Fade inactive tabs in Microsoft Edge is a visual setting that dims resting pages to show which tabs are asleep. Sleeping tabs save computer memory by putting unused pages into a low-power mode, and Microsoft Edge turns down their brightness by default. You can turn this fade effect off in the browser settings if you want every open tab to look the exact same.
To turn off fading inactive tabs in Microsoft Edge, go to Settings , then System and performance, and finally Performance. Toggle off the “Fade inactive tabs” option. Your sleeping tabs will no longer appear faded.
How to Stop Sleeping Tabs from Fading
Follow these steps to turn off the fading effect in Microsoft Edge:
- Open Microsoft Edge. Start by opening your browser.
- Go to the settings menu. Click the three dots
...in the top-right corner. This opens a menu. - Choose “Settings.” In the menu, click on “Settings.”
- Find “System and performance.” In the Settings tab, look for “System and performance” on the left side. Click it.
- Go to the “Performance” section. Inside “System and performance” settings, find “Performance.” Click on it.
- Find the “Fade inactive tabs” option. Scroll down in the Performance settings. Look for a setting called “Fade inactive tabs.”
- Turn off the switch. This switch is probably “On” by default. Click the switch to turn it “Off.” The switch will move and might change color to show it’s off.
Tabs that go to sleep will no longer appear faded after making this change. They match active tabs visually while continuing to conserve power in the background. Removing the faded look prevents visual distractions and maintains consistency across the browser window.
Summary
This guide shows you how to turn off the visual fading effect for inactive tabs in Microsoft Edge. By default, Edge fades tabs that haven’t been used for a while to indicate they are in a low-power “sleeping” state, which saves system resources. If you find this fading distracting or prefer a consistent look for all your tabs, you can disable this feature through the browser’s settings. Go to Settings System and performance > Performance and toggle off the “Fade inactive tabs” option. Your sleeping tabs will then appear normal, even while still conserving memory and CPU power in the background.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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