Additionally, this problem may occur if Windows Defender or any third-party antivirus software prevents the chrome.exe file from opening. Renaming chrome.exe or creating a new shortcut has resolved the issue for some users. A corrupted Google Chrome user data folder, which contains cache, profile, and other details, can also cause the issue.
1. Close all Chrome-related Processes
When Chrome appears unresponsive, it often remains as a background process, consuming resources silently and preventing a fresh instance from launching properly. Closing these residual Chrome processes frees up system resources and makes way for a clean, problem-free start of the browser. By doing so, you eliminate any previous session conflicts, which might clear the way for Chrome to open smoothly on your next attempt.
2. Launch Chrome with a New Shortcut
Creating a new shortcut for Chrome can also resolve launching issues, often caused by Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software blocking the executable due to high memory and CPU usage.
3. Open Chrome with Compatibility Settings
Basically, this option instructs your operating system to simulate an earlier environment, similar to previous Windows versions, under which Chrome may have functioned without issues. By selecting Compatibility Mode, you provide a familiar digital backdrop for the application, fixing potential conflicts that might come from more recent system updates that Chrome hasn’t adapted to yet.
4. Remove Chrome’s User Data Default Folder
The Default folder in Chrome’s User Data directory holds all your personal customizations and information. Just like a cluttered room can slow you down, corrupted files within this folder can prevent Chrome from starting properly. By clearing out this space you eliminate any damaged files that might be causing the issue. It’s a fresh start for your browser, which often gets it up and running smoothly again.
5. Untick “Register this program for restart” from Compatibility Settings
The Register this program for restart setting is intended to help programs recover from crashes by automatically restarting them. However, in rare cases, it could interfere with the initial launching process. By unchecking this setting for Google Chrome, you eliminate this potential disruption, allowing the browser to start normally without being caught in a problematic restart loop.
6. Disable Windows Defender or Third-party Antivirus Temporarily
In certain scenarios, Windows Defender or other antivirus programs can mistakenly identify Chrome as a threat. This false positive prevents the browser from opening as a protective measure. By temporarily disabling the security software, you remove this barrier, allowing Chrome to launch. It’s a troubleshooting step to confirm whether the security tools are causing the problem, and once verified, you can adjust settings or report a false positive to the software provider. Remember to re-enable protection on-time to keep your system secure.
Windows Defender
Third-party Antivirus
7. Reinstall Chrome
Reinstalling chrome, removes all data potentially corrupted, including settings and extensions that might interfere with the browser’s operation. Reinstallation creates a brand-new instance of Chrome with default settings, which can eliminate problems caused by previous configurations or files. Before uninstalling, it’s important to remove Chrome’s data from the Appdata folder where configuration files may have become corrupted.
