This article shows you how to solve the most common problems you may encounter during normal use of the desktop version of Google Chrome. It also explains how to uninstall and reinstall the program on both desktop and iPhone platforms. Most of the problems related to Google Chrome originate from the use of an outdated version of the browser or no longer supported by Google or from an excess of extensions and data to manage.
Steps
Part 1 of 9: Quick Solutions
Step 1. Restart your computer
This step is particularly useful when the system hasn't been completely shut down for several days as it allows Chrome to run smoother and reduce the number of browser deadlocks that can occur.
Step 2. Check your Internet connection
If the router that manages the network is not working properly or if your computer's network connection configuration is not optimal, it is very likely that you will notice an increase in the loading time of web pages and the appearance of errors in the display of contents. To improve the reception of the radio signal of the Wi-Fi network, simply move the computer closer to the router. Furthermore, it is always good to close all unnecessary programs and apps so that they do not unnecessarily consume the bandwidth of the internet connection (for example apps like Netflix or programs like uTorrent).
Step 3. Make sure your computer is compatible with Google Chrome
The requirements to be able to use Google Chrome without problems are the following:
- Windows systems - you must be using Windows 7 or a later version;
- Mac - OS X 10.9 or later must be used.
Step 4. Scan the entire system with anti-virus software
If Chrome continues to load unknown pages on its own or if the browser's main page has been changed without your permission, it is very likely that your computer has been infected with a virus or malware. To fix this, run a scan using up-to-date anti-virus software.
Part 2 of 9: Update Chrome
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome
If the program does not open, you will need to uninstall it. Follow the steps according to the platform you are using: Windows, Mac or iPhone.
Step 2. Press the ⋮ button
to access the Chrome main menu.
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the Help option
It is located at the bottom of the menu that appeared. This will give you access to a new secondary menu.
Step 4. Select the About Google Chrome item
A new tab will appear for your browser version. If there is a new update for Google Chrome, it will be installed automatically.
When the updates have finished installing, you will be prompted to restart the program, so simply press the button Restart Chrome.
Part 3 of 9: Close Locked Tabs
Step 1. Press the ⋮ button
to access the Chrome main menu.
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Choose the More Tools option
It is one of the last items on Chrome's main menu. This will give you access to a new secondary menu.
Step 3. Select the Task manager item
A new window will appear related to the Google Chrome Task Manager.
Step 4. Select the tab you want to close
Click the name of the item to be removed in the "Activities" column. If you need to perform a multiple selection, hold down the Ctrl key (on Windows systems) or ⌘ Command (on Mac) while clicking on the name of the tabs to remove.
Step 5. Press the End Process button
It is blue in color and is located in the lower right corner of the Task Manager window. This will close all the selected tabs.
Part 4 of 9: Disabling Extensions
Step 1. Press the ⋮ button
to access the Chrome main menu.
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Choose the More Tools option
It is one of the last items on Chrome's main menu. This will give you access to a new secondary menu.
Step 3. Select the Extensions item
It is located within the secondary menu Other tools. A new tab will appear where you will find the complete list of all extensions currently installed in Chrome.
Step 4. Find the extension you want to disable
Chrome problems that occur unexpectedly and suddenly are usually caused by the latest installed extensions, so it's good to start by identifying the last installed extension in chronological order.
Chrome can become unstable even when there are too many extensions running at the same time. For this reason, you should consider turning off any extensions that are not currently needed
Step 5. Uncheck the "Enable" checkbox next to the extension you wish to disable
In this way the chosen program will no longer be executed. Repeat this step for all extensions you want to disable.
Alternatively, you can choose to uninstall an extension by pressing the trash can icon on the right of its box. When prompted, press the button Remove to complete the uninstall.
Part 5 of 9: Deleting Cookies and History
Step 1. Press the ⋮ button
to access the Chrome main menu.
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Choose the Settings option
It is located at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared. The new "Settings" tab will appear.
Step 3. Scroll down the page to locate and select the Advanced link
It is located at the bottom of the "Settings" tab. A new section of configuration settings will appear, called Advanced, previously hidden.
Step 4. Click the Clear Browsing Data box
It should be the last entry in the "Privacy and Security" section.
Step 5. Make sure that all check buttons in the pop-up window that appears are checked
Click any check buttons that do not appear checked yet to make sure all options are active.
Step 6. Now press the "Clear Browsing Data" button
It is located at the bottom right of the "Clear Browsing Data" pop-up window.
Step 7. Choose the All option from the "Delete the following items from" drop-down menu
In this way, all data stored in Google Chrome and related to the browsing history will be deleted.
Step 8. Press the Clear Browsing Data button
It is blue in color and is located in the lower right corner of the window. All data stored within Google Chrome, such as browsing history, cookies and passwords, will be deleted.
Part 6 of 9: Reset Google Chrome
Step 1. Press the ⋮ button
to access the Chrome main menu.
It is located in the upper right corner of the browser window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Choose the Settings option
It is located at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared. This will bring up the new "Settings" tab.
Step 3. Scroll down the page to locate and select the Advanced link
It is located at the bottom of the "Settings" tab. A new section of configuration settings will appear, called Advanced, previously hidden.
Step 4. Scroll down the page to locate and select the Restore tile
It is located at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Press the Reset button when prompted
The default configuration settings of Google Chrome will be restored. All personal data of the user stored in the browser, such as favorites and extensions, will be removed or replaced with the default ones.
If this procedure does not solve the Google Chrome problem, you will need to completely uninstall the program and reinstall it
Part 7 of 9: Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome on Windows Systems
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located at the bottom left of the desktop.
Step 2. Open the "Settings" window by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the App icon
It is one of the options in the "Settings" window.
Step 4. Go to the Apps and Features section
It is located on the left side of the Application Configuration Settings page.
Step 5. Scroll the list that appeared in the main pane of the page to locate and select the Google Chrome item
The list is sorted alphabetically, so you shouldn't have a hard time locating the Chrome icon within the section of apps starting with the letter "G". Clicking on the program name will display a small menu related to the Google Chrome app.
Step 6. Press the Uninstall button
It is located in the lower right corner of the Google Chrome application pane.
Step 7. When prompted, press the Uninstall button again
This will uninstall Google Chrome from your computer.
Step 8. Go to the web page to download the Google Chrome installation file
Obviously to do this you will have to use another browser such as Microsoft Edge or Firefox.
Step 9. Press the Download Chrome button
It is blue in color and is placed exactly in the center of the page.
Step 10. Press the Accept and Install button
It is located at the bottom left of the pop-up window that appeared. This way the Chrome installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 11. Double click on the Google Chrome installation file
It is usually stored in the browser's default download folder (for example the Download or Desktop).
Step 12. Press the Yes button when prompted
Google Chrome will be installed on the system.
Step 13. Wait for the Chrome installation to complete
This step should only take a few minutes. At the end of the installation, Google Chrome will start automatically, then you will see the relevant window appear on the screen.
Part 8 of 9: Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome on Mac
Step 1. Open a Finder window
Click the blue stylized face icon on the System Dock.
Step 2. Enter the Go menu
It is located at the top of the screen. This will bring up a new drop-down menu.
Step 3. Choose the Applications item
It is located at the bottom of the menu Go.
Step 4. Locate the Google Chrome application and select it
Inside the "Applications" folder that appears, you will need to locate and select the Google Chrome icon.
Step 5. Enter the Edit menu
It is located in the upper left of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Choose the Delete option
It is located approximately in the middle of the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 7. Select the trash can icon by holding down the mouse button
It is located inside the system dock. The relevant context menu will be displayed.
Step 8. Choose the Empty Trash option
It is one of the items present in the context menu of the Mac trash.
Step 9. Confirm your action when prompted by pressing the Empty Trash button
All the contents of the Mac trash will be automatically deleted, including the Google Chrome app.
Step 10. Go to the web page to download the Google Chrome installation file
Obviously, to do this you will need to use another browser, for example Safari or Firefox.
Step 11. Press the Download Chrome button
It is blue in color and is placed exactly in the center of the page.
Step 12. Press the Accept and Install button
It is located at the bottom left of the pop-up window that appeared. The Chrome installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 13. Double-click the Google Chrome DMG file
It is usually stored in the default Mac download folder (for example the Download).
Step 14. At this point drag the Chrome icon onto the one related to the "Applications" folder
Google Chrome will automatically be installed on the Mac.
If prompted, you will need to type the password of the Mac administrator user in order to complete the program installation
Part 9 of 9: Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome on iPhone
Step 1. Press and hold the Google Chrome app icon with your finger
It features a red, green, yellow and blue multicolored sphere on a white background. After a few moments it should start swinging rhythmically.
Step 2. Tap the small X-shaped badge
It is displayed in the upper left corner of the Chrome application icon.
Step 3. Press the Delete button when prompted
The Chrome application will be automatically uninstalled from the iPhone.
Step 4. Access the iPhone App Store by clicking the following icon
It features a stylized white "A" on a blue background.
Step 5. Go to the Search tab
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen.
Step 6. Tap the search bar
It is located at the top of the screen, has a gray color and is characterized by the words "App Store".
Step 7. Type the keywords google chrome
Step 8. Press the Search button
It is blue in color and is located in the lower right corner of the screen. This will search the Chrome app within the App Store.
Step 9. Press the Get button
It is located to the right of the icon for the Google Chrome application.
Step 10. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password
If your iPhone has a Touch ID sensor, you may need to scan your fingerprint.
Step 11. Wait for the Chrome app to download and install on your device
At the end you will be able to start it and use it as you normally do with any other application.
