Sometimes, when you are trying to download a file from Google Chrome, you may see an error stating that virus scan failed Chrome. This is a common error with Google Chrome and can cause various issues with the browser. A Chrome virus scan failed while downloading can abruptly interrupt a file download and prevent other browsing processes. There can be various reasons for this issue, such as lags and malware intrusions. You can try to fix this issue by running a Google security scan. In this guide, we will discuss reasons and methods to fix virus scan failed error in Google Chrome.
How to Fix Virus Scan Failed Error in Google Chrome
Continue reading to know about the solutions for Chrome virus scan failed while downloading error in detail.
Reasons for Virus Scan Failed Error in Google Chrome
There can be various reasons for this error. Some of the most common errors are mentioned here.
- Lag issues with Chrome can cause a virus scan failed error in Google Chrome.
- Data errors and a corrupt cache are also associated with this error on Google Chrome.
- Corrupt Chrome extensions are also responsible for the virus scan failed error.
- Malware and viruses are also responsible for this error.
- An outdated Chrome version can also cause this error.
- Improper Chrome settings are also responsible for this issue on Google Chrome.
- Improper system registry settings can also cause this error.
- Underlying issues with Google Chrome programs can also cause this error.
Method 1: Re-launch Chrome
Relaunching the Chrome browser is one of the first steps you can take to resolve the failed virus scan in Chrome. Often, the issue is caused by improper loading of the Chrome browser. Therefore, sometimes simply restarting your Chrome browser can fix this issue. If this does not help and you continue to receive the same error, you can go ahead with more advanced methods to fix Chrome virus scan failed while downloading issues. Continue reading to find out how to run an in-built Google security scan from Google Chrome.
Method 2: Use Chrome in Incognito Mode
Another effective method to avoid virus scan failed error in Google Chrome is to use Chrome in incognito mode. Incognito mode allows you to surf the internet without additional browser data. Therefore, if you are having this issue, you can try to avoid it by using Google Chrome in incognito mode. If you’re not sure how to access the incognito mode in Chrome, you can read the How to Enable Incognito Mode in Chrome guide to learn how.
Also Read: Fix Google Chrome Server Sent No Data Error
Method 3: Clear Chrome Cache
Cache data is temporary browser data that is stored in the temporary folder on your computer. This data normally does not harm the computer and does not affect the performance of your browser. However, when cache and cookie data are corrupt or in excess, it can cause several issues with the Chrome browser. This issue is also sometimes associated with excess or corrupt cache and cookie data on Google Chrome. Therefore, it should be a good idea to clear the cache data on your Chrome browser to resolve virus scan failed Chrome issue. You can check out the How to Clear Cache & Cookies in Google Chrome guide to clear cookies and cache data from Google Chrome. Also, keep reading to find out how to run an in-built Google security scan from Google Chrome.
Method 4: Disable Chrome Extension
Browser extensions are important tools that can help you navigate around the Google Chrome browser, making the browsing experience easy for you. You can find various kinds of extensions for Google Chrome, from extensions that provide download links for videos and movies to extensions that help you enhance your browser’s performance. However, as useful as they are, extensions can also cause several issues with Chrome. Sometimes, extensions can also interfere with the browser and cause errors, such as Chrome virus scan failed while downloading error. Therefore, if you continue to receive this error in Google Chrome, you should consider removing extensions from Google Chrome.
1. Press the Windows key, type Chrome and click on Open.
2. From the top right corner of the browser window, click on the Menu options.
3. Here, click on More Tools and then click on Extensions.
4. Then, you can turn off extensions.
Also Read: Fix An Unexpected Error has Occurred Chrome OS Recovery
Method 5: Use Chrome’s Built-in Malware Scanner
Google Chrome is equipped with a built-in malware scanner that can be used to scan the computer for malware or viruses. This malware scanner can also be used to fix virus scan failed Chrome error with Google Chrome. Follow these simple steps to use the in-built Google security scan from Google Chrome to fix the issue.
1. Open Google Chrome from the Start Menu.
2. Click on the Menu options from the top right of the window.
3. Here, click on the Settings.
4. Now, navigate to the Reset and clean up.
5. Now, click on the Clean up computer.
6. Click on Find to scan for malware on your computer.
Method 6: Update Google Chrome
If the previous methods do not help and you continue to have virus scan failed error in Google Chrome, you can try checking for the latest Chrome updates. Generally, Google Chrome updates automatically, and you won’t need to check it manually, but in some cases, you may have to check for the latest updates to fix Chrome virus scan failed while downloading issue on your computer.
1. Open the Google Chrome Settings.
2. From the left-side menu, click on About Chrome, and check for updates.
Also Read: Fix Google Chrome Frequently Visited Sites Missing
Method 7: Reset Chrome
Virus scan failed error in Google Chrome can occur when there are changes made to the Chrome settings. If you can’t figure out how to revert the changes made to the Chrome settings, you can try to reset Google Chrome to its default settings to fix this issue.
1. Navigate to Google Chrome Settings.
2. Now, navigate to the Reset and clean up.
3. Now, click on the Restore settings to their original defaults button.
4. Finally, click on the Reset settings button to reset the Google Chrome to default settings.
Method 8: Temporarily Disable Antivirus Program (If Applicable)
The virus scan error in Google Chrome is sometimes associated with the antivirus program on your computer. Therefore, if you continue to receive this error, you should consider disabling the antivirus program on your computer. If you are not sure how to safely disable the antivirus, you can check out the How to Disable Antivirus Temporarily on Windows 10 guide to safely disable the antivirus on your computer.
Also Read: Fix Chrome Blocking Download Issue
Method 9: Modify System Registry Keys
If the issue persists, you can try to fix it by modifying the system registry for Google on your computer. Follow these simple steps to modify the system registry to fix the issue.
1. Hit the Windows key, type Registry Editor, then click on Open.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location path.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
3. If you don’t find the Attachment key here, right-click on Policies, and click New.
4. Click on Key, and name the new key Attachment.
5. Now, right-click on the empty space, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new key as ScanWithAntiVirus.
7. Right-click on the New DWORD key and click Modify…
8. Set the value to 1 and click OK.
9. Launch Google Chrome and start the virus scan again.
Method 10: Reinstall Google Chrome
If none of the previously mentioned methods work and you continue to receive the same error, you can try to fix the issue by reinstalling Google Chrome on your computer.
1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.
2. Here, click on Apps.
3. Now, navigate to and click on Google Chrome and click Uninstall.
4. Click on Uninstall to confirm the process.
5. Click Yes in the confirmation pop-up.
6. Finally, click Uninstall to confirm the uninstallation for Google Chrome.
7. Now, press Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
8. Type %localappdata% and press the Enter key.
9. Here, double-click on the Google folder to open it.
10. Locate and right-click on the Chrome folder and click Delete.
11. Then, open the Run dialog box, type %appdata% and hit the Enter key to launch AppData Roaming folder.
12. Follow Steps 9 and 10 to delete the Chrome folder if there is any.
13. Then, reboot the PC.
14. Open the computer browser and visit the official Chrome website.
15. Click the Download Chrome button to download Chrome.
16. Run the setup file from the downloaded location and follow the on-screen instructions to install Chrome.
Also Read: How to Perform Chrome Openload Fix
Method 11: Use Different Browser
If none of the previous methods work, and the issue is not resolved with Google Chrome, you can try to use a different web browser to surf the internet and download files. Browsers like Edge, Firefox, and Opera are some of the best alternatives for Google Chrome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Chrome virus scan failed issue?
Ans. Chrome virus scan failed issue is a common error on Google Chrome. This issue can interrupt a file download.
Q2. Why is the file not downloading from Chrome?
Ans. If a file is not downloading from Google Chrome, this can be due to the virus scan failed error on Chrome.
Q3. How do I fix the Chrome virus scan failed issue?
Ans. You can try to fix this issue by clearing cache data or by disabling Google Chrome extensions.
Q4. Can a Google extension cause a virus scan to fail?
Ans. Yes, A corrupt Google Chrome extension can cause a virus scan to fail, this issue can abruptly stop downloading a file from Google Chrome.
Q5. Can I use Google Chrome to run a malware scan?
Ans. Yes, Google Chrome comes with an in-built malware scan utility. You can run this utility to fix issues caused by malware on your computer.
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We hope this guide was helpful to you and you were able to fix virus scan failed error in Google Chrome. Let us know which method worked for you. If you have any suggestions or queries for us, please let us know in the comment section.
