Microsoft Edge, powered by advanced AI implementations, has emerged as a formidable contender against the Chrome browser. While Google Chrome maintains its dominance in the browser realm, Microsoft Edge is steadily gaining traction and has secured its position as the second most popular desktop browser. Positioning itself as a preferred choice for numerous users, Microsoft Edge boasts superior features, speed, and stability compared to Google Chrome. However, despite its richness in features, the browser is not immune to occasional issues.
One prevalent concern reported by users is the ‘Microsoft Edge not responding’ problem on Windows 11 PCs. Users describe instances where Microsoft Edge becomes unresponsive, spikes CPU usage, and freezes their computer. The causes of this issue are multifaceted, ranging from corrupted installation files and incorrect browser settings to virus/malware attacks and corrupted system files.
Identifying a singular root cause for the ‘Microsoft Edge not responding’ problem proves challenging due to its varied origins. Nevertheless, general troubleshooting tips can be employed to address the issue effectively on Windows 11.
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Steps to Fix Microsoft Edge Not Responding on Windows 11
Restart the Edge browser:
Before attempting other solutions, restart your web browser to eliminate temporary glitches. Close Microsoft Edge and reopen it to resolve any issues hindering its proper functioning.
Close Browser Processes from the Task Manager:
Ensure that all Microsoft Edge processes are closed properly. Follow the steps below:
Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ keys together to Open Task Manager, locate Microsoft Edge, right-click, and select “End Task.”
If issue persist, restart your PC after closing all associated processes.
Run Microsoft Edge as an Administrator:
To begin, locate Microsoft Edge in the Windows 11 search bar. Upon finding it, right-click on browser and select “Run as administrator.”
Launching Microsoft Edge with admin rights should resolve the issue. If the browser works fine, proceed with the following steps.
Access the Microsoft Edge browser icon by right-clicking and selecting Open File Location.
Navigate to the msedge executable file, right-click it, and choose Properties.
Switch to the Compatibility tab and locate the “Run this program as an administrator” option under Settings.
Once the adjustments are made, click on Apply and then OK.
With these steps, Microsoft Edge will consistently run as an administrator on Windows 11.
Ensure Adequate System Resources:
If you are running memory intensive programs on your system, you may consider monitoring the CPU/RAM usage in Task Manager.
Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ keys together to Open Task Manager to see CPU/RAM usage and close unnecessary background programs to free up resources for Microsoft Edge to operate without ‘Not Responding’ errors.
Disable Extensions:
If issues persist, disable all extensions in the Edge browser. To do this:
Open Microsoft Edge, click the Extensions menu and select Manage extensions.
Toggle the button next to the extensions to disable it, and relaunch the browser to check for improvements.
Clear the Edge Browser Cache:
Clearing corrupted browser cache files can resolve unresponsiveness. To do this:
Open Microsoft Edge and press “Ctrl + Shift + Delete” key to open the “Clear browsing data” menu. choose data types to clear, and click “Clear Now.”
Repair the Edge Browser:
Press “Windows + I” key to open Settings, select Apps and Installed Apps.
Locating Microsoft Edge, clicking the three dots, and selecting “Modify.”
Choose the Repair option to troubleshoot browser-related issues.
Delete Microsoft Edge User Data:
If problems persist, delete Microsoft Edge user data by navigating to the specified path:
Press Windows + R and copy and paste this path appdata/Local/Microsoft/Edge/User Data.
In the User data folder, right-click on the Default folder and delete.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step solutions to address the ‘Microsoft Edge Not Responding’ issue on Windows 11 computers.