Microsoft Designer Keeps Restarting: What to Try

Microsoft Designer usually keeps restarting because of a bad browser session, a conflicting extension, or a sign-in problem. First check whether it happens in the browser, the app, or both, then try refresh, sign out and back in, clear Designer’s site data, and restart the device. If it still loops after that, test another browser or device to separate an account issue from a browser, network, or device problem.

Symptom

You open Microsoft Designer and it sends you back to the start screen instead of staying open. The loop often shows up right after sign-in, while loading a design, or after you switch projects. In some cases the page looks like it loads, then resets again a moment later.

If it only happens in one browser, the problem is usually local to that browser profile. If it happens in the browser and the app, the cause is more likely your account, the device, or the network connection.

Before you start

Confirm where the restart loop happens before you change anything.

• Try Designer in the browser you normally use.
• If you have a separate app version, try that too.
• If one place works and the other does not, focus on the broken one first.

If you’re using a browser, keep in mind that clearing site data can sign you out of other Microsoft sites in that browser profile. Make sure you can sign in again before you remove anything.

What to try first when Designer keeps restarting

Use the quickest reversible fixes first.

1. Refresh the page once. If Designer opens normally after the refresh, you can stop there.
2. Sign out of Microsoft Designer, then sign back in. If the loop was caused by a stale session, this often clears it.
3. Clear the site data for Designer. Remove the cookies, local storage, and session data for the Designer site, then sign in again and test it. If you don’t know where that setting is, look for the browser’s site data or cookies controls and remove data for Designer or the Microsoft site you use to reach it.
4. Restart the device. This clears temporary memory pressure and stuck background processes that can keep reusing a bad session.

If Designer still restarts after these steps, the problem is likely outside the current session and you need to check extensions, browser profile data, network conditions, or the device itself.

What to check if it still restarts

If the quick fixes didn’t help, check the most common causes one by one.

1. Disable extensions. Ad blockers, script blockers, privacy tools, password helpers, and some security extensions can interfere with sign-in, scripts, or page storage. Turn them off for the Designer site or disable them briefly, then reload Designer. If Designer works after that, turn the extensions back on one at a time until you find the one that triggers the loop.
2. Try a private or incognito window. This gives you a cleaner browser session with fewer stored cookies and, in many browsers, fewer active extensions. If Designer stays open there, the regular browser profile is the likely problem.
3. Update the browser. An older browser build can cause odd sign-in or storage behavior. Update it, restart the browser, and test again.
4. Try another browser. If Designer works elsewhere, the original browser profile is probably the source of the restart loop.
5. Check your network path. Try a different network if you can, or temporarily disconnect any VPN or proxy. If Designer works on another connection, the original network path may be dropping or rewriting part of the session.
6. Check device resources. Close heavy apps, extra browser windows, and large downloads, then restart the device and try again. Low memory or a crowded background session can keep Designer from staying open.
7. Try another device. If Designer works on a different device with the same account, the issue is likely tied to the original browser or machine rather than your account.
8. Reinstall the app only if you use a standalone Designer app and the web version works normally. Reinstalling can replace corrupted app data, but it usually won’t help if the browser version also restarts. If the browser works and the app does not, reinstalling the app is worth trying.

If Designer still restarts in more than one browser and on more than one device, the problem is more likely tied to your Microsoft account or a service-side issue. At that point, contact Microsoft support and tell them what you already tried: refresh, sign out and back in, clearing site data, private window, another browser, another device, and restart.

How to tell whether it’s fixed

The real test is whether Designer stays open long enough for normal work.

• You can open the home screen and it stays there.
• You can open an existing design without being sent back to the start page.
• You can make a small edit and still see it after a refresh.
• You can save or continue work without being forced to sign in again.

A quick check is to open Designer, wait a moment, then open one project and make a small change, such as moving an object or typing a short line of text. If the change stays visible and the app does not reset, the restart loop is broken.

Conclusion

If Designer still restarts after these checks, use the browser or device where it behaves best and contact Microsoft support with the steps you already tried.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Designer keep restarting only in my usual browser?

That usually means the browser profile has stale site data or an extension is interfering. Clear Designer’s site data first, then test a private window and a different browser.

Should I reinstall Microsoft Designer if it keeps restarting?

Only if you use a standalone app and the web version works normally. If the browser version also restarts, reinstalling the app is unlikely to fix the real cause.