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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To allow Microsoft Edge through the Windows firewall, add or enable Edge in Windows’ Allowed apps list. You do not normally need to open port 80 or 443, and disabling the firewall is not a safe fix.
The steps below apply to Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 and Windows 10. They also explain what to check when Edge is already allowed but websites still will not load.
Allow Microsoft Edge through the firewall in Windows 11
- Open Start and select Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security > Windows Security.
- Select Firewall & network protection.
- Select Allow an app through firewall.
- Select Change settings. Windows may request administrator approval.
- Find Microsoft Edge in the list.
- Select the Private and/or Public checkbox.
- Select OK.
If Edge is not listed, use the Allow another app option described below.
Allow Microsoft Edge through the firewall in Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Update & Security > Windows Security.
- Select Firewall & network protection.
- Select Allow an app through firewall.
- Select Change settings.
- Find Microsoft Edge.
- Select Private, Public, or both.
- Select OK.
Some Control Panel screens may still say Windows Defender Firewall. This is the older name for the same Windows firewall system.
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Should you select Private or Public?
Choose the checkbox that matches the network on which Edge needs access:
| Profile | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Private | You are connected to a trusted home or office network. |
| Public | You are connected to an untrusted or public network, such as Wi-Fi in a hotel, airport, or café. |
| Both | Edge must be allowed on both trusted and public networks. This is broader than necessary if you only need one profile. |
Windows classifies networks as Domain, Private, or Public. New networks in Windows 11 are normally classified as Public by default. A Private network is intended for networks you trust and makes your PC more discoverable to other devices.
For ordinary web browsing, selecting an Edge checkbox is often unnecessary. Windows Firewall allows outbound connections by default unless an explicit outbound rule blocks them. If Edge cannot reach websites, the cause may instead be a proxy, DNS problem, VPN, antivirus product, or organization policy.
What to do if Microsoft Edge is not listed
- Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
- Select Change settings.
- Select Allow another app.
- Select Browse.
- Locate the Edge executable, select it, and select Open.
- Select Add.
- Select the required Private and/or Public checkbox.
- Select OK.
The standard Edge executable is commonly located at:
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C:Program Files (x86)MicrosoftEdgeApplicationmsedge.exeInstallation paths can differ between computers. Use Browse to find the actual msedge.exe instead of assuming this path exists.
Use the main Edge executable, not a version-folder copy
Edge stores files in version-numbered folders below its installation directory. A firewall rule pointing to one of those version-specific executables can stop working after Edge updates.
When adding Edge manually, use the main executable in the Application folder:
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C:Program Files (x86)MicrosoftEdgeApplicationmsedge.exeA version-specific executable should only be used when an administrator deliberately needs a version-pinned rule.
Check for an outbound rule blocking Edge
If Edge is already allowed but still cannot connect, check whether a separate outbound rule is blocking it:
- Open Start and search for Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
- Open the result.
- Select Outbound Rules in the left pane.
- Look for a rule whose program path points to
msedge.exe. - Check for an enabled rule with an action of Block.
Only disable or modify a blocking rule if you know why it exists and have permission to change it. On a work-managed computer, the rule may be intentional.
Repair a previous “No” response to a firewall prompt
If you previously selected No or canceled a Windows firewall prompt for Edge, Windows may have created a blocking rule. That rule can continue blocking Edge even after you add an allowed-app entry.
Check the inbound and outbound rules in Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security for rules associated with msedge.exe. A local administrator may need to remove or modify the blocking rule before Edge can connect normally.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCheck Windows proxy settings
A proxy that is configured incorrectly can make Edge look as if it has no network access, even when the firewall allows it.
- Open Start > Settings.
- Go to Network & internet > Proxy.
- Review Automatically detect settings.
- Check whether Use setup script is enabled.
- Check whether Use a proxy server is enabled.
Do not remove a work or school proxy without authorization. If the network requires it, disabling the proxy can prevent access rather than restore it.
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Reset the Windows network stack
If the firewall settings are correct and Edge still cannot connect, reset Winsock, TCP/IP, the IP lease, and the DNS cache:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt.
- Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
- Run these commands in order:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsRestart Windows after running the commands, then test Edge again.
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If you suspect that the firewall rules are corrupted or incorrectly configured, you can reset the Windows Firewall configuration from an elevated Command Prompt:
netsh advfirewall resetThis resets firewall settings and can remove locally configured rules. Do not use it casually on a work or school computer. Back up any organization-specific firewall configuration first, and confirm that you are authorized to reset it.
Repair or reset Microsoft Edge
Allowing Edge through Windows Firewall does not repair a damaged browser profile or installation. Try these separate Edge fixes if the browser itself is malfunctioning.
Reset Edge settings
- Open Edge.
- Enter
edge://settings/resetin the address bar. - Select Restore settings to their default values.
This changes browser settings; it does not create a firewall exception.
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Repair the Edge installation
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge.
- Select the three-dot menu and choose Modify.
- Select Repair.
Microsoft’s repair process is designed to preserve browser data and settings. The Modify option may not be available on organization-managed installations.
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When a website cannot access a printer, router, or localhost
A website’s inability to reach a printer, router, NAS, localhost, or another device on your local network is a separate issue from allowing the Edge application through Windows Firewall.
Newer Edge versions have a separate Local Network Access permission system. Local Network Access restrictions began shipping by default in Microsoft Edge 143. They can affect requests to local-network and localhost destinations, including fetch() requests, subresources, and navigations in subframes.
To review the setting in Edge:
- Select Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Go to Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions.
- Select Local network access.
- Turn on Ask before accessing (recommended).
When a trusted website asks to access a local device, respond to the permission prompt. Allowing msedge.exe through Windows Firewall does not automatically grant that website Local Network Access permission.
Managed Edge installations
Administrators can exempt trusted website origins from Local Network Access checks with the LocalNetworkAccessAllowedForUrls policy. In Group Policy, the path is:
Administrative Templates/Microsoft Edge/Network settingsThe corresponding registry path is:
SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdgeLocalNetworkAccessAllowedForUrlsEach allowed origin uses a separate numbered REG_SZ value, such as:
SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdgeLocalNetworkAccessAllowedForUrls1Only trusted origins should be added. This policy is intended for controlled local-communication scenarios, not for broadly allowing every website to access private network devices.
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If Change settings is disabled, the checkboxes cannot be changed, or the rules return after you edit them, the computer may be managed by an organization. Group Policy, Intune, endpoint-security software, a third-party firewall, or a centrally managed network firewall can control or override local settings.
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Contact the administrator instead of repeatedly changing local rules. You may not have permission to alter the configuration, and an enforced rule may be protecting the organization’s network.
Do not open a port or turn off the firewall
Opening a port is not the normal solution for Edge’s internet access. An allowed-app exception identifies the application, while an open port can remain available independently of whether Edge is running. Microsoft recommends using an app exception when it is sufficient because opening ports is broader.
Turning off Windows Firewall is also not a proper fix. It removes protections rather than creating a controlled exception. If disabling it appears to solve the problem, turn it back on and investigate the actual block, such as an outbound rule, proxy, VPN, DNS failure, or third-party security product.
FAQ
Does Microsoft Edge normally need a firewall exception to browse the internet?
Usually not. Edge normally makes outbound connections, and Windows Firewall allows outbound traffic by default unless an explicit outbound block rule exists. An exception may still be needed if a rule or security product specifically blocks Edge.
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Should I allow Edge on Private or Public networks?
Select Private for trusted home or office networks and Public for networks such as cafés, hotels, and airports. Select both only when Edge must work under both profiles.
What should I do if Microsoft Edge is missing from Allowed apps?
Select Change settings, choose Allow another app, browse to the actual msedge.exe file, select Add, and then choose the required network profiles. The common path is C:Program Files (x86)MicrosoftEdgeApplicationmsedge.exe.
Will allowing Edge through the firewall let a website access my printer or localhost?
No. Windows Firewall permission for Edge and Edge’s Local Network Access permission are separate. A website may still need permission to access a local printer, router, NAS, or localhost.
Is it safe to open port 443 for Microsoft Edge?
Opening a port is not the normal fix for browser access and is broader than an application exception. Investigate outbound rules, proxy settings, DNS, VPN, and security software instead.
Why can’t I change the Edge firewall checkbox?
The computer may be managed by Group Policy, Intune, endpoint-security software, a third-party firewall, or another central configuration. Contact your administrator if the settings are locked.
The Bottom Line
Use Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall, enable Microsoft Edge only for the network profiles you need, and select OK. If Edge is already allowed, adding more permissions is unlikely to help: check outbound block rules, proxy settings, VPN or security software, and DNS. Do not open a port or disable Windows Firewall for ordinary Edge browsing.
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