Web browser doesn't open

A faulty toolbar/extension you recently installed might prevent your browser from opening. All you have to do in order to fix this issue, is to remove the faulty toolbar(s)/extension(s).

See don't know how to remove browser extension solutions to learn how to do that easily.

If the web browser doesn't open, it might be due to a simple conflict, which can be resolved if you restart your device.

See don't know how to restart my device for more details.

If the web-browser doesn't open, try "force-stopping" it from the Settings:

Maybe a computer virus, or a malware, prevents you from opening a web browser. Scan for and remove viruses (if any) with an anti-virus software to see if that resolves the issue.

Check out the viruses / spywares / malware solutions to learn how to remove viruses from your computer.

If you previously used the browser and closed it, but you decided to open it again to check something else and it didn't start, it is very likely that the browser failed to close properly.

To resolve this issue you need to close the browser via the Task Manager. Open the Task Manager, then find and select the web browser and click End Process (End Task if you use Windows 8(.1)/10).

Check out the don't know how to quit programs / applications tips to learn how to deal with unresponsive programs.

The "Failed to read the configuration file" error is caused by a problem with Firefox program files. The solution is to remove the Firefox browser and then reinstall it:

1. Uninstall Firefox (See the don't know how to uninstall a program / an application for details)
   
   
2. Delete the Firefox installation directory, found in one of these locations by default:
   • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
     
     
3. Use another browser to download Mozilla Firefox from the official website
   
   

Note:  This solution also applies if you see the message "XULRunner - Error: Platform version is not compatible with minVersion "" (depends on the Firefox's version number), after a software update

This will not remove your passwords, bookmarks or other user data and settings, as they are stored in a different folder.

Use a utility such as Advanced Uninstaller PRO to uninstall programs from your computer to delete all the files (even the installation files) related to them in all the directories.

Sometimes, you need to reinstall the browser that doesn't open in order to make it work again. Go to your web browser's official website and download it from there only.

See don't know how to uninstall a program / an application to learn how to uninstall programs.

Note: If all the browsers installed in your computer don't open, reinstalling a specific browser won't help you.

Every new release of a web browser includes a number of fixes for crashes that were reported by people. If your web browser doesn't open or crashes very often, check for updates by visiting the browser's official website and downloading and installing the latest version (if available).

Note: Don't download browsers from websites other than the browser's official website because they might have been modified to harm you and you might end up having your passwords (or even credit card numbers) stolen.

If you receive this error when trying to open Firefox, you can either reboot the computer or, if you have an Administrator account, run it as an Administrator.

Right-click the Mozilla Firefox icon and select Run as Administrator and enter the administrator's login details (username and password).

If you previously used the browser and closed it, but you decided to open it again to check something else and it didn't start, it is very likely that the browser failed to close properly.

To resolve this issue you need to close the browser via the Activity monitor. Open the Activity monitor, then find and select the web browser and click the "X" button in the top-left corner.

Maybe an out-of-date plugin is the culprit which prevents your browser from starting. Make sure check for and update them from time to time.

Note: Usually they update themselves automatically, but if a plugin doesn't, you will see a prompt in your browser's window.

It is very important to check for and update your operating system regularly so that you ensure its stability and security. Every new release includes fixes for different bugs, found and reported by users.

Check out the don't know how to update my operating system to learn how to check for updates and update your device, if an update is available.

If Google Chrome doesn't start, try deleting the chrome.dll file, which you can find in the installation folder:

C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application or C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application

Note: If you see an error message when you try to open Google Chrome, after you have deleted the chrome.dll file, uninstall Google Chrome (using a utility such as Advanced Uninstaller PRO or another one, is recommended) and then download it from the official website and install it again.

If this issue occurs after you've updated Google Chrome (or it updated by itself automatically), undoing the latest update should fix this problem. To undo it:

1. Go to Google Chrome's installation folder (C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application or C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application)
   
   
2. Open the newer version’s folder, copy all the subfolders & files and paste them into older version’s folder (in the screenshot below, 53.0.2785.143 is the newer version).
   
   

   

Note: If you see an error message when you try to open Google Chrome, after you have copied the files, uninstall Google Chrome (using a utility such as Advanced Uninstaller PRO or another one, is recommended) and then download it from the official website and install it again.

1. Delete the Google Chrome desktop shortcut
   
   
2. Go to Google Chrome's installation folder (C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application or C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application)
   
   
3. Right click on Chrome.exe and select Send to -> Desktop
   
   

   

4. Go back to the desktop, right click on Chrome Shortcut and select Properties
   
   
5. Go to Security tab and click Advanced
   
   

   

   
   
6. Click on Change, next to Owner -> Type your username in the box and click OK
   
   

   

7. Go to Effective Access and select Select a user -> Type in your username in the box and click OK
   
   

   
   
   

8. Click Apply -> OK (twice)
   
   

Note: If you see an error message when you try to open Google Chrome, after you have deleted the chrome.dll file, uninstall Google Chrome (using a utility such as Advanced Uninstaller PRO or another one, is recommended) and then download it from the official website and install it again.

The Windows Troubleshooter is designed to help you resolve issues like this in an easier way. To access it:

1. Open the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter by following the steps below:
   
   Press Windows key + X and click on Control Panel -> Click on Troubleshooting and click on View All
   
   
2. Click on Windows Store Apps troubleshooter designed to help you fix problems with Windows Store Apps. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart the computer once you are done.

Note: The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature might reset security or privacy settings that you added to the list of Trusted Sites. The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature might also reset the parental control settings, too.

Maybe an add-on modified the Internet Explorer's Settings and that is why it doesn't open. Resetting its settings via Internet Options should fix the issue. To reset it, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Control Panel and select Internet Options
2. Click the Advanced tab
3. Select the Delete personal settings check box
4. Click the Reset... button -> Click Apply and OK
5. Quit Internet Explorer and run it again

Press and hold the Shift key and click the Safari's icon via the Dock. It will remove the "obstacles" that prevent Safari from running.

If your device lacks free space, the device's operating system won't work properly and as a result, your browser might not open.

See the Running out of disk space / no space left tips and learn how to free up space.