May 11 2022 12:59 AM - edited May 11 2022 01:00 AM
Hello,
Recently, several of our users (including myself) have started getting the following error pop-up, seemingly at random points during the day:
"The program can't start because msedge_elf.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem"
The only problem is, it is present in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\<version>
This has only started occurring in the past couple of weeks, mostly on our legacy Windows 7 ESU Year 3 estate, which we are fully in the process of retiring. I am aware that the OSD for Edge on Windows 7 is January 15 2023.
Our Edge estate is patched regularly via WSUS, and is fully the X64 version. The latest version we are running is 101.0.1210.39. We also install Edge WebView2, as this is required by software we use, and this is patched via WSUS, to the same version as regular Edge.
I cannot find any information in the EventLog about what application, service or event is triggering this error, can anyone help please?
Thanks,
Jonathan
May 11 2022 09:10 PM
May 11 2022 09:16 PM
May 20 2022 01:03 AM
May 30 2022 05:24 AM
Jun 01 2022 01:16 PM
Hello @tgoldschrafe @jdseymour1978 and anyone else on the thread! If you are encountering the msedge_elf.dll error, please reach out to Support (https://www.microsoftedgeinsider.com/en-us/support). They will be able to gather logs and help investigate your specific case. Thanks!
-Kelly
Jun 02 2022 03:35 PM
@jdseymour1978 @tgoldschrafe @Zmegatrolls @Parker93x Hi Everyone! The team is currently investigating and trying to find the root cause. In the meantime, they do not recommend moving msedge_elf.dll into the System32 folder.
We will follow up once the team has any updates. Thanks!
-Kelly
Jun 22 2022 12:52 PM
@Kris_Boeckx @jdseymour1978 @tgoldschrafe @Zmegatrolls @Parker93x Thanks for your patience! We do have some updates about this issue. Our developers have investigated and found that the issue is caused by multiple different third-party software vendors who are injecting running threads into the MS Edge process.
We did make a change in MS Edge Canary Channel (v104.0.1287.0), adding the following environment variable will work-around the issue:
EDGE_CRASHPAD_ASYNC_ENABLED=0
Please be aware that using this workaround does slow down the MS Edge launch.
-Kelly
Jun 28 2022 11:04 AM
Jun 28 2022 11:10 AM
@communityusermatthew @tgoldschrafe Hello! If you have identified the third-party software vendor that is causing the issue, you can reach out to them directly and let them know about the issue. Also, you can ask them to avoid injecting running threads into the MS Edge processes, which would help reduce these types of issues. Thanks!
-Kelly
Jun 28 2022 10:40 PM
Ivanti released an article for this issue. We used the second workaround (Add msedge.exe to DriverHookEx). https://forums.ivanti.com/s/article/Deploying-an-Application-Control-config-returns-msedge-elf-dll-n...
Jan 10 2023 11:36 PM
Feb 21 2023 09:31 AM
Feb 21 2023 12:40 PM
@TimP_MM Hi! If it is Ivanti that is causing the issue, it might help to review this article they published:
Deploying an Application Control Config Returns msedge_elf.dll Not Found (ivanti.com) (This article was mentioned by another user)
-Kelly
Feb 21 2023 03:06 PM
@Kelly_Y
Thanks - but I don't think I have any Ivanti on my computer...
Sep 03 2023 12:56 AM - edited Sep 03 2023 12:59 AM
I also encountered this error and found the possible quick fix on this issue:
1. Go to Window Settings > Apps > Installed Apps (alternatively use "Windows Key + I" then click Apps > Installed Apps ) , then find Microsoft Edge (showing the version/build no.) in the Apps List.
2. On the right of App List for Microsoft Edge click the 3 dots "..." , then Modify (click Yes to the prompt to allow changes) then click Repair button. This will start repair the installation files for Microsoft Edge. After successfully repaired it should be able to launch the Edge browser without the error.