Microsoft Edge Browser Delayed Opening

Microsoft Edge (v111.01661.44 & newer) will not immediately open & displays a white screen for up to 60 seconds then opens or then it may display a connection has been interrupted refresh page, & finally load. Older versions of Edge (approx. v90 to 100) have been proven to work fine. Turning off all Avast components with the exception of the firewall makes no difference. Turn off the firewall & Edge works fine. All firewall rules for Edge browser are in place allowing internet access. I tried to do a Remote View with Avast Tech Support but while the remote connection was enabled Edge would not fail. I have the same basic installation of W11 and Avast on 3 more computers that work fine. Bottom line there seems to be a compatibility issue between the newer versions of Microsoft Edge and the recent versions of Avast Premium Security. HP ProBook 650 Laptop, older and & new installs Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Version 21H2 22000.1696 updated, Avast Premium Security (build 23.2.7961.780) updated.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions how to fix the problem?

Hi,

what happens if you choose firewall setting ‘Smart Mode’?
See here:
https://businesshelp.avast.com/Content/Resources/Images/Unmanaged_ConfigSettings/AvastAV_Firewall_Settings_1121x748.png

Because it seems there is a malfunction in Avast firewall.
If I choose mode ‘Ask’ Avast blocks Edge, even there are firewall rules that allow Edge internet connection.

dnzrzx34: When using Allow or Smart Mode - Edge will work normally for me. The Ask mode will about 90% of the time cause the long delay.

This updated post hopefully will benefit other forum members who may run into an issue like this. In this case Avast Firewall settings & Microsoft Edge browser have compatibility issues - at least on my particular Laptop. I was hoping for a permanent fix but with the constant Microsoft Edge updates happening 3 or 4 times a week I cannot get the browser to consistently open properly and still retain control of what programs are “requesting” access the internet. Because Avast Premium seems to work very well on 3 other computers I have decided to ditch the Edge browser and move on to another even though there were a lot of things I liked about it.

You need to reset all your rules if you want to use ASK mode… then it works, but you need to confirm/decline everything again, so there will be a lot of alerts…

EDIT: This helped me only until restart… after restart firewall in ASK mode is still blocking Edge and it’s not showing any prompt… just blocking it…

AVAST TEAM we need a fix ASAP please!

It seems MS Edge processes won’t close when Avast firewall is in ASK mode, you have to use Windows task manager.

Is there any investigation in the cause of this issue?

Have you tried to install the new version of Avast?
Version 23.6.6070 (compilation 23.6.8271.788)

This is happening to my new PC as soon as I installed Avast. Unfortunately, made the dumb decision to buy Avast Ultimate + Avast drive uploader instead of the combo Iobit+Norton which I use on all other machines and Edge is now worthless.
I haven’t tried other browsers but Avast Secure Browser but this is clear indication that Avast’s firewall does not work. It won’t allow a browser to go through when selection is as allowed, how can I be sure it will block what needs to be blocked when selection is as blocked?
Not sure if I will ask for a refund on this but most certainly will never purchase Avast products again.

That is a really good point! :frowning:

Is it set to private?

Avast New Version 23.6.6070 (build 23.6.8271.788) has made no improvement in my particular case. I waited about 2 minuets for Edge to open a Microsoft widget before I gave up on the test. Time to abandon Edge again.

Please answer the question, Is your NETWOK set to PRIVATE? or SECURE network?

I’d like to add that this appears to be a more widespread issue but not affecting every system and this spans accross multiple Avast! versions since near the end of the previous year.

I personally use Premium Security, but even virtual machines with Avast! Free show this issue with the Firewall, and yes I have it set to Ask prior to giving access, the local networks are set as ‘trusted’ and even with all the firewall rules set to ‘green’ it does not disappear.

This only occurs after the first boot of the OS, after a while it should be fine.
I’ve even tried reinstalling Edge and resetting it’s profiles etc. but it won’t solve the issue Avast! is causing to it.

I think it started to occur for me shortly after having the current system built with the 13th generation i9 13900K (system in signature).
My previous i7 3930K system running on Windows 10 aswell did not show this issue.

I know of another system with an 12th generation i5 12500 that does not display this problem with Avast! Free with Firewall set to Ask.
I have neither seen this problem occur on 4th generation i5 processors and 10th generation i5 10500 processors although those are set to ‘smart’ mode in firewall yet all are set to trust the network.

I’ve tested this several times with a clean install of Windows 10 22H2 in a virtual machine and it appears to be reproducible every time.

Something is not right with the way the Firewall is handling Edge.
I’ve even tried disabling Edge it’s ‘startup boost’ and disabling running the apps in the background when the browser is closed.
But to no avail to solve the issue.

Hope you can figure it out because this is starting to become a bit annoying.

Since you seem to be the only one complaining about this,
I’d dig deeper into your own settings. I’m not having that problem
and I’m not seeing any other complaints about this on the forum.

Trusted private network.

Hi, I have the same issue. Edge just doesn’t work properly, pages load after ages, keeps circling on the top tab and chrome works instantly, I have edge with ESET on my laptop and it works perfect.
I just installed AVAST couple days ago it was working fine as free, then I just upgrade to premium using the 60 free days and the issues started.

I tried to remove all the EDGE Rules, I saw there was Smart rule and 2 other IN OUT. then I use ASK to open edge from scratch (ending from task manager) then it ask for permission and it works fine. I tried ending again and it works

anyone have a new insight about the fix or any update from avast?

I am also experiencing the same issue of 2 different PCs. When the firewall is set to “Ask”, edge is somewhat blocked bu only for 1 or 2 minutes.

First of all I don’t use MS Edge, I don’t particularly like chromium based browsers (including Google Chrome) so I can’t speak from personal experience.

In all honesty you should start your own new topic as much will have changed in almost a year since the last post not just in Avast but also in Edge (a Chromium based browser).

That said - Personally I wonder why many are choosing the Ask mode in the Firewall, popular, common programs aren’t going to suffer. The idea of Smart Mode is to remove much of the hassle/interrogation by the firewall whilst still protecting the system.

Don’t loose sight of the fact that there other shields protecting your system, the File System Shield, Web Shield and also the Network Shield. These should limit and connections made by the system (etc.) both outbound and inbound.

I also don’t understand why Edge is getting hit as even in Ask Mode for Edge “Ask me to allow or block Internet connection for new Apps”, it isn’t a new App as such, unless it is changing so frequently as to require that interrogation.

I just wonder if you haven’t also got a restriction on Edge in the Network Shield ?