WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps used by billions of people around the world. It allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, share photos and videos, and more. While WhatsApp works seamlessly on most devices and browsers, many users have reported issues using WhatsApp Web on the Microsoft Edge browser.
What is WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp Web is the web browser version of the WhatsApp app. It mirrors conversations and messages from your phone, allowing users to continue conversations seamlessly between their phone and PC. This convenient feature is used by many to message from their computers without picking up their phones.
To use WhatsApp Web, users need to open web.whatsapp.com in their browser and scan the QR code using the WhatsApp app on their phone. This pairs the phone to the WhatsApp Web session. The user can then access all their WhatsApp chats and contacts through the browser. calls and messages continue to send to the user’s phone as normal.
Why is WhatsApp Not Working on Microsoft Edge?
There are a few key reasons why many users face issues using WhatsApp Web on Microsoft Edge:
Compatibility Issues
One of the main reasons is compatibility issues between WhatsApp Web and Microsoft Edge. WhatsApp Web is designed to work best on Google Chrome. Since Edge and Chrome use different browser engines, there may be some conflicts that prevent WhatsApp Web from loading properly on Edge.
Cookies and Cache Problems
Microsoft Edge and WhatsApp Web may not be able to communicate properly to sync cookies and cache data. This can cause login and QR code scanning issues. Clearing cookies and cache could help resolve it, but the problem may persist.
Extension Conflicts
Some Microsoft Edge extensions, like AdBlockers, Privacy Badger, or tracker blockers may block essential WhatsApp Web resources and code from loading. This can break features or cause connectivity issues. Disabling these extensions may help.
Outdated Edge Browser
If you are running an outdated version of Edge, it may not be able to support WhatsApp Web properly. Make sure you are running the latest version of Edge to see if it resolves any bugs or glitches.
VPNs and Proxy Settings
Using VPNs or proxy servers can also interfere with WhatsApp Web connectivity. The proxy may not tunnel WhatsApp traffic properly causing drops in connectivity. Try disabling the VPN or proxy to see if it fixes the issue.
Poor Internet Connection
Like any web app, WhatsApp requires a stable internet connection to run smoothly. Check that you don’t have weak Wi-Fi signals, intermittent ISP issues or data connectivity problems which could disrupt WhatsApp Web usage.
Steps to Fix WhatsApp Web Issues on Edge
If you are struggling to get WhatsApp Web working properly on Microsoft Edge, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issues:
1. Update Edge to the Latest Version
Make sure you are running the most up-to-date version of Microsoft Edge. Outdated browsers could have compatibility bugs and performance issues that disrupt WhatsApp Web.
2. Clear Cache and Cookies
Open Edge settings and clear out browser data, cookies and cached files. This will wipe any corrupted data that could be disrupting WhatsApp connectivity.
3. Disable Extensions Temporarily
Try disabling any Edge extensions and addons that could interfere with WhatsApp Web. Re-enable them one by one to isolate any problematic extensions.
4. Allow WhatsApp Web Notifications
Make sure notifications are enabled for WhatsApp Web in your Edge browser settings. Disabled notifications can cause connectivity issues.
5. Scan QR Code From Phone App
Instead of scanning the QR code from Edge, try scanning it directly from your phone’s WhatsApp app. This builds a fresh connection.
6. Disable VPN or Proxy Settings
If you are using a VPN or proxy service, try disabling it and accessing WhatsApp Web with your normal internet connection to isolate any VPN-related issues.
7. Try WhatsApp Desktop App
If WhatsApp Web has persistent issues, try using the official WhatsApp Desktop app instead. It may have better Edge integration and performance.
8. Reset WhatsApp Web Devices
You can logout of all devices on WhatsApp Web by going to WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices > Logout From All Devices. Then reconnect your Edge browser.
9. Use Different Browser Temporarily
As a temporary fix, use WhatsApp Web on a different browser like Chrome or Firefox where it is known to have better compatibility.
Best Browsers for WhatsApp Web
While the steps above may help resolve Edge issues with WhatsApp Web, switching browsers could also fix compatibility problems. Here are the best browsers for using WhatsApp Web:
| Browser | Details |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | WhatsApp Web is optimized primarily for Chrome, giving the best performance and compatibility. |
| Mozilla Firefox | Firefox has robust support for web apps and works very well with WhatsApp Web. |
| Opera | Based on Chrome, Opera is another excellent option for using WhatsApp Web smoothly. |
| Brave | Brave browser blocks ads and trackers that may disrupt WhatsApp Web usage. |
| Vivaldi | Vivaldi offers a feature-rich browsing experience while handling WhatsApp Web with no issues. |
Conclusion
While Microsoft Edge has significantly improved recently, it still seems to have intermittent issues and bugs with WhatsApp Web performance compared to Chrome and Firefox. If the troubleshooting steps don’t help get WhatsApp working properly, temporarily switching to another browser is your best solution.
Hopefully, Microsoft will continue to improve Edge’s compatibility with web apps like WhatsApp so users don’t have to change browsers. But for now, the alternatives like Chrome and Firefox are more reliable for accessing WhatsApp from your desktop. With browsers offering easy migration, you can always switch back to Edge after an update fixes any WhatsApp Web problems.