How to Fix Internet Explorer 11 Not Responding Windows 7?

Are you dealing with a “Not Responding” message in your Internet Explorer 11 while running Windows 7? If so, you’re not alone. Many users have encountered this same issue. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll walk you through a few simple steps that can help get your Internet Explorer running smoothly again.

Reasons Internet Explorer 11 Not Responding Windows 7

Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7 is a common issue faced by users. It can happen due to a number of reasons such as outdated browser version, corrupt files, or incompatible add-ons. Other reasons can include corrupted registry entries, incorrect or missing system files, incorrect security settings, or a virus or malware infection. All these issues can cause the browser to become unresponsive and lead to a poor user experience.

In order to fix the issue, users need to identify the root cause of the problem and take the necessary steps to resolve it. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to fix Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7.

Clean Up Temporary Files

The first step to solving the issue is to clean up temporary files. Temporary files are created when a user visits a website and can cause the browser to become unresponsive. To clean up temporary files, users need to open Internet Explorer 11, click the gear icon and select Internet Options. Go to the General tab and click the Delete button. Check the Temporary Internet Files option and click the Delete button again. After the temporary files have been deleted, restart the browser and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Disable Add-ons and Plugins

Add-ons and plugins can sometimes cause Internet Explorer 11 to become unresponsive. Therefore, it is important to disable them to see if they are the source of the problem. To disable add-ons, open Internet Explorer 11 and click the gear icon. Select Manage Add-ons and disable all the add-ons by selecting the Disable button. After all the add-ons have been disabled, restart the browser and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Install Windows Updates

Outdated versions of Internet Explorer 11 can also lead to the browser becoming unresponsive. Therefore, it is important to install all the available Windows updates. To install the updates, open the Windows Update application and click the Check for Updates button. Install all the available updates and restart the computer. After the computer has restarted, open Internet Explorer 11 and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Run System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC) utility is used to scan and repair corrupted system files. It is a built-in tool in Windows and can be used to fix Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7. To run the SFC utility, open the Run dialog box (Press Windows + R) and type ‘sfc /scannow’. Press Enter and let the process finish. After the process is complete, restart the computer and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Reset Internet Explorer

If all the above steps fail to fix the issue, users need to reset Internet Explorer 11. To reset the browser, open Internet Explorer 11 and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options and click the Advanced tab. Click the Reset button and confirm the action. After the reset is complete, restart the browser and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Run an Anti-Malware Scan

A virus or malware infection can also cause Internet Explorer 11 to become unresponsive. To resolve the issue, users need to run an anti-malware scan to detect and remove any malicious files. There are various anti-malware programs available, such as Malwarebytes and Spybot Search & Destroy. After the scan is complete, restart the computer and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Reinstall Internet Explorer

If all the above steps fail to fix the issue, the last option is to reinstall Internet Explorer 11. To reinstall the browser, open the Control Panel and go to Programs > Uninstall a Program. Select Internet Explorer 11 and click the Uninstall button. After the uninstall is complete, restart the computer and open the Microsoft website. Download the latest version of Internet Explorer 11 and install it on the computer. After the installation is complete, check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Start Windows in Safe Mode

If all of the above steps fail to resolve the issue, the last resort is to start Windows in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows the user to troubleshoot issues with the operating system. To start Windows in Safe Mode, press F8 during the boot-up process and select Safe Mode from the menu. After the computer has restarted in Safe Mode, open Internet Explorer 11 and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Internet Explorer 11?

A1: Internet Explorer 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s web browser, included in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. It offers improved security, performance and compatibility with modern web standards. It also includes new features such as Enhanced Protected Mode, which provides additional protection against malicious software.

Q2: What causes Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7?

A2: Internet Explorer 11 can become unresponsive on Windows 7 due to various reasons. These include incompatible add-ons and toolbars, corrupt registry entries, out-of-date drivers, malicious software and viruses, and other issues.

Q3: How can I fix Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7?

A3: To fix Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7, you can try the following solutions. First, you can check for updates, disable add-ons and toolbars, run a virus scan, and reset Internet Explorer settings. You can also try disabling hardware acceleration, re-registering Internet Explorer, and running a System File Checker scan.

Q4: What is the System File Checker?

A4: The System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corrupted system files. It can be used to scan for and repair corrupted system files, including those related to Internet Explorer 11. To use the SFC, open an elevated command prompt and type “sfc /scannow”.

Q5: How can I reset Internet Explorer settings?

A5: To reset Internet Explorer settings, open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon, select “Internet Options”, and then click on the “Advanced” tab. Click on the “Reset” button, and then click on the “Reset” button again to confirm. This will reset all of your Internet Explorer settings to their default values.

Q6: What is the Enhanced Protected Mode?

A6: Enhanced Protected Mode is a feature in Internet Explorer 11 that helps protect your PC from malicious software by providing an additional layer of security. It works by running Internet Explorer in a more restricted environment, which prevents malicious software from accessing your system. To enable Enhanced Protected Mode, open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon, select “Internet Options”, and then click on the “Advanced” tab. Check the box for “Enable Enhanced Protected Mode” and then click “OK”.

If you are experiencing issues with Internet Explorer 11 not responding on Windows 7, try the steps outlined above. By resetting, updating, or reinstalling Internet Explorer 11, you should be able to fix the issue and get back to browsing the internet with ease. Remember to always keep your software up to date and scan regularly for viruses and malware, as this can also cause issues with your browser.