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. Our update Chrome guide covers what to do if it won’t update.

2. Disable Hardware Acceleration

1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available (see our hardware acceleration guide).
3. Click Relaunch.

3. Reset Chrome Flags to Default

1. Paste chrome://flags in the address bar and press Enter (more on Chrome flags).
2. Click Reset all.
3. Restart Chrome.

4. 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).

5. Disable Incompatible Extensions

1. Paste 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.

6. Check for Malware

Older guides send you to a “Clean up computer” scanner in Chrome’s settings. Google retired it: the option is gone and its ChromeCleanupEnabled policy is marked deprecated. Instead:

1. Run a full scan with Windows Security or your antivirus.
2. Remove programs you don’t recognize: Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, as Google describes in Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware.
3. See our guide to removing browser hijackers and malware.

7. 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.

8. Create a New User Profile

1. At the top right of Chrome, select your Profile icon.
2. Select Add Chrome profile.
3. Check if the error persists with the new profile.

9. Clean Install Chrome

1. Uninstall Chrome: Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, then More next to Google Chrome > Uninstall.
2. Optional: delete the folder %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome. This erases your local profile, including bookmarks, passwords and history that are not synced to your Google Account, so turn on sync or export them first.
3. Reinstall Chrome from our Chrome for Windows page. More help: how to reinstall 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 to test whether the graphics driver is the cause.
• 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.

Specific Triggers and Fixes

• Specific Websites: Clear site data and disable extensions for affected sites.
• Post-Update Errors: Check for a newer update, reset flags and test a new profile.
• 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.

Policies

Older guides tell you to turn off Renderer Code Integrity with the RendererCodeIntegrityEnabled registry policy. Google’s policy list shows that policy is no longer supported, so current Chrome ignores it. Don’t add it.

1. Check chrome://policy for conflicting browser policies.
2. 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.