If Google Chrome will not download, install, or open correctly, this guide walks through the most common causes and fixes. It also explains when an offline installer can help and what to check before trying again.
Start Here: Quick Checklist
- Restart your computer and try again.
- Check that your internet connection is stable.
- Make sure your operating system is supported and up to date.
- Temporarily disable VPNs, strict firewalls, or download filtering tools.
- Only download Chrome from the official Google download page.
How to Do an Offline Install of Chrome
An offline install means you download the installer file once, then run it without needing to re-download during setup. This is useful if your internet is unreliable, downloads are blocked, or the online installer fails repeatedly.
Windows Offline Install Steps
- Download the Chrome installer from the official Google Chrome download page.
- Save the installer file to a known location such as Downloads or Desktop.
- Disconnect from the internet only if you are specifically troubleshooting a flaky connection. Otherwise stay connected.
- Right-click the installer file and choose Run as administrator.
- Follow the prompts to complete installation.
Screenshot placeholder: Run installer as administrator
macOS Offline Install Steps
- Download the Chrome DMG from the official Chrome download page.
- Open the DMG file.
- Drag Chrome into the Applications folder.
- Eject the DMG.
- Open Chrome from Applications.
Screenshot placeholder: Drag Chrome to Applications
Linux Offline Install Steps
- Download the correct package for your distro (DEB or RPM) from the official Chrome download page.
- Open the package using your system installer or package manager.
- Complete the install and then launch Chrome from your applications menu.
Screenshot placeholder: Choose DEB or RPM package
Fix: Chrome Download Fails
- Try a different browser: Use Edge, Safari, or Firefox to download Chrome.
- Disable VPN or proxy: Corporate networks and VPNs sometimes block download hosts.
- Check free disk space: Low disk space can cause downloads and installs to fail.
- Try another network: If possible, test a mobile hotspot to rule out ISP or router filtering.
Fix: Installer Will Not Run (Windows)
- Run as administrator: Right-click the installer and choose Run as administrator.
- Check SmartScreen: If Windows blocks it, confirm you downloaded from Google and allow it.
- Temporarily disable antivirus: Some security tools block installers and need an allow list.
- Re-download the installer: The file may be incomplete or corrupted.
Fix: Chrome Installs but Will Not Open
- Restart the device: This clears locked files and stuck background processes.
- End Chrome processes: On Windows, open Task Manager and end chrome.exe tasks.
- Remove conflicting extensions: If Chrome opens then crashes, try starting without extensions.
- Create a new user profile: A corrupted profile can prevent Chrome from launching properly.
Fix: Installation Errors and How to Resolve Them
“Installation failed” or “Update failed”
- Check your date and time settings. Incorrect system time can break secure downloads.
- Disable VPN, proxy, or restrictive firewall rules temporarily.
- Make sure Windows Update or system updates are not pending a restart.
“This app can’t run on your PC”
- Verify your Windows version meets Chrome requirements.
- Make sure you are not on an unsupported edition or very old version of Windows.
- Re-download the installer from the official source.
macOS “Chrome is damaged and can’t be opened”
- Delete Chrome from Applications and reinstall from the official Chrome download page.
- Make sure you are using the correct macOS version supported by Chrome.
- Confirm your download is not being altered by a security tool.
Confirm Chrome Is Installed and Up to Date
Once Chrome launches successfully, open Settings and find the About Chrome section. Chrome checks for updates automatically and installs the newest version in the background.
When to Try a Different Approach
- If installation fails repeatedly on one network, try another network to confirm it is not blocked.
- If Chrome opens then crashes instantly, test with a new Chrome profile.
- If you are on a managed work computer, your organization may restrict installations.
If you still cannot install Chrome, the fastest next step is to uninstall any partial Chrome install, restart your device, then reinstall from the official Google download page.