Microsoft Edge Running Slow on Windows 11? Here’s How to Fix It

Microsoft Edge, the default browser for Windows 11 and 10, is designed to deliver a fast and responsive browsing experience. Microsoft regularly updates the browser with performance improvements, security enhancements, and bug fixes. However, you may still find Microsoft Edge running slow on Windows 11, taking longer to start, lagging while scrolling, freezing briefly, or using unusually high CPU and memory. In some cases, websites may also load slowly even though the browser itself opens normally.

Slow Edge performance is often caused by corrupted cache and cookies, resource-hungry extensions, too many open tabs, outdated browser files, or a slow Windows 11 PC. A poor internet connection or Windows system file corruption can also make browsing feel sluggish. In this guide, you’ll learn the most effective ways to fix Microsoft Edge browser performance on Windows 11 and restore a faster, smoother browsing experience.

Why Microsoft Edge Is Running Slow

Several factors affect the performance and functionality of Microsoft Edge. Some of the most common ones include:

• Too many open tabs: Every open tab uses system memory and CPU resources. Keeping dozens of tabs open at once can make Edge slower, especially on PCs with limited RAM.
• Corrupted cache and cookies: Over time, cached files and cookies can become outdated or corrupted, causing websites to load slowly or the browser to respond sluggishly.
• Resource-intensive or faulty extensions: Browser extensions run in the background and consume system resources. A poorly optimized or incompatible extension can significantly reduce Edge’s performance.
• Outdated Microsoft Edge: Running an older version of Edge may lead to performance issues, bugs, or compatibility problems that have already been fixed in newer updates.
• High CPU or memory usage: Certain websites, browser tabs, or background processes may consume excessive CPU or RAM, making Edge feel slow and unresponsive.
• Hardware acceleration issues: Hardware acceleration normally improves performance by using your computer’s GPU. However, graphics driver problems or compatibility issues can sometimes have the opposite effect and cause lag or stuttering.
• Slow or unstable internet connection: If only websites are loading slowly while the browser itself responds normally, the problem is likely your internet connection, not Microsoft Edge.
• Corrupted Windows system files: Damaged Windows system files can affect the overall performance of your PC, making applications including Microsoft Edge run slower than expected.

Before trying the solutions below, restart your Windows 11 PC. A simple restart clears temporary system glitches, closes unnecessary background processes, and frees up memory that may be affecting Microsoft Edge’s performance. If Edge still feels slow after restarting, continue with the fixes below.

1. Update Microsoft Edge

Running an outdated version of Microsoft Edge can lead to slower performance, compatibility issues with modern websites, and bugs that have already been fixed in newer releases. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include performance improvements, security patches, and stability fixes, so installing the latest version is one of the easiest ways to improve browser performance.

To update Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to About Microsoft Edge.
4. Edge will automatically check for available updates and install them.
5. If an update is installed, click Restart to apply the changes.

After updating, use Edge for a few minutes to see if its performance has improved.

2. Close Unused Tabs and Disable Unnecessary Extensions

Having too many tabs open at once can consume a significant amount of memory and CPU resources, especially if several tabs contain videos, social media, or web applications that continue running in the background. Similarly, browser extensions run alongside Edge and can slow down browsing if they’re outdated, poorly optimized, or no longer needed.

Start by closing any tabs you’re not actively using. Then review your installed extensions and disable those you rarely use.

To disable extensions in Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu and select Extensions > Manage Extensions.
3. Turn off extensions you don’t need or click Remove to uninstall them.
4. Restart Microsoft Edge and check whether performance has improved.

3. Clear Microsoft Edge Cache and Cookies

Over time, Microsoft Edge stores cached images, files, and cookies to help websites load faster. However, if this data becomes outdated or corrupted, it can have the opposite effect, causing websites to load slowly, pages to behave unexpectedly, or the browser to feel less responsive. Clearing your browsing data removes these temporary files and allows Edge to create a fresh cache.

To clear the cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge:

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

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

4. Enable Startup Boost and Sleeping Tabs

Microsoft Edge includes built-in performance features that help improve browsing speed. Startup Boost keeps essential Edge processes running in the background so the browser opens faster, while Sleeping Tabs automatically puts inactive tabs to sleep, reducing CPU and memory usage without closing them. Enabling these features can noticeably improve performance, especially if you frequently keep multiple tabs open.

To enable Startup Boost and Sleeping Tabs:

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.
• Go to System and Performance > System
• Turn on Startup Boost.

• Again from System and performance -> performance enable automatically put tabs to sleep (unde memory section)

• Choose how long inactive tabs should remain open before they go to sleep, then restart Edge if prompted.

After enabling these features, use Edge normally for a while to check whether browsing feels smoother.

5. Check Hardware Acceleration Settings

Hardware acceleration allows Microsoft Edge to use your computer’s graphics processor (GPU) instead of relying entirely on the CPU. In most cases, this improves performance, especially when playing videos, scrolling through web pages, or using graphics-intensive websites. However, outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can sometimes cause lag, stuttering, or high resource usage.

If Edge feels slow, try changing the hardware acceleration setting to see if performance improves.

To adjust hardware acceleration in Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.
3. Go to System and Performance -> System
4. Find Use Hardware acceleration when available.
5. If it’s enabled, turn it Off and restart Edge. If it’s already disabled, turn it On instead.
6. Test Edge for a few minutes to see which setting provides better performance.

6. Repair Microsoft Edge

If Microsoft Edge continues to run slowly after trying the previous solutions, its program files may be damaged or incomplete. Windows includes a built-in repair option that reinstalls the browser while keeping your bookmarks, passwords, history, and other personal data intact. This can fix performance issues caused by corrupted browser files without requiring a full reset.

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 wait while Windows downloads and reinstalls the latest version of Edge.
• Restart your computer after the repair is complete.

Once the repair finishes, open Microsoft Edge and check whether it runs more smoothly. If the problem persists, move on to the next solution.

7. Run SFC and DISM Scans

If your Windows 11 PC is running slowly overall, Microsoft Edge may also feel sluggish. Corrupted or missing Windows system files can affect the performance and stability of built-in applications, including Edge. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can repair damaged system files and restore Windows components.

To run SFC and DISM:

1. Search for Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
3. Wait for the scan to complete and repair any corrupted files.
4. Next, run the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Once the scans finish, restart your computer.

After restarting, open Microsoft Edge and check whether its performance has improved. If the browser is still running slowly, try the final solution below.

8. Reset Microsoft Edge

If Microsoft Edge is still running slowly after trying the previous solutions, resetting the browser can help. This restores Edge to its default settings by disabling all extensions, resetting the startup page, search engine, and new tab page, and clearing temporary browser data. Your bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, and favorites are not removed.

To reset Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu and select Settings.
3. Go to Reset settings.
4. Click Restore settings to their default values.
5. Select Reset to confirm.

Once the reset is complete, restart Microsoft Edge and check whether its performance has improved. If Edge is still running slowly, the issue may be related to your Windows installation, graphics drivers, or another application running in the background rather than the browser itself.

Still Running Slow?

If Microsoft Edge is still running slowly after trying the solutions above, check for these less common causes:

• Test your internet connection or switch to a different network.
• Temporarily disconnect your VPN to see if browsing speed improves.
• Review your antivirus or internet security software, as web protection features can sometimes slow page loading.
• If only one website is slow, the problem may be with the website itself rather than Microsoft Edge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Amiush Palk

I am Amiush founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.

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