Can't Download Chrome on Mac: Troubleshooting Guide

Are you facing issues downloading Google Chrome on your Mac? Despite trying various approaches, the browser continues to refuse installation or crashes frequently. In this article, we'll walk you through a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot common problems and get Chrome running smoothly on your MacBook Air.

Allow Chrome to Bypass Firewalls

If Windows Defender or any other Antivirus software's firewall is blocking Google Chrome, the browser won't work at all. To resolve this issue, add Chrome to the exception list in your firewall settings.

Disable Firewall for Chrome

Disabling all active extensions can also help alleviate issues with Chrome. To do so:

1. Go to Settings > More tools > Extensions.

2. Disable all active extensions to prevent them from loading and slowing down your browser.

Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome

If a simple repair fixes the problem, reinstalling Chrome becomes much easier. Follow these steps:

1. Uninstall Chrome from your Mac.

2. Download and install the latest version of Google Chrome.

Clear Browser History, Cookies & Cache

Clearing cookies, browsing history, and cache data can also help resolve issues with Chrome. To do so:

1. Go to Settings > Advanced > Clear browsing data.

2. Reset Chrome's settings to their default values.

Reset Settings/Check App Conflicts

Open the Chrome settings menu by clicking on the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser window. Then, click on 'Advanced' and select 'Reset and clean up.' From there, you can update or remove incompatible applications that may be causing issues with Chrome.

Close All Running Chrome.exe Processes

Running multiple instances of Chrome in the background can consume a significant amount of RAM, leading to slow performance and unresponsiveness. To close these processes:

1. Open Task Manager on your Mac.

2. End any running chrome.exe processes.

Chrome Not Closed Properly, Running in Background

Sometimes, Chrome may not be closed properly when you click the 'X' button in the corner of the window. This can lead to processes running in the background, consuming system resources. To resolve this issue:

1. Open Task Manager and end any running chrome.exe processes.

Check Your Internet Connection

Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working correctly by checking your router's settings and inspecting any physical cables connecting your PC to the router.

Download Chrome from the App Store

If you're using a MacBook Air, try downloading the official Chrome app from the App Store. Look for the Apple Silicon version of the app.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve common issues with Google Chrome on your Mac and get the browser running smoothly. If the problem persists, try some advanced methods until one of them works for you.

Cant download chrome on mac