You've been faced with an error message that reads: "Unable to Open this Internet Shortcut - HTTP Protocol". There can be problems if you try to open a website through a link and it doesn't connect. It can be difficult to determine the cause of this issue, which can be due to a variety of different factors. Learn how to fix this error message and get back to browsing the Internet.
Causes
This error can be caused by a few different things. Here are some of the most likely causes of this error message:
- An incorrect URL was entered
- The website was down
- DNS issues
- The server was overloaded
- Too much traffic on the website
- The user’s access to the website was blocked
- Your web browser does not support the link
Solutions
Below are a few different techniques you can use to fix this error message:
Check the URL: The first step is to double check that you entered the correct URL. To do this, open the website in a new tab and copy the address from there.
Clear Cache and Cookies: Clearing your web browser's cache and cookies can help resolve the issue.
Troubleshoot your DNS: DNS issues are a common cause of this error. To troubleshoot this, open a Command Prompt window and type the command “ipconfig /flushdns”. If this does not work, you may need to look at your host servers.
Check the Website status: It’s possible that the website is down, or that it is experiencing a high amount of traffic, causing the error message. You can check the status of the website by visiting a website monitoring service, such as pingdom.
Change Web Browser: If you are unable to open the website in the current browser, try opening it in a different one. This could be a sign that the web browser you are using is not compatible with the website.
FAQ
How do I fix this error message?
To fix this error message, you can try double checking the URL, clearing your web browser's cache and cookies, troubleshooting your DNS, checking the website status, or changing web browsers.
What is the most common cause of this error message?
The most common cause of this error message is an incorrect URL entered.
What does the error message "Unable to Open this Internet Shortcut - HTTP Protocol" mean?
This error message means that there is something preventing your web browser from opening the website.
What can I do if the website is down?
If the website is down, you can try visiting a website monitoring service, such as pingdom, to see if the site is available.
What should I do if the web browser I'm using is not compatible with the website?
If your web browser is not compatible with the website, you should try opening it in a different web browser.
Sources
Error "Unable to Open This Internet Shortcut - HTTP Protocol": Causes and Fixes