If Internet Explorer does not start, you will know about it right away. All browsers work on its basis, be it Opera, Mozilla, Chrome or any other. Moreover, malfunctions in the standard Windows program can damage the entire operating system.
Let's get down to business. What is the cause of the failures and how to fix it?
Start page issue
Perhaps the most harmless option. Sometimes Internet Explorer does not start due to a conflict when accessing the home page. In this case, the issue is solved by opening an empty tab. Open the Run application (Win + R) and type iexplore about: blank in the line. If the program has opened, go to settings immediately and change the start page.
Conflicting add-ons and toolbars
Additional applications and toolbars that you installed can not only significantly slow down the browser, but also cause errors and crashes in the program. To check this, you need to open the Run window again and enter the following command:
Click OK. Now the browser will start without add-ons. If everything is in order, it remains only to find out which components caused the problems. To do this, go to the "Tools" menu (gear icon), select the "Configure Add-ons" item and start turning off all add-ons in turn until IE starts working correctly.
Incorrect browser settings
Another probable reason why Internet Explorer does not start is incorrect browser settings. In this case, the solution will be a full reset and return to the default settings. How to do it?
- Open the Control Panel.
- Go to the "Configure computer settings" section.
- Find "Browser Properties".
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Press the "Reset" button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
Next, you need to wait until the recovery process is completed, close the window and try to start the browser again.
Viruses
If none of the above helps, check your computer for malware. For this, you can use any antivirus scanners, for example:
- Spybot Search & Destroy;
- Lavasoft Adaware;
- Adwcleaner;
- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
It is best to scan in safe Windows mode. To enter it, start the computer reboot and at the very beginning press the F8 key. In the menu that appears, select "Safe Mode with Network Support." When the scan is complete, restart the computer again.
Damage to system libraries
If Internet Explorer does not start after using utilities to clean the PC, there is a possibility that, together with damaged and outdated files, those that are necessary for the browser to work were deleted. In this case, you can restore IE only after re-registering and restoring system libraries. There are also special applications for this, for example, Fix IE Utility.
What if nothing helps?
Sometimes you can’t restore the system browser using standard methods, and you have to resort to more radical methods. It all depends on which operating system you are using.
Option 1. Reinstall IE (for Windows 7 and XP)
Unfortunately, this method is only suitable for earlier versions of Window. Internet Explorer 7 can be downloaded and reinstalled just like any other program. The installer can be downloaded from the official Microsoft website. Please note that different versions of the browser are suitable for different operating systems:
| Windows version | 7 | Vista | XP |
| Internet Explorer Version | eleven | 9 | 8 |
Since the browser does not work, it is most logical to download the installer file on another computer and transfer it to a USB flash drive.
Option 2. Disabling IE (for Windows 8)
An alternative solution for those who do not start Internet Explorer. Windows 8 uses this browser as a built-in browser, so you cannot reinstall it. The only option is to completely disable it. How to do it?
- Go to Control Panel> Turn Windows Features On or Off.
- Find Internet Explorer, uncheck it and click OK.
- Reboot your PC.
After that, IE will be unavailable, and you will have to use a different browser to access the Internet.
Option 3. Reinstall Windows
If all else fails, you will most likely need to reinstall the operating system. Internet Explorer will be reinstalled with other standard Windows applications.