Enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer

Complete guide to enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer on Windows desktop and mobile devices with step-by-step instructions.

Internet Explorer

Follow these steps to enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer on your computer or Windows Phone.

Quick Navigation

Laptop / Computer Mobile Tablet FAQ

Laptop / Computer

Click the gear icon (⚙) and select Internet options.
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Go to the Security tab and click Custom level...
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Scroll down to Scripting and enable Active scripting.
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Click OK and confirm the warning.
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Restart Internet Explorer for changes to take effect.
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Mobile

Open Internet Explorer on your Windows Phone.
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Tap the More (...) button and select Settings.
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Under Website preferences, tap Advanced settings.
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Toggle Use JavaScript to On.
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Restart Internet Explorer for changes to take effect.
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Tablet

Open Internet Explorer on your Windows tablet.
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Swipe in from the right edge to open the Charms bar.
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Select Settings → Internet Options.
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Go to the Security tab and tap Custom Level...
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Scroll down to Scripting and enable Active scripting.
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Tap OK and confirm the warning.
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Restart Internet Explorer for changes to take effect.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer?

To enable JavaScript in Internet Explorer:

Click the gear icon (⚙) in the top-right corner
Select 'Internet options'
Go to the 'Security' tab
Click 'Custom level...'
Scroll down to 'Scripting' section
Under 'Active scripting', select 'Enable'
Click 'OK' and confirm the warning

Restart Internet Explorer for changes to take effect.

How do Internet Explorer security zones affect JavaScript?

Internet Explorer uses four security zones:

Internet zone - Default for most websites
Local intranet zone - For internal company sites
Trusted sites zone - For explicitly trusted sites
Restricted sites zone - For potentially harmful sites

Each zone has different JavaScript settings. You can customize these in Internet Options > Security tab.

JavaScript is enabled in Internet Explorer but websites aren't working properly. What can I do?

Try these solutions:

Clear browsing data (cache and cookies)
Reset Internet Explorer settings
Disable add-ons that might interfere
Check if the site is in Restricted sites
Enable Compatibility View for the website
Update Internet Explorer to the latest version

Note: Internet Explorer is deprecated. Consider using Microsoft Edge for better compatibility.

Tips & Best Practices

Security Zones

Internet Explorer uses security zones to control JavaScript. Make sure the website is in the appropriate zone (Internet, Local intranet, Trusted sites, or Restricted sites).

Compatibility View

Some websites may require Compatibility View to work properly with JavaScript in Internet Explorer. You can enable this for specific sites.

Keep IE Updated

Always use the latest version of Internet Explorer for the best security and JavaScript compatibility. Consider upgrading to Microsoft Edge for better performance.