In the emergence of pandemic Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the delivery of education service becomes a global issue, and many traditional higher education institutes are shifting toward digital alternatives methods. E-learning is considered the most appropriate effective method of knowledge delivery to meet the current academic requirements. This study investigates the key determinants which influence the Intentions to use e-learning among students in higher education institutes in Malaysia due to the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected through structured questionnaires from students. The data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling using partial least squares (SEMPLS). The research findings revealed that Attitude, Subjective Norm, Perceived usefulness, and Perceived behavioral becomes a positive predictor of Intention to use e-learning. However, Subjective norms found no significant effect on Intention to use e-learning in the Malaysian context. It is due to the COVID-19 emergency that an individual must choose for the e-learning method disregarding their perceptions. Perceived ease of use and Perceived usefulness has a significant positive effect on attitude. These findings offer guidelines to educational institutes for the implementation of the e-learning system during unavoidable circumstances for the sustainable education system.