Windows 7 forum: Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox (Not Responding)

Does the browser not display any content at all, but other things can access online? Or only certain pages, not others? Or are you completely blocked from internet?

Blocking access to the internet is usually the action of a firewall. Browsers need to get out port 80, typically.

It could be your software firewall, if you have one installed or enabled outgoing protection of Windows firewall. Could also be something with your router, if you have one.

Unfamiliar with Kaspersky PURE, but it looks from their website that it can also restrict internet access.

I do not think the ISP can cure this. It seems to be an inherent problem with Windows 7. I am using Windows 7 Professional 32 bit and in my case it is Firefox and Windows Explorer that stop responding. In some cases either or both of these will stop responding, shut down, restart and immediately stop responding in a loop! Restarting usually cures the problem. I have searched the MS site with little or no luck... there is seemingly no cure promulgated.
I have Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit installed on another computer and so far.....no problems.
Recently I had need to carry out a complete re-install of the Windows 7 Pro OS and guess what? I still have the same problem!

Just click Ctrl + Alt + Delete and in Applications select IE or Firefox and click 'End Task' then restart again your browser. This "Not Responding" thing usually happens whenever the page is loading slow and you click anything inside the window, it's just like you interrupted the loading process that's why it stops or hangs. Try to update Silverlight (IE only) and Flash Player this might help in fast opening of your browsers.

Try using CCleaner http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner , it's a free utility for cleaning internet clutters. Also included there are Registry Scanner & in the Tools Tab you can check your Starup entries, if there are updates & scheduled processes you can delete or disable it.

Usually I don't have problem like that in Mozilla Firefox, so if the problem persist after using CCleaner try any or both of this for Internet Explorer only:
1. Go to Internet Options > Advance Tab > click Reset.
2. Start Internet Explorer in "No Add-ons" mode.
To start Internet Explorer in "No Add-ons" mode, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons). To continue to your home page, click the Home button.

If the problem was fixed using this method, use Manage Add-ons in IE to determine which add-ons are causing the problem

Hope it will help.

1. I had also experienced that and mostly it was cause by hardware specifically removable media (in my case). Try troubleshooting your PC by disconnecting or disabling your hardwares; like printer, multimedia card reader, external HDD & webcam. If one of this is causing the problem look for the latest driver for this.

2. Another cause is software incompatibility. If you have any program that is not fully compatible with Windows 7, run the Windows 7 compatibilty wizard and follow suggested compatible OS.

3. Try to log-on in Safe Mode and if WE is working good, probably there is driver problems in your PC and you have to try a "clean boot". Follow this troubleshooting guide from Microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Hope you fix your problem.

What does that 'splitter' do?

If neither IE nor Firefox connect to any web sites, try this.

Open IE. Goto Tools > Internet Options. Click the "Connections" tab then the "LAN settings" button. if there are any entries in the new window, remove them all. Click Ok/Apply/OK, close down IE then test again.

That section is for Proxy servers and most internet users do not use a proxy server. If a proxy server has been set, then that may be preventing both browsers from connecting to the internet.

Mark