Opened up your Windows 10 PC or Laptop to find you can't start up Google Chrome? Don't stress - Here are the best steps to take to get you back running on Google Chrome web browser.
Option 1: The Classic Reboot
Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10
Perhaps the most obvious step you can try is to reboot your computer - By this, we mean to fully shut every running program off, then turn off your device.
Wait 10 seconds before starting up your device again - Then once you're back up and running, see if the problem resolves.
If this didn't work, try the next option...
Option 2: End The Process Using Task Manager
Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10
Sometimes ending the Google Chrome application can fix the problem. You may have Google Chrome running in the background, but the tab isn't visible on your Windows taskbar.
To open task manager, you can use one of three methods:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Ctrl + Alt + Del ------->Click task manager
Manually search for task manager in the Windows taskbar search feature
Once you have task manager open, right-click on Google Chrome (It should be listed in apps), and select 'End Task'.
This will effectively close all foreground and background processes that are running using Google Chrome and you should be able to start the application once you have made this step.
If you're still having issues try the next option below...
Option 3: Check Your Internet Security/Anti-Virus Software
Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10
Sometimes it is the case that Google Chrome isn't the issue at all, but that your Anti-Virus software has spotted something potentially harmful to your PC/laptop, and is disabling the start-up of Google Chrome.
The easiest way around this is to temporarily disable your anti-virus software from accessing Chrome, which should stop any blocks from occurring.
This can be done within the software application, generally by removing the permission of the software to access the Google Chrome app.
Alternatively, check if the software is allowing startup, check your application restrictions for Google Chrome in case the anti-virus software isn't allowing it to open.
If that doesn't work - Try the option below:
Option 4: Open Google Chrome in Safe Mode
Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10
By opening Google Chrome in safe mode, you are stopping any browser extensions from being activated. Safe mode is another term for 'incognito' - Where Google Chrome encrypts your browsing history (i.e. Your activity isn't saved to your Google account storage).
Use the following shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N to open an incognito tab.
Next, click on the 3 dots in the top right corner of your incognito browser, this should open a normal tab in Google Chrome as you will be accessing your settings. If this successfully loads you will know that something from within your Chrome browser is stopping it from loading up.
If the problem of not being able to open Google Chrome is still occurring, please head straight to option 6. Otherwise, move to step 5:
Option 5: Run Google Chrome Cleanup Tool
Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10
If the last step allowed you to open Google Chrome temporarily, follow this step to hopefully eliminate what is stopping your Google Chrome application from starting up.
Open Google Chrome in safe mode
Type in the search bar : chrome://settings/cleanup - This will automatically open up Google's own malware scanner and cleanup tool.
Use the tool to check for any harmful software, and when prompted, make sure to disable everything that is flagged as harmful. Once you're done, close the Google Chrome browser and try to reopen it as normal.
Still having problems? Let's try one last trick, this final step should almost certainly fix your problem of not being able to load the Google Chrome browser.
Option 6: Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome Browser
Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10
Sometimes it'll end up being an issue with the settings applied to your current Google Chrome application, or just that your browser needed an update, whichever the case, let's see if uninstalling and reinstalling Google Chrome works to fix this issue.
Open the Windows taskbar search option (Type here to search).
Type in 'Add or Remove Programs' and proceed with the option labelled with the settings cog.
Scroll down until you reach Google Chrome - Select 'Uninstall'.
Once this process is done - Shut down and relaunch your Windows 10 laptop/PC
Reinstall Google Chrome
This should definitely fix any ongoing issue where you can't open up Google Chrome in Windows 10, as the version will be the newest available, and all accounts that were previously synced will have been taken off the Chrome browser. You can then set up your Google account/s as normal.
Thank you so much for reading 'IT Support 101: Google Chrome Not Starting in Windows 10' from IT Block. IT Block is an IT support and services firm based in Singapore and we love to share our IT expertise with the world.
