- Microsoft Edge’s Game Assist Feature helps you browse the web without leaving your favorite game.
- Once enabled, Game Assist is available from the Windows 11 Game Bar (“Win + G”).
- The feature is not yet available on all devices and requires the latest version of Edge to work.
Looking up the latest strategies and pro guides in your favorite game can be quite a hassle in the middle of a match. Additionally, many browsers use a lot of PC resources, so they can cause lag or stuttering. Edge’s Game Assist feature can solve this by bringing a browser straight into every game you play.
Here’s how to set up Microsoft Edge Game Assist and make the most out of the option.
Part 1 – Set Up Microsoft Edge Game Assist in Your Browser
Before you can use the feature, you need to have a few vital prerequisites met.
First off, your PC needs to be running on some of the latest version of Windows 11. Officially, Game Assist is available on Edge on Windows 22H2 versions and newer, but for the best results, we recommend installing the 24H2 patch.
Secondly, you need to have the Game Bar enabled for your device. By default, this option is turned on, and you can check if it works by pressing “Win + G.” This shortcut will display the Windows Game Bar and its associated apps.
After that, enabling the Game Assist feature is fairly straightforward.
Step 1. Open Edge and go to “Settings and more” (click on the three dots icon in the top-right corner or use “Alt + F”), then choose “Settings.”
Step 2. Go to the “Appearance” tab on the left and scroll down a bit until you see “Game Assist” (or “Game Assist (Preview)”) on the screen.
Step 3. Click on “Install widget” for that option and wait for the process to complete.
That’s pretty much it. The Game Assist option is ready to go.
Part 2 – How to Use Microsoft Edge Game Assist
After the setup, using the feature is fairly straightforward. Whenever you’re in a game, opening the Game Bar with “Win + G” will also pop up a new, smaller version of the traditional Edge browser. This browser also comes with stock tabs for Spotify, Discord, and Twitch, allowing you to seamlessly switch between your most-needed apps while you’re busy gaming.
Furthermore, Windows 11 will automatically detect some of the games you’re playing. When you launch Game Assist for the first time for a particular game, the Edge browser in the Game Bar will come preloaded with search suggestions based on that game, such as guides, walkthroughs, or community servers.
As such, you don’t have to leave the game itself to solve a problem you’re having, and the Game Bar uses less PC resources (RAM and CPU time), which should improve performance compared to running a browser separately.
The Game Bar also comes with useful tools to measure current CPU usage, framerate, and graphics card use, as well as a audio changing settings.
Limitations of Game Assist
Due to running on a separate, truncated application, the Game Assist version of Edge lacks some features such as link right-click support, image previews, or certain keyboard shortcuts. The widget will also usually close if you’re inactive for a while.
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- Run the Printer troubleshooter from Windows Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Reset Microsoft Edge settings from the three-dot menu > Settings > Reset settings.
Basic Fixes
- Disable Edge Extensions: Click the three-dot menu at the top right of Microsoft Edge and select Extensions > Manage extensions. Toggle off the installed extensions to disable them.
- Update or Reinstall Microsoft Edge: Open the Microsoft Store, search for Microsoft Edge Browser, and click Update (if available). Alternatively, uninstall Edge from Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
Fix 1: Manually Set a Default Printer
If Microsoft Edge isn’t responding when you select your desired printer, you can manually set the default printer in Windows Settings so Edge can automatically use it for printing.
Step 1: Press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Devices , and click Printers & scanners .
Step 2: Select your desired printer from the list to open its settings.
Step 3: Click Set as default to set it as your default printer. Retry printing in Microsoft Edge.
Fix 2: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
If your connected printer stops responding when you try to print a webpage via Microsoft Edge, an existing glitch is causing the issue. Run the Windows built-in troubleshooter to fix it.
Step 1: Open the Windows Settings app, select System , and click Troubleshoot .
Step 2: Scroll down and select Other troubleshooters .
Step 3: Click Run next to Printer to launch its troubleshooter. Wait a few seconds for Windows 11 to automatically resolve the printing issue.
Fix 3: Switch Between ‘Print to PDF’ and ‘Save as PDF’
The Print feature in Microsoft Edge provides two different options to save your webpage as a PDF . If the browser becomes unresponsive while using one, you can switch to the second alternative to save your webpage as PDF.
Step 1: Right-click your desired webpage in Microsoft Edge and select Print .
Step 2: Choose Save PDF or Microsoft Print to PDF to effortlessly save your document as a PDF.
Fix 4: Reinstall Printer Drivers
Corrupt printer drivers can lead to issues with Microsoft Edge’s printing function. Reinstall the printer drivers from the Device Manager app and try again.
Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power User Menu, and select Device Manager .
Step 2: Expand Print queues , right-click your connected printer, and select Uninstall device .
Step 3: Restart your PC to let Windows 11 automatically install the compatible printer drivers.
Fix 5: Restart the Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler service manages printing documents on Windows. An existing issue with it can halt the print queue and make Microsoft Edge unresponsive. Restart it manually from the Services window to restore normalcy.
Step 1: Press the Windows key , search Services , and click Run as administrator .
Step 2: Locate the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select Restart . Retry printing your document from Microsoft Edge.
Fix 6: Reset Microsoft Edge to Default Settings
Lastly, reset the Edge browser to its default settings, clearing any misconfiguration that makes it unresponsive when printing.
Step 1: Click the three-dot menu at the top right of Microsoft Edge and select Settings .
Step 2: Select Reset settings from the sidebar and click Restore settings to their default values .
Step 3: Click Reset when prompted to confirm.
