Microsoft Edge Not Loading Websites on Windows 11? 10 Ways to Fix It (2026)

Microsoft Edge may sometimes open normally but fail to load websites. Instead of displaying a webpage, you might see errors like “This site can’t be reached” or ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT. In some cases, the page keeps loading indefinitely, or websites open in other browsers (Chrome, Brave) but not in Microsoft Edge. This issue is usually caused by network connectivity issues, DNS problems, or corrupted browser cache. Again, incorrect proxy or VPN settings, problematic extensions, or temporary browser glitches are the reasons why Edge is not loading the website. Whatever the reason, here is how to fix it if Microsoft Edge is not loading websites on your PC.

Why Is Microsoft Edge Not Loading Websites?

If Microsoft Edge opens but won’t load webpages, the problem is usually related to your internet connection, browser settings, or Windows network configuration. Below are the most common reasons this happens:

• Your internet connection is unstable or unavailable: A weak or interrupted network connection can prevent Edge from loading websites or cause pages to load indefinitely.
• DNS issues: If your DNS server can’t translate a website’s domain name into its IP address, Edge may display errors such as ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED or fail to connect.
• Corrupted browser cache or cookies: Damaged cached files or outdated cookies can stop websites from loading properly or cause pages to display incorrectly.
• A VPN or proxy server is interfering with the connection: Incorrect VPN or proxy settings can block Edge from accessing websites or cause connection timeouts.
• Browser extensions are causing conflicts: Ad blockers, VPN extensions, privacy tools, or security extensions may block website content or interfere with page loading.
• The website is temporarily unavailable: Sometimes the issue isn’t with your browser. The website’s server may be down or undergoing maintenance.
• Firewall or antivirus software is blocking Edge: Security software may mistakenly prevent Microsoft Edge from connecting to the internet.

Let’s go through the solutions below to identify and fix the problem.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Before troubleshooting Microsoft Edge, make sure your internet connection is working properly. A temporary network outage or unstable Wi-Fi connection can prevent websites from loading and trigger connection errors.

Here’s how to check:

1. Open another browser, such as Google Chrome or Firefox, and try visiting the same website.
2. If the website doesn’t load in any browser, the problem is likely with your internet connection rather than Microsoft Edge.
3. Restart your Wi-Fi router or modem and wait a few minutes for it to reconnect.
4. If you’re using Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or try switching to a wired Ethernet connection.
5. Open Microsoft Edge again and check if websites load normally.

If your internet connection is working but websites still won’t load in Microsoft Edge only, continue to the next solution.

2. Check if the Website Is Down

Sometimes the problem isn’t with Microsoft Edge at all. The website you’re trying to visit may be temporarily unavailable due to server maintenance, an outage, or high traffic.

To verify this:

1. Try opening a few different websites in Microsoft Edge.
2. Open the same website in another browser or on your phone using mobile data.
3. If the website doesn’t load anywhere, it’s likely experiencing a temporary outage.
4. Wait a while and try accessing the website again later.

If only one website is unavailable while others load normally, there’s nothing you need to fix in Microsoft Edge. However, if multiple websites won’t load only in Edge, continue with the next solution.

3. Clear Microsoft Edge Cache and Cookies

Corrupted cache files or outdated cookies can prevent websites from loading properly and may cause connection errors or pages to get stuck while loading. Clearing your browsing data forces Edge to download fresh website files.

To clear the cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu.
2. Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
3. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
4. Set the Time range to All time.
5. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
6. Click Clear now.
7. Restart Microsoft Edge and try loading the website again.

Note: Clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites, but it won’t delete your bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

4. Flush the DNS Cache

If Microsoft Edge is showing errors like ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED or websites fail to load after changing your network, the local DNS cache may be outdated or corrupted. Flushing the DNS cache forces Windows to retrieve fresh DNS records.

To flush the DNS cache:

1. Press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
3. Wait until you see the message Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
4. Restart Microsoft Edge and try opening the website again.

5. Change Your DNS Server

If your ISP’s DNS server is slow or temporarily unavailable, Microsoft Edge may fail to load websites or display DNS-related errors. Switching to a reliable public DNS service can often improve website load times and resolve connection issues.

To change your DNS server:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet and select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Click Hardware properties -> Next to DNS server assignment and select Edit.
4. Choose Manual, enable IPv4, and enter one of the following DNS servers:
   • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
   • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
5. Save the changes and restart Microsoft Edge.

If websites still won’t load, continue with the next solution.

6. Disable VPN or Proxy Settings

A VPN or proxy server can sometimes prevent Microsoft Edge from connecting to websites, especially if the server is unavailable, misconfigured, or blocking certain connections. Temporarily disabling these services can help determine whether they’re causing the issue.

To disable a VPN or proxy:

1. Disconnect any VPN application you’re currently using.
2. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
3. Go to Network & Internet> Proxy.
4. Turn off Use a proxy server if it’s enabled.
5. Restart Microsoft Edge and try loading the website again.

If disabling the VPN or proxy resolves the problem, review its settings or try connecting to a different server before enabling it again.

7. Disable Microsoft Edge Extensions

Extensions can sometimes interfere with website loading, especially ad blockers, VPN extensions, privacy tools, and security add-ons. Temporarily disabling them can help determine whether an extension is causing the problem.

To disable Edge extensions:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu.
2. Select Extensions > Manage extensions.
3. Turn off all installed extensions.
4. Restart Microsoft Edge and try loading the website again.
5. If the issue is resolved, enable the extensions one at a time until you identify the one causing the problem.

Once you’ve found the problematic extension, update it, remove it, or replace it with a trusted alternative.

8. Reset Microsoft Edge

If Microsoft Edge still isn’t loading websites, its settings or user data may have become corrupted. Resetting the browser restores its default settings without deleting your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords.

To reset Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu.
2. Go to Settings > Reset settings.
3. Click Restore settings to their default values.
4. Select Reset to confirm.
5. Restart Microsoft Edge and check if websites load normally.

Note: Resetting Edge disables extensions and restores the default startup page, new tab page, search engine, and other browser settings. Your favorites, passwords, and browsing history will remain intact.

9. Reset Windows Network Settings

If Microsoft Edge is still unable to load websites, the problem may be caused by a corrupted Windows network configuration. Performing a network reset reinstalls your network adapters and restores network settings to their default values.

To reset network settings:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
3. Click Network reset.
4. Select Reset now and confirm the action.
5. Restart your computer after the reset is complete.

Note: A network reset removes saved Wi-Fi networks and reinstalls your network adapters. Make sure you know your Wi-Fi password before proceeding.

10. Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Edge

If none of the previous solutions work, Microsoft Edge’s installation may be corrupted. Repairing or reinstalling the browser replaces damaged files and can resolve persistent website loading issues.

To repair Microsoft Edge:

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Go to Apps > Installed apps.
• Find Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu, and select Modify.

• Click Repair and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Restart your computer and test Edge again.

Note: On some versions of Windows, the Repair option may not be available because Microsoft Edge is a built-in component. In that case, update Windows to the latest version or use the official Edge installer to reinstall the browser.

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