Member Avatar for tushargupta51

All the browsers including Chrome, Firefox and IE8 are not working. When I open them, it keeps loading the page but does open the website. Internet Connectivity is there because utorrent is working. I reinstalled chrome but that did't work. I cleaned up the browsers hisotry, also did "ipconfig/renew", "ipconfig/flushdns" but in vain. I have another browser "Epic", that is working but not any other. Any suggestions on how can I make them work?

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Browsers (Chrome/Firefox/IE8) that hang while a torrent client and one alternate browser (Epic) work usually mean basic TCP/IP was fine but something in the HTTP(S) path or the browser/network stack was being intercepted or broken. ultimately fixed the problem by formatting; suggestions from (DNS), (third‑party firewalls) and (proxy/winsock) cover the common culprits. Below is a focused, non‑destructive triage sequence that often finds the cause without a full reinstall.

Suggested checks and quick tests:

  • Separate name resolution from HTTP: try loading a site by its numeric IP (obtainable with nslookup/ping). IP works but name does not → DNS issue.
  • Inspect system/global proxy vs browser proxy: check WinHTTP with netsh winhttp show proxy and review Internet Options → Connections → LAN settings for PAC/WPAD. System proxies or Group Policy can affect browsers unevenly.
  • Inspect the hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts for unwanted redirects.
  • Look for HTTPS interception: some security products install a local proxy and a root CA; certificate validation delays or TLS errors point to that. Also confirm system date/time.
  • Reset the network stack if layered hooks are suspected: netsh winsock reset then reboot. This clears broken LSP/Winsock entries without reinstalling Windows.
  • Isolate profile vs system: boot Safe Mode with Networking or test under a fresh Windows account to see whether a driver/service or a user extension is responsible.

If a third‑party security suite was present previously, remnants (services, drivers, LSPs) are a frequent cause. Use vendor cleanup utilities and tools like Autoruns to find leftover network hooks, and take a registry/backup snapshot before removing anything. Because formatting fixed ’s machine, the likely root was a low‑level network hook; collecting the browser network console, a netsh winhttp show proxy output, or a short packet capture before major changes usually identifies the offending component.

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Member Avatar for rubberman

Windows XP, 7, or what OS are you using?

Usually, this is a DNS issue, which can happen if your ISP's DNS server isn't working properly. This has been an issue for me in the past. You can reconfigure your TCP/IP network settings to use another DNS server than the one that your DHCP device (router or ISP) provides. If you think this may be the case, I can provide some TLD (top-level comain) DNS server raw IP addresses that you can use to test this hypothesis.

Member Avatar for lance.neufeld

Firewall programs often corrupt, especially when they expire. I have seen problems with the majority of the 'bigs'. Remove TrendMicro, Norton, McAfee or whatever using the removal tools available from the mfr's site. Restart the computer and your browsing ability is likely to be restored. Be sure to reinstall some protection afterward.

Member Avatar for stormal1

Your TCP connectivity is obviously working as uTorrent & Epic are successful.

As stated above, system remnants from previously installed third party firewalls can also cause issues. Also make sure that Windows Firewall is not blocking your particular browser's executables.

DHCP and DNS are not your issue (ipconfig). Make sure that your failed web browsers are not configured to use a proxy.

Re-install your your troublesome web browsers.

Repair Internet Explorer with Fix IE Utility - http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-internet-explorer-with-fix-ie-utility
or try Microsoft's instructions - How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318378

Edited by stormal1 because: additional info
Member Avatar for tushargupta51

Thanks all for the replies. I tried several things reading from different forums. Did System restore but again in vain. I guess TCP connectivity might not be an issue.

Finally did a format(not just because of this obvs, it was getting slow too for n reasons). Now everything is working but still why it was not working earlier is a mystery. :-)

Member Avatar for stormal1

Most likely you once had a third party firewall installed. Sometimes, re-installing a firewall and then doing an uninstall using Revo Uninstaller using "advanced scan" will do the trick. Repairing the winsock can also sometimes clear up such issues.

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