How to Fix "Internet Explorer Page Cannot Be Displayed" on Windows

Jun. 19, 2025 / Updated by Seraphina to Windows 10

fix-internet-explorer-page-cannot-be-displayed

Some Windows users may encounter the error message "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage" when using Internet Explorer, resulting in an inability to access websites.

This article will explain the common causes of this issue and provide several practical solutions to help you quickly restore your browsing functionality.

Common Causes of the "Cannot Display the Webpage" Error in Internet Explorer

Network Connection Issues: The device may not be connected to the internet or the connection is unstable.
Network Driver Errors: Faulty or outdated network drivers often lead to network problems.
Incorrect DNS Settings: Failed domain name resolution can prevent webpages from loading.
Corrupted Browser Cache or Settings: Expired cache or damaged configurations may cause access errors.
Firewall or Security Software Restrictions: Some security tools might block Internet Explorer from accessing the internet.
Internet Explorer Features Malfunctioning or Disabled: Damaged components or disabled IE features can cause this error.

How to Fix the "Cannot Display the Webpage" Error

Method 1: Check Network Connection

Try opening other websites in any browser to confirm internet access.
If no pages load, check your router and network settings, or reconnect to Wi-Fi/Ethernet.
Press Win + R, type "cmd", then run: ping 8.8.8.8
This checks basic internet connectivity.

Method 2: Update Network Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers are a common cause of connection problems. If you're unfamiliar with manually installing drivers, it's recommend to use Driver Talent, a tool that automatically detects and updates your drivers to prevent errors.

Download Driver Talent

Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Talent. Install and launch the software.

In the Drivers section, click "Scan".

When the scan is complete, locate the network adapter driver in the results and click "Update".

driver-update

Restart your computer after updating to ensure the changes take effect.

Method 3: Clear IE Cache and History

Open Internet Explorer.
Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner and select Internet Options.
Under the General tab, click "Delete".
Select options like "Temporary Files", "Cookies", and "History", then click "Delete".

Method 4: Check DNS Settings

Press Win + R, type "ncpa.cpl", and press Enter.

Right-click your active network connection and select "Properties".

Double-click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)".

check-DNS-settings

Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:

Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4

Save and restart your browser.

Method 5: Reset Internet Explorer Settings

Open Internet Explorer.
Click the gear icon > Internet Options.
Go to the "Advanced" tab and click "Reset".
Check "Delete personal settings" and confirm reset.
Restart the browser.

Method 6: Temporarily Disable Firewall or Security Software

Go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall.

Click "Turn Windows Firewall on or off", and temporarily disable it.

temporarily-disable-firewall

If you're using third-party antivirus software, disable real-time protection and test again.

Important: Only disable the firewall temporarily for testing. Re-enable it afterward for your security.

Method 7: Check Internet Explorer Feature

Open Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off.

Ensure "Internet Explorer 11" is checked.

check-internet-explorer-feature

If it's already checked, try unchecking it > restart > re-check it > restart again.