Browsers and apps showing code instead of the website content

Question

I have a Lenovo Thinkpad E480. I cannot access the websites through browsers. Here are some screenshots:

Edge:

Edge Safe mode:

Firefox:

Chrome:

Microsoft Office (pinned to start not actually installed):

I have seen Microsoft Assist app with similar source codes to Microsoft Office above but could not take a screenshot.

I have reinstalled Windows 11 as well as Windows 10 from scratch (custom install).

I have done all the updates including driver updates.

I have updated the BIOS.

I have tried different WIFI's and different ISPs.

I have run tron script for any malware/virus but the results were clean.

I have run Lenovo diagnostics for 5 hours for any hardware problem and it has passed all the tests.

I have this problem since Friday last week. Today is the 5th day and I desperately need to start using my laptop.

I tried everything. Microsoft was connected via assist app as well but no resolution so far and I do not have a slightest clue about what can be causing this.

I look forward to hearing your recommendations. 

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Johnny. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

I'll give you all fixes working for Browsers in Windows 10 and 11:

1. Clear each browser cache and cookies:

https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/...

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-delete-cookies-...

2. Try disabling all extensions to see if this helps:

https://community.box.com/t5/How-to-Guides-for-...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-e...

3. For Edge, repair it in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Microsoft Edge > Manage > Repair, also reset in Edge Settings > Reset Settings.

For Firefox refresh it in it's Settings as shown here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/refresh-fi...

Reset Chrome here:

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/329621...

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-reset-google-ch...

4. If that fails uninstall the browser (except Edge) in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, restart PC then reinstall browser from fresh download:

Firefox download: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Chrome download: https://www.google.com/chrome/

Edge download (to reinstall over itself):

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge

If those don't work then in my next post I will give you a checklist which will find and fix most problems with Windows 11 installs.

Feel free to ask any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

Go over WIndows 11 with this checklist to find and fix problems:

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:

https://itechhacks.com/system-restore-windows-11/

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began like a time machine. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.droidwin.com/how-to-stop-only-a-spe...

2. Update your drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. While there check for the latest Chipset, BIOS, Sound, Network, USB3, Bluetooth and all other drivers to compare with the version/date installled for that device in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.
3. Expedite install of all Windows Updates (including Optional) in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates, watching for needed restarts, then go back to check again until no more are offered.

Then go into Microsoft Store app > My Library > Get Updates and expedite all Store app Updates, too, until no more are offered.

4. Run a full Windows 11 Disk Check: https://allthings.how/how-to-run-chkdsk-in-wind...
5. Establish a Clean Boot to turn off Startup Freeloaders that can conflict and cause issues:

https://www.makeuseof.com/clean-boot-windows-11/

6. Test for account corruption by creating a new Local Admin account to see if the problem goes away:

https://pureinfotech.com/create-local-administr...

Sign into the new account, test it works correctly, if so move files over, test all apps work or reinstall any that don't. Then when ready delete the old account in Settings > Accounts > Family & Other Users.

You can change it to your Microsoft account if desired in Settings > Accounts > Your Info > Sign in with a Microsoft Account Instead.

7. Download, install and run a full scan with free Malwarebyes from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ after enabling Root Kit scan in Scan Settings. Clean Up anything it finds and then run again. Turn off Real Time trial in Control panel to keep as on-demand scanner.
8. Run System File Checker/DISM in WIndows 11 to find and fix any broken System files:

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/use-system-file-c...

9. If that doesn't fix it then you can do a Windows 11 Repair Upgrade which reinstalls Windows while saving your files and apps in place, brings it up to the latest version by the most stable method, takes about an hour and resolves most problems: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-wi...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 3

Hi Greg,

Thank you for your reply.

After 6 days I was able to make firefox work.

I typed
about:config
in address bar and then searched for the following
network.http.accept-encoding.secure
then changed the value from
gzip, deflate, br
to
gzip, deflate

Now Firefox loading all the websites correctly. I need to do this for Chrome and Edge. I tried but I could not find where I can change the encoding settings for Edge browser. Any recommendation is highly appreciated.

Answer 4

There is presently a bug in Edge we are waiting for them to fix where some emails appear in HTML code.

A few users have been able to fix this with the browser repairs I gave you earlier, but others (myself included) have not found a fix and are hoping Edge developers push through a fix soon.