Sometime the web client will mess up and be unusable. Typical fix to to just constantly refresh until it fixes or us a different client. Different clients range from online to downloadable software such as
Mibbit,
MIRC, and
Pidgin. You could also try downloadable apps for your Android/iOS devices like
AndChat and
Limechat.
Just be that if you use a different client you set them up properly, you can refer to
Zr388's Limechat guide and for generally everything else the first post of
Jas0n's IRC Beginner's Guide. Of course, you're welcome to PM me if you end up using either Pidgin or Andchat as I use those myself but that is entirely up to you.