Sounds like a known issue...
This unexpected freezing of hyperlinks, menus, and embedded interactive controls (like the Spotify play button) in Microsoft Edge is a known behavior that usually points to an interaction conflict between the browser's engine and web scripts.
Notably,
Microsoft has acknowledged an issue in recent Edge stable builds (such as Edge 153) where specific web applications and embedded iframes can randomly freeze and become entirely unresponsive to keyboard or mouse input. [
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To fix this and restore function to your links and media buttons, work through the following troubleshooting paths:
1. Toggle Hardware Acceleration (Most Likely Fix)
Embedded media players (like Spotify) and modern script-heavy menus rely heavily on your graphics processor. When hardware acceleration mismatches with your GPU drivers, the interface elements freeze. [
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2]
- Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of Edge and select Settings.
- Search for System and performance in the left sidebar.
- Locate Use graphics acceleration when available (or Hardware Acceleration) and toggle it Off.
- Click the Restart button that appears to relaunch Edge and test the controls. [1, 2]
2. Check for the Known Edge 153 Bug or Update
If your browser recently auto-updated to version 153, you are likely experiencing an active bug tracked by Microsoft. [
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- Go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
- Check if a newer patch (such as version 154 or an emergency cumulative update) is available to auto-download.
- Temporary Workaround: If no update is available and the freezing is disruptive, you can temporarily access your critical web apps via an alternative browser (like Chrome or Firefox) until a stable patch is deployed. [1, 2, 3, 4]
3. Clear Cached Scripts & Corrupted Site Data
Over time, cached scripts for complex embedded widgets break, which blocks click events from registering. [
1]
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard to bring up the Clear browsing data menu.
- Set the time range to All time.
- Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Click Clear now and refresh your target website. [1]
4. Isolate Aggressive Extensions
Ad-blockers, script-blockers, or privacy extensions often mistakenly flag Spotify's embedded scripts or cross-domain hyperlinks as tracking threats, quietly breaking their functionality. [
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- Open an InPrivate Window (Ctrl + Shift + N) and try using the broken links or Spotify play button.
- If it works perfectly in Private mode, go to edge://extensions/ and temporarily toggle off your extensions one by one to find the culprit. [1, 2]
5. Repair the Edge Installation
If the problem happens across all websites universally, a core browser file might be corrupted. You can force Windows to reinstall the framework without losing your history or passwords. [
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2]
- Close Microsoft Edge completely.
- Open your Windows Settings (Win + I) and go to Apps > Installed Apps.
- Scroll down to Microsoft Edge, click the three dots next to it, and select Modify.
- Click Repair. (This requires an active internet connection and takes just a few minutes). [1, 2, 3]
