It is possible to learn how to fix some of the most common Google Chrome browser errors as well as how to uninstall and reinstall it on both computer and iPhone. Most of the errors you can run into come from outdated versions of Chrome or from too much programs or data in the browser.
Steps
Part 1 of 9: doing basic repairs
Step 1. Restart the computer
Especially if it's been on for several days, you might be able to make Google Chrome run faster and with fewer errors by restarting your computer.
Step 2. Check your Internet connection
If your router is not performing well or if your computer is not connecting to the network properly, you are going to notice slow load times and page errors. You can usually fix Wi-Fi issues by getting closer to the router or closing apps that are running in the background and using a lot of bandwidth (eg Netflix).
Step 3. Make sure your computer supports Google Chrome
The browser needs the following features:
- Windows: Windows 7 or higher
- Mac: Mac OS X 10.9 or higher
Step 4. Scan the computer with your antivirus
If Chrome is showing weird pages or if your homepage has recently changed without you doing anything, you may have a virus on your computer. A computer scan will allow you to eliminate it.
Part 2 of 9: Update Google Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome
If you can't open it, you need to uninstall it from your Windows, Mac, or iPhone computer.
Step 2. Click ⋮
You will find the button at the top right of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose Help
You'll find this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu. A window will appear near the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click About Google Chrome
You will find it in the window that opened. This should take you to the update page. If there is an update available for Google Chrome, it should install automatically.
- You will be asked to restart it by clicking on Restart Chrome after the update.
Part 3 of 9: close unresponsive tabs
Step 1. Click ⋮
You will see it at the top right of the window. A drop-down menu should appear.
Step 2. Choose More Tools
This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu. You should then see a window that opens near the menu.
Step 3. Click Task Manager
You will see it in the window that opened. It is that of the task manager.
Step 4. Choose the tabs to close
Click on one of them to select it or hold Ctrl (on Windows) or ⌘ Command (on Mac) while clicking on the different tabs you want to close.
Step 5. Select End Process
It's a blue button at the bottom right of the window. This will immediately close the tabs.
Part 4 of 9: Disable Extensions
Step 1. Click ⋮
This option is in the top right corner. A drop-down menu should appear.
Step 2. Choose More Tools
You'll find this option at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click Extensions
This option is in the same menu. This will open a tab with the list of extensions installed on Chrome.
Step 4. Find one to deactivate
Usually, the problems with Chrome come from extensions that have just been added to it, which is why you need to find one that has been installed in the last few days.
Chrome could also become unstable if you install too many extensions at once, so you should consider disabling the less useful ones
Step 5. Uncheck the Enable box next to the extension
This will prevent it from working. You will have to repeat this action for all the extensions you want to uninstall.
You can also delete an extension by clicking on the trash can icon before confirming when the window appears
Part 5 of 9: Clear cookies and history
Step 1. Click ⋮
You'll find it at the top right of the browser window. This will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 2. Select Settings
This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu. The settings page will open.
Step 3. Scroll down and click on Advanced
You will find it at the very bottom of the page. You will find more options in the "Advanced" menu.
Step 4. Click Clear browsing data
You will find this option towards the bottom of the “Privacy and security” option group.
Step 5. Make sure all the boxes are checked
Check all the boxes in the window to make sure all options are selected.
Step 6. Click Remove Following Items
You will see it near the top of the window.
Step 7. Select From Beginning
This option erases all data, not just last week, yesterday, etc.
Step 8. Click Delete All Browsing Data
It's a blue button at the bottom of the window. This will clear history, cookies, passwords and other data.
Part 6 of 9: reset Chrome
Step 1. Click ⋮
You will see the button at the top right of the window. A drop-down menu should appear.
Step 2. Choose Settings
You'll see it at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Scroll down and click on Advanced
The option is at the bottom of the page. You will see more options appear at this time.
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Reset
You will see it at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Choose Reset once the button appears
This will reset all Google Chrome settings to zero. Your saved data, favorites, extensions and settings will be erased and reset.
If that doesn't fix the problem on your computer, you'll need to uninstall and reinstall Google Chrome
Part 7 of 9: Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome on Windows
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click on the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen.
Step 2. Open settings
Click on the gear icon in the lower left corner of the Start menu.
Step 3. Select Applications
This option can be found on the settings page.
Step 4. Click Applications and Features
It's a tab on the left of the page.
Step 5. Go down and click on Chrome
You should find it in the part of applications that start with the letter "G". This should open a menu under the Chrome icon.
Step 6. Click Uninstall
You will see it under the heading of Google Chrome.
Step 7. Choose Uninstall when available
This will remove Google Chrome from your computer.
Step 8. Go to the Google Chrome download page
You will have to do this through another browser, for example Microsoft Edge or Firefox.
Step 9. Click Download Chrome
It's a blue button in the middle of the page.
Step 10. Select Agree and Install
The button is located at the bottom of the window that has appeared. The download of Chrome will begin.
Step 11. Double-click the installer file
You will find it in the default download folder of the browser you used (for example the "Downloads" or "Desktop" folder).
Step 12. Choose Yes when available
This will start the installation of Chrome.
Step 13. Wait for Chrome to install
It should take about a minute. Once the installation is complete, a new Chrome window will open.
Part 8 of 9: Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome on a Mac
Step 1. Open Finder
Click the blue face icon in your Mac's dock.
Step 2. Select Go
This option is at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu should appear.
Step 3. Click Applications
You'll see it at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Find Chrome and select it
You will see the icon in that folder. Once you see it, click on it to select it.
Step 5. Choose Edit
The option appears in the top left corner of the screen. Clicking on it will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 6. Select Remove
You will see it in the middle of the menu.
Step 7. Click and hold the trash can icon
You will find the recycle bin in your Mac's dock. By keeping the mouse pressed on it, you will open a drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click Empty Trash
The option is in the menu that opened.
Step 9. Click Empty Trash
This will permanently delete the contents of the Recycle Bin, including Google Chrome.
Step 10. Go to the Google Chrome download page
You are going to need another browser like Safari or Firefox.
Step 11. Click Download Chrome
It's a blue button in the middle of the window.
Step 12. Click Accept and Install
This option is at the bottom of the window that opened. The download should begin.
Step 13. Double-click on the DMG file
You will see it in the folder where your downloads are saved (for example the “Downloads” folder).
Step 14. Drag the Chrome icon into the applications
This will install it on your Mac.
If prompted, you must enter your Mac password before continuing
Part 9 of 9: Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome on iPhone
Step 1. Keep the icon pressed
It is a red, green, yellow and blue ball on a white background. You should see the icon shake.
Step 2. Tap X
You will see the cross at the top left of the icon.
Step 3. Choose Remove When Available
This will remove Google Chrome from your iPhone.
Step 4. Open the App Store
It's a blue app with a white "A" on it.
Step 5. Tap Search
This tab is located at the bottom right of the screen.
Step 6. Select the search bar
It's a gray bar near the top of the screen where it says “App Store”.
Step 7. Type google chrome
Step 8. Press Search
It's a blue button at the bottom right of the screen. This will launch a search to find Google Chrome.
Step 9. Tap Get
It's a button to the right of the icon.
Step 10. Enter your password
You can also use Touch ID or Face ID if your iPhone allows it.
Step 11. Wait for Chrome to download
Once finished, you will be able to open it and use it as usual.