It's incredibly frustrating when something you're used to working smoothly starts to have problems, like when your Internet Explorer (IE) drop down menus stop working and can't be used. This document aims to show you how to troubleshoot and resolve this issue if you experience it.
Browser Compatibility
Sometimes the reason behind drop down menus not working in IE is an outdated browser version. Check to make sure you have the latest version of IE installed by going to the Microsoft website to download and install the latest version.
Document Mode Compatibility
Before troubleshooting a drop down menu issue, make sure your website is running in the correct document mode for desired compatibility. Document mode can be accessed in your developer tools.
To do this, open up Internet Explorer and go to the website in question. Then press F12 for the developer tools, which will look something like this:
Then click the Emulation tab and make sure Document Mode is set to the most up to date version, as noted by the drop-down menu.
Other Tips
Other tips to get your IE drop down menus in working order include making sure all scripts on your website can be properly executed, disabled compatibility views, and making sure IE is up to date with the latest security patches.
FAQ
Q: What can cause IE drop down menus not to work?
A: There can be multiple factors that could be causing an issue with IE drop down menus not working and it may be difficult to determine exactly what the issue is. Possible causes include outdated browser version and document mode, improperly executed scripts, disabled compatibility views and missing security patches.
Q: How can I check for outdated browser or document mode?
A: To check for an outdated browser version, check the Microsoft website to download and install the latest version of IE. To check document mode, press F12 for the developer tools and click the Emulation tab and make sure Document Mode is set to the most up to date version, as noted by the drop-down menu.
Q: What other troubleshooting methods can I apply to drop down menus in IE?
A: To get the drop down menus in IE to work properly, run all scripts on your website to make sure they can be properly executed, and disable compatibility views. Additionally, you may need to make sure IE is up to date with the latest security patches.
Q: What if all else fails and menus in IE are still not on working?
A: If all else fails and the menus are still not working, you can try it in another browser, like Chrome or Firefox, to see if menus work in those browsers. If they work in another browser but still not in IE, check the developer tools and audit the browser report to find out what might be the blocking factor.