Microsoft Edge users sometimes see the message “Location is turned off in system settings” after upgrading to Edge version 149. This typically indicates that Edge cannot access the system geolocation capability, even when site permission prompts appear to be configured correctly. The fix usually involves restoring Windows location services, validating Edge’s own location settings, and checking policy or extension interference.
What the error usually means
When Edge shows this warning, it generally points to one of these underlying causes:
- Windows Location services are disabled, or desktop apps are not allowed to access location.
- Edge’s site-level location permission is blocked or removed.
- The Windows Geolocation Service is stopped or stuck after an update.
- Organization-managed Edge policies block geolocation.
- An extension or a corrupted profile prevents Edge from requesting location.
Step 1: Re-enable Windows Location services
The most common resolution is to confirm that Windows location features are enabled for desktop apps.
- Open Settings using Win + I.
- Go to Privacy & security → Location.
- Turn Location services to On.
- Enable Let desktop apps access your location (Edge is treated as a desktop app).
- Check that Microsoft Edge is not blocked in the app list (if such a block is present).
Step 2: Verify Edge’s location permission for the site
Even with system access enabled, Edge site permissions can block geolocation. The safest approach is to check Edge’s internal location permission page.
- In Edge, open: edge://settings/content/location
- Confirm the default setting is appropriate, such as Ask before accessing or Allow.
- If the affected website appears in the Not allowed list, remove it or change it to an allowed state.
Step 3: Restart the Windows Geolocation Service
If the geolocation service fails to stay running after an update, Edge may report that system location is turned off. Restarting the service often resolves the issue.
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
- Locate Geolocation Service.
- If it is not running, right-click and select Start.
- If it is running, right-click and select Restart.
Step 4: Check Edge policies (work or school devices)
On devices managed by an organization, policies can override both Windows and browser settings. If the device is managed, only the administrator may be able to change the blocked settings.
- In Edge, open: edge://policy
- Look for geolocation-related settings such as:
- DefaultGeolocationSetting: should not be set to a blocked value.
- GeolocationBlockedForURLs: ensure the target website is not listed.
If any relevant policy entries show as Managed by your organization, updating settings locally may not work until the policy is changed.
Step 5: Rule out extension or profile conflicts
Extensions can sometimes interfere with permission prompts or block location requests. A quick way to isolate the issue is to test in a clean browsing context.
- Open an InPrivate window using Ctrl + Shift + N.
- Try the same website in InPrivate. If location works there, an extension is likely the cause.
- Disable extensions temporarily by going to edge://extensions, then retest.
- If the problem persists, create a new Edge profile via Settings → Profiles → Add profile and retest.
When to stop troubleshooting
If location works after Step 1 or Step 3, the underlying cause was likely Windows-side access being disabled or the geolocation service not running. If it continues to fail after these steps, checking Edge policies (Step 4) and isolating extensions or profile issues (Step 5) usually identifies the remaining blocker.
Bottom line: Edge version 149 is usually reacting to Windows geolocation access, not a problem with the website itself. Restoring Windows location permissions and validating Edge’s location settings resolves the majority of cases.
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