Some websites can't be accessed - Browsers (2023)

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  • 8 minutes to read

Warning

The retired, out-of-support Internet Explorer 11 desktop application is scheduled to be permanently disabled through a Microsoft Edge update on certain versions of Windows 10 on February 14, 2023. We highly recommend setting up IE mode in Microsoft Edge and disabling IE11 prior to this date to ensure your organization does not experience business disruption.

For more information, see this FAQ page.

This article provides methods to solve the issue that Internet Explorer can't access certain websites and provides solutions.

Original product version: Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 9
Original KB number: 967897

To resolve this problem, try the following methods in the order in which they're given.

Manually enter the shortcut

Try to open a problem website by manually entering the shortcut (web address) instead of clicking the link for that site:

(Video) How to Fix Some Websites Not Loading/Opening in Any Browser Issue | Windows 10

  1. Right-click the link for the website, and then click Copy shortcut.
  2. Paste the shortcut into the Address bar of Internet Explorer.
  3. Press Enter.

Use the troubleshooter

If none of the previous methods resolve the problem, try to run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter. Right-click the network icon in the notification area, select Troubleshoot problems, and then select Internet Connections. The Troubleshooter might ask you some questions or reset some common settings during this process. If running the Network and Internet Troubleshooter doesn't resolve the problem, look for your specific problem in the following list.

I can access some websites, but not all of them

  1. Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

    • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, press the Windows + C keys), and then tap or click Search. Enter Internet options in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.

    • In the search results, tap or click Internet Options. Tap or click the Advanced tab and then tap or click Reset.

      Note

      Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, Tracking Protection, and ActiveX Filtering data.

    • In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings window tap or click Reset.

      Note

      (Video) How to Fix Some Websites Not Loading/Opening in Any Browser Issue - Windows 10

      To delete all personal settings, tap or click the checkbox for Delete personal settings.

    • Close and then restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

  2. Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7

    • Exit all programs, including Internet Explorer.
    • If you use Windows XP, click Start > Run. Type inetcpl.cpl in the Open box, and then press Enter.
      If you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click the Start button. Type inetcpl.cpl in the Search box, and then press Enter. The Internet Options dialog box appears.
    • Select the Advanced tab.
    • Under Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset. Then click Reset again.
      Select the Delete personal settings check box if you also want to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, Tracking Protection, and ActiveX Filtering data.
    • When Internet Explorer finishes resetting the settings, click Close in the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box.
    • Start Internet Explorer again.

If you still can't access some websites, get help from the Microsoft Community online.

For more information about How to reset settings in Internet Explorer, see video.

I can't access my bank and email websites or other secure websites

When you connect to a secure website, Internet Explorer uses an encrypted channel that uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt transactions. Corrupted information in the SSL can cause websites not to load correctly. Clearing the SLL state may resolve this problem. To do it, follow these steps for your version of Windows.

  1. Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

    • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, press Windows logo key+C keys), and then tap or click Search. Enter Internet options in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.
    • In the search results, tap or click Internet Options. Tap or click the Content tab, and then tap or click Clear SSL state.
  2. Windows Vista and Windows 7

    • Click the Start button, type Internet Explorer in the search box. In the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
    • In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
    • Click the Content tab, and then click Clear SSL state.

If clearing the SSL state doesn't resolve the problem, the date and time settings on your PC might be incorrect. Some secure sites require that the date and time on your PC match the date and time of the website. To check the date and time, follow these steps for your version of Windows.

  1. Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

    (Video) How to Fix Some Websites Not Loading/Opening in Any Browser Issue | Windows

    • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, press the Windows + C keys), and then tap or click Search. Enter date and time in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.
    • In the search results, tap or click Date and Time, and then tap or click Change date and time.
    • In the Date and Time Setting window, set the current date and time.
    • Click OK, click Apply, and then click OK.
  2. Windows Vista and Windows 7

    • In Control Panel, open Date and Time. To do it, click the Start button, type date and time in the Start Search box, and then click Date and Time in the Programs list.
    • Click Change date and time.
    • In the Date and Time Settings dialog box, set the date and time to the correct values.
    • Click OK two times.

If the date and time settings on your PC were correct, some incompatible or defective Internet Explorer add-ons might be interfering with the website. You might be able to resolve this problem if you turn off these add-ons. To automatically disable a list of known incompatible add-ons, run the Internet Explorer Add-on Fix it. When you are asked whether you want to run or save the file, click Run, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

If the Add-on Fix it doesn't resolve this problem, changes were made to your installation of Internet Explorer might be preventing you from viewing some websites. You can reset Internet Explorer to its original settings to remove any changes without deleting your favorites or feeds. To automatically reset the Internet Explorer settings, run the following Reset Internet Explorer Settings Fix it. When you are asked whether you want to run or save the file, click Run, and then follow these steps in the wizard.

  1. Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

    • Disable add-ons

      • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, press the Windows + C keys), and then tap or click Search. Enter Internet options in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.
      • In the search results, tap or click Internet Options. Tap or click the Programs tab, then tap or click Manage add-ons.
      • In the Manage add-ons window, tap or click the dropdown under Show, then tap or click All add-ons.
      • Tap or click each add-on, and then tap or click Disable. When you are finished, tap or click OK.
    • Reset Internet Explorer to its original settings

      • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, press the Windows + C keys), and then tap or click Search. Enter Internet options in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.
      • In the search results, tap or click Internet Options. Tap or click the Advanced tab and then tap or click Reset....

      Note

      Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, Tracking Protection, and ActiveX Filtering data.

      • In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings window tap or click Reset.

      Note

      To delete all personal settings, tap or click the checkbox for Delete personal settings.

      (Video) FIX!!!! Firefox can't load websites but other browsers can
      • Close and then restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.

If you still can't access secure websites, get help from the Microsoft Community online.

I can't access any websites

If you can't view any websites, you are probably disconnected from the Internet. Try to run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter. Right-click the network icon in the notification area, select Troubleshoot problems, and then select Internet Connections. The Troubleshooter might ask you some questions or reset some common settings during this process.

If the date and time settings on your PC were correct, some incompatible or defective Internet Explorer add-ons might be interfering with the website. You might be able to resolve this problem if you turn off these add-ons. To automatically disable a list of known incompatible add-ons, run the Internet Explorer Add-on Fix it. When you are asked whether you want to run or save the file, click Run, and then follow these steps in the wizard for your version of Windows.

  1. Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

    • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (if you're using a mouse, press the Windows + C keys), and then tap or click Search. Enter Troubleshooting in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.
    • Tap or click Troubleshooting in the search results pane.
    • In the Troubleshooting window, tap or click View all.
    • Tap or click Internet Explorer Performance, and in the Internet Explorer Performance window, tap or click Next.
    • Follow the onscreen instructions to run the Troubleshooter.

If the Add-on Fix it doesn't resolve this problem, it's possible that changes were made to your installation of Internet Explorer that is preventing you from viewing some websites. You can reset Internet Explorer to its original settings to remove any changes without deleting your favorites or feeds. To automatically reset the Internet Explorer settings, run the following Reset Internet Explorer Settings Fix it. When you are asked whether you want to run or save the file, click Run, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

If you still can't access websites, get help from the Microsoft Community online.

References

If you still can't access some websites after you follow the steps in this article, you can try the following resources for more support.

  • Help from Microsoft Community online: Microsoft Community.
  • More Microsoft online articles: Perform a search to find more online articles about this specific error.

FAQs

Why do some websites not work on some browsers? ›

Each browsers has different engines. These engines process the code written for different websites you may visit. Each browsers engine will interpret and render a webpage in a distinctive way. That means the exact same website can look and function differently across browsers.

Why can't I access certain websites? ›

I can't access any websites

If you can't view any websites, you are probably disconnected from the Internet. Try to run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter. Right-click the network icon in the notification area, select Troubleshoot problems, and then select Internet Connections.

Why some websites are not opening in Chrome? ›

It's possible that either your antivirus software or unwanted malware is preventing Chrome from opening. To fix, check if Chrome was blocked by antivirus or other software on your computer. Next,learn how to get rid of problematic programs and block similar ones from getting installed in the future.

Why does my browser keep blocking websites? ›

Websites get blocked when they detect an IP address that isn't supposed to access the restricted content. Your IP (Internet Protocol) address identifies your device on the internet and reveals your physical location. That's what lets websites find your IP and block (or allow) your device.

How do I stop Chrome from blocking certain websites? ›

Change settings for a specific site
  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Go to a site.
  3. To the left of the web address, click the icon you want: Lock. Info. Dangerous.
  4. Click Site settings.
  5. Change a permission setting.

How do I unblock access to certain websites? ›

This article contains:
  1. Method 1: Use a proxy.
  2. Method 2: Use the Google cache.
  3. Method 3: Try a URL shortener.
  4. Method 4: Try the IP address.
  5. Method 5: Unblock websites in Chrome and Safari.
  6. Method 6: Switch between HTTP and HTTPS.
  7. Method 7: Use Tor Browser.
  8. Method 8: Use a VPN.
Dec 9, 2022

Why do some websites only work on Chrome? ›

At times, it may be due to compatibility issues; the website not being compatible with Chrome. At other times, it may just be that there's a problem with cache files. A simple way to quickly and effectively solve the problem of some websites not opening in Chrome is to clear app cache and cookies.

Why is Google blocking certain websites? ›

Google checks the pages that it indexes for malicious scripts or downloads, content violations, policy violations, and many other quality and legal issues that can affect users. When Google detects content that should be blocked, it can take the following actions: Hide search results silently.

Why do some websites not work on Safari but work on Chrome? ›

When websites work on chrome, and not safari, it is because the developer has chose to code their web page for chrome and not for the html5 standard. The web does. It run on chrome, but some developers think it does.

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