When you try to download a file using Chrome, you may occasionally get the “Virus scan failed” alert. This means that your browser could not scan the file for malware and blocked the download. Restarting your browser and retrying the download won’t help. Let’s explore what else you can do to get rid of this alert.
How to Fix “Virus Scan Failed” Google Chrome Error
Check Your Browser
Let’s start off by checking your browser. The idea is to make sure that nothing’s interfering with your download.
- Enable Incognito Mode. Try to download the problematic file in Incognito Mode.
- Clear your browser cache. Delete your cookies and cache files, and check if the issue persists.
- Disable all of your extensions. Privacy and security extensions often interfere with the scripts of the websites you’re visiting. They can also limit certain browser functionalities.
- Update your browser. Click on the three-dot menu, go to Help, select About Google Chrome and check for updates.
Use a Different Browser
If the issue persists, switch to a different browser. However, keep in mind that the same error may pop up on other Chromium-based browsers as well. Use Firefox and check if you can download the problematic file.
Check Your Antivirus Log
The “Virus scan failed” alert could also indicate that your antivirus blocked the file download process. Usually, this is because the antivirus has detected something suspicious and blocked the file. If you’re downloading files or programs from third-party download websites, your antivirus may be right. Check the log for details about why the file was blocked in the first place. For step-by-step instructions on how to check the log, go to your antivirus support page.
We don’t recommend turning off your antivirus and firewall to get rid of this error. The file you’re trying to download might be infected with malware. Stay on the safe side, and don’t risk infecting your machine with malware. Hackers can’t wait to turn your machine into a zombie computer.
Disable Attachment Scanning
However, if you are 100 percent sure that the file you’re trying to download is safe, you can skip the attachment scanning phase temporarily. Don’t forget to re-enable the virus scanning option as soon as you’ve downloaded the file.
- Type regedit in the Windows Start Search field and launch the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments.- Note: If the Attachments entry is not available, create it by clicking Policies → New → Key → Attachments.
- Right-click on Attachments, select New, and then DWORD (32-bit).
- Name the new entry ScanWithAntiVirus, and hit Enter.
- Double-click on ScanWithAntiVirus. Change its value to 1, and save the new settings.
- Try to download the problematic file again.
Disable the Windows Attachment Manager
The Attachment Manager’s role is to block unsafe attachments and files. For example, if you’re trying to download suspicious or unsafe files from the Internet, the tool will automatically block and delete them. That could explain why you’re getting the “Virus scan failed” error on Chrome.
You can use the Group Policy Manager to disable the Attachment Manager, although we don’t recommend doing that. Navigate to Group Policy → User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Attachment Manager. As a quick reminder, GPEdit is only available on Windows 10 Pro computers.
Conclusion
If the “Virus scan failed” alert prevents Chrome from downloading files from the Internet, clear your browser cache, and disable your extensions. Make sure you’re running the latest Chrome version on your machine. If the issue persists, use a different browser, and tweak your Registry to disable the attachment scanning option. Did these solutions help you fix the problem? Share your feedback in the comments below.
Kristen Pierce says
Thank you so much for posting this……big, big help
Elle says
March 16, 2022 at 11:01 am
I tried all that I could above to no avail, but my brother read elsewhere that going via HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
instead of CURRENT_USER may work and it did! Followed the same steps Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments -> found attachments there, double-clicked on ScanWithAntiVirus, changed its value to 1, and save the new settings. That sorted it for me, so may help someone else!
Duje says
yoooo jerry he saved me his comment was the one if u still have this issue try that
this is his comment if u cant find it
I tried clearing cache/cookies/browser history, I tried switching off all Anti-Virus I have, I even removed McAfee LiveSafe. Nothing worked!
I the ended up on this page I tried the registry setting but didn’t have the “Attachment” folder under HKCU… But I found it under HKLM. I changed the setting to “1” as indicated above and this resolved the issue! I didn’t have to restart my wife’s laptop.
Thank you so much for your help, this was driving me crazy!
unknown says
I tried the regedit but with HKLM.It immediately works omg.I was about to go crazy
Asokan says
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ….
instead of CURRENT_USER ..worked for me. ScanWithAntiVirus was set to 3 and was changed to 1 and it worked !!!! Thank you
rom moshe says
Finaly the problem was solved when the” ScanWithAntiVirus” attachment was set under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ….
instead of CURRENT_USER ..
Many thanks for the tip !!!
Alex says
I looked in policies and I don’t even HAVE the ScanWithAntiVirus part .-. Like actually what do I do lol
Lulu says
Thank you so much, again, as with others it was LOCAL USER, that did it for me. It has driven me potty all day, wish I had found your post sooner.
Makgohlo says
Worked for me with HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
instead of CURRENT_USER after trying everything for weeks.
Cooper says
Follow Elle’s comment – that worked for me as I was missing the Attachments folder under ‘Policies’!
Elliot says
I followed the advice of someone who said use “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” first…. then all the sub folders. I cannot thank them enough. It worked like magic. I will bookmark this website for the future.
hoodm says
Jerrys comment saved my day.
the Local Machine registery was the fix
the value was set to 3, i changed it to 1
Patti says
I’ve tried everything else, been working on this all day pretty much :( So, I tried to do the steps for the registry fix but I’m not missing the “attachments”, I’m missing the “policies” file. Is there anything I can do about that?
GARY says
I do not use GOOGLE CHROME BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I GO INTO MY VARIOUS FILES I CANNOT VIEW ANY ATTACHMENTS. I KEEP ON GETTING “CANNOT DOWNLOAD – VIRUS SCAN FAILED”
I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL RECENTLY. I HAVE NOT CHANGED ANY OF MY COMPUTER SETTINGS.
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
Elle says
I tried all that I could above to no avail, but my brother read elsewhere that going via HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
instead of CURRENT_USER may work and it did! Followed the same steps Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments -> found attachments there, double-clicked on ScanWithAntiVirus, changed its value to 1, and save the new settings. That sorted it for me, so may help someone else!
Bridgid says
Went through all the steps and the issue was not resolved :( So frustrating.
Thanks anyway.
Muhammad Husain says
I tried the registry setting but didn’t have the “Attachment” folder under HKCU… But I found it under HKLM. I changed the setting to “1” as indicated above and this resolved the issue!
Thank you so much for your help.
Indah Ramadhani says
Anybody, please help me. I have tried those alternatives and nothing works. I need to fix it soon as I am doing my final project in my degree.
Melinda says
Nothing works. Went through every step
Geeta says
Thanks Jerry, made the changes in the registry in HKLM. And it worked
Puneet says
Thanks Jerry.. I was also facing the same issue and tried all the steps mentioned in this page.
By using your additional input, issue was resolved on my Windows 10 laptop.
Jerry says
December 5, 2021 at 6:20 am
Jerry says
I tried clearing cache/cookies/browser history, I tried switching off all Anti-Virus I have, I even removed McAfee LiveSafe. Nothing worked!
I the ended up on this page I tried the registry setting but didn’t have the “Attachment” folder under HKCU… But I found it under HKLM. I changed the setting to “1” as indicated above and this resolved the issue! I didn’t have to restart my wife’s laptop.
Thank you so much for your help, this was driving me crazy!
Peter Metzler says
I have a smart phone: Samsung Galaxy A01. Is it compatible?
Larry says
I have same problem. All so called fixes haven’t worked
JOANNA says
Didn’t fix the problem. I tried switching from Chrome to Edge and it still won’t let me download.
Deb B says
Still didn’t solve the problem — happens in both Chrome & Edge — cannot download anything (even tried downloading Firefox). It’s a MAJOR pain.