Internet Explorer Cannot Display the Webpage? Fixes

If you see “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage,” it means the browser could not establish a connection to the site you requested. This article explains the most common causes and gives you step-by-step fixes to get back online.

What This Error Actually Means

Internet Explorer (IE) shows this message when it fails to load a page. The failure can happen at several points: your device may be offline, the DNS server may not resolve the domain, the server may be down, or IE itself may have corrupted settings. Unlike a specific HTTP error (like 404 or 500), this generic message gives no clue about the exact problem, so you have to test each layer of the connection.

Quick Checks Before You Change Anything

Start with the simplest possibilities. These take less than a minute and solve a surprising number of cases.

• Check if other websites load. If none do, the problem is likely your network or ISP, not IE.
• Try a different browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox). If they work, IE is the issue.
• Restart your modem and router. Unplug them for 30 seconds, then plug back in.
• Disable any VPN or proxy software temporarily.
• Check if the site works on your phone while on the same Wi-Fi.

If only one site fails, that site may be down or blocking your IP. If all sites fail, continue to the fixes below.

Fix 1: Reset Internet Explorer Settings

Corrupted settings are a leading cause of this error. IE keeps its configuration in the Windows registry, and a bad add-on or an interrupted update can break it.

1. Open IE and click the gear icon (top right), then “Internet options.”
2. Go to the “Advanced” tab.
3. Click “Reset…” under “Reset Internet Explorer settings.”
4. Check “Delete personal settings” if you want to clear history, passwords, and form data.
5. Click “Reset,” then restart IE.

This resets home page, search providers, and security zones to defaults. It does not remove your favorites or feeds. If a rogue add-on caused the problem, this often clears it.

Fix 2: Clear Cache and Temporary Files

A corrupted cache file can prevent IE from loading a page even when the network is fine. Clearing it forces IE to fetch everything fresh.

1. In IE, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
2. Uncheck everything except “Temporary Internet files and website files.”
3. Click “Delete.”

You can also use the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type inetcpl.cpl, and press Enter. On the “General” tab, under “Browsing history,” click “Delete…” and then “Temporary Internet files.” After clearing, restart IE and try the page again.

Fix 3: Check Proxy and LAN Settings

IE has its own proxy settings that override Windows system settings. A leftover proxy from a VPN or a corporate network can point to a dead server.

1. Open “Internet options” again.
2. Go to the “Connections” tab.
3. Click “LAN settings.”
4. If “Use a proxy server for your LAN” is checked, uncheck it. If “Automatically detect settings” is unchecked, check it.
5. Click OK and restart IE.

Most home users should have “Automatically detect settings” checked and no proxy. If you are on a corporate network, ask your IT department for the correct proxy address before changing anything.

Fix 4: Flush DNS and Renew IP

Your computer caches DNS lookups to speed up browsing. A stale or corrupted entry can send you to a dead IP address. Flushing the cache clears that.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (press Windows key, type cmd, right-click “Command Prompt,” and choose “Run as administrator”).
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
3. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
4. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
5. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
6. Restart your computer.

The netsh winsock reset command restores the Windows socket catalog to a clean state, which can fix network issues caused by malware or misbehaving software.

Fix 5: Disable Add-ons and Hardware Acceleration

Toolbars, search helpers, and other add-ons can interfere with page loading. IE lets you start without them.

1. Click the gear icon, then “Manage add-ons.”
2. Disable any suspicious or unnecessary add-ons, especially toolbars and browser extensions.
3. Restart IE.

If that does not help, try turning off hardware acceleration. Go to “Internet options” → “Advanced” tab, and check “Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering.” Restart IE. This helps when graphics drivers are outdated or incompatible.

Fix 6: Check Firewall and Antivirus

Security software sometimes blocks IE specifically, even when other browsers work. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus (if you know how) and test the page. If it loads, add IE to the allowed programs list. Remember to re-enable your protection immediately after testing.

Fix 7: Use the Windows Network Diagnostics

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can identify common network problems automatically.

1. Right-click the network icon in the system tray.
2. Choose “Troubleshoot problems” or “Diagnose network problem.”
3. Follow the prompts. It may reset your network adapter or suggest other fixes.

This is a good step if you are not sure where to start, because it checks multiple things at once.

When the Problem Is the Website Itself

Sometimes the site is genuinely down. You can check with a service like downforeveryoneorjustme.com (not affiliated with Microsoft) to see if the site is down for everyone. If the site is down, there is nothing you can do except wait. Also, some sites require older IE versions or specific security settings. If the site uses TLS 1.2 or newer, IE on Windows 7 may not support it. Check the site’s requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does IE work on other sites but not this one?

That usually points to the specific site. It could be down, blocking your IP, or using a security protocol IE does not support. Try clearing your cache and cookies for that site, then reload. If it still fails, test the site in another browser.

Does this error mean my computer has a virus?

Not necessarily. Malware can cause network problems, but the error is more often due to settings, cache, or ISP issues. If you suspect malware, run a full antivirus scan, but do not assume the error is a virus.

Will resetting IE delete my bookmarks?

No. The reset option keeps your favorites, feeds, and web slices. It only resets settings like home page, search providers, and security zones. However, if you check “Delete personal settings,” it will clear history, passwords, and form data.

Is there a way to see the exact error code?

IE does not show a code for this generic message. You can press F12 to open Developer Tools and look at the Network tab to see the HTTP status for each request. A status like 404 means the page is missing; 500 means a server error; 0 usually means the request never reached the server.

Should I upgrade to a different browser?

Microsoft ended support for Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, for most Windows 10 versions. The browser is no longer updated with security patches. For safety and compatibility, you should use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox. The fixes in this article still work if you must use IE for legacy sites, but for everyday browsing, a modern browser is strongly recommended.

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