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Geolocation doesn't work in Microsoft Edge but works in other browsers

Summary

This article helps you troubleshoot a problem that prevents geolocation from working in Microsoft Edge although it works in other browsers, such as Google Chrome. The most common cause is that the Windows Geolocation service (lfsvc) is disabled (typically, though Group Policy). Unlike some browsers that use alternative geolocation methods, Edge relies directly on the Windows Location service for geolocation data. To identify and fix the problem, this article discusses how to check website-level permissions, Windows location privacy settings, the Geolocation service status, Group Policy configurations, and Edge geolocation policies.

Symptoms

You experience all the following symptoms:

  • Geolocation doesn't work in Edge on any website, even though location permissions are granted.
  • The same websites work correctly in other browsers, such as Google Chrome.
  • Location permissions are enabled in Edge for the tested websites (edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/location).
  • Windows location privacy settings show that Edge has location access enabled (Settings > Privacy & security > Location).

Solution

Work through the following checks in the given order. After each step, test geolocation in Edge (for example, visit a website that requests your location) to check whether the problem is resolved.

Verify website-level location permissions in Edge

Make sure that Edge isn't blocking location access for the specific website:

  1. Open Edge, and go to edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/location.
  2. Under Allow, verify that the website that you're testing is listed or that the default behavior is set to Ask (default) instead of Block.
  3. If the website is listed under Block, remove it from the block list.
  4. Check for Edge policies that block geolocation on specific URLs:
    1. Go to edge://policy, and search for GeolocationBlockedForUrls.
    2. If the tested website URLs are listed, contact your IT administrator to remove them.

Verify Windows location privacy settings

Make sure that location access is enabled at the operating system level. For more information about Windows location settings, see Windows location service and privacy:

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
  2. Make sure that the Location services toggle is turned on.
  3. Make sure that the Let apps access your location toggle is turned on.
  4. Scroll down and verify that the Let desktop apps access your location toggle is turned on. This setting must be enabled because Edge is a desktop app.

Check the Windows Geolocation service (lfsvc)

Edge relies directly on the Windows Geolocation service (lfsvc) for location data. If this service is disabled, Edge can't determine your location, even though other browsers that use alternative geolocation methods might still work. Check the status of lfsvc:

  1. Press Win+R, enter services.msc, and then press Enter.
  2. In the Services list, find Geolocation Service.
  3. Check the Status and Startup Type. If the status is Stopped and the startup type is Disabled, this condition is likely the cause.
  4. To fix the problem manually:
    1. Open Geolocation Service.
    2. Set Startup type to Automatic.
    3. Select Start to start the service.
    4. Select OK.
  5. Restart Edge, and test geolocation.

Alternatively, to check and start the service from an administrative Command Prompt window, run the following commands:

sc query lfsvc
sc config lfsvc start=auto
sc start lfsvc

Note

If you can start the service manually, but it reverts to Disabled after a restart, a Group Policy setting is likely overriding the service setting. Go to the next section.

Check Group Policy for Geolocation service settings

A Group Policy setting might disable the Windows Geolocation service. This situation is common in enterprise environments where administrators restrict location services for privacy or compliance.

  1. Open a Command Prompt window as an administrator, and run the following command:

    gpresult /h gpresult.html

  2. Open the generated gpresult.html file in a browser, and search for lfsvc, Geolocation, and the System Services section. Check each search result to confirm that no entry disables the Geolocation service.

  3. If the search returns no results, no Group Policy is applied to this service, and you can skip to the next section.

  4. If a Group Policy setting disables the Geolocation service:

    • If you don't have administrative access, contact your IT administrator to update the policy.
    • If you have administrative access, update the policy yourself:
      1. Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
      2. Go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > System Services.
      3. Find Geolocation Service, set it to Automatic, and then apply the change.

  5. To refresh policies, run gpupdate /force, and then restart the Geolocation service and Edge.

Verify Edge geolocation policies

Edge policies might restrict geolocation or block it entirely. Verify the policies:

  1. Open Edge, and go to edge://policy.
  2. Search for the following policies:
  3. If DefaultGeolocationSetting is set to 2, geolocation is disabled for all sites. Contact your IT administrator to change it to 1 or 3.

Test in a new profile by having extensions disabled

A corrupted profile or a conflicting extension could interfere with geolocation. Test the settings:

  1. Open an InPrivate window (Ctrl+Shift+N), and test geolocation on a website. By default, InPrivate mode disables extensions.
  2. If geolocation works in an InPrivate window, disable extensions one by one in your regular profile. Go to edge://extensions, and toggle off each extension until you find the one that's interfering.
  3. If the problem persists, create a new Edge profile:
    1. Select the profile icon > Add profile > Add.
    2. Test geolocation in the new profile.

Data collection

If you have to contact Microsoft Support for more help, collect the following diagnostic information, and include it in your support request.

  1. Microsoft Edge version: Go to edge://settings/help, and note the full version number.
  2. Geolocation service status: Run sc query lfsvc at a command prompt, and note the output.
  3. Active policies: Go to edge://policy, and export the policy list.
  4. Group Policy report: Run gpresult /h gpresult.html at a command prompt, and save the output.
  5. Windows location settings: Take a screenshot of Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
  6. Operating system version: Go to Settings > System > About, and note the OS version.

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Third-party information disclaimer

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

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