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How to Disable Video Autoplay in Microsoft Edge Browser

Key takeaways:

  • Autoplaying videos can be distracting and consume data unnecessarily
  • Microsoft Edge offers options to limit or block video autoplay
  • Blocking autoplay requires enabling an experimental flag in Edge settings

Autoplaying videos have become a common annoyance on many websites. They can be distracting, consume data unnecessarily, and even cause embarrassment if they start playing unexpectedly in a quiet environment. Fortunately, Microsoft Edge provides ways to control this behavior. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to disable video autoplay in Microsoft Edge.

Understanding Autoplay Settings in Edge

Microsoft Edge offers two main options for controlling video autoplay:

  1. Limit autoplay: This setting allows videos to autoplay, but without sound until you interact with the tab. It’s a good compromise if you don’t mind videos playing silently in the background.
  2. Block autoplay: This setting completely prevents videos from autoplaying. It’s the best choice if you find autoplay videos distracting or want to conserve data.

By default, Edge only provides the “Limit autoplay” option. To access the “Block autoplay” setting, you’ll need to enable an experimental flag. We’ll cover both methods below.

Limiting Video Autoplay in Edge

Here’s how to set Edge to limit video autoplay:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Settings from the menu.
  3. In the settings sidebar, click Cookies and site permissions.
  4. Scroll down and click Media autoplay under “Site permissions”.
  5. In the dropdown menu, select Limit.

That’s it! Edge will now limit video autoplay, allowing videos to play silently until you interact with the tab.

Blocking Video Autoplay Completely

If you want to block video autoplay entirely, you’ll need to enable an experimental flag in Edge. Here’s how:

  1. In the Edge address bar, type edge://flags and press Enter.
  2. In the search box at the top of the flags page, type “autoplay”.
  3. Find the flag labeled Show block option in autoplay settings and click the dropdown menu.
  4. Select Enabled and then click the Restart button that appears.
  5. Once Edge restarts, open the settings menu again and navigate to Cookies and site permissions > Media autoplay.
  6. The dropdown menu should now include a Block option. Select it to completely disable video autoplay.

Keep in mind that experimental flags may not always work as expected and could impact browser stability. However, the autoplay blocking flag has been available in Edge for some time and appears to be reliable.

Allowing Autoplay on Specific Sites

In some cases, you may want to allow video autoplay on certain sites, like YouTube or Netflix. Edge lets you whitelist specific sites to bypass your autoplay settings. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to Cookies and site permissions > Media autoplay in Edge settings.
  2. Under the “Allow” section, click the Add button.
  3. Type the URL of the site you want to allow autoplay for (e.g., https://www.youtube.com).
  4. Click Add to save the exception.

Repeat this process for any other sites you want to allow autoplay on.

Troubleshooting Autoplay Issues

If you’ve set Edge to block autoplay but still encounter sites where videos play automatically, there are a few things you can try:

  • Refresh the page: Some sites may require a page refresh before respecting your autoplay settings.
  • Check for site-specific settings: Some sites may offer their own autoplay controls. Look for options in the site’s settings or preferences.
  • Clear browser data: In rare cases, outdated browser data can interfere with autoplay settings. Try clearing your browsing data (especially cookies) for the problematic site.

If autoplay problems persist after trying these steps, consider reporting the issue to the website owner or Microsoft.

FAQ

Will disabling autoplay also stop ads from playing?

In most cases, yes. Blocking autoplay should prevent video-based ads from playing automatically. However, some sites may use alternative ad formats that bypass autoplay settings.

Can I disable autoplay for specific types of media, like audio or animations?

Edge’s autoplay settings apply to both video and audio. There’s no built-in way to control autoplay for other media types like animations. For more granular control, you may need to use a third-party extension or ad blocker.

Will my autoplay settings sync across devices?

If you’re signed in to a Microsoft account and have sync enabled, your autoplay settings should carry over to other devices where you use Edge. However, you may need to manually enable the autoplay blocking flag on each device.

Can websites override my autoplay settings?

In general, no. Websites should respect your browser’s autoplay settings. However, some sites may use unconventional methods to bypass these controls. If you encounter a site that consistently ignores your autoplay preferences, consider reporting it or using a content blocker extension for more strict control.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to take control of autoplaying videos in Microsoft Edge and browse with fewer distractions. Remember, you can always adjust your settings or allow autoplay on trusted sites to strike the right balance for your needs.

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