Fix Microsoft Edge Not Responding [Ensure Swift Browsing]

Though Microsoft Edge has come a long way since its release, some old bugs still bother us in a timely manner. Among them, the unresponsive issue of Edge is the most irritating.

But don’t worry. After comprehensive research, I’ve found the most effective ways to solve the stop-working problem of Edge and included them in this post.

So without further ado, let’s jump in.

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How to Fix Microsoft Edge on Windows When it Stops Responding

If Microsoft Edge opens but doesn’t respond or can’t open specific web pages, you should close all the tabs and restart Edge.

In 9 out of 10 cases, a quick restart fixes any unresponsive browser.

Here’s how to do it:

Quick Fix: Close All Tabs & Restart Browser

As I said, Microsoft Edge will start working without any problem after restarting. Just tap the big X in the right corner and select the Close all tabs option in the popup window.

However, if the app becomes so unresponsive that the X option won’t work, you must use the task manager to close Edge. Follow the steps to do so:

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
Find and click Microsoft Edge in the list and click End Task.

After closing the application, wait 10 to 15 seconds and reopen the browser. And the Edge works without any issues again.

However, if it doesn’t fix your issue, apply the following solutions:

1. Update Edge

When Edge doesn’t update properly, the app scripts become unstable, and the outdated version contains more bugs. So you have to update Edge regularly.

To update Microsoft Edge:

Open the browser and click the three dots in the upper right corner.
Select Settings, then go to the About Microsoft Edge menu.

When an update is available, the app will download and install it automatically.

2. Uninstall Microsoft Edge Add-ons

Extensions make the browser heavy and can halt the browsing process. So you should uninstall the unnecessary extension from the browser.

To uninstall the unnecessary extensions in Edge:

Click on the three dots icon > Extensions.
Select the Manage Extensions option from the menu.
Click Remove.

After removing all the unnecessary extensions, you should restart your PC to see the effects.

3. Clear Cache & Cookies

Since corrupted Cache & Cookies files hamper normal browser function and make them unresponsive, clearing them is always a good solution.

Follow the guide to clear the cache and cookies of Microsoft Edge quickly. And after removing the cookie data, your browser will work effectively without any issues.

4. Remove Microsoft Edge User Profile

Microsoft Edge can also stop operating for your user profile errors.

A few days ago, I manually updated the Edge browser. However, after the update, profile 1 of Microsoft Edge stopped responding. But I could browse through the internet using the InPrivate mode.

I removed my Microsoft Edge User Profile, then re-login, and the browser started working without any problem. You can also do the same using the following steps:

Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
Click Settings from the dropdown menu and choose Profiles.
Select the three-dot icon next to your profile and tap the Remove option.
Click on the Remove Profile option to confirm.
Close the browser and restart your PC.
Browse through the internet for some time.
Re-login with your Microsoft account.

If the process doesn’t solve your problem, jump to the next fix.

5. Open Specific Website to Another Browser

When just one website does not respond, the problem lies outside Microsoft Edge. In that situation, try accessing the website using another browser like Chrome, Firefox, or other devices like Android or iPhone.

When the website is still not responding in other browsers, it is likely an issue with the website itself, and you will need to wait until the website admin solves the problem.

6. Perform Network reset

Poor internet connections can create various PC issues that can stop the Edge browser. In that case, you should reset your internet connection.

To reset the internet connection:

Turn off your Wi-Fi Router or unplug the modem/cable from your PC.
Wait for 5 minutes.
Turn on the Router and connect to your Wi-Fi.

You must reset your network driver if that doesn’t solve your issue.

Follow these steps to reset your network driver:

Click on the Start button on the left of your screen.
Select Settings (the cogwheel icon) and click Network & Internet.
Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Network Reset option.
Click Reset Now in the pop-up window to confirm the network reset.
Restart your computer when prompted.

After completing the steps, the edge will start responding without any problem.

7. Repair Microsoft Edge

Sometimes the malware or other errors corrupts the Edge browser and makes it unresponsive. The Windows settings repair app option removes those file corruption and makes the browser good as new.

Here’s the method to repair Microsoft Edge from Settings:

Click on the Windows Start button and select the Settings (the gear) icon.
Go to Apps and find Microsoft Edge in the list of apps.
Click on Edge, then choose Modify.
Select Repair from the popup window and Wait for the process to complete.

After completing the process, the browser will start without any issues.

8. Run Windows Troubleshooting

Windows Troubleshooter removes any abnormalities from any application installed inside your PC. And this includes Microsoft Edges too.

These are the steps to run Windows Troubleshooting:

Click on the Windows key on your keyboard and the gear icon to open Settings.
Click the Update & Security option and pick Troubleshoot from the left side.
Go to Additional Troubleshooters and scroll down.
Select the following Troubleshooters one by one and click the Run the troubleshooter option for each:
- Internet Connections.
- Windows Updates.
- Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
- Windows Store Apps.
Follow the on-screen instruction to run the troubleshooting process.

After your PC completes the scans, it will provide you with a list of detected problems.

When the process finishes, the Edge will start working again. However, apply the following method when the troubleshooter cannot resolve your issue.

9. Disable Proxy & Deactivate VPN

Any miss configuration in the proxy settings prevents Microsoft Edge from connecting through the internet. If that happens, you should disable all types of proxy servers from your computer.

Follow these steps to disable Proxy on Windows PC:

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet.
Click the Proxy option from the left menu.
Toggle off the Use a proxy server switch.
Turn on the Automatically detect settings slider.
Remove all the Manual proxy setup sections if you used any manual proxy server settings.
Close the Settings menu.

After completing the steps, restart your PC to see the results.

Also, Microsoft Edge can stop working as you use any untrusted VPNs, mostly free ones. The free ones can’t fully move your device location tracker and create unnecessary script errors for internet connectivity.

So, you should avoid using any untrusted free VPN app.

10. Perform a Virus Scan

Malware can sometimes make the Edge browser unresponsive. So you should always perform a virus scan from time to time.

To perform a virus scan using Windows Defender:

Click on the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
Type Windows Security and click on the app to open it.
Choose Virus & threat protection from the left side.
Click Scan options and select Full Scan.
Tap Scan now and wait for the scan to complete.

After that, remove the malware (if any) from the scan list and restart your PC to solve your problem. You can also use any third-party antivirus software like Avast, AVG, Norton, E-set, Kaspersky, etc.

Why Does Microsoft Edge Stop Working?

Usually, the Edge browser stops working when you run too many web pages simultaneously or install out-of-date extensions, or the browser has too many cache and cookies. Also, if your PC has incorrect internet settings or malware issues, Microsoft Edge will open but freeze after some time.

Here are the reasons Microsoft Edge may not respond in detail:

Too many open tabs: When you have too many open tabs on Microsoft Edge, it can’t process all the web scripts simultaneously. So it becomes unresponsive.
Old app version: Old version of any app contains a lot of bugs, and those bugs can make the application freeze. So when you are running an outdated version of Microsoft Edge, it may not work properly.
Outdated or corrupted extensions: We use different kinds of extensions when you browse online. However, those extensions or add-ons can conflict, making Microsoft Edge stop working.
Corrupted cache and cookies: Edge may sometimes stop working due to corrupted cache or cookies.
Unsupported VPN settings: VPN apps mask your location using proxy servers. But the browser will stop working if there are some errors during the VPN configuration.
Internet connection error: The connection issue can sometimes freeze MS Edge.
Malware or virus infections: Malware or virus can make Microsoft Edge stop responding or behave erratically. That’s why keeping your antivirus software up to date is essential.
Hardware issues: Hardware issues like corrupted storage drives or insufficient RAM can also freeze Microsoft Edge. So you may check your hardware status if the browser crash happens frequently.

How to Fix Unresponsive Microsoft Edge on Xbox One

Not only on PC, but you may also face Microsoft Edge not working problems on Xbox One. However, the solutions are quite different for that gaming device.

Here are the methods to solve unresponsive Microsoft Edge on Xbox One:

1. Use InPrivate Browsing

Press the Menu switch on your controller.
Choose InPrivate Browsing and browse for sometime.
Exit the InPrivate Browsing mode and open the browser again.

After completing the steps, the browser script will reset itself, and your browser will start working again.

2. Perform A Clean Reboot

Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to entirely turn it off.
Unplug the power cord from the console for 300 seconds.
Reconnect the power cable and open your Xbox One again.

The edge browser of Xbox One will start working again after completing the process. if it doesn’t use the next solution.

3. Factory Reset

Tap the Xbox switch on your controller and access the guide.
Go to Profile & System > Settings > System > Console info.
Select the Reset console option and choose Reset and Keep my games & apps option.

The factory resets will delete corrupted data and make the edge browser work swiftly. However, you will lose your game data if you select the Reset and remove everything option.

So first try Reset and keep my games & apps option.

Conclusion

Long story short, Microsoft Edge can stop working for several reasons, like too many open tabs, outdated extensions, corrupted cache, and cookies or malware or virus infections. However, the solution is relatively easy.

You can fix the problem by clearing the cache and cookies, updating the browser, or performing a virus scan.

After applying the fixes, I’m sure the Microsoft Edge browser works efficiently. Comment if you need further assistance. Peace!