My Hyperlink Isn’t Working

A hyperlink is a convenient shortcut to another location or file. Usually found in an e-mail, web page or document, people insert hyperlinks to allow the reader to quickly be directed to another location by clicking the link. It is a direct connection from one document to a website or another document.

Hyperlinks are easy and convenient to use because they eliminate several steps that are usually needed to get from one place to another. Without hyperlinks, readers would have to close or minimize the document and physically type in another address to get to a different location.

Hyperlinks are one of those things that can easily be taken for granted. When an error occurs, the user realizes just how handy they are. The most obvious sign that there is a problem with a hyperlink is when nothing happens when you click on it or some type of error code pops up.

It is difficult to determine the real reason why hyperlinks suddenly stop working. The following are just some possible reasons why clicking a hyperlink may not work:

• Installing Windows updates or add ons,
• Installing or uninstalling browsers,
• Installing plug ins or add ins,
• Using Windows registry cleaners, and
• The person who sent the link to you may have made a typing error.

First eliminate if the problem is a typo by checking other links or contacting the person who sent the link to you. This is usually the most common cause of a broken hyperlink, and the easiest to fix. If this is the culprit, consider yourself lucky and move on. If it is not a typo, it is still possible to fix a broken hyperlink by trying a few troubleshooting options.

If one of the following options works, it is not necessary to proceed to the next option, as you have found the solution. If one option does not provide results, move on to the next until you have solved your problem.

Reset your Browser Default to Internet Explorer

You should do this even if you plan to later use another browser such as Firefox. To reset your browser take the following steps:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click on the Tools menu from the toolbar.
• Select Internet Options.
• Click on the Programs tab.
• Click the Make Default button.
• Click OK.
• Go back and test the hyperlink to see if this has fixed the problem.

Re-register Windows DLL Files

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library and is the term used to describe the common files that are created and shared between the different applications used to perform common tasks such as opening a file or hyperlink. If a DLL file becomes corrupted, it will prevent links from opening properly.

The shell32.dll is the DLL file that stores information and is used to open files and web pages. If you are having difficulties opening hyperlinks, it will not hurt to re-register this file. To do this, you need to do the following:

• Close any open programs.
• Click Start and Run. To open the Run dialog box in Windows 7 and Vista, you need to press the Windows logo key on your keyboard and the R button at the same time.
• Beside Open, type regsvr32 shell32.dll.
• Click the OK button.
• The prompt should then tell you that the process was successful.
• You may need to restart Windows for the registration of the dll file to take effect.

Hopefully one of these three options should fix the problem with a broken hyperlink. If the problem persists, you should contact your system administrator for further assistance.