If you experience various problems while using Google Chrome, the easiest way to solve the problem is to reinstall the program. To reinstall, you will first need to uninstall the program, then download the latest version of the installation file from the Chrome website. Also, you can't reinstall Chrome on an Android device if it's been installed as a default app from the start.
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Method 1 of 4: For Windows Computer
Step 1. Open “Control Panel”
Before reinstalling Chrome, you need to uninstall the original program first. You can remove it via “Control Panel”.
- For Windows 10 and 8.1 – Right-click the Windows button, then select “Control Panel”.
- For Windows 8 – Press the key combination Win+X, then select “Control Panel”.
- For Windows 7 and Vista – Open the “Start” menu and select “Control Panel”.
Step 2. Select “Uninstall a program” or “Programs and Features”
The optional label will be different depending on the current display mode. Once selected, a list of programs installed on the computer will be displayed.
Step 3. Search for “Google Chrome” from the list of programs displayed
By default, the program list will be displayed alphabetically.
Step 4. Select “Google Chrome”, then click “Uninstall”
You can find the “Uninstall” button above the list of programs after clicking on the program you want to remove.
Step 5. Check the box with the caption “Also delete your browsing data”
This is done to make sure all program data is completely erased before you reinstall Chrome from a fresh install file.
Step 6. Show hidden files in “Windows Explorer”
To clear the entire Chrome program data, you need to show hidden files in “Windows Explorer” first:
- Open “Control Panel”, then select “Folder Options”.
- Click the “View” tab and check the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option.
- Uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files" option.
Step 7. Delete any remaining Chrome program files
Once the hidden files are displayed, locate and delete the following directories from the computer:
- C:\Users\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome
- C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome
- For Windows XP only: C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome
Step 8. Visit the Chrome website from another browser
Open “Internet Explorer” or another browser installed on your computer and visit google.com/chrome.
Step 9. Move the cursor to the “Download” option at the top of the page, then select “For personal computer”
After that, you will be taken to the Chrome download page.
Step 10. Click “Download Chrome” to download the Chrome installation file
It will automatically download the Chrome installation file for the Windows version.
By default, the downloaded file is a browser installation file with a 32-bit version. If you want to use the 64-bit version of the browser on a 64-bit computer, select “Download Chrome for another platform”, then select “Windows 10/8.1/8/7 64-bit”
Step 11. Review the terms and conditions of use of the program, then run the installation file
Chrome will display the browser's terms of use for users. In addition, Chrome will also set the program itself as the main browser after the installation is complete. You can change these settings by unchecking the appropriate boxes.
Step 12. Click “Accept and Install” to start downloading the required files
You can see several small windows open and close automatically.
Step 13. Click “Run” when prompted
This way, your computer can download the installation file from Google.
Step 14. Wait until the installation process is complete
The necessary files will be downloaded and, once the download is complete, the Chrome installer will run. However, once you run the installation file it will download more files. When finished, then the Chrome installation will begin.
If you're having trouble running the online installation file, try downloading and running an alternative installer file from Google
Step 15. Run Chrome
When you launch Chrome after the installation is complete, you will be prompted to choose your primary browser. Choose Chrome or another web browser on the list to make it your computer's primary browser.
Step 16. Sign in to Chrome using your Google account (optional)
Once the Chrome window opens, you will be taken to the login page. Sign in to Chrome with your Google account so you can sync bookmarks, extensions, themes, saved passwords, and form files. However, to use the browser you are not required to sign in using a Google account.
Method 2 of 4: For Mac Computer
Step 1. Open the “Applications” directory
Before reinstalling Chrome, you need to uninstall the old version of Chrome first. You can find it in the “Applications” directory.
Step 2. Search for the Google Chrome app
The application may be in the main “Applications” directory, or it may have been moved to another directory.
Step 3. Click and drag Google Chrome to “Trash”
Drag the app to the “Trash” to remove it from the computer.
Step 4. Delete any remaining Chrome profile data
If you want to completely clear Chrome app data before reinstalling the app, you need to find and clear Chrome profile data first. The deleted data includes preferences, bookmarks, and browsing history.
- Click the “Go” menu, then select “Go to Folder”.
- Enter ~/Library/Google and click "Go".
- Drag the “GoogleSoftwareUpdate” directory to “Trash”.
Step 5. Visit the Google Chrome website via Safari
Open Safari or another installed browser and visit google.com/chrome.
Step 6. Select “Download” and click “For personal computer” option
After that, you will be taken to the Chrome download page.
Step 7. Click “Download Chrome” to download the Mac version of Chrome installation file
You need to accept the terms of use before the download can begin.
Step 8. Open the file “googlechrome
dmg” after the download is complete.
The download process may take a few minutes.
Step 9. Drag the “Google Chrome
app” to the “Applications” directory icon.
After that, Google Chrome will be installed in that directory.
Step 10. Launch Google Chrome from the “Applications” directory
When prompted, click “Open” to confirm that you want to run Chrome.
Step 11. Sign in to Chrome using your Google account (optional)
When Chrome is first started, you will be asked to sign in with your Google account. That way, you can sync your previously synced bookmarks, settings, themes, and extensions. However, you are not required to sign in with a Google account in order to use Chrome.
Method 3 of 4: For iOS Devices
Step 1. Press and hold the Chrome icon present on the home screen
After a while, the icons will start to vibrate.
Step 2. Touch the “X” button in the corner of the Chrome icon
Step 3. Press “Home” button to exit app uninstall mode
The app icons will stop vibrating and you will be able to reopen other apps.
Step 4. Open the App Store
Once Chrome is deleted, you can download it again from the App Store.
Step 5. Search for Google Chrome by typing the keyword “Google Chrome” in the search field
Usually Google Chrome appears in the top position of search results.
Step 6. Touch “Get”, then select “Install”
After that, the Chrome app will immediately be downloaded to the device. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password before the download begins.
Step 7. Run the Chrome app
Once the download and installation is complete, you can launch the app by touching the Chrome icon present on the home screen. After that, the Chrome browser is open and can be used.
Method 4 of 4: For Android Devices
Step 1. Open the settings menu
You can remove Chrome from the device settings menu. However, Chrome cannot be uninstalled if it is pre-installed on the device as a default app.
Step 2. On the settings menu, select “Apps” or “Applications”
After that, a list of apps installed on the device will be displayed.
Step 3. Touch “Chrome” from the list shown
After that, the application details page will be displayed.
Step 4. Tap on “Uninstall” or “Uninstall Updates” option
If you see an “Uninstall” option, you can remove Chrome from your device. If you see the “Uninstall Updates” option, it means that Chrome on your device is a default application and you can only uninstall the updates.
Step 5. Open Google Play Store after you uninstall Chrome
Once Chrome is deleted, you can download it again from the Play Store.
Step 6. Search for Google Chrome by typing the keyword “Chrome” in the search field
Google Chrome will appear in the first rank of search results.
Step 7. Touch the “Install” or “Update” button
If you can remove Chrome from your device, touch the “Install” button to download the latest version of Chrome to your device. If you can only uninstall the update, touch “Update” to download and install the latest update for Chrome.
Step 8. Run Chrome
You can find it on the page or app drawer. Chrome shortcuts may also appear on the homescreen, depending on the settings you're using.
