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I keep getting a message along the lines of “Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to shut down.” It then restarts and returns to the home page. This can happen at different frequencies.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Scanning for Malware

With this type of problem, one of the first strategies that I suggest is to run a virus and spyware scan. Quite often spyware and viruses infect a computer and can lead to problems such as Internet Explorer cannot display the page. The best strategy here is to run an anti-virus/anti-spyware application to remove the problem if it exists. Once this occurs, Internet Explorer usually goes back to its normal working order. If you have such an application, check to see if any updates exist and run it now. If you don’t have such an application, you can try Anti-VirusPLUS, which is a reliable anti-virus/anti-spyware program.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Updates

It is possible that you need to obtain the latest update for Internet Explorer. If you haven’t updated in a while, this becomes even more possible. The latest version is currently IE8. If you already have this version, use the next set of directions to repair it. If you don’t have this version, try uploading it now and see if that helps any.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Repair IE

Quite often, computer users can resolve Internet Explorer errors simply by resetting it. Take these steps to repair your Internet Explorer:

1)      Open your Internet Explorer application.

2)      Immediately select the option for “Tools.”

3)      Select “Internet Options.”

4)      Select the section for “Restore Advanced Settings.”

5)      Select “Reset.” If you are lucky, this strategy worked.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: IE Reporting Tool

Typically a small dialog box appears that offers you the chance to report the IE error. Many people don’t realize the value of this option. If you select this option to “Send Error Report,” the “Internet Explorer Error Reporting Tool” will first check to see if the problem has been resolved. If it has been resolved, this tool will direct you to the appropriate webpage to fix the problem. Typically, this involves downloading a patch or workaround for that particular problem.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: “System Restore”

Another workaround that might work for you is to complete a “System Restore” to place your computer back to a time when IE was working properly. This strategy might or might not work for you.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Add-ons

This strategy is usually one that works if you have recently included any add-ons for your Internet Explorer browser. Try running it without the add-ons and see if the problem continues. Go to Start> Programs> Accessories > System Tools> Internet Explorer with No Add-ons. If it works properly, then you can experiment with each add-on one at a time until you discover which one is creating the problem for you. Do this by going into the regular Internet Explorer and clicking Tools > Manage Add-ons. You could also try uninstalling the latest add-on to see if that makes a difference for you.

My computer is playing but when I log on a site i.e. littlewoods or try to buy anything, it just clicks off and clears the screen back to the wallpaper.

I am wondering if this is a new problem in general or if these are new websites that you are trying to use when experiencing page display errors. If you have been able to visit these websites in the past and now suddenly, you cannot, I might be inclined to think that your computer is infected with a virus or spyware.

However, if these are new websites that you are trying to visit for the first time, then I might be inclined to think that your security might be creating the issue. If you aren’t sure, then just try each of the following solutions. Otherwise, you can try the one that you think is most likely going to resolve the problem first and then move on down the list.

Spyware and Viruses

It is possible that your computer is infected with a virus or spyware. Either one of these can lead to problems such as the one that you are describing. What you need to do is to use an up-to-date anti-spyware/anti-virus application to scan your computer and remove any infections that exist. If you do have an anti-spyware/anti-virus application, make sure that it is updated with the latest version. If you don’t have one, I can recommend Anti-VirusPLUS.

Security Programs

It is possible that the security settings that you are using are set too high to allow you to gain access to these websites. If you are using a security program, open the program and check the security level that you have it set at. Typically, you can open the security icon by right-clicking on it or you can access it through the main menu for programs.

Web Browser Related Issues: Cookies and Temporary Internet Files

One of the first strategies to try is to clear the temporary Internet cache that has been stored on your web browser. This data can sometimes create glitches that lead to bigger problems. Follow these directions for Internet Explorer:

1. Open the browser.
2. Click on “Tools.”
3. Select the tab for “Delete Browsing History.”
4. Click on the section labeled, “Temporary Internet Files.”
5. Click the boxes for each of the following: history, cookies, form data, and temporary Internet files. Then, click on “Delete.”

If you have a different browser, you can generally find the section that you need in the “Tools” section or the “Edit/Menu/Preferences” section.

Web Browser Related Issues: Repair or Uninstall and Reinstall

It is possible to repair Internet Explorer by going through this path: Tools>Internet Options>Advanced>Reset. Sometimes this strategy will fix display errors. Alternatively, you can also uninstall your web browser and then reinstall it in your attempt to correct the problem.

Web Browser Related Issues: Switch Browsers

If the internet explorer cannot display the page error continues to haunt you, you might want to consider using a different web browser when visiting those particular websites. I use Mozilla Firefox and rarely have problems with it.

I can’t get on the Internet. It says, “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage.”

Try each one of the following suggestions one at a time. Reboot your computer after each one as you try using Internet Explorer again. As soon as you find the solution that works, you should be able to stop troubleshooting. Since some of the solutions are for special scenarios, you can read through them first and start with the one that seems like it is closest to your situation.

Troubleshooting IE: Different Websites

In order to determine whether the problem is related just to one or two websites or to all of them, try to gain access to a number of different websites. If you can’t view the web pages for any of them, then the problem is not with the website that you have been trying to view. If only certain websites are giving you problems, then that website might be experiencing technical difficulties at this time.

Troubleshooting IE: Run the Diagnostics Tool for Networking

Try to access the web page again. This time, if it does not appear, select the “Diagnose Connection Problems” link. The tool should begin to run without any further input from you. After it runs, you should receive a message detailing the results. If a problem is discovered, you will be offered some advice to follow.

Troubleshooting IE: Reset the Modem or Router

Reset your modem or router. In many cases, this strategy resolves connection problems instantly.

Troubleshooting IE: Temporary Cache

Sometimes it is necessary to clear the web browser history, temporary cache, and cookies in order to resolve problems with Internet Explorer. This strategy often works when the “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage” error message is displayed. To do so, follow these directions: Navigate to the “Tools” section of IE. Open “Delete Browsing History.” Check off the box in front of all of the following and then click delete: history, cookies, form data, and temporary Internet files.

Troubleshooting IE: “System Restore”

“System Restore” allows you to turn your computer back in time to an earlier date when it was functioning properly. You’ll have to have a fairly good guess as to when that was in order for this strategy to work properly. Use these directions:

• Navigate to “Start” and open “All Programs.”
• Select “Accessories”
• Select “System Tools” and then “System Restore.”
• Select “Restore my computer to an earlier time.”
• Follow the prompts.

Troubleshooting IE: Update IE

As technology changes, it’s important to keep up with the updates that are offered for Internet Explorer. If you haven’t updated to the newest version of IE yet, you should do so as soon as possible. Remember that each time you update your operating system or web browser, your settings can change and you might need to put them back to what you had.

Troubleshooting IE: Failed Installation

If you recently installed Internet Explorer and this problem is occurring, try uninstalling it and reinstalling it to fix it.

Troubleshooting IE: Firewall Settings

If the setting for your firewall has been set too high (at the restrictive level), you will experience difficulty viewing quite a few web sites. Check your firewall settings and lower the level before attempting to browse the web again.

Troubleshooting IE: Spyware and Viruses

If you’ve made it this far in the list of suggestions, then your chance of having an infected computer is a real possibility. Scan your computer using an up-to-date anti-spyware/anti-virus application to remove any malware applications. If you don’t have such a program, try Anti-Virus PLUS.

 I’m guessing you are also running Windows Vista? Internet Explorer errors such as this one have been reported. No matter what operating system or version of Internet Explorer you are running, this is annoying. My IE 7 browser has done the same on occasion but not continuously.

Several computer users have reported that a conflict with other programs such as OmniPage, Yahoo Browser, and Yahoo Install Manager interfere with Internet Explorer while other users have suggested that a simple Internet Options “reset” will do the trick. While the list of reported possible software program interferences is unsubstantiated, if you’ve recently installed a new program (OmniPage or otherwise), consider the possibility of a conflict.

If you suspect a conflict, go to the software developer’s Web site and search for product updates. Likewise, make sure you have the latest version of Internet Explorer along with the latest updates. The involved vendors may be aware of the issue and could have already issued a fix. If so, apply the fix and solve your problem.

Microsoft reports a known issue with the Migo Digital Vault program causing Internet Explorer errors of this nature. In addition, third party programs such as Reno and Spydawn are also known to cause this problem. For detailed instructions covering a Digital Vault solution, view the Microsoft Knowledgebase article.

Resetting the default Internet Explorer settings may also solve your issue. First, go into the Control Panel by clicking the Start button and choosing Control Panel option and then choose Internet Options. Next, click the Advanced tab and then the Reset button.

Other fixes that may work for you include disabling the phishing filter, un-enabling “protected mode,” and uninstalling Internet Explorer add-ons.

To disable the phishing filter, go into Internet options >Advanced once again. This time, scroll down to the Phishing section and disable the phishing filter.

To disable “protected mode,” go back into Internet Options, this time clicking the Security tab and unchecking the box labeled “Enable Protected Mode.”

Finally, managing add-ons may solve your Internet Explorer failure problem. Go into Internet Options once again and click on the Programs tab. Now, click on Manage Add-ons and delete or disable add-ons as you troubleshoot your way through the problem.

These are among the most common possible solutions to Internet Explorer constantly stopping and restarting. Other possible causes include too many programs running in the background, computer viruses, and spyware which are briefly addressed in the Microsoft Knowledgebase article reference above. If none of these tips work, consider downloading Mozilla Firefox as an alternative so that you can at least surf the Internet in peace.

Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation