Why wont links open when I click on them?

If you can’t open a webpage or link on your Mac, try these suggestions:

• Check the message that appears when a webpage fails to open. It may provide important information for solving the problem.

• The website may be unavailable temporarily. Try again later.

• Make sure you have the correct address for the webpage and that you typed it correctly.

• Your web browser may not be able to open a webpage because it doesn’t recognize the first part of the address, which identifies the Internet Protocol (such as HTTP or HTTPS). Try deleting the Internet Protocol from the address. (For example, if the address is “https://www.example.com,” change it to “www.example.com.”)

• If you’re trying to open a webpage using a Bonjour address, make sure it’s on the same subnet as your computer.

• If you connect to the internet through a corporate or enterprise network, the network may have a firewall that prevents you from opening the webpage. Contact your network administrator for help.

• Try entering /index.html or /index.htm at the end of the address.

• Some websites prevent using a browser they do not recognize. Contact the administrator of the website to find out if it prevents using some browsers.

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1.    New 01 Sep 2021 #1

   Links won't open in web browser

   
   Sometimes when I double-click on an internet shortcut, it will not open in an already-opened web browser.
   But if I close the browser and then try the shortcut again, it works.

   The same is true for hyperlinks in an Excel spreadsheet.
   Sometimes a link does not work. But if I close the browser then the link works.

   All of that is sometimes ... because at other times there's no problem.

   Is there a fix for this?

   I'm using Chrome browser.

   ---

2.    New 01 Sep 2021 #2

   
   If your using Windows 10. Go to Settings/Apps/Default Apps and make sure the default Web browser says Google Chrome. Now click on the link right below it that says "Choose default apps by file type". Scroll down to .URL and make sure the app out to the side says "Internet Browser" and not Google Chrome. This will make sure that whatever URL link you click on goes to your default browser.

   ---

4.    New 01 Sep 2021 #3

   
   I made those settings long ago. The settings are correct.

   As stated in my original post, the problem is intermittent.
   It works fine ... and then sometimes it doesn't.

   ---

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If you attempt to open a link in an email or on a website and nothing happens, you may be having an issue with one or more pop-up blockers. Please disable all pop-up blockers and try again.

Pop-up blockers are programs that are designed to reduce windows that "pop up" when visiting certain websites, or when clicking on certain links through emails or websites. All of the most popular internet browsers have pop-up blockers built-in. Additionally, downloadable tool bars and internet security software often have pop-up blockers built in such as Google Toolbar, Bing Toolbar, Yahoo Toolbar, Norton Internet Security software, and McAfee Internet Security software.

One of the great things about the Android user experience is seamless navigation and integration with all installed apps. It’s such a pleasure when everything works. An example is opening links within apps or switching from web content to apps in a blink. However, some users report that they can’t open links in Android apps.

If you are among them, don’t worry, because we have a way to solve this in a matter of minutes.

Table of contents:

1. Check in-app settings
2. Disable Adblocker
3. Check Opening link defaults
4. Update or reinstall WebView
5. Clear cache and data from Google services
6. Reset app preferences

If you can’t open links on Android apps, make sure to check in-app settings, reinstall the app, or inspect in-app permissions. If that doesn’t help, clearing cache and data from essential Google Services or reinstalling WebView should resolve the issue.

1. Check in-app settings

The first thing to do is to ensure that the app opens links externally. You can try with the built-in browser integrated within the app but switching to a full external browser is recommended.

Just open settings and look for the Links open externally (or something similar). Ensure that all links will open on your default browser (Chrome or something else).

2. Disable Adblocker

This applies to users who are using third-party apps like Blokada or AdAway. Although they will save you from annoying apps in most apps, they can, albeit rarely, prevent apps from opening hyperlinks.

Disable them temporarily and look for improvements. if the issue persists and you still can’t open links on Android apps, move down.

3. Check Opening link defaults

The next thing to do is to check the opening link defaults option. Here, you should confirm that apps are indeed allowed to open external links that lead to them.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Apps & notifications.
3. Select Default apps.
4. Choose Opening links.
5. Make sure that the app at hand is allowed to open associated links.
   

If you need additional help with this step, you can check out our article about changing the default apps on Android for more info.

4. Update or reinstall WebView

Android System WebView allows third-party apps to open links in a browser. If it doesn’t work properly, links that are supposed to be open in a browser (links that are not associated with apps like YouTube), won’t open at all.

So, what you need to do is make sure that WebView is up to date. You can also uninstall it on the Play Store and update it again. Just navigate to Play Store and look for WebView. After uninstalling updates, reboot your device and update the app again.

5. Clear cache and data from Google services

This is also recommended. Resetting Google Play Services and Google Services Framework should fix some problems. Hopefully, it should address the issue you are experiencing.

Follow these steps to clear cache and data from Google Services:

1. Navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > All apps.
2. Tap on the 3-dot menu and select Show system.
3. Navigate to Google Play Services and clear the storage.
4. Now, do the same for Google Services Framework.
   
5. Restart your device.

6. Reset app preferences

Finally, you can try and reset app preferences. This won’t remove any data the app saved but it should clear permissions which will allow you to select a different app to open links externally.

1. Again, navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > All apps.
2. Tap on the 3-dot menu and tap Reset app preferences.
   
3. Confirm the selection and reboot your device.

And, with that said, we can wrap it up. Thank you for reading and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more articles like this.

FAQ

You can force a link to open in a certain app by installing a third-party tool called "Open Link With..." This tool allows you to choose an app you want to open a link with, regardless of that link's original source. You can find more details about this app, as well as some alternative options in our article about force-opening links on Android.

Android System WebView is a component for the Android OS which allows links to open inside an app, instead of redirecting them to a browser.

How do I enable Open links?

How do I fix my links not working?