Is Edge browser causing Desktop freezes and abnormal Shutdowns?

iko22 · 22 Jul 2018

I do not know which forum to post this question.

This is a new computer build, and occasionally (like every 3 to 5 hours)

the desktop GUI freezes, or
the computer powers down on its own into a black screen (with no cursor)

I tried pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL or CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, but nothing works in either case. I have to restart the computer again to regain control again.

My first assumption was that the problem was caused by graphics card or memory issues. So I stressed the graphics card with a few games and I ran the Heaven Benchmark, but doing this has not replicated the problem. Next I did memtest, and that did not report any errors.
Up to this point I was solely using Edge browser. So, I decided to download and install Vivaldi browser. Since using Vivaldi browser the problem has gone away, and I get no desktop freezes or abnormal shutdowns. Start using Edge browser again, and sure enough, within a few hours the problems return again.
So what is it about Edge browser that is causing this problem? Is there a permanent fix?

dalchina · 22 Jul 2018

Hi, could you say what your Windows build is please?
Windows key +R, winver
Home or Pro?

Have you looked at your Reliability History (Reli in the Cortana search field)?
If so, explore the red x's related to the times when this has occurred... or if you prefer, note the time at which this freeze/shut down occurs, then check your Reliability History.

iko22 · 22 Jul 2018

Hello dalchina,
The OS build is 16299.492, Win 10 Pro (ie system two in ten forums my profile).

Yes I had been looking at the Reliability History. The window looks like this:

Is Edge browser causing Desktop freezes and abnormal Shutdowns?-windows-reliability-monitor.png

There many red circle with white cross. The days without such incidents are only because I was using Vivaldi browser and avoided the Edge browser.

Of the critical events, there are lots of messages saying:
Windows was not properly shut down
Windows stopped working
Shut down unexpectedly

Thing is, I cannot tell if the shutdowns were the incidents of desktop freezes and black screens that I am reporting. Or were the shutdowns just me pressing Reset trying to regain control of my computer again, after such incidents.

dalchina · 22 Jul 2018

I'm on 16299.547, and I too have been experiencing a specific sort of freeze since about the 14th I think. The taskbar locks up, mouse over taskbar => idler, whilst windows continue to respond. I cannot then end explorer or log off. This happens as you say every few hours, not apparently correlated with any specific event.

I've disabled quite a few shell extensions, and a number of other things via Autoruns progressively, so far without any definitive effect. Like you, I get explorer hang reports.

I guess I'm now beginning to wonder whether it's something I've installed in that time, or an update.

I suppose uninstalling updates would be a reasonable thing to try.

I don't use Edge, and have never installed Vivaldi. However, no reason to necessarily think this is related to yours.
I've not yet tried looking at the event log around the time of the freeze.

iko22 · 22 Jul 2018

The main critical event is showing as Event ID 41; source: kernel-power, system log. There are sixteen such events since 22 June.
Approx five minutes before the critical event, is DistributedCOM Level Error Event ID 10016. There are 788 of these over the same time period. So clearly there are more Event 10016 than there are Event 41's.

Immediately after the Event 41 there are

Warning Event 27 e1express Network link is disconnected.
Warning Event 51 Disk an error detected in a paging operation.
Error Event 6008 EventLog The previous shutdown was unexpected.
Error Event 1101 EventLog Audit events have been dropped by the transport. 0
about six more Event 10016's.
and
Warning Event 360 User Device Registration Windows Hello for Business provisioning will not be launched.

Again, there are a lot more of these Events than the occurrence of the Event 41's. Not sure if that makes the picture any clearer. I could try disabling things progressively, but I already know that the abnormal shutdowns happen only after using Edge. So it still sounds best to me to get rid of Edge, or at least, wait until Microsoft can come up with an appropriate Update. I could try IE11, as that uses a different search engine.
Thanks for your help.

dalchina · 22 Jul 2018

As your issue seems quite specific, I suggest you
a. Check your disk (disk/data corruption could give rise to problems):
E.g. Hard Disk Sentinel (trial) (very good) ; else HD Tune (Health tab and Error scan).

b. If ok, from an admin command prompt run
chkdsk c: /scan

c. If ok, run
SFC /SCANNOW

d. Recheck for problem.

e. If still present, reinstall Edge
Reinstall and Re-register Apps in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
(Search for Edge, follow instructions at at the TOP of the section and use the relevant command).

f. Try again.

Note: you can also try Edge without extenisons running:
Turn On or Off Extensions in Microsoft Edge | Windows 10 Tutorials

Caledon Ken · 22 Jul 2018

In reading this thread I noted OP said this was a new build. I certainly agree with the tests dalchina has proposed but would add on all new builds I always test / stress memory.

MemTest86+ - Test RAM

dalchina · 22 Jul 2018

Thanks.. I'm assuming "Next I did memtest, and that did not report any errors." in post #1 covered that, but worth checking.

Caledon Ken · 22 Jul 2018

My bad.

I would still run and for several iterations.

Thanks for catching.

iko22 · 22 Jul 2018

Yes, thank you. I'll give the disk checks a go. Ive started looking at disk sentinel (free) and HD Tune, as I am unfamiliar with these products.

I had done a memtest with the built-in windows memory diagnostic. I am tempted to give MemTest86+ a go, if I still cannot find any more clues.

It could be mid-week next week before I surface again ...