edge will not open

The error message you are encountering, "error on line 1 at column 1: Start tag expected, '<' not found," typically indicates that the browser is trying to parse a document that is not valid HTML or XML. This can happen if the content being loaded does not start with a proper HTML tag, or if there is an issue with the file being accessed.

Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot this issue:

1. Check the URL: Ensure that the URL you are trying to access is correct and points to a valid HTML page.
2. Clear Cache: Sometimes, cached data can cause issues. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies.
3. Disable Extensions: Browser extensions can sometimes interfere with page loading. Try disabling them temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
4. Try a Different Browser: If the issue persists, try accessing the same URL in a different browser to determine if the problem is specific to Microsoft Edge.
5. Update Microsoft Edge: Ensure that you are using the latest version of Microsoft Edge, as updates can fix bugs and improve performance.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider checking for any known issues with Microsoft Edge that might be affecting your browsing experience.

References:

• Internet Explorer (IE) mode troubleshooting and FAQ
• Microsoft Edge known issues
• Edge: End of support for Edge Legacy
• HTML Basics

Hi Charles,

That message means Edge tried to read a file as XML but the file is corrupted or not in the right format. The fastest way to fix this is to repair Microsoft Edge.

Close Edge if it is open.

Press Windows+I to open Settings. Go to Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft Edge. Select the three dots next to it then choose Modify, pick Repair and confirm. Let the repair complete, then launch Edge again.

Tell me what happens after the repair. If the error persists, share any new message you see and which Windows version you use so I can guide you next.