How to Fix Microsoft Edge Running Slow on Windows

What Causes This?

Microsoft Edge usually slows down when too much temporary browser data builds up, too many extensions are running, or background apps and startup programs are using up RAM and CPU. A corrupted cache, too many open tabs, or an outdated browser can also make pages load slowly or cause lag when typing and scrolling. In some cases, the issue is not Edge itself but overall Windows clutter and limited system resources.

Common Symptoms

• Web pages take longer than usual to load
• Edge freezes, stutters, or becomes unresponsive
• Typing in the address bar feels delayed
• Videos buffer or tabs crash more often
• High CPU or memory usage from Edge in Task Manager

How to Fix It Manually

1. Restart Edge and your PC

   • Close all Edge windows completely.
   • Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
   • If you still see Microsoft Edge under Processes, select it and click End task.
   • Restart your PC, then open Edge again and test it.

2. Clear Edge cache and browsing data

   • Open Edge.
   • Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then choose Settings.
   • Go to Privacy, search, and services.
   • Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
   • Set Time range to All time.
   • Check Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
   • Click Clear now.

3. Disable unnecessary extensions

   • In Edge, open the three-dot menu and click Extensions > Manage extensions.
   • Turn off any extension you do not need, especially ad-ons related to shopping, coupons, toolbars, VPNs, or tab managers.
   • Restart Edge after disabling them.
   • If Edge becomes faster, re-enable extensions one by one to find the one causing the slowdown.

4. Turn off background features and startup boost

   • In Edge Settings, open System and performance.
   • Turn off Startup boost if it is causing resource usage on your PC.
   • Turn off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.
   • If you have many tabs open often, enable Sleeping tabs to reduce memory use.

5. Update Edge

   • In Edge, click the three-dot menu > Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge.
   • Edge will automatically check for updates.
   • Install any available update, then relaunch the browser.

6. Check Windows for high resource usage

   • Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
   • On the Processes tab, sort by CPU or Memory.
   • Look for apps using a large amount of resources while Edge is open.
   • Close programs you do not need, especially game launchers, video editors, cloud sync tools, and other browsers.
   • If your PC feels slow even outside Edge, disable unnecessary startup apps from Task Manager > Startup apps.

7. Reset Edge if the problem continues

   • In Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings.
   • Click Restore settings to their default values.
   • Confirm the reset.
   • This keeps your favorites but disables extensions and resets performance-related settings that may be causing problems.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

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