How to Fix Chrome STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION Error

The Chrome STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION error is a common issue users encounter, often accompanied by the “Aw, Snap!” message. This error is generally associated with memory conflicts, corrupted files, or software incompatibilities. It can significantly disrupt your browsing experience. This guide will help you understand and fix this error, along with related issues like STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH and Chrome memory errors.

Quick Fixes to Try First

• Refresh the Page: Use Ctrl+R (Windows) or Cmd+R (Mac) or press F5.
• Restart Chrome: Completely close Chrome and reopen it.
• Close Other Programs: Shut down memory-intensive applications running simultaneously.
• Clear Browser Cache: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete and clear cached data.
• Use Incognito Mode: Open Chrome in Incognito mode using Ctrl+Shift+N.
• Restart Your Computer: Reboot your system to clear temporary issues.

Solutions for Windows

1. Update Chrome to the Latest Version

1. Open Chrome and click the menu icon (three dots in the upper right corner).
2. Select Help > About Google Chrome.
3. Let Chrome check for updates and click Relaunch if an update is available.

2. Disable Hardware Acceleration

1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Turn off Use hardware acceleration when available.
3. Restart Chrome.

3. Reset Chrome Flags to Default

1. Type chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Click Reset all to default.
3. Restart Chrome.

4. Rename or Delete Chrome Executable to Force Update

1. Close Chrome.
2. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application.
3. Rename chrome.exe to chrome_old.exe.
4. Reinstall Chrome from the official website.

5. Update Graphics Drivers

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
4. Alternatively, download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).

6. Disable Incompatible Extensions

1. Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Disable all extensions.
3. Re-enable them one by one to identify the problematic extension.

7. Run Chrome Malware Scanner

1. Go to Settings > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer.
2. Click Find to let Chrome scan for harmful software.

8. Modify Chrome Shortcut

Note: Use the –no-sandbox flag only for testing as it reduces security.

1. Right-click the Chrome shortcut and select Properties.
2. Add –no-sandbox at the end of the Target field.
3. Click OK and restart Chrome.

9. Disable RendererCodeIntegrity

This is a known cause of STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION.

1. Open Registry Editor (type regedit in the Run dialog).
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome.
3. Create a new DWORD: RendererCodeIntegrityEnabled and set it to 0.
4. Alternatively, disable it via Chrome flag: chrome://flags/#renderer-code-integrity.

10. Check for Conflicting Software

• Antivirus software (e.g., Symantec, Norton, Kaspersky)
• VPN software
• Screen recording software
• Memory optimization tools
• Add Chrome to antivirus exclusions or temporarily disable these applications.

11. Create a New User Profile

1. Go to Settings > “You and Google”.
2. Select Add new profile.
3. Check if the error persists with the new profile.

12. Clean Install Chrome

1. Uninstall Chrome from the Control Panel.
2. Delete the folder: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome.
3. Reinstall Chrome from google.com/chrome.

Solutions for macOS

• Update Chrome and macOS: Ensure both are up to date.
• Reset Chrome: Go to Settings > Reset settings.
• Clear Cache and Data: This can resolve browsing errors.
• Reinstall Chrome: Fully uninstall and reinstall the browser.
• Check Activity Monitor: Look for memory issues.
• Disable Hardware Acceleration: Similar steps to Windows.

Solutions for Linux

• Update Chrome: Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade google-chrome-stable.
• Disable GPU: Launch Chrome with the –disable-gpu flag.
• Check Library Conflicts: Use ldd /opt/google/chrome/chrome.
• Update Graphics Drivers: Ensure drivers are current.
• Change Desktop Environment: Try a different environment.
• Check System Memory: Run free -h to verify memory usage.

Chrome Flags to Try

• RendererCodeIntegrity: Disable it.
• GPU Rasterization: Disable it.
• Zero-copy Rasterizer: Disable it.
• Out-of-process Rasterization: Disable it.
• V8 Sandbox: Try toggling it.
• Strict-origin-when-cross-origin: Check its status.

Specific Triggers and Fixes

• Specific Websites: Clear site data and disable extensions for affected sites.
• Post-Update Errors: Roll back or use Chrome Beta/Canary.
• Video Issues: Disable hardware acceleration and update graphics drivers.
• Startup Errors: Reset Chrome flags and create a new profile.
• Random Crashes: Check RAM and scan for malware.

Advanced Troubleshooting

1. Check chrome://crashes for crash reports.
2. Review Windows Event Viewer for related errors.
3. Run System File Checker: Execute sfc /scannow in Command Prompt.
4. Use DISM: Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
5. Ensure Windows is up to date.
6. Test issues in Chrome Canary.
7. Use Task Manager to check for memory leaks.

Registry Fixes (Use with Caution)

1. Disable RendererCodeIntegrity via policy.
2. Check chrome://policy for conflicting browser policies.
3. Reset Chrome policies if they are set by malware.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can effectively resolve the STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION error in Chrome and improve your browsing experience. Always ensure your browser and system software are up to date to reduce the likelihood of encountering such errors in the future.