Internet Explorer 11 Keeps Crashing on Windows 10/11: Solutions to Try

Windows 10/11 comes with a default web browser in the form of Microsoft Edge. But we understand that there are Internet Explorer loyalists out there who are using this Windows OS. They still likely use Internet Explorer 11 for their internet browsing activities.

Packed as it may be with new features and a potentially improved experience, IE 11 is far from perfect. According to user reports, it can sometimes trigger crashing or freezing. It’s not surprising anymore if IE 11 suddenly closes or hangs on your Windows 10/11 computer, with some users reporting it crashing on Windows 10/11 1809 update.

Let this article help you navigate this annoying issue and help you when Internet Explorer 11 keeps crashing on Windows 10/11.

The crashing or freezing issue can occur for different reasons. One is if your machine’s graphics aren’t responding fast enough, making the browser stop responding halfway through its performance or simply close unexpectedly. Another is if you have installed add-ons that are incompatible with the new browser, whether you’re on Windows 10/11 or Windows 8.

Here is a rundown of possible solutions to the IE 11 crashing problem, whether due to your graphics, incompatible add-ons, or another root cause. Work your way down the list to see which one appropriately solves the irksome crashing.

Using Software Rendering Mode

Here are the steps to follow for this graphics-related workaround:

1. Open IE 11.
2. Go to the Tools menu, which you can find in the upper corner.
3. Click the Internet Options feature in the Tools menu.
4. Click the Advanced tab located in the upper side of Internet Options.
5. Next, click Settings.
6. Plant a check mark on Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering, found in the Acceleration graphics topic.
7. Click OK, located in the lower side of the window.
8. Restart your computer and see if the browser issue has been solved.

If this solves the issue, note than you have to upgrade your graphics driver to the latest version that sits well with your Windows 10/11 computer. This will fix the issue with an outdated Internet Explorer 11 or an unsupported system graphics driver.

Checking Those Add-ons

Now, you can pinpoint if add-ons are causing the problem by following these steps:

1. Press and hold the Windows + R keys.
2. In the Run dialog box, type in iexplore.exe –extoff.
3. Press Enter on your keyboard to launch IE 11 without the add-ons you have installed.
4. If your browser is now working properly, then it’s likely that one of your add-ons is causing the problem.
5. If this is the case, open your add-ons by going to the Tools menu and clicking Manage Add-ons.
6. Turn off every add-on present under the Toolbars and Extensions category. Restart the browser to see if the problem is still there.
7. Once you find the problematic add-on, uninstall it.

Resetting IE 11

Resetting all Internet Explorer 11 settings can sometimes resolve the crashing issue. Here is the procedure:

1. Open IE 11.
2. In the upper corner of the window, click Tools.
3. Click Internet Options.
4. Next, hit the Advanced tab situated in the upper side of the window.
5. Click Reset.
6. Click Reset again, this time in the new window that opens.
7. Wait for the browser to reset to its default settings.
8. Restart IE 11.
9. Restart your computer and see if the crash issue persists.

Updating or Reinstalling the Browser

Sometimes, all it takes to properly tackle the IE 11 crashing or freezing problem is to update the browser itself. Do this with the following instructions:

1. Press and hold the Windows + C keys.
2. Once the Charms bar is open, click Settings.
3. Click Change PC Settings.
4. In Windows Update, click the Check now button. Allow Internet Explorer 11 to check for any available updates.
5. Once it’s done, close the browser and reboot your computer.

Consequently, you may opt to reinstall Internet Explorer 11. This is a sound move if the options above didn’t work to make the browser work properly. Reinstall IE 11 by following these steps:

1. Press and hold the Windows + S keys.
2. In the search box, type in Windows features.
3. Afterwards, click Turn Windows features on or off.
4. In the window that opens, untick the box next to Internet Explorer 11.
5. Click OK in the lower side of the screen.
6. Restart your machine to complete the uninstallation.
7. Go back and check again the box located next to Internet Explorer 11. Restart your computer, so that it will automatically reinstall the browser in your system.

Scanning for the Presence of Malware

Have you considered that malware could be the force behind Internet Explorer 11 crashing on Windows 10/11 1809 or another update version? Run a complete virus or malware scan using your trusted antivirus program. Allow it to work and wipe out any unwanted programs from your system. Once its mission is done, restart your machine to see if the problem continues.

Get into the habit not just of running a virus scan but also optimizing your computer’s performance. Find and fix potential speed and stability problems on your device by using a trusted PC repair tool. It can safely and effectively diagnose your Windows system, clean out junk files, improve speed, and restore stability to make errors and crashes a thing of the past.

Summary

Several users have complained online that Internet Explorer 11 keeps crashing on Windows 10/11. This can take place due to your computer’s graphics, incompatible add-ons, or another pesky issue that’s going on. Try one of the various solutions we presented above to troubleshoot this issue. Hopefully they can solve IE 11’s slow performance and freezing problems.

It’s also important to consider switching to another browser if the issue won’t let up. Microsoft still offers IE 11 on Windows 10/11, 8.1 and 7 devices, but there are other browsers you can choose from. There’s Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and others that specialize in either privacy or suitability to older computers. Choose the one that best fits your needs and browsing preferences. Let our list of 35 alternative web browsers assist you in your search.

Let us know in the comments section if any of the workarounds above solved the issue!