The Brave browser has quickly become a favorite among privacy-conscious users due to its speed, ad-blocking features, and secure browsing capabilities. But even powerful browsers like Brave aren't immune to issues. If you're reading this, chances are you're dealing with Brave not working on Windows 10.
Whether it freezes, refuses to open, crashes randomly, or fails after a system update, these problems can be frustrating. This guide will walk you through the best ways to fix Brave not working on Windows 10 quickly and efficiently—no tech expertise required.
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why Brave not working on Windows 10 even happens. Here are some common culprits:
🧩 Recent Windows updates
⚠️ Corrupted browser data
🐞 Software bugs or conflicts
🛑 Outdated Brave version
🔒 Security or firewall blocks
Knowing the cause can help you narrow down the right fix.
It might sound simple, but a restart can do wonders. If Brave not working on Windows 10, a quick reboot may resolve temporary system glitches that are blocking the browser.
🟢 Tip: Always restart your system before attempting more advanced troubleshooting.
One of the first things to try when brave not working on windows 10 is clearing your browser cache and temp files. Overloaded data can cause performance lags or even prevent the browser from launching.
Open Brave (if it launches)
Navigate to settings
Choose to clear browsing data
Select cached files, cookies, and history
Restart the browser
If Brave doesn’t open, skip to the next solution.
Sometimes, Brave not working on Windows 10 can be a compatibility issue. Use Windows’ built-in troubleshooter to resolve it.
Right-click the Brave shortcut on your desktop
Click "Properties"
Go to the "Compatibility" tab
Click “Run compatibility troubleshooter”
Follow the prompts and test the recommended settings
This is a handy fix, especially if brave not working on windows 10 after update.
Running an outdated version might be the root cause of brave not working on windows 10. Updates contain important bug fixes and performance improvements.
If you can open Brave:
Click on the hamburger menu (≡)
Go to "About Brave"
Let the browser update automatically
If Brave doesn’t open at all, consider downloading the latest installer directly and reinstalling.
At times, antivirus or firewall programs may interfere with browser functionality. If Brave not working on Windows 10 even after updates, try disabling security programs temporarily to check if they’re the cause.
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious while doing this. Disable for a short time and re-enable after testing.
Sometimes extensions or corrupted profiles cause the issue. If you suspect this, try launching Brave in Incognito or Private mode.
To do this:
Right-click on the Brave shortcut
Select “New Incognito Window” if available
If the browser works in this mode, the problem is likely with an extension or cached data.
A clean reinstall might be your best bet if brave not working on windows 10 fix attempts have failed.
Uninstall Brave via Control Panel
Delete any leftover Brave folders from AppData and Program Files
Restart your system
Download and install the latest version
This method helps resolve most stubborn issues like brave not working on windows 10 after update.
Some issues are tied to faulty DNS settings or proxy configurations, especially after a Windows update.
Resetting network settings can resolve these:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Type the following commands one at a time:
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
Restart your device
This has helped many users when brave not working on windows 10 after a major system change.
It might sound unrelated, but corrupted user profiles can also cause apps like Brave to malfunction. Creating a new user account can help you test if the issue is system-wide or user-specific.
Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users
Add a new user without a Microsoft account
Log into the new account and launch Brave
If it works, you’ll know the original profile is likely corrupted.
Corrupt system files might block Brave from running. Use Windows’ built-in System File Checker:
Open Command Prompt as Admin
Type sfc /scannow
Let the scan complete and follow any prompts
This tool has helped resolve cases where brave browser not working windows 11 or 10 after system updates.
Even after fixing the issue, you can take precautions to avoid it recurring:
Keep Brave updated regularly
Avoid installing too many extensions
Back up your Brave profile
Use trusted antivirus software
Keep Windows updates managed (pause if needed)
If you recently experienced issues like brave not working on windows 10 after update, delaying non-essential updates until Brave confirms compatibility may help.
Experiencing Brave not working on Windows 10 can be incredibly annoying, especially when it interrupts work or personal browsing. Thankfully, there are many easy and effective solutions to get Brave back on track quickly.
Whether it's clearing cached files, reinstalling the browser, or tweaking system settings, most problems can be resolved without professional help. Keep this guide handy, especially if you run into similar issues like brave not working on windows 10 after update, or are planning a system upgrade that may affect browser performance.
Now that you’ve walked through every step, you should be able to solve brave not working on windows 10 fix concerns with confidence. Don’t forget to monitor your browser’s performance regularly and stay up to date with both system and Brave browser changes to keep things running smoothly. 💻✨