How to Fix the “Microsoft Edge Not Responding” Problem in Windows

How to Fix the “Microsoft Edge Not Responding” Problem in Windows

/ James Masterson

Microsoft Edge not responding or loading web pages is a common bug you might encounter when using the Microsoft Edge Windows browser. It can happen anywhere, whether you use Windows 10, Mac, iOs, or an Android device. Sometimes, you might even need to restore the Microsoft Edge browser for different reasons like the tabs freezing, sites crashing, or when seeing an internet connection error.

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The Microsoft Edge browser for Windows and other major operating systems is well-optimized. However, it may occasionally experience an error, such as the browser not responding due to resource restrictions. It’s not necessarily a browser issue; it could be due to the Edge browser being unable to complete the primary task due to a lack of resources.

Since switching to the Chromium source engine, the Edge browser has seen a tremendous increase in popularity. Until then, Microsoft’s solution provided a lag-free and convenient user experience but lacks all of Chrome’s features.

As soon as users learned that the browser was switching to the Chromium Engine, they made the switch without hesitation. Edge became the default browser for a substantial number of users right quickly.

While it appears to have resolved its fundamental problems, some users had one minor issue: the browser occasionally froze. Numerous complaints have been made about this on the Microsoft Support Forum.

There are two types of errors in general:

  • Microsoft Edge starts up but then stops working – You can regularly open Edge, but it does not function properly. It may continue to crash, shut off, or freeze at times.
  • Microsoft Edge will not launch – Edge will not open or cannot be launched or loaded.

For the two scenarios, there are some suggested remedies. You might try any of the solutions listed below to resolve the issue. Let’s have a look at each stage in detail.

What Causes Microsoft Edge to Stop Responding?

You might see a not responding error due to several reasons. Some of the most common are:

  • Website error – Microsoft Edge issues can be caused by websites that are not supported, by opening too many websites simultaneously, or by installing outdated Microsoft Edge extensions.
  • Using out-of-date version – If you’re using outdated files when running your Microsoft Edge, you may experience issues like the browser refusing to open or reacting slowly. A lack of available storage space or misconfigured internet configurations, among other things, can cause Microsoft Edge issues.

Microsoft Edge Troubleshooting Methods

The good news is there are several ways to fix Edge issues. In addition, you can easily do it in minutes using one of several tried-and-true remedies. Make your way through this list of fixes, starting with the most straightforward and progressing to the more complicated until Microsoft Edge operates appropriately. Here is the list of steps broken down for you:

First Method – Restart or Reset Microsoft Edge

When it comes to applications not responding, the first thing to do is relaunch Edge. While closing and re-opening an application is simple, it can be difficult if frozen. Therefore, you can open the task manager to force the browser to close.

  1. Opening the task manager in four ways:
  • Use keyboard shortcuts such as ‘ctrl + shift + Esc.’ Voila! It should open up directly.
  • Right-click on your taskbar and press Task Manager, which is third from the bottom of the list.
  • Another method is via the Windows Start button.
    – First, press the Windows key on your keyboard. Or, click on the Windows Start button on your taskbar.
    – Then, type in ‘task manager.’- Press ‘open.’
  • Or, you could press ‘Windows + R’ simultaneously on your keyboard. This will open the run line command. Type in ‘taskmgr,’ then press Enter or click on OK.
  1. Once open, locate the Windows Edge in the list of running applications. Next, click on Windows Edge, then press the ‘End Task’ button on the lower right. You could also right-click on the application and end the task there.
microsoft edge end task
  1. Re-open your browser and check if you run into any more issues while using the browser.

Second Method – Closing Other Unused Apps

Many applications running in the background can cause the Edge browser and others to perform poorly on your PC. Thus, the best thing to do is close those apps and restart Microsoft Edge.

  1. Open the task manager via one of the three steps from the earlier method. Close Microsoft Edge.
  2. Once the task manager is open, you’ll see that under Memory, heavy-consuming applications have a significantly darker color. Close those applications by clicking on the app and clicking End Task.
google chrome end task
  1. Other than that, close other applications that you’re not using. Thus, your PC would not have to perform heavily to run Microsoft Edge.
  2. Again, open up your Edge browser and see if you run into any more issues.

Third Method – Disabling and Uninstalling Installed Extensions

Sometimes, the extra browser extensions cause Microsoft Edge to stop responding suddenly. Some extensions can be heavy-running, and your browser can struggle, or you may have too many extensions installed. Therefore, you should consider disabling or uninstalling some of your extensions.

  1. Launch the Microsoft Edge application.
  2. First, look for the three dots beside your Microsoft Edge profile. Choose Extensions, and a list will open up. Look for Extensions, and click on it. A list of your extensions should open up.
  3. There should be a switch on the very right side of your extensions. Toggle it to disable some extensions and restart them.
  4. Look for extensions you don’t use anymore. Once you’ve figured that out, you can delete them by right-clicking on the service icon. Choose Remove from Microsoft Edge, then click on Remove.
edge clear cache
  1. Restart your browser. Then, check if you run into any more issues after.

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Fourth Method – Cleaning Up Your Microsoft Browser Cached Data

Windows users sometimes experience this issue when too much data affects their computer’s storage. Ensuring that your Edge data or browser cached information is clean will help improve its performance. If you suspect your browser has collected too much temporary data, you can quickly clear the browsing data section.

  1. Select Edge browser.
  2. This time, click on the three dots beside your profile on the browser. Select settings, which can be found near the bottom of the list, and choose Settings. You will be redirected to a new tab.
    • Or, you could type in edge://settings/privacy on your browser’s search bar.
    • Another method to open Clear Browsing Data on your browser is to press the ‘Ctrl + Shift + Del simultaneously’. The dialogue box should open immediately.
microsoft edge browser
  1. On the very left of your browser, there is a list. Choose Privacy, Search, and Services. Then, scroll down a bit to get to Clear Browsing Data.
  2. Next to Clear Browing Data Now, there is ‘Choose what to clear’- click on the button, and a dialog box should open.
clear browsing data
  1. Look for ‘Cookies and Other Site Data’ and ‘Cached Images and Files.’ Select these boxes only, and click “Clear Now” or press ‘Delete’ on your keyboard.
  1. Wait for your browser to clean up, then restart your browser. Look out for any more issues your browser may encounter again.

This method will also clean up your browsing history or website data, making it an even better solution.

Fifth Method – Updating the Browser

Any application will struggle, including web browsers, when using outdated files. You might be dealing with this issue if you find Microsoft Edge opens with difficulty. Aside from performing poorly, the browser might become incompatible with specific Windows updates.

Moreover, outdated browsers tend to be prone to privacy and security issues when they’re obsolete. Replacing obsolete files may be a good solution. Here are a few steps on how to update your browser:

  1. Updating the browser via the browser itself:
    • First, launch the Microsoft Edge browser.
    • Again, go back to the three dots beside your profile, and look for settings. You will be redirected to the Settings tab.
    • Click on About Microsoft Edge.
      1. You could also type in edge://settings/help to open About Microsoft Edge.
    • In the tab, you can easily see whether your browser is up to date. If not, click on Update Microsoft Edge. The browser will immediately install the updates.
  2. Once the browser is updated, open up About Microsoft Edge again. This time, “Your Browser is Up to Date” will show up on the About page instead.
  1. Look out for other issues with your browser.

Sixth Method – Resetting the Entire Browser

In general, it may be best to reset the entire browser. This will clear temporary data (e.g., cookies and cached files). Moreover, this feature will also turn off all of your extensions. However, this will not affect data like your favorites, history, and saved passwords, so don’t worry!

  1. Launch the Edge browser.
  2. Like the previous methods, click on the three dots beside your profile. Go to settings and be redirected to the Settings tab.
  3. On the right side of the list, click on Reset settings, then Restore settings to their default values.
    1. You may also type edge://settings/resetProfileSettings in your search bar.
  4. A dialogue box will appear. Click reset.
reet settings microsoft edge
  1. Thus, your browser will turn back into its default settings. Keep an eye out for any more issues while using your browser. If the issue persists, turn to the last method.

Seventh Method – Repairing the Edge Browser via Settings

Scan your application for any other issues your browser is still running into. After your device scans the case, it will automatically attempt to fix Microsoft Edge problems. This is the best fix for those struggling to access their browser to do the previous fixes.

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key or clicking the Start button on your taskbar. Open the settings, and click on Apps.
    • Or, you can type in “Apps and Features” on the start menu.
  2. You will be redirected to Apps and Features. Look for Microsoft Edge in the list, and click on the icon. This will open the drop-down menu and see Modify and Uninstall buttons. Choose Modify.
  3. This will open the User Account Control and click Yes.
  4. Choose ‘Repair.’ This will automatically scan for any issues and provide fixes. Lastly, open Microsoft Edge and look for any more issues that persist.
repair microsoft edge

Eighth Method – Windows Update and Windows Security

Another reason that might be causing Microsoft Edge problems is an outdated Windows system or a lack of proper security settings. Ensuring that your computer is up-to-date and well-protected can help improve the performance of Microsoft Edge and prevent potential issues.

To check for Windows updates, follow these simple steps:

  1. Press the Windows key or click the Start button on your taskbar.
  2. Type “Check for updates” in the search bar, and click on the corresponding result.
  3. In the Windows Update window, click “Check for updates” and wait for the process to complete. If there are any updates available, follow the prompts to install them.

Keeping your Windows Security settings in check is crucial for protecting your system from malware and other threats that can impact Microsoft Edge’s performance. To review and adjust your Windows Security settings, follow these steps:

check for updates windows security
  1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.
  2. Type “Windows Security” in the search bar, and click on the corresponding result.
  3. In the Windows Security window, review the different sections, such as Virus & threat protection, Firewall & network protection, and App & browser control, to ensure that your security settings are properly configured. Make any necessary changes and run scans as needed to detect and remove any potential threats.

By keeping your Windows system up-to-date and maintaining proper security settings, you can prevent issues that might affect the performance of Microsoft Edge and enjoy a smoother browsing experience.

Ninth Method –

Close Edge Properly and Manage Installed Apps

Properly closing Microsoft Edge when it’s not in use can help prevent performance issues and ensure the browser runs smoothly when needed. Additionally, managing installed apps on your system that might interfere with Microsoft Edge’s performance can help you avoid problems and enjoy a better browsing experience.

To close Edge properly, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “X” button in the top-right corner of the Microsoft Edge window, or use the keyboard shortcut “Alt + F4” to close the browser.
  2. If Microsoft Edge is not responding or appears to be frozen, press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager. Find Microsoft Edge in the list of running processes, click on it, and then click “End task” to force the browser to close.

Managing installed apps that might be affecting Microsoft Edge’s performance is also important. To review and manage your installed apps, follow these steps:

uninstall chrome through apps and features
  1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.
  2. Type “Apps & Features” in the search bar, and click on the corresponding result.
  3. In the Apps & Features window, scroll through the list of installed apps, and look for any applications that might be causing issues with Microsoft Edge. Uninstall or disable any unwanted apps, and update any outdated apps that could affect the browser’s performance.

By properly closing Microsoft Edge when it’s not in use and managing your installed apps, you can prevent potential issues and enjoy a more stable and responsive browsing experience.

Conclusion

The solutions above will most likely help you fix the Not Responding issue while using Microsoft Edge. If the problem persists, we recommend uninstalling the current version of Edge from your computer and reinstalling Microsoft Edge. If that does not work, you can try installing other browsers for your PC instead, like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Opera.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix Microsoft Edge not working?

There can be many reasons Microsoft Edge may not be working properly, and the steps to fix the issue will depend on the specific problem you are experiencing. Here are some general troubleshooting steps you can try if you are having problems with Microsoft Edge:
Restart your computer.
Check for updates for Windows and Microsoft Edge.
Reset Microsoft Edge to its default settings.
Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Edge.

How do I fix Microsoft Edge problems?

To fix problems with Microsoft Edge, you can try the following steps:
Restart your computer.
Check for updates for Windows and Microsoft Edge.
Reset Microsoft Edge to its default settings.
Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Edge.
Check for malware and remove any malicious software causing the issue.

How can I fix Edge when it’s not responding or causing issues?

To fix Edge, first, try to close Edge completely by clicking the “X” button or using the “Alt + F4” keyboard shortcut. If the browser is unresponsive, open the Task Manager using “Ctrl + Shift + Esc,” find Microsoft Edge in the list, and click “End task” to force close it. You can also clear your browser data by going to Edge’s settings and selecting “Privacy, Search, and Services,” then clicking “Choose what to clear” under “Clear Browsing Data.” If none of these methods work, go to your computer’s “Apps & Features” settings, find Microsoft Edge, and click on it to select Modify. Follow the on screen instructions to repair the browser.

How can I prevent Microsoft Edge from freezing or becoming unresponsive?

To prevent Edge from freezing or becoming unresponsive, make sure to close Edge completely when not in use, keep the browser updated, and regularly clear your browser data. Additionally, manage your installed apps to ensure no conflicting or resource-intensive applications are affecting Edge’s performance. If issues persist, you can fix Edge by going to “Apps & features,” selecting Microsoft Edge and clicking on Modify to repair the browser, following the on screen instructions.

James Masterson
Meet the author

James is a software engineer and an information architect with a keen eye for detail. Among his key interests are enhancing the usability of our Windows 10 content, troubleshooting errors, and tech news.