You click Chrome, but no window opens. Or it starts and immediately closes. Start with the quick desktop checks below to get the browser running again, or jump to the Android and iPhone sections for phone fixes.
Try opening Chrome another way
This bypasses your usual shortcut when it won't open Chrome.
On Windows, press Windows+S.
Type Google Chrome.
Select Google Chrome from the results.
On a Mac, open Finder > Applications.
Double-click Google Chrome.
For another Mac launch option, open Spotlight.
Enter Google Chrome.
Press Return.
Find Chrome's missing window
A minimized window or a window on another monitor makes Chrome look unavailable even though it's running. On Windows, press Alt+Tab to select Google Chrome.
Press Windows+Up arrow to maximize the selected window.
If Chrome is on another monitor, press Windows+Shift+Left arrow or Windows+Shift+Right arrow to move its window to your screen.
Clear a stuck Chrome process
A stuck background process leaves Chrome running without a usable window.
Ending Chrome processes puts unsaved browser work at risk.
On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
Under Processes, select Google Chrome or chrome.exe.
Click End task.
End any remaining Chrome processes the same way.
Open Google Chrome again.
On a Mac, press Command+Option+Esc.
Select Google Chrome.
Click Force Quit.
Reopen Google Chrome.
Give your computer some breathing room
Use this approach when other applications are running or downloads are underway. Freeing memory and restarting are Google's next desktop troubleshooting checks.
Quit other running applications.
Pause active downloads.
If a Chrome window is accessible, close surplus tabs.
Try opening Google Chrome again.
If Chrome still fails, restart your computer.
Check security blocks and scan for malware
Open your installed security application.
Check whether it has blocked Chrome. The controls depend on your security product.
Follow that vendor's instructions to resolve a confirmed block.
Retry Google Chrome.
On a Windows PC with Microsoft Defender Antivirus available, open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
Select Quick scan.
For a more extensive check, open Scan options.
Choose Full scan or Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan). The offline scan restarts your computer.
Tip: Use Windows Security for malware checks; Google retired the Chrome Cleanup Tool.
Reinstall Chrome if it still will not open
If Chrome remains inaccessible, reinstall the application. Deleting browsing data or a local profile is a separate, destructive choice, so leave that data in place.
Close Chrome before removing it, using the process-ending steps above if it's still running in the background.
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Find Google Chrome.
Open its More menu.
Select Uninstall.
Confirm with Uninstall again.
On Windows 10, use Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Google Chrome > Uninstall.
Download Chrome from Google's Chrome download page in another working browser.
Run the downloaded installer.
On a Mac, locate Google Chrome in Finder > Applications.
Drag Google Chrome to Trash.
Download Chrome from Google's Chrome download page using another browser. Current Chrome requires macOS 13 Ventura or later.
Open googlechrome.dmg.
Drag Google Chrome into Applications.
If the Windows installer won't download, open Google's Chrome download page on another computer.
Select Chrome Family > Other Platforms.
Choose the affected computer's operating system.
Download the installer.
Transfer it to the affected PC.
Run the transferred installer.
If Chrome still won't launch after reinstallation, send any launch error to your device administrator on a managed computer.
Address recurring crashes once Chrome opens
These checks address repeat failures when Chrome stays open long enough to use its menus.
On Windows or Mac, open More > Help > About Google Chrome to check for updates.
Select Relaunch when offered.
On Linux, update Chrome through your distribution's package manager.
If crashes continue, open More > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Turn off the extensions.
Test them individually to identify the one causing trouble.
For the graphics acceleration check, open More > Settings > System.
Turn off Use graphics acceleration when available.
Relaunch Chrome to test the change.
If the problem persists, open More > Settings > Reset settings. A reset keeps bookmarks and saved passwords, but resets extensions and other settings.
Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.
If you cannot reach Settings, use the reinstallation steps above.
Restart an unresponsive Chrome app on Android
An unresponsive Chrome app needs to be stopped before you retry it.
On a Google Pixel, open Settings > Apps > See all apps > Chrome. Menu names differ across Android manufacturers.
Tap Force stop.
Confirm with OK.
Reopen Chrome.
If it still fails, open Settings > Apps > See all apps > Chrome > Storage & cache.
Tap Clear cache to remove temporary application files. Keep this separate from Clear storage or Clear data, which erases locally saved application data.
Try Chrome again.
To check for an update without opening Chrome, go to Play Store > profile icon > Manage apps & devices > Updates available.
Update Chrome.
If the problem continues on a Pixel 6 or later, hold Power+Volume up.
Tap Restart.
On other Android phones, use your manufacturer's restart procedure.
Get Chrome working on iPhone or iPad
First, bring up your open apps. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom and pause; on a Home-button iPhone, double-click Home. On iPad, open the App Switcher.
Swipe the Chrome preview upward to close it on iPhone, or swipe its window away on iPad.
Tap Chrome to reopen it. If it still fails, install its available update through App Store > profile icon > App Updates. If no app update is available, Apple recommends updating iOS or iPadOS.
Restart your iPhone or iPad if Chrome continues to fail. Try opening Chrome again after startup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I delete and reinstall Chrome on my iPhone or iPad?
If closing, updating, and restarting haven't resolved the problem, reinstall Chrome. Deletion removes local Chrome profile information. Touch and hold Chrome, select Remove app > Delete app, then reinstall Google's Chrome app from the App Store. Removing only the Home-screen icon does not uninstall it.
What if Chrome is missing or disabled on Android?
Search for Chrome in Google Play and select Google's listing. Tap Open if it's installed or Install if it's missing. For disabled Chrome, open Play Store > profile icon > Manage apps & device > Manage, select Chrome, and tap Enable.
Can changing my default browser fix Chrome's launch failure?
No. Making Chrome the default changes which browser opens external links. It does not repair a Chrome process that crashes.
Can Microsoft Family Safety prevent Chrome from opening?
Yes. A family organizer can unblock it at account.microsoft.com/family. The organizer selects the family member, opens Windows > Apps, features, and games, then chooses Chrome's More > Unblock app. Only a family organizer can change the restriction.
