Microsoft released the Microsoft Edge as a replacement for the older Internet explorer. This new browser comes with a cleaner interface, and it uses fewer resources leading up to a faster experience. But it does not come without any faults. Now and then, the browser does lag on the user.
A little lag is manageable for a user, but frequent crashes are not something anyone can work with. Sometimes it could be a random crash, while at other times, the browser could be crashing only a few seconds after launch. This article will look through all the possible solutions that a user can try to fix the random crash issue with Microsoft Edge. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.
How to fix Microsoft Edge crashing on Windows 11?
Before we get to the solutions, let’s look at the possible causes of a crash.
Also Read
Fix Slow Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 and 10
Fix: Microsoft Edge Videos Not Playing or Showing Black Screen
Fix Windows 11 Random Shutdown Issue
Fix: Microsoft Word Crashing on Windows 11
Fix: Windows 11 Clipboard History Not Working
Fix: Miracast Not Working on Windows 11 and 10
How to Fix if 4K Videos Not Playing on Windows 11
Fix: Windows 11 Taskbar Not Hiding in Full Screen
How to Fix If Brightness Slider Missing on Windows 11 and 10
How to Fix If Alt+Tab Shortcut Not Working on Windows 11
- Incompatible browser extension.
- Corrupt browser cache.
- A third-party
- antivirus program.
- Too many apps are running in the background.
Now let’s take a look at all the possible solutions. It is not possible to determine which solution would work for your device. So you will have to try all the solutions, one after the other until you find one that solves your problem.
Clear Browser Cache:
Any corrupted cache data stored up in the browser will cause the browser to crash from time to time. The user needs to clear the cache data stored on the browser to get rid of it. This will clear out all the login information for the user and even slow the browser down a bit. But clearing the cache could also solve the browser crash issue.
- Open the Edge browser and click on the settings and more icons in the top right corner.
- In the drop-down menu, click on History.
- Once the history window opens up, click on the three-dot icon again and choose clear browsing data.
- A pop-up will show up on your screen. Select the time range as All time and check the box next to cached images and files.
- Finally, click on Clear now, and it will be done.
Now try using the browser again. If you reencounter a crash, try the next solution.
Disable or uninstall browser extension:
All of us use some extension with our browsers. These extensions are a great browser tool for an end-user. But this tool can also cause problems for some if, for some reason, it is not compatible with the browser.
Advertisement
An incompatible browser extension can lead to occasional crashes in a web browser. So to fix this, you can either disable the extension or uninstall it entirely. But the tricky part is finding the extension at fault.
Firstly, you need to disable all the extensions in your browser. Once every extension is disabled, keep using the browser. If you encounter a crash again, the fault is not with your extensions. You can enable them again. But if your crashing issue is fixed after disabling the extensions, then the problem is definitely with one or more of your extensions.
In that case, enable one extension after the other again, and wait to see where the crash appears again. Yes, it will take some time, but you will pinpoint the exact extension where the problem lies. You can keep every extension disabled, but if you rely on them a lot, you need to find the one that causes the crash. Once you find it, remove it from your browser.
To disable or remove an extension, click on the settings and more icon in the top right corner of your browser window and choose Extensions. Then the list of installed extensions will show up on your screen. You will see a toggle next to each extension. To disable the extension, you need to turn off that toggle. And to uninstall or remove the extension, click on the remove option showing up just below the extension.
If the problem is not with your extensions, try the next solution mentioned below.
Update the browser:
Microsoft will roll out updates for the Microsoft Edge browser over time whenever bugs are creeping into the application. Even with the sudden crashes, there is a possibility that a bug could be behind it. And if that is the case, Microsoft will address it by pushing out an update to the application.
How to Use Tracking Prevention Settings in Microsoft Edge?
How to Fix Scanner Not Working Issue on Windows 11
So check for updates on the Microsoft Edge browser, and if you see any version, install it on your PC right away. Once the new version is installed on your computer, try using the browser. If it crashes again, try the next solution mentioned below.
Disable third-party antivirus program:
Several antivirus programs have a network security feature that lets them block some operations on the browser. But this security feature is not flawless, and now and then, it will block out procedures that do not require blocking or processes that are essential for the browser to function. Because of that restriction from the antivirus program, the browser might act out and crash on you.
To fix this, open up the antivirus program on your PC, and disable the network shield protection. You can even try disabling the antivirus completely by turning off the real-time protection. Once the antivirus is disabled, try using the browser again.
If your browser works fine, you have identified the culprit behind your random crashes; it is the antivirus program. As a solution, you should uninstall the antivirus entirely and install something else that does not crash up the Microsoft Edge.
If you reencounter the crash, it is not the antivirus at fault, and you can enable it again. You should try the next solution mentioned below.
Close other apps:
Every system is limited by its resources, and browsers use a lot of resources. So if you have a system that is not packed in terms of performance or raw power, you will encounter crashes with the browser if you have multiple applications running in the background.
To fix this, disable or force stop every other window or application running in the background and then try using the browser again. Try the next solution mentioned below if you reencounter the crash in your browser.
Disable Search suggestions:
Disabling search suggestions has solved browser crash issues for many Microsoft Edge users. So you should give it a try as well.
- Click on the Settings and more icon in the window’s top right corner.
- Then click on Settings from the list of options that show up.
- After that, click on the Privacy, search, and services tab in the left pane of the Settings window.
- Then choose the Address bar and search option down below.
- Here, disable the toggle for Show me search and site suggestion using my typed characters.
Now restart the browser and continue using it. If you reencounter a crash, try the next solution mentioned below.
Change search engine:
Edge has Bing as the default search engine, but a user can change it to some other engine. However, sometimes changing the search engine can result in a crash. And some users were able to solve their crashing issue with the browser simply by switching to the default search engine.
- Click on the Settings and more icon in the window’s top right corner.
- Then click on Settings from the list of options that show up.
- After that, click on the Privacy, search, and services tab in the left pane of the Settings window.
- Then choose the Address bar and search option down below.
- Click on the drop-down menu option next to the Search engine used in the address bar option and then choose Bing as the default option.
Reset Microsoft Edge:
Sometimes, simply resetting the application can fix most of your issues with it. So give the Reset a try as well.
- Click on the Settings and more icon in the window’s top right corner.
- Then click on Settings from the list of options that show up.
- After that, click on the Reset settings tab in the left pane of the Settings window.
- Click on the arrow next to the Restore settings to their default values option. A pop-up will show up asking for confirmation. Click on Reset here.
Run SFC scan:
SFC or system file checker is a built-in Windows utility tool that can check and fix issues with your system with just single command. It has worked wonders for many Windows users, even with the browser crashing issue. So give this a try as well.
- Press Windows Key + R to open up the Run dialog box.
- Enter cmd in the Run dialog box and press Shift + Enter. A pop-up will appear asking for admin access. Grant it.
- In the cmd window, enter ” sfc /scannow ” and press Enter.
- The command will execute, and it will take a while for your system to complete the process. Once it is complete, restart your computer.
Now try using the browser again. If you reencounter the crash, try the next solution mentioned below.
Update Windows:
You should try updating Windows to the latest version as a final solution. If you have only updated your web browser and have a system running on an older version of Windows that is not compatible with the new version of the browser, that will result in some sudden crashes. So update your Windows to the latest version, which should resolve your problems with the Microsoft Edge browser.
So these are all the solutions to fix Microsoft Edge crashing issue. Surely, one of these solutions should fix your problem.
If you have any questions or queries about this article, comment below, and we will get back to you. Also, be sure to check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more helpful information.
How to Install Windows 11 on Steam Deck