Refresh rate refers to how long it takes a Web page to load once you hit the refresh function on your browser. With Internet Explorer, the refresh function is the button with two arrows located beside the address bar. The refresh rate can be affected by such things as your connection speed and the hardware and software on your computer. There are ways to speed up the refresh rate in Internet Explorer.

  • Refresh rate refers to how long it takes a Web page to load once you hit the refresh function on your browser.
  • With Internet Explorer, the refresh function is the button with two arrows located beside the address bar.

Delete your Web page history. Though it takes up a lot of space, the history is automatically saved by Explorer. Delete it by going to Tools and then "Internet Options." Under "Browsing History," select "Settings" and then click "Clear History."

Disable the graphics that appear on the pages you view. These graphics can take a significant amount of time to download. To disable graphics, go to Tool and "Internet Options." Click the "Advanced" tab and remove the checks beside the following: Play animations in Web pages, Play sounds in Web pages, Play videos in Web pages and Show pictures. Click "Apply."

  • Disable the graphics that appear on the pages you view.
  • To disable graphics, go to Tool and "Internet Options."

Increase Explorer's files cache to reduce the amount of time it takes to open a page. Go to Tools and "Internet Options." Choose "Browsing History" and click "Settings." Click "Automatically" under the "Check for newer versions of stored pages" list. Increase the disk space to use to at least 250. Click "OK."

Open your virus software and run a virus scan on your entire computer. Viruses can slow Internet Explorer's refresh rate.