Internet Explorer: Cannot type in a field
May 14, 2009Something very weird happened the other day. I use both Firefox 3.x and Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). I prefer Firefox, but some things are designed for IE (like Microsoft Partner pages, and a link to a client’s system), so there are occasions when I have to use IE.
When I opened IE7 that day, I got some message about an add-on not being compatible. That was the first weird thing — I’ve never seen any messages about IE add-ons, ever.
Then when I went to enter a search term into Google, or enter anything into any field on any website, nothing happened. I couldn’t see the marker for the cursor position in any field and I couldn’t type in any field.
The mouse worked, command buttons worked, and I could enter an web address at the top, but I couldn’t type in any field on the screen. I closed and re-opened IE7, I looked under Tools > Manage Add-ons to see if there was anything there that showed some sort of error. Nothing.
Using Firefox, I did a Google search and found a solution here: http://www.winxptutor.com/ieabout.htm
I closed IE7, then ran the first command suggested on that page (REGSVR32 MSHTMLED.DLL). I re-opened IE7 to see if it worked, and it did! I had my typing function back!
I still don’t know what caused it, but at least I was able to fix it.
Thank You!
This absolutely worked!! I searched multiple sites and tried various things but this was the only thing that was simple and worked.
Thanks a lot!
Didn’t work for me unfortunately. I am running IE6 with Multiple IE and the IE7 Standalone. Same problem, still no fix!
I love you!!! thank you very much. this laptop has been useless for ages and now it is fine. thank you very much indeed.
fiona
Seeking typing / keyboard errors
Starts when completing fields – acts as if the Ctrl Key was pressed and a action starts – application closes or something unrelated starts.
Tks: Kerry
I have a machine with the similar problem with a machine running IE7. I registered the DLL and now I can type into data entry fields. However, I have other things going on with this machine. I can not access Tools-> Options. I get a popup saying access is restricted. In addition, the Internet Options ICON is missing in Control Panel. Also, if I run, inetcpl.cpl nothing appears to happen. I’m also getting scripting errors when I use the Group Policy snapin in the MMC or try creating a System Restore point. I believe all this to be related.
Thanks dude. This helped me. Had to go for the other options in the site as well… still thanks !
Super duper!!
It works! BTW, my computer had this problem after I updated it… MS at it’s best :-P
Just used this to fix a users machine that had been re-formated and updated. was a dell vostro laptop that we shipped to the user. Had never seen anything like this before. Other searches didn’t return anything helpful. EXTREMELY glad I found this as it worked like a charm. why in the world this would be something that would happen in the first place I have no idea. Thanks a ton!
yeah this worked for me thank you so much for your help
Bro…
u r superrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
thanks dude..
worked for me too…thx
THANKS THAT FIXED ME!
thanks it worked perfectly!
hey.. it works… thanx a lot
Work’s for me…
Thanks it worked on IE7
Google search : not able to type in ie browser
Thanks a ton buddy. This really worked
Brilliant! You have provided a solution that my Helpdesk is still looking for!