How to fix
Non-Working Hyperlinks
on Windows

Hello, I am not sure whether it is the fault of Windows Update, or my computer got a virus, but hyperlinks do not activate in Word documents or in my browser. I scanned the computer with an anti-virus app and ran the sfc /scannow command. Any advice would be helpful.

Malfunctioning hyperlink function might be the result of a corrupted system file[ref en-1], urlmon.dll, responsible for the operation of such links.

System files might get corrupted due to unsuccessful Windows Update process. Thus, make sure all updates were installed correctly. Furthermore, determine whether the problem of non-working hyperlinks occurs in all browsers.

It might be well the case that your browser got compromised with an odd browser hijacker or adware.[ref en-2] In that case, reset the settings. If the issue persists, try implanting the registry keys from a fully-functioning system.

Step 1. Import the registry file in the malfunctioning computer

1. Press Windows key+ R and type regedit.
2. Once Registry Editor launches, go to Edit, Find Next.
3. Locate the following key – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\htmlfile\\shell\\open\\command.
4. Click on File and then Export.
5. Save the file to a flash drive.
6. Plug into the problematic device.
7. Launch Registry Editor, click on File and then Import.
8. Import the saved key.
9. Close the Registry Editor and then reboot the system.

Note. Make sure that the imported keys contain the proper string. The file named “Default” must contain the htmlfile value. Check it by right-clicking on the file and choosing Modify. Check the information indicated under “Value Data.”

Step 2. Run regsvr32 urlmon.dll command

Urlmon.dll is responsible for managing hyperlinks. You can try resetting it.

1. Press Windows key+R and type regsvr32 urlmon.dll [ref en-3].
2. Press Enter.

Step 3. Use Command Prompt to solve the problem

If this does not work, you may try entering the following two commands in the Command Prompt.

1. Click on the Start button and then type cmd.
2. Right-click on the entry and choose “Run as administrator”.
3. Once Command Prompt opens, type and press Enter subsequently[ref en-3]:

• reg query "HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Classes\\htmlfile\\shell\\open\\command" > 0 & notepad 0
• reg query "HKCR\\.html" > 1 & notepad 1

Once you do that, the Notepad will open with the HKLM responses. You can use them to compare with the registry files present in the Registry Editor in the problematic computer. Import the correct keys into the problematic computer as described in the step 1.