Downloading from DriveThruRPG (DTRPG) causes open tabs to be closed on MS Edge

So, if I download a purchased PDF from DTRPG, and then download it from that site's Library, a pop-up browser window appears. This window informs me that my download will happen shortly, however, the download is usually finished by the time the Pop-up window appears.

When finished downloading, I have to close this pop-up window, before I close the main browser window. If I don't, MS Edge browser will "forget" or otherwise close all my open browser tabs, and not re-launch them the next time I open the browser.

My workaround is to close the pop-up window, before closing the main browser window. That way, the open tabs are remembered next time the browser is launched.
That has worked for a while. However, recently, as soon as I close the pop-up window, another identical pop-up window appears behind the main browser window.

Because it happens in the background, behind the main browser window, I don't notice it happening, causing me to assume that it would be okay to close the main browser window. Well, the unnoticed Pop-up window causes all my browser tabs to be lost, so it is most aggravating.

I have tried the same actions on Vivaldi browser, and I have had no problems. There is no pop-up in Vivaldi. So why this issue on Edge?

What version of Edge?

Banjoman301 said:

What version of Edge?

Click to expand...

I am currently using Version 153.0.4234.32 , which I believe is the latest.

I have had this problem since before then. I have had this problem ever since starting a DriveThruRPG account, which goes back to March 2025.

Current stable release is 153.0.4234.48

If you haven't already done so, disable any extensions.

If it works, re-enable each, one by one, and test.

I have that one now. Not sure what it fixes, or if it fixes my issue.

iko22 said:

I have that one now. Not sure what it fixes, or if it fixes my issue.

Click to expand...

Security updates.


Since the issue crossed multiple versions of Edge, I would suspect extensions.

The DTRPG site seems to have a bit of a problematic reputation...

DriveThruRPG (DTRPG) commonly experiences login loops, checkout bugs, and download errors caused by security extensions, cookie conflicts, or Cloudflare verification issues.
You can check if the site is globally offline using Down for Everyone or Just Me. [1]

Common Issues & Solutions

• • Endless Login / Cloudflare Loops: RPG PUB users agree that DTRPG frequently gets stuck in an infinite human-verification loop. Try disabling browser extensions like Malwarebytes or McAfee, or log in via the Legacy DriveThruRPG Login. [1, 2, 3]
  • Checkout & Cart Freezes: Ad blockers or "Deal of the Day" scripts can loop you back to your basket instead of the payment screen. Clear your cache/cookies or temporarily disable your security extensions. [1, 2, 3]
  • Failed Downloads: If a link does not start downloading, log out of all active tabs, clear your browser data, and switch to Chrome or Firefox. [1]
  • Unresponsive Support: If the website's standard request form fails over several weeks, users on Reddit suggest reaching out via direct message on their official social media channels. [1]

Banjoman301 said:

DriveThruRPG (DTRPG) commonly experiences login loops, checkout bugs, and download errors caused by security extensions, cookie conflicts, or Cloudflare verification issues.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, although I don't have ad blockers installed, or Cloudflare verification issues, or login loops - it is just this pop-up download window that is maliciously doing more than it should, and that behaviour is not in your list.

Some websites don't work well with some browsers...

I've seen a few issues on a couple of websites this year...one which didn't work well in Firefox, but did in Edge, and another that was just the opposite.

I didn't attempt to chase it down because it was one or two sites...so that didn't indicate an endemic browser issue with Firefox or Edge.

If you want to get out into the weeds, you can use the built-in Developer Tools in Edge, and watch the Console entries as you use the site.

You might also get some clues using Wireshark.

However, it would probably be a better use of your time to just use Vivaldi, and send a report to DTRPG about the issue.