WordPress Is Dropping Support for IE11 — Is Your Business Ready?
WordPress has officially announced that it will end support for IE11 (Internet Explorer 11) starting with version 5.8, set to release in July 2021. If your business website still relies on IE11, now is the time to make a change.
This update may seem minor, but for businesses that use legacy systems or have clients accessing their site via older technology, it could have serious implications for usability, security, and performance.
Why Is WordPress Ending Support for IE11?
IE11 was first released in 2013 and hasn’t kept up with modern web standards. Most major platforms — including Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and even GitHub — have already phased it out. WordPress is joining the shift, stating that supporting IE11 limits innovation and performance across the platform.
Ending support allows WordPress to:
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Use modern technologies like Flexbox, CSS Grid, and JavaScript ES6 without fallback workarounds.
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Improve site speed and performance.
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Provide a better user experience for both visitors and admins.
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Reduce developer overhead and complexity.
More importantly, it helps WordPress stay secure and sustainable moving forward — without the baggage of IE11.
What Happens If You Keep Using IE11?
If your business or team continues using IE11 after WordPress 5.8:
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Your dashboard experience may break. Some admin features won’t work properly in IE11.
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Plugins and themes may fail. Developers will no longer test for IE11 compatibility.
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Site visitors may see broken layouts. Especially if your site uses modern front-end designs.
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You’ll miss out on future WordPress improvements. Performance and accessibility updates may not render correctly in IE11.
It’s not just an inconvenience — IE11 could become a liability.
What Your Business Should Do Next
Here’s how to get ahead of the change:
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Stop using IE11
Move to a modern browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. -
Test your website
Use browser testing tools like BrowserStack to see how your site performs across modern platforms — and where IE11 might already be causing problems. -
Talk to your developer or IT provider
Make sure your WordPress site, plugins, and themes are up to date and not relying on IE11-specific code. -
Consider a site refresh
If your site was built with outdated technology, this could be a perfect opportunity for a modern redesign. (Explore web design services → (Explore web design services)
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
Many businesses delay browser upgrades to avoid changing internal workflows. But staying on IE11 can expose your business to:
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Security vulnerabilities
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Poor mobile responsiveness
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Higher bounce rates from broken layouts
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Compatibility issues with third-party tools
At Saltech Systems, we help businesses stay current and future-ready. Whether you need a one-time website audit or ongoing support, we’re here to help you navigate updates like this with confidence.
Additional Reading
Final Thoughts
WordPress ending support for IE11 marks the end of an era — and the beginning of a more secure, modern web. If your business hasn’t made the switch yet, now’s the time. Updating your browser and modernizing your website ensures you’ll stay compatible, competitive, and secure well into the future.
Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Dropping IE11 Support
Why is Internet Explorer 11 no longer supported by WordPress?
WordPress dropped support for Internet Explorer 11 because the browser is outdated and doesn’t support modern web standards. Continuing to support it would limit the platform’s ability to deliver faster, more secure, and accessible websites. Major tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace have also phased out Internet Explorer 11.
Will my WordPress website break if someone visits it using Internet Explorer 11?
Your site won’t completely break, but parts of it might not function correctly. Visitors using Internet Explorer 11 could experience broken layouts, missing features, or non-functional forms. Additionally, backend admin tools may not work properly, making it harder to manage your site.
What should I do if my team still uses Internet Explorer 11?
Start transitioning to a modern browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Update internal policies, IT systems, and devices to remove Internet Explorer 11 as the default. This will improve productivity and reduce compatibility issues across all platforms, not just WordPress.
Does this mean my plugins or theme won’t work anymore?
It depends. Most modern themes and plugins are already optimized for newer browsers, so they may start ignoring Internet Explorer 11 altogether. If you rely on older plugins built for Internet Explorer 11 compatibility, they could stop working correctly. It’s a good idea to audit your plugins with your developer.
Is this the end of Internet Explorer altogether?
Almost. Microsoft has officially announced that support for Internet Explorer 11 will end in most versions of Windows by June 15, 2022. They recommend using Microsoft Edge going forward. The move by WordPress is just one part of the larger shift away from Internet Explorer 11 across the tech world.