuss several methods to help you fix this issue and get back to browsing the web seamlessly.
1. Close and Restart Internet Explorer
The simplest solution to many computer problems is often to restart the application. If Internet Explorer is not responding, try closing it and then opening it again. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open the Task Manager, go to the “Processes” tab, find “iexplore.exe,” and click “End Task.” Once the process is terminated, close the Task Manager and open Internet Explorer again.
2. Update Internet Explorer
Outdated software can often lead to compatibility issues and errors. Make sure that your Internet Explorer is up to date by checking for updates. To do this, open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon in the upper-right corner, select “About Internet Explorer,” and follow the prompts to update the browser.
3. Disable Add-ons
Sometimes, browser add-ons can cause conflicts and lead to the “not responding” error. To determine if an add-on is causing the issue, disable them one by one. Here’s how:
1. Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon.
2. Select “Manage add-ons.”
3. Go to the “Toolbars and Extensions” tab.
4. Disable each add-on and restart Internet Explorer after each disable to check if the issue persists.
4. Run the Internet Explorer Troubleshooter
Microsoft provides a built-in troubleshooter that can help diagnose and fix common issues with Internet Explorer. To run the troubleshooter:
1. Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon.
2. Select “Internet options.”
3. Go to the “Advanced” tab.
4. Click on “Reset.”
5. Choose “Reset all settings to default.”
6. Click “Reset” again to confirm the action.
5. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a third-party application is causing the issue. To perform a clean boot:
1. Press Windows key + R, type “msconfig,” and press Enter.
2. Go to the “Services” tab and check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box.
3. Click “Disable all” and then click “OK.”
4. Restart your computer.
If Internet Explorer works fine after a clean boot, it indicates that a third-party application is causing the issue. You can then enable services and startup programs one by one to identify the problematic application.
6. Reinstall Internet Explorer
If none of the above methods work, you may need to reinstall Internet Explorer. To do this:
1. Open the Control Panel and go to “Programs and Features.”
2. Select “Internet Explorer” from the list of installed programs.
3. Click “Uninstall” and follow the prompts to remove the browser.
4. Restart your computer and download the latest version of Internet Explorer from the official Microsoft website.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “Internet Explorer not responding” error and continue using the browser without any issues.
