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7 Best Ways to Fix Google Chrome Not Responding Error
Google Chrome is my preferred web browser on mobile and desktop. The browser syncs tabs across devices and offers chromium extensions. However, Chrome is infamous for consuming excessive RAM. Another widespread issue is Chrome sometimes stops responding on Windows.
Users can’t easily switch to a Chrome alternative because they have browsing history, extensions, bookmarks, and passwords saved in Chrome. The transition isn’t as smooth as it seems.
Instead, follow this guide to fix the Google Chrome not responding error. Check the step-by-step instructions below to troubleshoot Chrome issues on Windows.
1. Make Sure You Are Connected to the Internet
First, check if your device is connected to the internet.
After confirming, open the Settings app on Windows 10 (Use Windows + I keyboard shortcut). Go to Network & Internet > Status and verify that it says ‘You’re connected’.
If the status says that, test the internet connection with a different browser to ensure the issue is only with Chrome. Open Microsoft Edge or Firefox and try to open a few sites.
If you can’t connect to the web using other browsers, there’s still a problem with your internet connection, not Chrome. On the flip side, if the other browser connects fine, the issue is only with Chrome, and you can continue troubleshooting.
2. Clear Cache and Cookies From Google
A corrupted cache can ruin your day. Clearing the cache is always safe, so try it. If there is overburdened browsing data in your Google Chrome, that may slow down or stop the browser. When Google Chrome does not respond in Windows 10, clear the browsing history, cache, and cookies. Step 1: Open Google Chrome, tap on the three-dot menu. Step 2: Go to More tools > Clear browsing data. Step 3: From the menu, select Cache and Cookies files to delete.
Relaunch Google Chrome browser and check if the issue of it not responding has been resolved.
Sometimes Chrome stops responding because closed tabs don’t actually shut down the process. These processes can accumulate and use up a lot of RAM, causing Chrome to crash, freeze, or not open at all.
To completely close Chrome on Windows 10, follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key and open the start menu.
Step 2: Type Task Manager and press enter to open the program.
Step 3: Right-click on the top-level Google Chrome process (the one with the number) and select End Task.
Closing all Chrome processes will free up RAM space and allow you to relaunch Chrome. Additionally, closing irrelevant background processes on your Windows 10 device will further free up RAM.
4. Disable Chrome Extensions
Extensions are important in the Chrome ecosystem. They provide additional features to the Chrome interface and functionality. However, not all extensions are actively maintained and some may be outdated or incompatible with new Chrome builds.
If you have many Chrome extensions installed, it can be challenging to identify the one causing the issue. The simplest solution is to disable all extensions and enable them one by one to determine the problem.
To do this:
1. Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot menu at the top.
2. Go to More tools > Extensions.
Step 3: Open the Extension menu. Tap Remove to remove Chrome extensions.
Tweaking the wrong settings can cause issues with Chrome, especially if you enable beta features. You can fix this by resetting Chrome. Here’s how:
1. Launch Chrome and open Settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced to open all settings.
3. Scroll down to the Reset and clean up section and click Restore settings to their original defaults.
To reset Chrome settings, follow these steps: open the settings window and select the “Reset settings” option. Be aware that this action will disable all extensions, clear temporary data, and delete cookies. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords will not be affected by this reset.
6. Use Chrome Malware Scanner
If none of the tricks worked, your system might have malware that’s interfering with Chrome. The good news is, Google has an anti-malware scanner that will scan your computer and find problems. Open Chrome and go to Settings. Scroll down and click Advanced to open all settings.
Step 3: Scroll down to the Reset and clean up section and click Clean up computer.
That will open a window for the Chrome malware scan. Just select Find to start the scan.
Reinstalling Chrome is the most efficient way to reset it. Remove Chrome from the Add or remove programs menu. Once the uninstall process finishes, open the downloaded Chrome installer. After it is fully reinstalled, it should work again.
Start Using Google Chrome Again
You can fix the Chrome not responding error on Windows 10 with the tricks mentioned above. Let us know which trick worked for you in the comments below.
Next, want to level up your Google Chrome experience? Check out the post below for the top 21 Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.