Three strokes to solve Windows 10 browser no response

1. Browser Cache Causing Freezing

One common issue is that the browser becomes unresponsive due to accumulated cache files. If you haven't used your browser for a while, this problem might occur. Follow these steps to clear the cache and resolve the freezing issue.

Right-click the Start button and choose "Control Panel." Switch the view to "Small Icons" and click on "Internet Options."

In the "Internet Options" window, go to the "General" tab and click the "Delete" button under "Browsing History."

Select "Temporary Internet Files and Website Files," "Cookies and Website Data," and "History," then click "Delete."

Next, right-click the Start button again and select "Command Prompt (Admin)." Run the command "NETSH WINSOCK RESET" to reset network settings.

2. Flash Plugin Causing Browser Freeze

Another common cause is an outdated or corrupted Adobe Flash plugin. To fix this, disable or uninstall it.

For Internet Explorer, press Alt + X to open the Tools menu, then go to Security > ActiveX Filtering. Alternatively, use the Add-on Manager in IE's Tools menu to disable the "Shockwave Flash Object" control. This will prevent the plugin from causing any more freezes across all browsers.

If the issue persists, consider fully uninstalling Adobe Flash Player. The standard uninstaller isn’t always visible in "Programs and Features," so search online for "uninstall flash player" and download a trusted uninstall tool. Make sure it’s an official Adobe tool before running it. Afterward, reinstall the latest version from Adobe’s official website.

3. Conflicts with Other Software

If the problem still exists after clearing the cache and removing the Flash plugin, it could be due to conflicts with third-party software. Try booting into a clean startup mode to isolate the issue.

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and open the System Configuration window. Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable All." Then switch to the "Startup" tab, click "Open Task Manager," and disable all startup items. Restart your computer and test the browser again.

If the browser works properly in this mode, gradually enable startup programs one by one to identify the conflicting application. Once found, uninstall it to resolve the issue permanently.