Edge is Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser that comes preinstalled in Windows 10. The majority of users have started using it for searching the web and of course for watching videos on YouTube
Some users report that YouTube videos are not playing in Microsoft Edge. Different users facing different issues the list includes:
- YouTube videos not loading in Edge
- YouTube videos showing the black screen in Edge
- An error occurred while playing YouTube videos on Edge
- YouTube videos have no sound, no video, and not showing in Edge
- Microsoft Edge crashes when you watch YouTube Videos on Full screen
- YouTube video loading slowly in Edge browser
- The crackling sound coming while watching YouTube videos in the Edge browser
If you’re facing any other YouTube issues, then let us know in the comments. Let’s continue the blog post.
Fix – YouTube videos not playing in Microsoft Edge
If you made upto this blog post, then you’re also facing issues in playing YouTube videos in the Microsoft Edge browser.
No matter, what issue you’re facing in this blog post, we will share with you all the possible ways on how to fix the issue:
Disable Hardware Acceleration
Launch Edge browser and then click Ellipse (…) icon and select Settings.

Switch to System tab and then on the right side, turn off the option that reads “Use hardware acceleration when available“.
Click on the Restart button to apply the changes.
Apart from that, if Hardware acceleration is already turned OFF, then turn it ON and check if this fixes the issue.
Set Tracking Prevention to Balanced
Launch Microsoft Edge and then click Ellipse (…) icon and select Settings.
Switch to Privacy, Search and Services and then on the right side, select the Tracking Prevention to Balanced.

Restart your browser to apply the changes.
Clear Browsing Data
Launch Microsoft Edge and then click Ellipse (…) icon and select Settings.
Switch to Privacy, Search, and Services and then head over to the Clear browsing data section and then click on Choose what to clear.

A dialog box will open, here choose Time range to All time and then check boxes for all the options, click on Clear now button.
Once done, relaunch browser and check if this fixes the issue.
Reset Microsoft Edge
Launch Microsoft Edge and then click Ellipse (…) icon and select Settings.

Switch to Reset Settings and then on the right side, click on “Restore settings to their default values” and then click the Reset button to confirm the action.
Once done, relaunch the browser and check if you’re able to watch YouTube videos.
Disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Edge
Launch Microsoft Edge and then click Ellipse (…) icon and select Settings.

Switch to Privacy, Search, and Services, and then on the right side head over to the Security section. Under this, turn OFF this “Microsoft Defender SmartScreen” option.
After doing this, if you’re able to play YouTube videos in Edge, then count it as temporary solution because Defender SmartScreen helps protect users from malicious sites and downloads.
Watch Videos in Edge InPrivate Window
Launch Microsoft Edge and then click Ellipse (…) icon and select New InPrivate windows.
Here, visit YouTube and check if you’re able to play videos. If Yes, then it is possible that some extension is causing the issue.
Head over to this page edge://extensions/
, here you will find list of all the extension installed in browser. Turn off extension one by one and check if this fixes the issue.
Many users reported that after removing AdBlock or similar extensions they fixed the issue.
Check Volume Mixer
While playing YouTube videos if the sound is not coming, then it is possible that the sound is off for the browser. Here’s how you can check that:
Right-click on the Volume icon on the Taskbar and select Volume Mixer from the menu.

Here, you will find Microsoft Edge and make sure that Volume level is ON or full.
Use Edge Canary
In case, you’re facing an issue while playing YouTube videos in Edge browser and the methods discussed above fails to fix the issue, then we suggest you to download and install Edge browser in Canary.
Edge Canary is updated daily by the Microsoft with new features and bug fixes. Until, your issue is fixed you can use it enjoy flawless experience.
These are possible solutions that mostly fix YouTube videos not playing in Microsoft Edge. In case, we missed to cover any other solution that helps you in fixing the issue, then feel free to share with us in the comments.