15 Ways to Fix Microsoft Edge Not Responding on Windows 11 24H2

Having fixed frustrating quirks and checked off most pivotal boxes, Microsoft Edge has come a long way as a cross-platform browser. Whether it’s a variety of eye-catching customization features, a wide range of security tools for a secure browsing experience or the ability to deliver an efficient performance across platforms, Windows stock browser has proved its metal in all aspects. No wonder it has emerged as the most capable challenger to Chrome.

For all being so efficient and versatile, Microsoft Edge can’t claim to be perfect or for that matter flawless. Recently, a good many users have complained that the Edge browser is not responding on Windows 11. While some have reported that the browser crashes out at launch, others have complained that it refuses to open at all.

Taking this frustrating issue into account, I thought it would be great to jot down the best tips and tricks to fix the Microsoft Edge not working problem on PC. If this issue has haunted your PC as well, you have arrived at the right post to nab and eliminate the culprits.

Fix Microsoft Edge Not Working on Windows 11

What has made Edge unresponsive or prevented the browser from running properly on your PC? Some of the major reasons why your browser is having a torrid time include –

  • Temporary system glitches
  • Below-par internet connection
  • Outdated Edge version
  • Corrupted browser cache and cookies
  • Persistent Windows bugs
  • Malicious Edge extensions
  • Greedy proxy server
  • Jealous VPN service
  • Problematic DNS cache
  • Misconfigurations

In this extensive Windows guide, I have addressed all the above nefarious culprits and offered workable and viable solutions. Hence, taking control of these usual suspects will likely help you overcome the hurdle.

1. Restart Your PC

Considering how effective a system reboot has long been in clearing temporary glitches, it would be apt to give it a go – first up. If the Edge browser is in the grip of minor Windows glitches, a quick restart will be more than enough to bring the browser back into action.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

Is your internet connection up to the mark? If not, fix it beforehand.

  • Head into the Wi-Fi menu > turn off and restart your PC.
  • When your PC reboots, turn the Wi-Fi back on. Additionally, try restarting your router.

3. Update Microsoft Edge

Are you running the outdated version of Edge? If the Windows stock browser hasn’t been updated for a while, there is a decent chance that the out-of-date version is causing the problem.

  1. Open Edge on your PC.
  2. Go to the menu (three dots) at the top right > Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
  3. Your browser will now check for updates automatically and install them.

4. Clear Browsing Data

As the corrupted cache or cookies have the habit of triggering all sorts of issues, clear them out.

  1. Open Edge on your Windows device > navigate to Settings > three-line menu at the top left > Privacy, Search, and Services.
  2. Under “Clear browsing data,” click on the “Choose what to clear” option.
  3. Now, check “Cookies,” “Cache,” and “History,” and hit the Clear Now option.
Clear edge cache

5. Disable All Edge Extensions

Note that the malicious extensions are no less responsible for making Edge misbehave or triggering unexpected issues like sluggishness, unresponsiveness, and even sudden crashing. So, disable all the Edge extensions on your PC. If certain extensions are lurking around for no valid reason whatsoever, remove them all for good.

  1. Open Edge on your Windows device.
  2. Now, input edge://extensions/ in the address bar.
  3. Next, turn off all extensions and get rid of the redundant ones.
  4. After that, restart Edge.
  5. Next up, activate your browser extensions one by one to nab the one that is causing the issue.

6. Enable Required Services

Should Edge remain dysfunctional, make sure that all the essential Edge services are up and running without any hindrance.

  1. To get going, open the Run dialog (Win + R) and input services.msc.
  2. Then, locate the Network List Service and DNS Client.
  3. Be sure their Startup Type is set to Automatic and they’re activated.

7. Reset Edge Settings

If your PC browser is plagued by misconfigurations, resetting the settings to their default state will help resolve the problem.

  1. Head over to Edge > Menu icon at the top right > Settings > Triple-lines menu button at the top left.
  2. Choose Reset Settings in the left sidebar.
Reset Edge settings on Windows 11
  1. Click Restore settings to their default values and confirm.

8. Disable Proxy or VPN

Double-check if your proxy or VPN service has been wrongly configured. To ward off any interference, try turning off the VPN/Proxy on your PC.

  1. Launch Settings app on your computer > Network & Internet > Proxy/VPN.
Network and internet section on Windows 11
  1. Turn off the VPN or the proxy server on your Windows device.

9. Flush DNS Cache

Wiping out the DNS cache has long been a viable way to resolve network-related Edge issues.

  1. Open Command Prompt on your PC as an administrator.
  2. Input ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

10. Run Windows Troubleshooter

For times when certain apps don’t seem to work properly, Windows built-in troubleshooter comes in handy. Credit where credit is due, this troubleshooter is exceptionally effective in fixing ill-functioning apps.

  1. Go to Settings app on your Windows 11 device > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Use Windows Update Troubleshooter
  1. Now, locate the Windows Store Apps option and hit the Run button right next to it.
  2. Wait for some time to allow Windows to get to the route of the Edge issue and fix it.

11. Repair Microsoft Edge

Windows 11 offers a native way to repair the damaged Microsoft Edge browser. Do not forget to get the most out of this super useful tool if the problem continues to haunt your PC. Probably the best part about this feature is that it lets you fix your browser without harming its saved data or removing the custom settings.

  1. On your computer, go to Settings > Apps tab located in the left sidebar > Select Installed Apps on the right.
  2. Now, search for Microsoft Edge > click the tiny triple-dot icon next to the Edge > Advanced Options.
  3. Hit the Repair button and let Windows repair the browser.

12. Check for Windows Updates

Your out-of-date system might also be equally responsible for the malfunctioning of the Edge browser.

  1. On your PC, go to Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Now, Check for updates and follow the usual process to install available updates.
update software on Windows computer

13. Use Edge Beta or Dev Channels

Should the issue continue, there is no harm in giving Edge Beta or Dev channels a chance.

  1. Head over to Microsoft Edge Insider.
  2. After that, download and install the Beta or Dev build for much-improved performance.

14. Reinstall Microsoft Edge

When up against apps that don’t seem to mend their ways or keep throwing tantrums even after you have checked off the basic tips, a fresh reinstallation often proves to be the most effective remedy.

  1. Open Settings app on your PC > Apps > Installed Apps > Click on the three-dot icon next to Edge.
  2. Select Uninstall in the menu and confirm.
  3. Now, reinstall the Edge browser from the Microsoft Store.

15. Scan for Malware

Hidden malware might be interfering with Edge and hurting its functionality.

  1. To flush out the malware, take advantage of Windows Security or a third-party antivirus. Run a thorough system scan to detect and eliminate every single threat on your Windows device.
  2. To use Windows Security, head into the Settings app > Privacy & Security > Windows Security and use it to scan your system.

Wrapping up…

That’s about it! I hope Edge is back to its best on your PC and so has your seamless browsing experience. Before you kickstart a long browsing drive or get on with tinkering with the browser, feel free to share your invaluable feedback via the comments section below.

Posted by
Rashmi Mishra

Founder/CEO: Rashmi Mishra is a new-age entrepreneur and a die-hard tech lover. Though Rashmi has a special liking for iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch, she loves to take the hottest Android smartphones and Windows laptops for a spin. When she is not reading stories that are breaking the Internet, you will find her either crafting designs or fixing lives for good!

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