Google Chrome is a Leading and fastest Browser out there in the market. It could be the Perfect Browser out there, and you can use it for free.
But as the saying goes, “Nothing is Perfect,” so even this perfect browser has problems you need to deal with. However, the problem is always not caused by the software, but it could also be caused by the environment (Windows).
Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers in the world, known for its fast speed, clean interface, and robust performance. However, like any software, it’s not immune to issues such as unresponsiveness, freezing, or even crashing.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is Chrome suddenly unresponsive?”, you’re not alone. This article will guide you through understanding why these problems occur and how to fix them.
What is Google Chrome?
Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google. First launched in 2008, Chrome quickly rose to prominence due to its minimalist design, speedy performance, and superior user experience.
Built on the Chromium platform, Chrome offers several features like instant search, private browsing, synchronization with Google services, and a robust set of extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
What Causes Google Chrome Not Working Error
These are some possible causes for Chrome won’t open or launch.
1. Presence of a Virus/Malware: This could be the biggest cause of the problem faced by the users. There are so many advertisements on many websites that if you click anywhere, it will open a pop-up to another website. These pop-ups create a path for malware/viruses to enter the system.
Once they are in, they consume a lot of CPU, RAM, and Hard-disk usage, due to which the system cannot process data and Application with the power it could before. Hence Google Chrome causes problems like not responding /not working.
2. Unusual behavior of other applications at start-up: Many times at Start-up, many applications run in the background, using up resources and interfering with other applications like Google Chrome. This behavior is mostly shown by Third-Party Applications.
3. Corruption of files at the time of installation: It happens with a lot of users. At the time of Installation, files get corrupted due to unknown reasons. The corruption of files leads to problems like “application is stopped working” and “Application is not responding”. The same message we see at Google Chrome.
4. When a lot of Cache is built up by Chrome: Google Chrome uses a cache to load webpages faster than you use all the time. This cache takes a lot of space e.g., GBs of space. When the cache size gets too big! It makes it hard for Chrome to process it. Hence Google Chrome fails to respond.
5. Due to Low RAM: This powerful browser uses a lot of RAM, and if the PC has low RAM (e.g. < 2 GB), then the browser is going to crash or to become unresponsive. It is recommended that you upgrade your RAM to a minimum of 2 GB.
How to Fix Google Chrome Not Responding Error
There are many solutions to this problem. Each solution is for a different cause. The causes are mentioned above. Fixing this problem is pretty easy and safe. None of these solutions will harm your personal data. Follow the solution below to solve this problem.
Note: Internet Connection Required for some methods.
Solution 1: Add Chrome to your firewall exception list
Many times the Windows Firewall won’t let some Applications run because it suspects them as Malware. Exception list of Firewall is a list of programs whose activities will be ignored by the Windows Firewall, and hence Firewall will not interfere with Chrome activity.
In this solution, we’re simply gonna add Google Chrome into the Firewall’s exception list by following the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Windows Firewall in the search bar and open it by left click.
Step 2: On the left side below Control Panel, you’ll see “Allow an app or feature through firewall ” click on that.
Step 3: Now click on “Change settings” and choose to Allow another App.
Step 4: Now add Google Chrome to the list by Selecting Google Chrome and Add, then click on OK.
Solution 2: Clear Your DNS cache
DNS cache is a temporary database that is maintained by the computer’s operating system (e.g. Windows). If you clear your DNS cache, your problem could be solved. Clearing the DNS cache is pretty simple and easy. Simply follow the steps below to clear the DNS cache.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for CMD Right-click on that and select Run as Administrator.
Step 2: Type the following commands below.
ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
nesch winsock reset and hit Enter.
Solution 3: Scan your Computer for Malware
There is always a possibility of the presence of malware in the computer. Malware/Virus are unwanted items on a computer. They can mess the Hardware and Software both. They shouldn’t be on your computer. To scan Your computer for Malware, kindly follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open your Third-party antivirus or Windows Defender.
Step 2: Click Scan to scan for malware.
Step 3: If any Malware is detected, remove it by clicking on Remove.
Solution 4: Run an SFC scan
System File Checker is a function in Microsoft Windows that allows users to check and restore corruptions in Windows system files. As the corruption of files can occur due to many known and unknown reasons. To fix it, you can run an SFC scan by following the steps below.
Step 1 Press Windows key and type CMD and Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.
Step 2 Type the following command sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
Step 3 The scan will run for an average of 15 minutes. If the problem still persists, you may try the steps below.
Step 4 Now, type the following command in cmd.
DISM/Online/Clean-up Image/RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Your problem should be fixed by now. If it doesn’t, you can try the SFC scan again.
Solution 5: Use the Latest Version of Chrome
You need to check that you are using the latest version of Google Chrome since the updated version will not have the bugs from the previous generation if you are using an outdated version of Windows, it will suffer in execution due to less optimization and more bugs.
Hence Updating Google Chrome can get rid of Problem. Follow the steps below to check the version of your Chrome.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and click on the top-right menu.
Step 2: Select Help and then click on About Chrome.
Step 3: Now, it will automatically scan for any updates, and if the updates are available, it will update itself.
If Google Chrome not responding problem still persists, kindly follow the other solutions.
Solution 6: Clear the Cache, Browsing History, and Cookies
Chrome saves cache, history, and cookies for loading pages faster and saving data. This cache gets bigger and bigger as browsing goes, and Chrome starts to have problems in processing this much cache; hence removing cache can solve the problem.
Removal of Cache, history, and cookies won’t gonna remove any system data or your personal data. Follow the steps below to clear the cache, history, and cookies.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and click on the top-right drop-down menu and click on Settings.
Step 2: From Settings, select Advanced, and click on Clear browsing data.
Step 3: Click on Time Range and select From The Beginning and click on Clear data.
Now your cache, history, and cookies have been cleared, if the problem still persists, kindly follow the Other solutions.
Solution 7: Disable Extension
Extensions are used for enabling unique features like e.g, Themes, VPN, Downloader link, etc. They are accommodating for many users, but some Extensions could be problematic they may have bugs.
This could lead to the unresponsive behavior of the browser. Disabling them will make sure that if they are the cause of the problem or not. Follow the steps below to Disable Extensions.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and click on the top-right drop-down menu and click on more tools, and select Extensions.
Step 2: Now locate the extension you want to disable and disable it by clicking the small switch below the extension.
Step 3: After disabling every extension, reboot your computer.
If the Google Chrome not responding problem still persists, kindly follow the other solutions below.
Solution 8: Check Proxy Settings
Proxy is very useful for security online. Its role is to be the intermediate between the user and the internet. Sometimes it can also be the cause of unresponsive behavior of the Browser. So by disabling it, we can confirm if it is the cause of the problem. For disabling proxy, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key, type Settings open the Settings.
Step 2: Now, Locate Network and Internet and click on it.
Step 3: Now, locate the proxy section and disable all the options.
Check if the problem still persists. If it does, kindly follow other solutions.
Solution 9: Reset Google Chrome
Sometimes the user mistakenly changes some settings in the browser, or due to some malicious website, the Browser is now having problems. Resetting the browser could solve the problem. Simply follow the steps below to reset Google Chrome.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and click on the top-right drop-down menu, and select Settings.
Step 2: Now locate Advanced at the very bottom and click on it.
Step 3: Click on the reset and clean-up section and click on Reset Settings.
Step 4: Hit the reset button.
Check if the Google Chrome not responding problem still persists; if it does, then follow the other solutions.
Solution 10: Uninstall and Reinstall the Browser
If none of the above options did solve your problem. This is the final solution for the unrest behavior of Google Chrome. You’ll be going to uninstall Chrome and reinstall it. Follow the steps below to uninstall and reinstall the browser.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome and search for Chrome.
Step 2: Download the Chrome installer from the web.
Step 3: Now open the Control Panel and locate Uninstall the program and click on it.
Step 4: Now select Google Chrome from the list and uninstall it.
Step 5: Open My Computer/PC and go to the download folder.
Step 6: Run the Chrome installer.
Now you’ve finally reinstalled Google Chrome on Your PC.
Why is Chrome Suddenly Unresponsive?
High CPU/Memory Usage
One of the most common reasons for Chrome becoming unresponsive is high CPU or memory usage. This can be due to multiple tabs, extensions, or even Chrome itself consuming a large portion of your computer’s resources.
Software Conflict
Sometimes, Chrome may become unresponsive due to software conflicts. Another software on your system could be interfering with Chrome’s operations.
Outdated Version
An outdated version of Chrome can also lead to performance issues. Google frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance.
Why is Chrome Freezing and Making System Unresponsive?
Too Many Tabs
Opening too many tabs can overload the system, leading Chrome and even your operating system to freeze.
Hardware Acceleration
This feature can sometimes cause Chrome to freeze, especially on systems with outdated drivers.
Malware or Viruses
Malicious software could cause Chrome and your entire system to become unresponsive.
How Do You Restart Google Chrome?
- Using Task Manager: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find Chrome processes, and click “End Task.”
- Menu Option: Click on the three-dot menu at the top-right corner, then click “Exit.”
- Shortcut: Use Ctrl+Shift+Q to quickly quit Chrome.
How Do I Unfreeze Chrome Without Losing Work?
- Wait: Sometimes, Chrome may become responsive after a few moments.
- Isolate the Issue: Try to close unused tabs if possible without shutting down Chrome.
- Use Chrome’s Task Manager: Press Shift+Esc to open Chrome’s Task Manager and close only the unresponsive pages.
Why is Chrome Crashing?
- Extension Conflicts: Some extensions may not play well with Chrome, causing it to crash.
- Corrupt Profile: Your Chrome profile may have gotten corrupted, leading to crashes.
- Incompatibility: Older systems may struggle to run the latest version of Chrome, causing crashes.
How To Clear Cache of Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon.
- Navigate to “Settings > Privacy and security.”
- Click on “Clear browsing data.”
- Choose “Cached images and files” and click “Clear data.”
Conclusion
Normally the Chrome browser becomes unresponsive when it didn’t get enough CPU usage to run it. Keep your PC Malware-free and make sure the CPU temperature doesn’t get too high.
At the end of the article, I hope most of the users should have got their solution. If not then the problem could be in your Windows or in your hardware. You may need to contact the Hardware Manufacturer or Windows services.
Google Chrome is a robust and reliable web browser, but it’s not without its issues. Understanding why Chrome can become unresponsive, freeze, or crash is the first step in resolving these issues. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can improve your browsing experience and keep Chrome running smoothly.
