Enable Pip Mode Edge: What It Is & How to Turn It On

Enabling PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode in Microsoft Edge lets you pop a playing video out of the browser tab into a small, always-on-top floating window. You can keep watching while you work in other tabs or applications. Here is exactly how to turn it on, what to do if it is not working, and why it sometimes appears grayed out.

What Is PiP Mode in Edge?

Picture-in-Picture is a browser feature that extracts a video from its original page and displays it in a compact, resizable window that stays above all other windows. In Microsoft Edge, this is built-in and does not require an extension. The floating window includes basic controls: play/pause, mute, and a button to return the video to its original tab. It is particularly useful for multitasking—watching a tutorial while taking notes, or keeping a video call visible while using another app.

Edge’s PiP is based on the same technology as Chrome’s, since both browsers share the Chromium engine. However, Edge adds a few conveniences, such as a global media controls popup and the ability to enable PiP by simply clicking the PiP icon that appears when you hover over a playing video.

How to Enable PiP Mode in Edge (Step-by-Step)

For most users, PiP is already enabled by default. If it is not, or if you want to verify the setting, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select Settings from the dropdown.
3. In the left sidebar, click Cookies and site permissions.
4. Scroll down and click Picture in picture (or search for it in the settings search box).
5. Ensure the toggle for Picture in picture is turned on. You can also choose whether sites can ask to use PiP automatically.

Once enabled, hover over any playing video on a supported site. A small floating PiP icon (a rectangle with a smaller rectangle inside) appears in the top-right corner of the video. Click it, and the video will pop out.

How to Use PiP in Edge

There are three main ways to trigger PiP in Edge:

• Hover icon: Hover over the video, then click the PiP icon that appears.
• Right-click menu: Right-click the video twice (once to get the video context menu, then again to get the browser context menu) and select Picture in picture.
• Global media controls: If you have the Global Media Controls toolbar button enabled, you can click it and then click the PiP icon next to the playing video.

Once the video is in PiP, you can drag it anywhere on your screen, resize it by dragging its corners, and continue working in other tabs or applications. The PiP window stays on top of all other windows, even if you switch to a different app entirely.

Why PiP Mode Is Not Working (Common Fixes)

If the PiP icon does not appear or the option is grayed out, several factors could be at play:

• Site restrictions: Some websites (like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu) deliberately disable PiP or use custom video players that do not support the standard HTML5 video API. YouTube, for example, only allows PiP on its own player and may block it in Edge unless you use a workaround.
• Hardware acceleration: If hardware acceleration is off, some video features may not work. Go to Settings > System and performance and ensure Use hardware acceleration when available is toggled on.
• Outdated browser: PiP requires a recent version of Edge. Go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge to check for updates.
• Extension conflicts: Some extensions, especially ad-blockers or video enhancers, can interfere with PiP. Try disabling extensions one by one to see if that resolves the issue.
• Corporate policy: If you are using a work or school device, your organization may have disabled PiP via Group Policy. In that case, you cannot enable it from the settings.

If none of these help, try resetting Edge settings or reinstalling the browser.

PiP vs. Mini Player vs. Extensions

Edge also has a Mini Player feature for audio and video in the browser toolbar, but it is different from PiP. Mini Player shows a small media control panel, not the video itself. PiP is specifically the floating video window.

There are third-party extensions that offer similar or enhanced PiP functionality, such as Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google) or PiP by various developers. These can work on sites that block the native PiP, but they may have limitations and privacy considerations. The built-in PiP is generally faster and more reliable, so try that first.

How to Disable PiP Mode in Edge

If you find PiP annoying or accidentally trigger it, you can turn it off completely:

1. Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Picture in picture.
2. Toggle off Picture in picture.

You can also prevent specific sites from using PiP by clicking the lock icon in the address bar, going to Site permissions, and blocking PiP for that site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is PiP not working on YouTube in Edge?

YouTube has its own PiP implementation and sometimes restricts the native browser PiP. To force it, right-click the video twice, then select Picture in picture. If that doesn’t work, you may need to use YouTube’s own mini-player button (which is different) or install a dedicated extension.

Can I use PiP on Netflix or Disney+?

These streaming services use DRM-protected video players that often block PiP. The native PiP icon will not appear. Some extensions can bypass this, but they may violate the service’s terms of use.

Does PiP work when I switch to another app?

Yes, that is the main purpose. The PiP window stays on top of all other windows, including those from other applications, as long as the Edge process is running.

How do I move or resize the PiP window?

Click and drag the window to move it. To resize, hover over a corner until the resize cursor appears, then drag. The window maintains the video’s aspect ratio.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for PiP in Edge?

No, there is no built-in keyboard shortcut. You can use the hover icon or right-click menu. Some extensions add a shortcut, but it is not native.

Does PiP work on all websites?

No. It only works on sites that use standard HTML5 video. Sites with custom players (like some news sites or streaming services) may not support it. In those cases, try the right-click method or an extension.

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