How to Fix Microsoft Edge Not Responding - Make Tech Easier

Microsoft has been diligently enhancing its Edge browser with regular updates and new features, aiming to make it a strong competitor to Google Chrome. However, issues can still occur due to bugs in the Chromium code. This guide provides the most effective troubleshooting steps to resolve issues when Microsoft Edge is not responding.

Useful tip: Explore our list of keyboard shortcuts to quickly access the most useful features in Microsoft Edge.

Table of Contents

• 1. Close and Reopen Microsoft Edge
• 2. Repair Microsoft Edge
• 3. Disable/Uninstall Extensions
• 4. Close Other Tabs and Apps
• 5. Check Whether Antivirus Software Has Been Updated
• 6. Free Up Storage Space on Your PC
• 7. Try Another Browser

Basic Troubleshooting

Before delving into specific solutions, consider these general troubleshooting tips if you're facing issues like Microsoft Edge not responding or crashing.

• Clear cache and browsing data: Browsers often save temporary Internet files to speed up page loading. If Edge opens but doesn't load pages, clearing the cache can resolve this.
• Update Edge to the latest version: Keeping Edge updated can prevent many common issues.
• Scan your PC for malware: If you suspect a virus is causing Edge to not respond, use Microsoft Defender (part of Windows Security) to scan your computer. Perform all types of scans using Microsoft Defender from the Command Prompt.
• Restart your computer: For any unknown issue on your Windows computer, a restart might be all it takes to fix a simple bug.

FYI: Want to remove the Bing Chat button from Edge? We can guide you through it.

1. Close and Reopen Microsoft Edge

If Microsoft Edge is not responding, try closing it via the Task Manager and then restarting the browser. This often resolves the issue.

1. Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Click “Processes” in the left pane. Select Microsoft Edge under “Apps,” then click “End task” below the search bar to close Edge.

3. Reopen Edge from the taskbar or desktop shortcut, and check if the issue is resolved.

Tip: Learn how to fix the “Task Manager has been disabled by administrator” error.

2. Repair Microsoft Edge

If Edge opens but stops working, try repairing it. Ensure Edge is closed and you're logged in with administrative privileges before starting.

1. Click the Start menu, and open the Settings app.

2. Click “Apps” in the left pane, then “Installed Apps” on the right.

3. Scroll to find Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot icon next to it, and select “Modify.” If prompted, “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” click “Yes.”

4. Click “Repair.”

5. Monitor the repair progress.

6. Edge will relaunch automatically once the repair is complete. Note that the repair process does not affect browser data and settings.

7. Disable/Uninstall Extensions

If Edge is not responding properly, a faulty extension might be the cause. Disable your installed extensions to troubleshoot.

1. Open Edge, and click the puzzle piece icon next to the address bar. From the drop-down menu, select “Manage extensions.”

2. In the “Installed extensions” section, toggle off all extensions.

3. If the issue resolves, enable extensions one at a time to identify the problematic one. Once identified, click “Remove” to uninstall it.

Tip: Miss Internet Explorer? Learn how to bring it back on Windows 11.

4. Close Other Tabs and Apps

Edge may fail to respond if too many tabs or other programs are open. Close all tabs and windows except the one showing the error.

Also, shut down other running applications on your Windows computer, including background apps and processes. If downloading a file, pause it until the issue is resolved. Then, check if the non-responsive tab in Edge works.

5. Check Whether Antivirus Software Has Been Updated

If you use third-party antivirus software like Norton, McAfee, or Kaspersky, ensure it's not expired or outdated, as this can interfere with Edge.

Update or renew your antivirus software if necessary.

6. Free Up Storage Space on Your PC

Apps are typically installed on the C:\ drive. If Edge frequently crashes, check your main drive's storage space.

1. Press Win E to open File Explorer, and click “This PC.”

2. Under “Devices and drives,” check the (C:) drive's free space.

3. Alternatively, right-click the (C:) drive, and select “Properties.”

4. View the “Used Space” and “Free Space” values for the C:\ drive.

If the C:\ drive is low on space, free up some. Learn how to clean up your C:\ drive if needed.

FYI: Learn how to block pop-ups on Windows in Microsoft Edge and other popular browsers.

7. Try Another Browser

If Edge still doesn't respond, your network might be the issue. Try accessing the problematic webpage with another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Brave. If it still won't load, the problem might be with your network or the website itself.

Restart your modem and router to see if this resolves the issue with Edge. If the problem persists, it might be a website issue, and you may need to try again later.

Getting Edge Back on Track

If Edge still doesn't work properly, consider reinstalling it from its official website. As a last resort, restore Edge's settings to default. If Edge is functioning well, learn how to use split screen in Edge for better multitasking.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Meenatchi Nagasubramanian.

The above is the detailed content of How to Fix Microsoft Edge Not Responding - Make Tech Easier. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!