Windows 8.1 + IE11

[mattpant]

Hi All,

 

I've setup Windows 8.1 (x64) on a number of new machines but I've been having some problems when using Internet Explorer 11 in both the Metro screen and Desktop Mode.

 

I randomly get when entering the address in the address bar and pressing enter:-

 

This page can’t be displayed

 

•Make sure the web address Google is correct. (Or any other website name I'm trying to go to)

•Look for the page with your search engine.

•Refresh the page in a few minutes.

 

 

Fix connection problems

 

If I simply press F5 or the refresh Icon then the page loads up just fine - but there's no consistency in it happening, it's totally random and VERY annoying.

 

I didn't seem to have the problem when using Windows 8.0

 

I've done some looking around and note others having similar issues but not found a fix... I've tried using IE11 in both the x32 and x64 bit program, and disables "Protected Mode"

 

Any other ideas (And please don't come back with a "Just use (INSERT ALTERNATIVE BROWSER)" reply!

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[abillybob]

Maybe a proxy issue? Have you called up county and checked everything is ok their end? Also you may want to try using a Windows 7 machine, going through the same proxy etc... see if this replicates the issue if it does it's most likely a problem with your internet connection dropping out. I've never heard of this issue when using Windows 8.1

[Michael]

The issue appears to be the default Bing Search Provider. Change the default to Google and the problems go away. I've seen this problem with numerous users running Windows 8.1 also.

 

Edit: I can confirm I've seen this problem without the use of a proxy, so it's not (as far as I'm aware) proxy related.

[mattpant]

Sorry... I should have added...

 

We are using a proxy server, but the issue isn't present when using any other OS or version of Windows (with the same proxy) - and again I know home users with the same issue not using a proxy.

 

I have this morning changed the search provider from Bling to Google and still had the issue which is why I've know resorted to putting this post online... I don't think I actually came out of IE when I made the change so I'll try then and see if it continues!

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[Michael]

I would suggest you remove Bing completely and then restart IE just to be sure

[abillybob]

Silly Bing!

[Michael]

Silly Bing!

 

I think it's safe to say Bing has gone Bong. It looks like a DNS related issue to me (Microsoft's end) as search suggestions just don't work at all.

[mattpant]

Just to confirm...

 

I've now only got Google setup in the search providers - I've restarted the computer and I'm still getting the issue.

 

Any other ideas?!?!

 

Cheers

 

Matt

[Michael]

Just to confirm...

 

I've now only got Google setup in the search providers - I've restarted the computer and I'm still getting the issue.

 

Any other ideas?!?!

 

Cheers

 

Matt

 

Try re-setting IE back to defaults and then re-add Google as the Search Provider. You could also (temporarily) try manually specifying Google as your DNS -

 

Primary: 8.8.8.8

Secondary: 8.8.4.4 in your Network Properties.

[mattpant]

Hi,

 

I've re-set IE back to Default / Restarted / Re-Added Google as Search (and tried disabled the search provider fully) - I've made the changes to Googles DNS servers temporarily and I'm still getting the same problem.

 

Any other suggestions ??

 

Cheers

 

Matt

[Michael]

If you install Firefox for example, then try using its Search Providers (the default is Google), does this work?

 

I presume you don't have an over-aggressive firewall setup by any chance?

[mattpant]

Other browsers work OK - Firewall is no over-aggressive - and again, it just seems to be with 8.1 and IE11

 

I "think" I've found a bit of a pattern... and I'm just playing around now to see if it resolves the issue.

 

I've noticed that with "Autocomplete" on for web address, the problem tends to happen as I start typing an address e.g. http://www.go then autocomplete shows up http://www.go(oogle.co.uk) in the list and I press the down arrow to select the suggestion without having to finish the whole address.... I then get the error page... if I refresh it works.

 

I've disabled autocomplete for now so I have to type in the whole address and so far seems ok but I don't want to speak to soon.

 

Matt

[mattpant]

Scrub all that... I did speak too soon - It's still not working!!

[Michael]

That's how the autosuggestion feature is supposed to work, but it's unclear as to why you're having to refresh the browser for it to work. As you say, it may be something to do with IE11. Have you applied any updates to it recently? You could try uninstalling an update.

[abillybob]

Install CCleaner, clean our registry files and all temporary internet files. Restart computer check back sorted Just replicated the issue here and this seemed to have fixed the problem hope this helps!

[mattpant]

Thanks Alex,

 

I've just installed CCleaner, ran it, restarted and unfortunately it still hasn't fixed the issue :-(

 

It's flipping annoying!

 

Cheers

 

Matt

[mattpant]

Anything else I can try... any others had this problem and found a solution?

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[mattpant]

I "think" I've had another breakthrough on this... I noticed that the pages that failed to load correctly at random times would show the message when refreshed "loaded using SPDY" if I hovered over the address in the address bar. I've gone into Internet Options / Advanced / HTTP Settings and removed the tick from "Use SPDY/3" - so far so good - but I know yesterday I spoke to soon when the problem appeared to be fixed by changing a different setting!

 

Fingers crossed this time!

 

Matt

[mattpant]

So it would appear that by removing the tick from the "Use SPDY/3" setting has fixed the issue. My first full day where I haven't had to keep refreshing pages to load after the silly "This Page Cannot Be Displayed" page appears.

 

Matt