Top 3 fixes for: Internet Explorer won't start, IE7, IE8, IE9 opens then closes immediately
I have been having this issue for years and I found the final solution just yesterday! So I thought I would post it here and hopefully help out thousands of other people like me.
Before I explain the solution let me describe the problem in detail. For some unknown reason, I have always had this problem on my main computer with Internet Explorer 9: whenever I want to run it, a blank window appears for 0.1 second then closes instantly, without any error message or anything. The solutions I describe are valid for Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) and Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). I am running Windows 7 but the solutions also work for Windows Vista and Windows XP.
There are three solutions here, among which two are the official solutions proposed by Microsoft. Let me tell you right off - Microsoft's solutions had no effect, so you might want to skip to the last one immediately.
So the first solution is to reset Internet Explorer to its default settings. After all, the problem you are having might be caused by an add-on that causes IE to crash or something. In order to proceed, either click the above link to download a tool that will clean up your IE settinsg, OR run the tool from your machine (yeah, the tool should already be installed on your machine):
1) Open the Internet Options applet from the control panel
2) Go to the Advanced tab
3) Click the "Reset Settings" button
4) Make sure the "Delete personal settings" box is ticked and press OK.
5) Try running IE again and see if that fixed it.
Uninstalling:
1) Open the Programs and Features applet from the control panel (Add/Remove programs in XP)
2) Click the "Turn Windows Features on or off" link on the left
3) Untick Internet Explorer in the list of programs that shows up
4) Restart your computer
Reinstalling: do the exact same, except you tick the box.
If you have an older version of Internet Explorer, I recommend downloading Internet Explorer 9 (offline installer, not one of those stupid web installers that always fail).
- If you are running Windows 32-bit, download this: Internet Explorer 7/8/9 repair script for Win32
- If you are running Internet Explorer 32-bit version on Windows 64-bit, download this: IE 7/8/9 repair script for IE 32bit on Win64
- If you are running Internet Explorer 64-bit on Windows 64-bit, download this: IE 7/8/9 repair script for IE on Win64
Once you have that downloaded, extract the ZIP archive, you will find a .cmd file (command-line batch file). It contains instructions that will repair your system and allow Internet Explorer to finally work again. DISREGARD the filename: it's called "IE8" but it works with IE7, IE8 and IE9. To run it, right-click the file and click "Run as administrator".
After it finishes running, start Internet Explorer and voila! You can now use the world's worst web browser again. Download Google Chrome now!
Before I explain the solution let me describe the problem in detail. For some unknown reason, I have always had this problem on my main computer with Internet Explorer 9: whenever I want to run it, a blank window appears for 0.1 second then closes instantly, without any error message or anything. The solutions I describe are valid for Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) and Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). I am running Windows 7 but the solutions also work for Windows Vista and Windows XP.
There are three solutions here, among which two are the official solutions proposed by Microsoft. Let me tell you right off - Microsoft's solutions had no effect, so you might want to skip to the last one immediately.
- Solution 1: deleting all IE settings so as to remove potentially blocking add-ons
- Solution 2: uninstalling and reinstalling IE completely
- Solution 3: running a script that cleans your registry and re-registers missing DLLs
Solution 1 (by Microsoft)
The problem is perfectly described on a support page entitled "Internet Explorer opens, flashes, and then closes immediately when you start it". That's exactly what happens here, except their solutions had no effect for me. Maybe you'll be luckier than I was?So the first solution is to reset Internet Explorer to its default settings. After all, the problem you are having might be caused by an add-on that causes IE to crash or something. In order to proceed, either click the above link to download a tool that will clean up your IE settinsg, OR run the tool from your machine (yeah, the tool should already be installed on your machine):
1) Open the Internet Options applet from the control panel
2) Go to the Advanced tab
3) Click the "Reset Settings" button
4) Make sure the "Delete personal settings" box is ticked and press OK.
5) Try running IE again and see if that fixed it.
Solution 2 (by Microsoft)
If that didn't help, you can try their second recommendation, which is basically to uninstall and reinstall Internet Explorer. The process is simple and there is actually no installer to run.Uninstalling:
1) Open the Programs and Features applet from the control panel (Add/Remove programs in XP)
2) Click the "Turn Windows Features on or off" link on the left
3) Untick Internet Explorer in the list of programs that shows up
4) Restart your computer
Reinstalling: do the exact same, except you tick the box.
If you have an older version of Internet Explorer, I recommend downloading Internet Explorer 9 (offline installer, not one of those stupid web installers that always fail).
Solution 3 by Kai Schätzl - the ultimate fix!
If like me none of the above worked, you must try Kai Schätzl's delicious script. You have no idea how thankful I am, Mr. Kai. Basically, all you have to do is download one of the below scripts:- If you are running Windows 32-bit, download this: Internet Explorer 7/8/9 repair script for Win32
- If you are running Internet Explorer 32-bit version on Windows 64-bit, download this: IE 7/8/9 repair script for IE 32bit on Win64
- If you are running Internet Explorer 64-bit on Windows 64-bit, download this: IE 7/8/9 repair script for IE on Win64
Once you have that downloaded, extract the ZIP archive, you will find a .cmd file (command-line batch file). It contains instructions that will repair your system and allow Internet Explorer to finally work again. DISREGARD the filename: it's called "IE8" but it works with IE7, IE8 and IE9. To run it, right-click the file and click "Run as administrator".
After it finishes running, start Internet Explorer and voila! You can now use the world's worst web browser again. Download Google Chrome now!
Comments
Thanks.
I tried all the Microsoft fixes and nothing worked.
Thanks for pointing out Option 3, you saved me some time.
Brillant journal, thank you so much for this help and taking the time to publish this.
After neither of the microsoft tricks worked, option 3 worked as described. Within about 1 minute IE8 was back up and running on my WIN Xp computer.
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH.
“return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to enhance my website!
I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!
!
My web page: weltkarte zum ausmalen
If you are using Internet Explorer 64 bit version, use this script: here
If you are using IE 32 bits under Windows 64 bits, you need this one.
Try these, it really won't hurt your system. all it does basically is (re)register some DLLs who are required by Internet Explorer.
Was looking for a fix for several months...
Why didn't I see your site before???
Thanks a lot!!! :D :D
I tried Option 1 first, and it worked. But when I closed the explorer and reopened it, it closes immediately again.
Then I tried Option 3. It also worked, but similarly, the second time I opened the browser, it closed again. But when I opened again, it worked, and so on...
Basically, I was able to successfully launch the browser in my every other attempt. I guess I just have to be happy with that.
Thanks!
This is the only thing that worked (solution 3).
Thanks
Thank You!
Thanks for finding this automated script that re-registers .dll files etc. to return IE to its original functionality - very much appreciated!!!
=> Hello, you must be clicking an ad banner instead of the actual download button. Those ads can be sneaky.
"I'm not a computer wizard. How do you download something when your internet won't open???" => use someone else's computer to download the fix, copy it onto a USB drive and run it on your computer. It doesn't take a computer wizard ... :-)
Thank you Very much!!
Osiris Zuberi
what can you do about that?
I've tried uninstalling the update, but it gives an error message saying it can't uninstall some parts.
Any suggestions?
thanks
AC Repair Pearland
AC Repair Waxahachie
Then I did a combination starting with solution #3 and then disabling IExplorer as in solution #2. Finally, after restarting the computer I did a fresh installation of IExplorer 8 from an installer downloaded from Microsoft using a second computer and a USB stick (because the first computer had no browser yet).
This combination did the trick. Thank you Clement!
Then I did a combination starting with solution #3 and then disabling IExplorer as in solution #2. Finally, after restarting the computer I did a fresh installation of IExplorer 8 from an installer downloaded from Microsoft using a second computer and a USB stick (because the first computer had no browser yet).
This combination did the trick. Thank you Clement!
Can anyone help me?
Thanks so much for your help!
Thank you for taking the time to do this for us. Option 3 worked for me too.
My own IT people could not resolve the issue as you did!! THANK YOU Clement!
It finally worked for me (IE8 XP 32bit)after months of frustration.
You people are amazing.
It finally worked for me (IE8 on XP 32 bit)after months of frustrating efforts while I was doing what Microsoft were suggesting.
You people are amazing!!!
Thanks a lot.
Tthanks so much.
thanks alot
it's right here: http://iefaq.info/index.php?action=artikel&cat=42&id=133&artlang=en
It's funny, I can get on ms help online..but nothing else stays up. IE icon is dead, what's a mother to do?
The scripts seem to have sorted everything out.
Ran full antivirus scan. Ran rootkit scan. All OK. In desperation I decided to try "the script."
Trying to download the script I got to a screen that forced me to accept a download for ilivid (?) or reboot. I rebooted - with only the usual windows startup stuff. Windows took a long, long time to start. So I ran chkdsk - it found a trashed filesystem - which I had it fix. Then windows ran, but IE still didn't run. I figured out a way around the "download my crapware or else" screen, downloaded the file, ran the script. IE still wouldn't work. Reboot - and all hell broke loose. Tried to use windows repair - it hung. Tried to reinstall windows from image - it hung. Finally used LINUX to repartition the drive. Then I was able to reinstall Windows. My advice: learn to live without IE, or find another fix. A friend gave ma a list of reg fixes - he said works. In all, only reformat and reinstall windows worked. Other than those problems, I had a good morning.
My advice: try anything but this script.
IEREREG-8 Version 1.09 for IE8 01.03.2011
by Kai Schaetzl http://iefaq.info
installs and registers (if suitable) all DLLs known to be used by IE8.
should only take a few seconds, but please be patient
Detected Windows XP
registering IE files
registering system files
correcting bugs in the registry
Erreur : Accès refusé.
all tasks have been finished
Appuyez sur une touche pour continuer...
May be an antivirus is bloking your script ?
Marcel
Boss really you saved my time and Sollution 3 is wonderfull .
I wish you a good luck . Some wear some how you saved me to format the PC .
Rgds /Rolan
Regards - Debi
I use IE11 though. Any ideas?
I use IE11 tough (so was, kind of expecting it)
I know IE is the worst browser ever but I *have* to use it. Any ideas?
thankz a lot..
I will surely add this to my blog
ishappinessfree.blogspot.in
I have been trying to fix the IE on Win7 and nothing worked so far.
None of Microsoft suggestions worked for me.
Only running the script "ie8-rereg.32on64.cmd" file woked for me!
Amazing!
Thank you for your post! It's invaluable!!
Reseting permissions on "temporary internet files" made the trick
After doing all the Microsoft "fixes" .. finally this script fixed the issue! Thank you
Micro$ofts solutions did't worked..
Thank you!
Thanks heaps...
JT, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Thanks,
THE 3 STEP WORKS......
I believe this is the easiet way - if IE is 64-bits, it will be listed in Start>Programs more or less like this: "Internet Explorer (64 bits)"
If it's 32-bits, it will be just: "Internet Explorer".
You can also open Windows Explorer and navigate to the IE folder. It might be on Program Files or Program Files (x86). Right click "iexplore.exe", then check properties>Details>File version.
I use the PT-BR version of Windows, so I don't know for sure the name of the commands. Hope you can figure it out.
Not knowing that this was the problem I tried the first two of these solutions but Search Protect hijacked the resets without me being aware.
I finally disabled Conduit's Search Protect by following Norton's step-by-step instructions and was then able to reset IE and it works like a charm now.
Here are Norton's instructions: https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v96233795_EndUserProfile_en_us
I tried all 3 options. I've been searching everywhere to get IE fixed to no avail. I'm using IE 11 which some people said Option 3 worked for, but it didn't do squat for me.
Does anyone have any other options, specifically for IE 11?
Thanks
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