If you encounter difficulties downloading a file using the Google Chrome browser, such as a stalled download or Chrome freezing, this article provides helpful solutions to address the issue.
A download in Google Chrome doesn’t simply stall without reason; there can be various underlying causes. For instance, a specific browser extension may slow down or block the file download. Chrome’s built-in security scanner, “Safe Browsing,” might prevent the download. Furthermore, the problem could be related to specific settings within Google Chrome or your computer’s operating system.
Google Chrome stuck on downloads
As you can read, multiple factors can contribute to the download issues you’re experiencing in Google Chrome. I recommend reading through all the steps outlined in this article, executing them, and verifying whether the download problem is resolved afterward.
Verify the disk space on your computer
The first step I recommend is to check whether sufficient disk space is available in the location where Google Chrome saves downloads. Also, ensure that the location is accessible. For example, if downloads are being saved to an external hard drive, check if it is correctly connected to your computer.
You can check this by verifying the download location in Google Chrome and confirming its availability in “This PC” (Windows 11 or 10).
To do this, open the Google Chrome browser. Open Settings and click “Downloads”. Then, open “This PC” (Windows 11 of 10) and navigate to the specified location on your computer. If the location is correct, Google Chrome can save downloads to this location.
Next, I recommend checking the disk space availability. If downloads are being saved on the “C:” drive, ensure sufficient disk space on this drive to accommodate the download.
To check the disk space on the “C:” drive, follow these steps:
- Open “This PC”.
- Locate the “C:” drive and right-click on it.
- Select “Properties” from the context menu.
- A window will appear displaying the available disk space on the drive.
- Ensure there is enough free space to accommodate the download you are attempting.
If the disk space is running low, you may need to free up some space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to an alternative storage location.
Clearing temporary files in Google Chrome
When you use the Google Chrome browser over an extended period, it constantly stores new temporary files. These temporary files are helpful for faster website loading but can also cause issues with cookies and other site data, including downloads. Clearing temporary files is an option if you’re experiencing difficulties downloading files.
To clear temporary files, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Copy and paste the following address into the address bar: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
- Change the “Time range” to “All” to clear all temporary files.
- Select the following options:
- Browser history.
- Cookies and other site data.
- Cached images and files.
- Click on “Clear data”.
- After clearing the data, restart the browser.
By clearing the temporary files and restarting the browser, you can ensure a cleaner browsing environment, potentially resolving any download issues.
Disabling Google Chrome’s built-in security
Google Chrome has a security feature that checks all downloads for viruses and other unwanted behavior. If this security scan blocks a download, it can cause issues with the downloading process. To resolve this problem, temporarily disable the built-in security scanner in Google Chrome.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Copy and paste the following address into the address bar: chrome://settings/security
- In the “Safe Browsing” section of the settings, click on “No protection (not recommended).” You will see the following message:Safe Browsing protects you against attackers who may trick you into doing something dangerous like installing malicious software or revealing personal information like passwords, phone numbers, or credit cards. If you turn it off, be careful when browsing unfamiliar or unreputable sites.
- Click on “Turn off” to disable Safe Browsing temporarily.
By disabling Safe Browsing, you can bypass the antivirus scan for now. However, remember that this may expose you to risks when browsing unfamiliar or untrustworthy websites. Remember to re-enable the feature after you have completed your download.
Now, please try downloading the file again. If the download is successful (or not), you can re-enable Safe Browsing.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Copy and paste the following address into the address bar: chrome://settings/security
- In the “Safe Browsing” section of the settings, click on “Enhanced protection.” This will re-enable Safe Browsing with optimized security.
By enabling Safe Browsing again, you can ensure a higher level of protection against potential threats while browsing. Please proceed with your download attempt and ensure the file is successfully downloaded.
Disable your antivirus temporarily
If you have an antivirus program installed, temporarily disable the antivirus module. You can usually find this option in the program’s settings, but it may vary depending on the specific antivirus software you are using.
By temporarily disabling your antivirus, you can prevent it from blocking a file downloaded by Google Chrome. Some antivirus programs have web protection features that can block downloads. Therefore, it is advisable to adjust the settings of your antivirus program temporarily and check if it is not blocking downloads in Chrome.
Disable Google Chrome extension(s)
If you have any extensions enabled in Google Chrome, I recommend temporarily disabling all of them. Then, try downloading the file again. If the download is successful, it indicates that one of the extensions is causing the issue. You can then re-enable the extensions individually to determine which is potentially causing the problem.
Here’s how you can disable extensions in Google Chrome:
- Open the Google Chrome browser.
- Type the following in the address bar: chrome://extensions/
- Disable all extensions by clicking the blue toggle switch next to each extension.
- Retry downloading the file.
- Afterward, make sure to re-enable your extensions.
By following these steps, you can identify if a specific extension is interfering with the download process in Chrome.
Related: pay attention to this when installing a Google Chrome extension.
Resetting Google Chrome settings
If none of the previous solutions work, I recommend resetting the Google Chrome settings to their default values. By resetting the settings, you can restore Google Chrome to its original state as if you had freshly installed it. If downloading works after the reset, the issue should be resolved. If not, it may be a setting on your computer.
Additional tips
I suggest checking if you are not connected through a proxy, restricted network (such as school or work), or using a VPN. These types of connections can also block downloads due to restrictions. If you have an ad blocker or adblock app-enabled, try disabling it to see if you can download using Google Chrome.
I hope these suggestions help. Thanks to PC Tips for the information.