Several users have reported that the Chrome browser experiences crashes, freezes, or becomes unresponsive while downloading files from the internet. If you are encountering this issue, follow the solutions provided below to fix it.
Chrome crashes or freezes when downloading a file
If you experience Chrome crashes or freezes while attempting to download a file from the internet, try the following solutions:
- Alter the default location of your downloads.
- Close unnecessary Chrome tabs.
- Deactivate your browser extensions.
- Delete the browser cache.
- Create a new user profile.
- Reset or reinstall Chrome.
- Utilize a different browser for file downloads.
1] Change the default location of your downloads
By default, Chrome saves downloaded files in the Downloads folder on Windows. However, there could be an issue with the folder or Chrome’s access to it, resulting in crashes or freezes when trying to download a file. If applicable, you can resolve this problem by changing the download folder location in Chrome. Follow the steps below:
- Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu button.
- Select the Settings option and go to the Downloads tab in the left-side pane.
- Click the Change button under the Location option.
- Select the desired folder where you want to save downloaded files.
- Retry downloading files to check if the issue is resolved.
2] Close unnecessary Chrome tabs
If you have multiple tabs open in Chrome simultaneously, it can strain the browser and negatively affect its performance. This can lead to unexpected crashes when downloading files. To prevent crashes, try closing some tabs and freeing up RAM.
3] Deactivate your browser extensions
Web extensions can sometimes cause issues and interfere with the browser’s functioning. If you have installed suspicious extensions that might be causing Chrome to crash during file downloads, consider disabling or removing them. Follow these steps:
- Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
- Switch off the toggle associated with the extensions you want to deactivate. Alternatively, click the Remove button to permanently uninstall the extension.
- Check if you can now download files without experiencing crashes or performance issues.
Read: Fix the screen flickering issue in Google Chrome on Windows.
4] Delete the browser cache
An outdated or corrupted browser cache can also cause the same issue. Therefore, clear the browser cache and check if the problem is resolved.
5] Create a new user profile
A corrupted user profile can often be responsible for this issue. If the previous solutions do not resolve the problem, try creating a new user profile in Chrome. Sign in to the browser using the new profile, then attempt to download a file and check if the issue persists.
6] Reset or reinstall Chrome
Corrupted user data, settings, and preferences in Chrome can cause issues like this. As a result, you may want to reset Chrome to its default state to resolve the problem. Visit the chrome://settings/reset page and click on the Restore settings to their original defaults option to initiate the reset. Afterward, restart the browser and check if you can download files without experiencing crashes or freezes.
If resetting Chrome does not work, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the browser. This should resolve the problem for you.
7] Use a different browser to download files
As a temporary solution, you can switch to an alternative browser, such as Microsoft Edge, to download files.
Related read: Troubleshoot the “Not enough memory to open this page” error in Google Chrome.
What causes Chrome to freeze when uploading files?
Chrome is likely to freeze during file uploads if there are too many open tabs consuming excessive memory. Additionally, slow internet speed while attempting to upload large files can also cause Chrome to freeze or crash. Other potential causes include corrupted user profiles, browser cache issues, problematic web extensions, and enabled hardware acceleration.
Why does Chrome freeze at 100% during downloads?
If Chrome downloads become stuck at 100%, it could be due to limited bandwidth or a corrupted download cache. Third-party antivirus software could also be blocking the download. Additionally, a faulty web extension might cause this issue.
Now read: Resolve Google Chrome freezing or crashing issues on Windows.
