How to Enable Picture-in-Picture in Microsoft Edge

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) lets you pop a video out of its webpage into a small, always-on-top window that you can move anywhere on your screen. This is handy when you want to watch a tutorial while working in another app, or keep a news clip playing while you browse. Microsoft Edge has a built-in PiP mode that works on most video sites, and this guide shows you how to turn it on and use it.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge installed on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The steps are the same across platforms.
A webpage with an HTML5 video element (most modern sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and news sites use this).
No special extensions or settings are required – PiP is built into Edge.

Step-by-Step

Open Microsoft Edge and navigate to the page containing the video you want to watch.
Start playing the video by clicking the play button on the video player.
Look for the Picture-in-Picture icon – it usually appears in the video player’s control bar, often as a small rectangle with an arrow pointing into a corner. It may show up when you hover your mouse over the video. On YouTube, it’s near the settings gear icon.
Click the PiP icon. The video will immediately pop out into a floating, always-on-top window. The original video on the page will show a placeholder and may pause.
Move and resize the PiP window by dragging its edges or corners. You can drag the window anywhere on your screen, even over other applications.
Control playback using the buttons on the PiP window itself – play/pause, close, and sometimes a back-to-tab button.
To return the video to the original tab, click the PiP icon again in the floating window (or use the “back to tab” button if available). The video will resume in its original spot.

If the PiP icon doesn’t appear on a site, you can still force it using a keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Command+Shift+P (macOS). This works on most HTML5 videos even when the site doesn’t provide its own PiP button.

Common Mistakes

Clicking the wrong icon – Some sites have a “mini player” or “pop-out player” that opens a new browser window, not PiP. PiP is a floating overlay, not a separate tab/window.
Using PiP on non-video content – PiP only works with actual video elements, not images or animations.
Forgetting to start playback first – Some sites only show the PiP icon after the video has started playing.
Expecting PiP to work on all sites – Some sites disable PiP via code. Edge’s built-in shortcut can often bypass this, but not always.

Tips

Use keyboard shortcuts – Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P) is the fastest way to toggle PiP on any video.
Combine with Edge’s “Global Media Controls” – In the toolbar, click the music note icon to see all playing media and control PiP from there.
Adjust PiP window size – You can resize it to be very small or quite large. It will maintain the video’s aspect ratio.
Pin the PiP window on top – PiP is always-on-top by default, so it stays visible even when you switch to other apps.
Use PiP for webinars or meetings – If you’re watching a live stream or a video call in a browser, PiP lets you keep an eye on it while working in other tabs.

Troubleshooting

The PiP icon doesn’t appear. First, ensure the video is playing. If it still doesn’t show, try the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P). If that fails, the site may be blocking PiP. Try a different site (e.g., YouTube) to confirm Edge’s PiP works in general. You can also try disabling browser extensions that might interfere, or restarting Edge.

The PiP window is black or blank. This can happen if the video uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection, like some streaming services. PiP may not work with protected content. Also, try updating your graphics drivers and Edge to the latest version.

PiP closes immediately after opening. This might be caused by a site that detects PiP and stops the video. Some sites intentionally disable PiP. You can try using the keyboard shortcut instead, but if the site blocks it, there’s no workaround within Edge.

PiP works but there’s no sound. Check that the volume is not muted in the PiP window itself. The PiP window has its own volume control (hover over the window to see it). Also, make sure the original tab isn’t muted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Picture-in-Picture work on all websites?

No. It works on most sites that use HTML5 video, but some sites (especially streaming services with DRM) block it. Edge’s keyboard shortcut can sometimes force it, but not always.

Can I use PiP while the original tab is closed?

Yes, you can close the tab after the video pops out. The PiP window will continue playing. To return the video to a tab, you’ll need to reopen the original page or use the “back to tab” button if available.

How do I move the PiP window?

Simply click and drag the PiP window with your mouse. It will stay on top of other windows.

Can I resize the PiP window?

Yes, drag the edges or corners of the window to resize it. The aspect ratio is maintained.

Is Picture-in-Picture available on mobile Edge?

Yes, on Android and iOS, PiP works when you leave the Edge app (e.g., switch to another app). It may depend on your device’s operating system support.

Does PiP work with Netflix or Disney+?

These services use DRM, so PiP may not work. If it does, it might be blocked or show a black screen. Edge’s keyboard shortcut might not bypass this.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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