How to Fix Internet Explorer has stopped working Error?

If you are reading this article then you might be facing the error “Internet Explorer has stopped working”. There is something wrong with your browser Internet Explorer but need not worry. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to fix this issue.

What does the Error “Internet Explorer Has Stopped Working” mean?

Internet Explorer is a World Wide Web browser that is used for web browsing. Before the introduction of Windows 10, this browser used to come in-built as a default browser with Windows OS. But with the introduction of Windows 10, it has been replaced by the Microsoft Edge. With the Windows OS up-gradation, Microsoft made several features of Windows dependent on IE just for the purpose of a web browser. Though the IE browser is not so much popular as Chrome, however, there are some users who still prefer to use this browser.

As soon as you launch Internet Explorer, you might encounter an error message saying that the Internet Explorer is not working, or it has encountered an issue and needs to close. Mostly you will be able to restore your previous browsing session when you restart IE.

Why do you get Internet Explorer has stopped working error?

When this error occurs, your work will be stuck in the middle and a pop up will appear to indicate that your Internet Explorer has stopped working. There can be various reasons behind this error however, I have listed some most common reasons behind this issue:

.dll files interfering with the iexplore.exe file
Third-party applications installation
Low memory Cache
Damaged System Files
Antivirus or Firewall intrusion

How to Fix “Internet Explorer has Stopped Working” Error?

I have listed some best fixes that have worked for other users. You need not try them all. Just try the methods one by one down the list until your error has been resolved. Keep reading!

Reset Internet Explorer from Control Panel

Try to reset the Internet Explorer to fix this error. To do so follow these steps:

Launch Internet Explorer. Go to the menu bar and select Tools and then click on Internet options.

Now go to the Advanced tab and then click Reset.

Check “Delete Personal Settings” checkbox and press Reset.

Reset Internet Explorer from Internet Properties

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open Task Manager.

Navigate to the Processes tab and locate iexplore.exe. Right-click on it and select End Task.

Press Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type inetcpl.cpl and click OK.

Now go to the Advanced Tab, and click Reset.

Check the checkbox for Delete Personal Settings, and press Reset.

Click Apply to close the Internet Properties dialog.
Now try to open Internet Explorer and check for the error.

Update your Video Driver

If you have an outdated or faulty video driver, you might encounter ‘Internet Explorer has stopped working’ error. You can fix this problem in 2 ways: manually and automatically.

Go to the manufacturer’s website and search for the latest version of your video card. Make sure to select the driver that is compatible with your Windows and hardware.

Download and Install them.
Restart the computer and check for the error.

Disable add-ons

Add-ons are extensions that can be added to the Internet Explorer to enhance the user experience. For example, an add-on like AdBlock can block ads during browsing. We can add these extensions manually or by the other websites while using them. If there is an issue with the add-ons, you might get ‘Internet Explorer has stopped working’ error. To check this, disable the add-ons on your Internet Explorer. After doing this, if your Internet Explorer starts working, the problem is with one of your add-ons. The next step would be to find out which add-on is creating the issue.

Press Windows + R and enter the command inetcpl.cpl

Go to Programs -> Manage add-ons.

You will be seeing the list of add-ons on Internet Explorer. Click each one and select Disable.

Restart your computer to check if the issue is fixed.

If you wish to find which add-on is causing the error, you need to enable each add-on one by one and check if the Internet Explorer works fine. Once you locate the right add-on, disable it, and enable all the others. If nothing has caused the issue, move on to the next fix.

Uninstall toolbars

Toolbars improve user interaction. If you have a faulty toolbar, you might encounter ‘Internet Explorer has stopped working’ error. Temporarily, uninstall all the third-party browser toolbars and check if the problem still persists. Follow the below steps to do this.

Press Windows key + R and type the command appwiz.cpl

A list of programs and features will appear. Right-click on each toolbar from the list and click Uninstall/Change and press Yes.

Restart your computer and check if the Internet Explorer works properly.

To find out which toolbar is causing the issue, reinstall and uninstall each toolbar one after another and test it. If this fix doesn’t work for you, go to the next fix.

Clear Cached Data in IE

Corrupted temporary files or cached data may cause this issue. To fix this error you need to clear cached data in Internet Explorer. To do so follow these steps:

Launch Internet Explorer.
Navigate to the Settings option. And select Safety and then select Delete Browsing History.

Select All options and then choose Delete.

Restart your Internet Explorer and check for the error.

Change hardware acceleration setting

Hardware acceleration is used by Internet Explorer to do text rendering and graphics. Some computers may perform well with active hardware acceleration while some may not. Check your hardware acceleration setting.

Press Windows + R and run the command inetcpl.cpl

Go to Advanced and check if ‘Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering’ checkbox is active or ticked. If it is active then, untick it. If it is inactive then tick it. Click Ok.

Restart your computer and see if ‘Internet Explorer has stopped working’ error is fixed. If not, go to the next fix.

Reset security zones to their default levels

If the security zone settings of Internet Explorer are changed, it can cause an error. It is better to reset them to the default levels to fix the problem.

Click Windows + R at the same time and enter the command inetcpl.cpl

Go to Security and then click ‘Reset all zones to default level.’ Click Ok.

Restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed. If not, go to the next solution.

Disable UAC (User Account Control)

Try to disable the user account control to fix the error. Some users reported this method helpful. To do so follow these steps:

Press Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type Control Panel and press Enter.

Sort icons by category.

Click and select User Accounts.

Further click on User Accounts.

Click on the option Change User Account Control Settings.

Now choose Never Notify and click on the OK button and close Control Panel.

Restart your computer and check for the error.

Configure Nvidia Software

Some users reported the compatibility issues with the Nvidia graphics card or the software. If you are also using the Nvidia graphics card or the Nvidia software then there are chances of compatibility issues between Internet Explorer and the Nvidia software. To fix the issue you need to configure Nvidia software. To do so follow these steps:

Go to the Start Menu and type Nvidia Control Panel and Open it.

From the left window pane click on 3D settings option.

Navigate to Program Settings Tab and select Microsoft Internet Explorer under it. And form the option “Select the preferred graphic processor for this program” you have to select Integrated graphic from the drop-down menu.
Click on the Apply button.

Restart your computer and check for the error.

Reinstall Internet Explorer

If nothing works, reinstall Internet Explorer.

Press Windows key + R and type the command appwiz.cpl

Press ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ on the left side of the window. Deselect the Internet Explorer and click OK.

Click Yes in the dialog box that appears.

Press Ok and wait till your Internet Explorer becomes deactivated.
Restart your computer.
Again, press Windows + R and type appwiz.cpl and then click ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ and check the Internet Explorer checkbox. Click Ok.

Internet Explorer will turn on. Launch your Internet Explorer and see if ‘Internet Explorer has stopped working’ error is fixed.

Update Windows

If none of the above methods worked for you then try to update the Windows. On performing Windows update all software and drivers get updated automatically and it can fix your issue. To do so follow these steps:

Click on the Windows logo key and type Windows Update and press Enter.

On the new window click on the Check for Updates option.

Wait till the system search for the available updates. After this search, you will get the status of Windows Updates available.
Click on the Install Now button to download the Windows update available. Or if your system is already updated then you will get the updated status.

It may take some time to update Windows depending upon the size of the update. Once done, restart your computer and check for the error.

Conclusion

Hopefully, your ‘Internet Explorer has stopped working’ error should be fixed. Let us know in the comment section which method worked for you? If you know any other working method for this error then contact us to add the method in this guide. Wanna some more DeviceTricks? Stay tuned to this space to get the latest updates on errors related to Windows, macOS, and Android. If you feel this article helpful please like, share, and follow our Facebook page.