This wikiHow teaches you how to fix the Internet Explorer web browser when it stops responding. There are a number of things that can cause an error like this (or crash) in your Internet Explorer browser, including too many toolbars showing, corrupted settings, or programs that haven't been updated in a long time.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Closing the Unresponsive Internet Explorer Browser
Step 1. Try closing Internet Explorer
Click the button X ” in the upper-right corner of your browser window. If the window is closed, Internet Explorer is already responding to the command.
If the window won't close, you will need to force close your browser
Step 2. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Type task manager into the “Start” menu
After that, the computer will search for the Task Manager program.
Step 4. Click Task Manager
It's at the top of the window. After that, the Task Manager program will open and you can force close Internet Explorer.
Step 5. Click the Processes tab
It's in the top-left corner of the Task Manager window.
Step 6. Click Internet Explorer
It's at the top of the “Processes” tab. After clicking, " Internet Explorer " will be selected.
Step 7. Click End task
After that, Internet Explorer will close without asking you for confirmation.
If you see a pop-up window with the message “Windows is trying to fix this problem”, click “ Cancel ”.
Method 2 of 4: Removing the Toolbar
Step 1. Open Internet Explorer
Removing third-party toolbars from the browser can prevent errors or crashes caused by the computer running too many programs at the same time.
If Internet Explorer is still experiencing errors or crashes, skip this method and switch to the Internet Explorer reset method
Step 2. Click
It's a gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window.
Step 3. Click Manage add-ons
It's in the middle of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click the Toolbars and Extensions tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Select the toolbar
Click the toolbar that you want to remove.
Step 6. Click Disable
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. After that, the selected toolbar will be disabled.
You can repeat this process for each toolbar you want to remove
Method 3 of 4: Resetting Your Browser
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the “Windows” logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Type internet options into the “Start” menu
After that, the computer will look for the “Internet Options” panel which controls the Internet Explorer browser settings.
Step 3. Click Internet Options
It's at the top of the “Start” window. After that, the Internet Options program will be opened.
Step 4. Click the Advanced tab
This tab is in the upper-right corner of the “Internet Options” window.
Step 5. Click Reset
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 6. Check the "Delete personal settings" box
This box is in the middle of the page. With this option, temporary files or corrupted browser history will be deleted.
Step 7. Click Close when prompted
Now, the Internet Explorer browser has finished resetting.
Method 4 of 4: Updating Your Browser
Step 1. Visit the Internet Explorer download page
Internet Explorer 11 is the last supported version of Internet Explorer. If you are not using a browser with that version, updating to the latest version might resolve the error problem in Internet Explorer.
Use Microsoft Edge or a third-party browser (e.g. Chrome) to visit the site if Internet Explorer doesn't work
Step 2. Swipe the screen until you find the language you want
Make sure you find the download in the desired language on the left side of the page.
Step 3. Click the link that corresponds to the computer's operating system
After that, the installation file will be downloaded to your computer. You'll see three links next to the language you want to use:
- “ Windows 7 SP1 32-Bit ” – For 32-bit computers with Windows 7, 8, or 10 operating systems.
- “ Windows 7 SP1 64-Bit ” – For 64-bit computers with Windows 7, 8, or 10 operating systems.
- “ Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 64-bit ” - For computers running Windows Server 2008 R2.
- If you don't know whether your operating system is 32 bit or 64 bit, check the computer's bit number first.
Step 4. Double-click the Internet Explorer installation icon
This icon is displayed in the folder where the downloaded file is stored (eg desktop).
Step 5. Click Yes when prompted
After that, the Internet Explorer 11 installation window will be displayed.
Step 6. Follow the instructions shown on the screen
Agree to Microsoft's terms of use by clicking I agree ”, clicking the button “ Next ”, select the installation location, and tick or unmark the “Desktop shortcut” option.
Step 7. Click Finish
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. After that, the Internet Explorer 11 browser will be installed to the computer.
