How to Fix Microsoft Edge Not Working?

Last Updated: Feb 17, 2024 by

Microsoft Edge is a popular web browser that comes pre-installed on Windows 10 devices. It offers a sleek and modern interface, as well as a range of useful features such as built-in Cortana integration and the ability to annotate web pages. However, like any software, Microsoft Edge can sometimes encounter issues that prevent it from working properly. In this article, we will discuss some common problems with Microsoft Edge and how to fix them.

Edge Won’t Open

One of the most frustrating issues with Microsoft Edge is when it simply won’t open. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to get Edge up and running again.

Check for Updates

The first thing you should do is check for any updates for Windows and Microsoft Edge. Sometimes, a simple update can fix the issue. To check for updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click on “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

Clear Browsing Data

If Edge still won’t open after updating, try clearing your browsing data. This can help resolve any conflicts or corrupted data that may be causing the issue. To do this, open Edge and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Then, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data. Make sure to select “All time” for the time range and check all the boxes. Click on “Clear now” to confirm.

Reset Edge

If clearing browsing data doesn’t work, you can try resetting Edge to its default settings. This will remove any customizations and extensions, but it may fix the issue. To reset Edge, open the Settings menu and go to Apps > Apps & features. Search for Microsoft Edge and click on it. Then, click on “Advanced options” and select “Reset”. Confirm the action and restart your computer.

Edge Proxy Settings

Another common issue with Microsoft Edge is problems with proxy settings. If you are using a proxy server, it may be causing issues with Edge. Here’s how to check and change your proxy settings.

Check Proxy Settings

To check your proxy settings, open Edge and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Then, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Make sure that “Automatically detect settings” is turned on and that “Use a proxy server” is turned off. If you need to use a proxy server, make sure the correct settings are entered.

Reset Proxy Settings

If your proxy settings are causing issues with Edge, you can try resetting them. To do this, open the Settings menu and go to Network & Internet > Proxy. Scroll down and click on “Reset” under the “Manual proxy setup” section. This will reset your proxy settings to their default values.

Edge Freezes or Crashes

If Microsoft Edge is freezing or crashing frequently, it can be a major inconvenience. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot this issue.

Check for Updates

As with any software issue, the first thing you should do is check for updates. Make sure both Windows and Microsoft Edge are up to date. If there are any updates available, install them and see if the issue is resolved.

Clear Browsing Data

As mentioned earlier, clearing browsing data can help resolve conflicts and corrupted data that may be causing Edge to freeze or crash. Follow the steps outlined in the “Edge Won’t Open” section to clear your browsing data.

Disable Extensions

Extensions can sometimes cause issues with Edge, especially if they are outdated or incompatible. To check if an extension is causing the problem, open Edge and click on the three dots in the top right corner. Then, go to Extensions and disable all of them. If Edge stops freezing or crashing, you can enable the extensions one by one to determine which one is causing the issue.

Reset Edge

If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting Edge to its default settings. This will remove any customizations and extensions, and may fix the issue. To reset Edge, follow the steps outlined in the “Edge Won’t Open” section.

Edge Is Slow

If Microsoft Edge is running slow, it can be frustrating and impact your productivity. Here are some steps you can take to speed up Edge.

Check for Updates

As always, make sure you have the latest updates for Windows and Microsoft Edge. If there are any updates available, install them and see if the issue is resolved.

Clear Browsing Data

Clearing browsing data can also help speed up Edge. Follow the steps outlined in the “Edge Won’t Open” section to clear your browsing data.

Disable Extensions

As mentioned earlier, extensions can sometimes cause issues with Edge. If you have a lot of extensions installed, try disabling them to see if it speeds up Edge.

Reset Edge

If Edge is still running slow, you can try resetting it to its default settings. Follow the steps outlined in the “Edge Won’t Open” section to reset Edge.

Conclusion

Microsoft Edge is a great web browser, but like any software, it can encounter issues that prevent it from working properly. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can fix common problems with Edge and get back to browsing the web with ease. If the issue persists, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.