Users of the Google Chrome web browser for Windows may experience a problem where the browser hangs and freezes when it starts. Try these tips to fix the issue.
Fix 1 – Disable Hardware Acceleration
On some systems, hardware acceleration can cause problems. Try disabling it. It’s a common fix. You can do so with these steps.
- Download chromehwa.zip.
- Open the zip file, then run the chromehwa.reg file.
- Click “Yes“, then “Yes” again to import the registry change. Then select “OK”.
- Restart Windows, then give Chrome a try.
Fix 2 – Remove Extensions
Some extensions can become corrupted and be problematic. Remove them with these steps.
- Navigate to C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
Note: Be sure to set Windows to show hidden files. - You’ll see a series of folders. Each one holds the files to certain extensions. It’s difficult to tell which one is which. You may want to try deleting these folders a few at a time, then testing Chrome to see if it launches. If you’re like me though, I just delete them all, then I can reinstall the extensions/plugins I want later.
You Might Also Like
Why Does Google Chrome Create So Many Windows Processes?
How to Fix Google Chrome Screen Flashing in Windows
Prevent Old Chrome Tabs from Opening at Startup
How to Edit Startup Programs in Windows 10
How to Improve Windows 10 Startup Time
Roku Freezes and Reboots Itself
Enable/Disable Numlock at Windows Startup- How to Change Language in Google Chrome
Pitus says
For me it was due to FBDown Video Downloader – 4.0.5 Extensions – after disabling it (unchecked Enabled checkbox) Chrome now starts without the nasty 30s Unresponsive time shortly after startup (it still freezes for 1/2s or so after 13s since startup, but that’s barely noticeable). I didn’t have to do anything else, didn’t disable hardware acceleration, didn’t need to delete any files, just disabled this extension and restarted Chrome.
I also noticed that Google Docs Offline – 1.4 showed ‘This extension may have been corrupted.’ red message so I’ve deleted it but now I can’t find that Extension anywhere to re-install it, is it discontinued?
Earlier I’ve disabled all default Extensions (see below) but then re-enabled them and each one adds about 1/2s to the startup Freeze time so they’re not too bad, but I chose to disable them for now in chrome://extensions/
* Docs – 0.10
* Google Docs Offline – 1.4 – Deleted
* Sheets – 1.2
* Slides – 0.10
Still enabled:
* Tabs Outliner 1.4.134
* The Great Suspender 6.30
* qSnap Screen Capture 1.4.1.0
R Harding says
Awesome help!! Thank you