How to troubleshoot script errors in Internet Explorer on Windows-based computers

A Web page may not display or work correctly, and you may receive an error message that resembles the following error messages: If you click Show Details, error details that resemble the following may appear: The following warning message may also appear in the Microsoft Internet Explorer Status bar:

This article offers five methods that you can try to resolve the issue, and also presents some advanced troubleshooting tips that you can try. Try each method in the order presented until you resolve the issue. If one method does not work, try the next.

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user. You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

Method 1: Disable script debugging

If the only sign of a problem is the error message, and Web sites are working, you can probably ignore the error. Also, if the problem only happens on one or two Web pages, it might be a problem with those pages. If you decide to ignore the errors, you can disable script debugging.

Note If this problem occurs on more than one or two sites, do not disable script debugging. Go to method 2 now.

To turn off the Scripting Debugger in Internet Explorer 6, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, click to select the Disable script debugging check box. and then click OK .

To turn off notification about every script error in Internet Explorer 7, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, click to clear the Display a notification about every script error check box, and then click OK.

Method 2: Test a Web page from another user account, another browser, and another computer

Use another user account, another browser, or another computer to view the Web pages that triggered a script error to determine whether the problem persists. If the script error persists, there may be a problem with the way the Web page is written. You can probably ignore the error and disable script debugging as described in method 1.

If the script error does not occur when you view the Web page from another user account, browser, or computer, the problem may be caused by files or by settings on your computer. Go to method 3 to continue to troubleshoot.

Method 3: Verify that Active Scripting, ActiveX, and Java are not being blocked by Internet Explorer

Active scripting, ActiveX, and Java are all involved in shaping the way information displays on a Web page. If these are blocked on your computer, it may disrupt the display of the Web page. Reset the Internet Explorer security settings to make sure these are not blocked. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab.
4. Click Default Level.
5. Click OK.

Note ActiveX controls and Java programs are turned off at the High security level in Internet Explorer.

Try to open a Web page where you previously received a scripting error. If you do not receive the error, the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to Method 4.

Method 4: Remove all the temporary Internet-related files

Every time that you open a browser to view a Web page, your computer stores a local copy of that Web page in a temporary file. If the size of the temporary Internet files folder becomes too large, some display problems may occur when you open Web pages. Periodically clearing the folder might help resolve the issue.

To remove all the temporary Internet-related files from your computer when you use Internet Explorer 6, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Under Temporary Internet files, click Settings.
5. Click Delete Files, and then click OK.
6. Click Delete Cookies, and then click OK.
7. Under History, click Clear History, and then click Yes.
8. Click OK.

To remove all the temporary Internet-related files from your computer when you use Internet Explorer 7, follow these steps:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Under Browsing History, click Delete, and when you are prompted, click Yes to confirm.
5. In the Delete Browsing History dialog box, under Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Files, and when you are prompted, click Yes to confirm.
6. Under Cookies, click Delete Cookies, and when you are prompted, click Yes to confirm.
7. Under History, click Delete History, and when you are prompted, click Yes to confirm.
8. Click Close, and then click OK to close the Internet Options dialog box.

Try to open a Web page where you previously received a scripting error. If you do not receive the error, the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to method 5.

Method 5: Install the latest service pack and software updates for Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7

If you do not have the latest service pack or software upgrades for Internet Explorer 6 or 7, download and install them. They may contain updates that can help resolve the issue.

To install Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 is recommended for systems that are running versions of Windows earlier than Windows XP.

To install the most current software updates for Internet Explorer 6 or for Internet Explorer 7, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

This section is intended for more advanced computer users. Five methods are presented that might help resolve the issue. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, go to the "Next Steps" section.

Method 1: Verify that Active Scripting, ActiveX, and Java are not being blocked by an antivirus program or by a firewall

See the documentation for the firewall or antivirus program that you use to determine how to make sure that scripts, ActiveX controls, and Java programs are not being blocked. Scripts, ActiveX controls, and Java programs help shape the way a Web page is displayed. If they are blocked, it may disrupt the display of Web pages. Make any necessary changes, and try to open a Web page where you previously received a scripting error. If you do not receive the error, the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to advanced troubleshooting method 2.

Method 2: Verify that your antivirus program is not set to scan the Temporary Internet Files or the Downloaded Program Files folders

If an antivirus program interprets a script as a virus and prevents it from running, a script error may occur. To prevent this, make sure that the antivirus program is not scanning the Temporary Internet Files or the Downloaded Program Files folders.

See the documentation for the antivirus program that you use to determine how to prevent the program from scanning these folders. Make any necessary changes, and try to open a Web page where you previously received a scripting error. If you do not receive the error, the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to advanced troubleshooting method 3.

Method 3: Turn off Smooth Scrolling

If there is a video display problem, smooth scrolling could cause a script to be improperly timed, resulting in an error. To turn off the Smooth Scrolling feature when you use Internet Explorer 6, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, click to clear the Use Smooth Scrolling check box.
3. Click OK, and then exit Internet Explorer.

To turn off the Smooth Scrolling feature when you use Internet Explorer 7, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2. On the Advanced tab, under Browsing, click to clear the Use Smooth Scrolling check box.
3. Click OK, and then exit Internet Explorer.

Note If this resolves the issue, check to see if there is an updated driver available for your video adapter. To obtain an updated driver, contact the manufacturer of your video adapter or of your computer.

Try to open a Web page where you previously received a scripting error. If you do not receive the error, the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to advanced troubleshooting method 4.

Method 4: Turn off hardware acceleration

Many applications use hardware acceleration to speed up computer processes, which can give computer users a more enjoyable experience. However, if hardware acceleration settings are set incorrectly, they can cause problems in how Web pages display. Turn off hardware acceleration to see whether this helps resolve the scripting errors. Select the appropriate set of steps for your operating system from the following:

To turn off hardware acceleration in Windows XP or in Windows Server 2003, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type desk.cpl in the Open box, and then press ENTER.
2. Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.
3. Click the Troubleshoot tab, and then move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None.
4. Click OK two times.

To turn off hardware acceleration in Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Open the Display item in Control Panel. To do this, click Start
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   , type desk.cpl in the Start Search box, and then click desk.cpl in the Programs list.
2. Click Display Settings, and then click Advanced Settings.
   
   
   Collapse this imageExpand this image

   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
3. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to None.

Note If this resolves the issue, you may have to update the driver for your video adapter. For information about how to obtain an updated driver for your video adapter, contact the manufacturer of your video adapter or of your computer.

Try to open a Web page where you previously received a scripting error. If you do not receive the error, the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to advanced troubleshooting method 5.

Method 5: Install the current version of Microsoft DirectX

DirectX can improve the display of Web pages. For information about how to install the current version of Microsoft DirectX, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

If the issue is not resolved, unfortunately this content is unable to help you any further. For your next steps, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support. For information about how to contact Support, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Information about the cause of this issue

This issue occurs because the HTML source code for the Web page does not work correctly with client-side script such as Microsoft JScript or Microsoft Visual Basic script. This problem may occur for one or more of the following reasons:

• A problem in the HTML source code of the Web page.
• Active scripting, ActiveX controls, or Java programs are blocked on your computer or on the network. Internet Explorer or another program, such as antivirus programs or firewalls, can be configured to block Active scripting, ActiveX controls, or Java programs.
• Antivirus software is configured to scan your "Temporary Internet Files" or "Downloaded Program Files" folders.
• The scripting engine on your computer is corrupted or outdated.
• Internet-related folders on your computer are corrupted.
• Your video card drivers are corrupted or outdated.
• The DirectX component on your computer is corrupted or outdated.

Note Server-side scripts such as Visual Basic scripts in Active Server Pages (ASP) run on a Web server. Script errors that occur because of server-side script failures do not produce error messages in Internet Explorer but may also create a Web page that does not display or work correctly. The troubleshooting information in this article applies to client-side script errors. Contact the administrator of the Web server if you suspect a problem with a server-side script.

If the articles listed here do not help you resolve the problem or if you experience symptoms that differ from those that are described in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information. To search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Then, type the text of the error message that you receive, or type a description of the problem in the Search Support (KB) field.