Fixing Microsoft Edge Not Working on Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

Is Microsoft Edge not working correctly on your Windows 10 machine? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many users encounter issues with Edge, ranging from simple crashes to complete unresponsiveness. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of troubleshooting steps to get Edge back up and running.

Common Problems and Initial Checks

Before diving into complex solutions, let’s cover some common issues and quick checks:

  • Edge Won’t Open: The browser refuses to launch.
  • Edge Crashes Frequently: The browser opens but crashes after a short period.
  • Webpages Not Loading: Edge opens but cannot display webpages.
  • Slow Performance: Edge is sluggish and unresponsive.
  • Error Messages: Specific error codes or messages appear.

Initial Checks:

  • Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
  • Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Try accessing websites using another browser or device.
  • Run the Windows Troubleshooter: Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically diagnose and fix common problems. Search for “Internet Connections” and “Windows Store Apps” troubleshooters.

Troubleshooting Steps

If the initial checks don’t resolve the issue, try these troubleshooting steps in order:

1. Repair or Reset Microsoft Edge

Windows 10 offers repair and reset options for apps like Edge. Repairing attempts to fix the app without deleting your data, while resetting restores it to its default state.

  • Repair Edge:

    1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
    2. Find Microsoft Edge in the list.
    3. Click on Microsoft Edge and select Advanced options.
    4. Scroll down and click on Repair.

  • Reset Edge:

    1. Follow steps 1-3 above.
    2. Scroll down and click on Reset.
    3. Confirm the reset. Note: This will delete your browsing data, including history, cookies, and settings. Export your bookmarks if you need to save them.

2. Clear Browsing Data and Cache

Corrupted cache and browsing data can cause various issues.

  • Open Microsoft Edge.
  • Click on the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
  • Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
  • Under Clear browsing data, click on Choose what to clear.
  • Select All time for the time range.
  • Check the boxes for Browsing history, Download history, Cached images and files, Cookies and other site data.
  • Click Clear now.

3. Disable Extensions

Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with Edge’s functionality.

  • Open Microsoft Edge.
  • Type edge://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
  • Disable all extensions.
  • Restart Edge and check if the problem is resolved. If it is, re-enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC) Scan

System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corrupt Windows system files.

  • Open Command Prompt as administrator. Search for “cmd”, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”.
  • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  • Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.
  • Restart your computer after the scan is finished.

5. Check for Windows Updates

Ensure your Windows 10 is up to date. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve compatibility issues.

  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Click Check for updates.
  • Install any available updates.

6. Reinstall Microsoft Edge

If all else fails, reinstalling Edge can be a last resort.

  • Note: Microsoft doesn’t provide a straightforward way to uninstall Edge. You’ll need to use PowerShell.
  • Open PowerShell as administrator. Search for “powershell”, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”.
  • Type the following command and press Enter: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge* | Remove-AppxPackage
  • Restart your computer.
  • Reinstall Edge by going to the Microsoft Store and searching for “Microsoft Edge”. Alternatively, download the latest version from the Microsoft website.

7. Check Antivirus or Firewall Settings

Sometimes, antivirus software or firewalls may block Edge’s access to the internet.

  • Temporarily disable your antivirus software and firewall.
  • Try opening Edge again. If it works, adjust your antivirus or firewall settings to allow Edge.

Conclusion

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most issues that prevent Microsoft Edge from working correctly on Windows 10. If you continue to experience problems, consider seeking help from Microsoft support or a qualified IT professional.