Internet Explorer has stopped working FIX
Before we get into the problem you’re facing here, let me just ask you one simple question. WHY ARE YOU STILL USING INTERNET EXPLORER? Agreed on the new UI and Windows 10 somewhat make feel like using it again but really, please just use Google Chrome. This isn’t a paid product placement or anything but Google if you’re interested hit us up 😉
[FIX] Internet Explorer has stopped working
Anywho, getting back to the problem internet explorer has stopped working at hand, you get the error “Internet Explorer has stopped working” usually when there is a conflicting .dll file that is preventing IE from starting up. Either this or you’ve got a plugin or an add-on that’s causing all the trouble. The fix is pretty easy once you eventually find out what the problem is. Here are nine different methods you can try.
Method 1: Reset IE
One of the first things to try once you’ve busted Internet Explorer and come across internet explorer has stopped working is to try and reset the good old browser. Here’s how:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Open the tools tab
- Click on Internet Options. You’ll see a new window popup
- Hit advanced
- Hit Reset. This will prompt a dialog box to pop up.
- In the box, there will be a checkbox titled Delete Personal Settings
- Hit Reset again voila.
Now this method will completely reset Internet Explorer. All your bookmarks, saved passwords (does Internet Explorer even do that? Don’t know.) Everything will be wiped out, and you’ll start out with a clean slate.
Now the above-mentioned method only works if you can open up Internet Explorer. If you can’t even open IE, the same steps can be followed using Control Panel. Here’s how:
Alternate Method Fix for Internet Explorer has stopped working
- Hit start
- Open Control Panel
- Click on Network and Internet
- Click on Internet Options
- Now click on Advanced (Steps sound similar? Well they are.)
- Hit Reset. Like the last time, a dialog box will pop up again.
- Check the Delete Personal Settings box
- Click on
This method is the easiest way to try and fix issues you may have with Internet Explorer. In the case that this method fails to work you can try out some of the other methods listed below.
Method 2: MSCONFIG your way out of trouble
Click Start and enter this:
MSConfig
Under Selective Startup Uncheck Load Startup Items
Next, click the Services tab and put a check mark in the Hide all Microsoft Services box.
Finally, choose Disable all, click OK and restart the computer.
We just turned off all non-essential services; only the core Microsoft services will remain after we restart the computer. Our goal is to give Internet Explorer a trial run without any superfluous programs so we can zero in on the service that’s debilitating your browser.
If you don’t get the error after rebooting and opening IE, then we know the culprit is hiding in that list of MSConfig services we just disabled.
Now it’s just a game of divide and conquers.
Go back to the MSConfig Services tab, make sure Hide all Microsoft services is still checked and then check only the top half of the services boxes. Click OK, reboot and launch Internet Explorer again.
Is it still working normally? No crashes? Then we know our sinister service is furtively staying out of the spotlight somewhere in that list of unchecked (disabled) Services.
Leave the top half of the service boxes enabled but this time enable the bottom half too. Click OK and reboot.
Keep playing this enable-half-click-OK-reboot-dance until you can hone in on the faulty service. Once you find it you can leave it unchecked or uninstall it by noting the Manufacturer column in the Services tab and removing it by clicking Start and typing:
programs and features
Method 3: Disable Software Rendering
Sometimes just resetting your browser will not be enough to fix the issues you’re facing. In that case, you can try to disable software rendering to trying to make the problems go away. Here’s how you can get it:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Again open the tools drop down bar
- Open Internet Options
- Open Advanced Options
- Under the Accelerated Graphics tab uncheck the Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering
- Restart Internet Explorer
This method should resolve your issues if and only if the problems you are facing are down to your Graphics processor. Otherwise move on to find a way that works for you…
Method 4: Uninstall Unwanted toolbars
Toolbars more often than not do nothing but clutter up your Internet Explorer experience ( Not as if it’s much of an experience anyway, but hey) Now deleting these unwanted toolbars will not only give a much cleaner experience, but also may solve the error that you keep getting if the error is actually due to one of your toolbars crashing and taking down IE with it. (Titanic much?)
Jokes aside, you can delete these toolbars by simply going to the add or remove programs tab in the control panel. You can find out the toolbars easily because unlike other browsers, which install the add-ons into the browser, IE installs them outside and therefore you have to uninstall them as standalone applications.
Method 5: Removing Unwanted Addons
This usually solves the internet explorer has stopped working problems for most of the people. Add-ons are apps that Internet Explorer uses to interact with web content like videos and games. Toolbars and extensions are also types of add-ons. Some common add-ons are Adobe Flash, Quicktime, and Silverlight.
Internet Explorer is designed to provide an add-on free experience and will play HTML5 and many Adobe Flash videos without needing to install a separate add-on.
You’ll only be able to install and use Add-ons in Internet Explorer for the desktop. If you’re trying to view a page that requires add-ons, see it on the desktop: swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or right-click) to bring up the app commands, select the Page Tools button
, and then select View on the desktop.
Note
In Windows RT, add-ons aren’t supported by either Internet Explorer or Internet Explorer for the desktop.
Installing and using add-ons
If you’re missing an add-on that you need to view a page, Internet Explorer will let you know, and will prompt you to install the add-on. Some add-ons come pre-installed by other apps or your PC’s manufacturer.
To view installed add-ons
- Open Internet Explorer, select the Tools button and then select Manage add-ons.
- Under Show, select All add-ons.
To turn add-ons on
- Open Internet Explorer, click the Tools button and then select Manage add-ons.
- Under Show, select All add-ons.
- Choose the add-on, Enable, and then select Close.
Turning off and removing add-ons
Add-ons can sometimes cause browsers to run slowly and crash, or they might pose a security or compatibility risk. You can turn off specific add-ons to help increase your browsing speed, or if you suspect they’re causing problems for Internet Explorer. You can also remove add-ons that you’re no longer using from your PC. It’s a good idea to delete add-ons if you suspect they’re causing performance, compatibility, or security problems.
To turn off add-ons
- Open Internet Explorer, select the Tools button and then select Manage add-ons.
- Under Show, select All add-ons and then choose the add-on you want to turn off.
- Select Disable, and then Close.
To remove add-ons from your PC
- Open Internet Explorer, select the Tools button and then select Manage add-ons.
- Under Show, select All add-on and then choose the add-on you want to delete.
- If the add-on can be removed, you’ll see the Remove option. Select Remove and then Close.
Method 6: Uninstall and Reinstall Programs like Java, Silverlight, and Flash Player
Method number 6 for internet explorer has stopped working issues.
Now nearly all programs and apps on your computer require applications like Java or Silverlight or Flash player to work properly. Now of course if you end up having trouble with the foundation of anything the whole process will be shaky i.e. you need to make sure that these base programs are all functioning correctly.
If they are well and good. But in the case they don’t, all you need to do is uninstall them and reinstall them and try running IE again.
Method 7: Run Microsofts Fixits
Now these might not always be helpful, but as some last resort you can head over to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2970908 and try use one of the fixes it’s Microsoft have provided to help you out with your issue.
Alternate Link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2970908
Method 8: Actually going through the process of finding the .dll file that was making all this trouble
Now I listed this as the last option because going through directories is a very very tedious affair. Not one you’d like to do when you’re in the mood for some you know ;). So if you have the time, and if none of the work mentioned above. This is what you do:
- Right click on My Computer and click Manage
- Expand Event Viewer
- Further, expand Windows Logs
- Click on Application under Windows Logs
- Now on the right-hand side panel, you’ll see all the system logs that have been registered
- Then what you need to do is find an error related to Internet Explorer and double click on it
- Once you have the details, open you want to find the .dll file that is causing the issue here.
- Now once you have found the culprit at hand, all you need to do is fix the problem. Now most of the .dll file errors can be fixed by running a quick Goggle search on the name of the .dll file and come back and fix the issue
- Once done, restart your computer, and IE should be back working again
Method 9: Download a different browser
The last one on the internet explorer has stopped working problems.
Really. This isn’t a paid promotion.
Just try switching your browser for a while. It may work wonders. It may not. But it may just…