Sometimes a computer user may encounter a situation where the Internet is available, applications that require a network work fine, and the browser does not open pages.
In some cases, sites still open, but very slowly and with freezing images, not to mention videos.
It also happens that the problem affects only one program, for example, Internet Explorer, while the rest work fine.
To restore the functionality of the browser, you must first determine the cause of the problem.
The main reasons that the browser does not want to open when the Internet is available are:
Sometimes the browser may not work due to problems with TCP IP or static routes. Therefore, among the options for solving problems, these methods should also be mentioned.
1. Registry check
The first steps that are taken when answering the question of what to do if the browser does not work are checking and, if necessary, editing the registry.
To do this, you must first open the appropriate utility.
You can try to find it in the Windows folders, but it is much faster to call it through the command execution panel:
- Press "Win" + "R";
- Enter the command "regedit";
- Press "Enter".
The window that appears is a registry editor. On the left side are sections, among which you should find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Now you should find the list of parameters in the right part of the window and pay attention to the AppInit_DLLs item. If its value is empty, everything is fine.
If the path to a file is indicated there, this text should be completely erased.
The value of the parameter is changed using the context menu that appears when you click on it with the right mouse button.
The same parameter should be checked in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER section by following the same subsections.
After fixing it, restart the computer and try to work in the browser again. In 80% of cases, the method helps.
2. hosts file
If all browsers or at least one of them does not open a single page, but works, you can try to solve the problem by making changes to the file called hosts.
Although most often this editing is required in the absence of access to specific sites, mainly social networks.
The file is located in a folder located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and has no extension.
By default, the following text should be placed inside:
The last line with the IP address should be "127.0.0.1 localhost".
If there are other similar sections of text after it, most likely they are superfluous and introduced there by some kind of malicious program.
Now you can restart your computer and try to access the network.
3. DNS issue
One of the easiest ways to solve a problem.
All that is required from the user is just to open a command line and try to ping a particular site, which should currently work.
The Google server is guaranteed to be up and running, which is pinged by sending the ping google.com command.
If the answer is about the same as on the top of the image, then find the site google.com. failed.
And the problem lies precisely in the DNS. You can fix it by replacing the Google server address with an IP address consisting of only eights.
If this helped, in the properties of the Internet connection, you must set the address 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 as the DNS address.
In this case, its automatic detection is disabled. If only DNS was the cause, the Internet works as before, but the pages are already opening.
4. Viruses
The reason that the sites cannot be accessed from the browser, although the same one works fine, may be the action of viruses or other malicious programs.
They affect only certain applications, such as and often are not even detected by antiviruses.
Not being real viruses and affecting only browsers and Internet access through them, programs may not be detected by the user.
To neutralize such "viruses", which we call malware (although abroad this word refers to any malicious program), there are special utilities - antimalware.
Most often, they are limited free, that is, they require a license, but they can partially protect the computer without paying.
Some viruses, which are a type of Trojan.Winlock (but, unlike it, prohibit only access to the network, and not the use of the entire computer) not only interfere with access to the network, but also block some browser functions.
For example, when you try to access a site, a window is displayed asking you to urgently send an SMS to unlock it.
It is difficult to close it - the easiest way to do this is to close the browser using the Task Manager, and then check the computer for malicious codes.
Some viruses are able to partially block access to the network, creating a situation where you cannot get to a specific page, but there is Internet.
This usually happens with popular sites, such as "" or "", as well as all resources where you can download an antivirus.
To protect your computer from these and other viruses, you should provide reliable protection on your computer. In its quality, they are best suited.
Basically, these programs are paid, but you should not save on protecting important information.
If the virus does not cause any serious damage to your computer, you can also install a free antivirus program.
Popular anti-malware antiviruses