Quick Summary
The 'Aw, Snap!' error in Chrome indicates that a webpage has crashed unexpectedly. This usually means Chrome ran into a problem loading the page, often due to memory issues, conflicting software, or corrupted files.
Common Causes
- Insufficient System Resources (RAM): Chrome, particularly with multiple tabs open, can consume a significant amount of RAM. If your system is low on memory, Chrome might crash a tab to prevent system instability.
- Conflicting Extensions: Some Chrome extensions can interfere with the normal operation of the browser, leading to crashes. This can be due to bugs in the extension or incompatibility with the website being accessed.
- Outdated or Corrupted Browser Cache and Cookies: Old or corrupt cached data and cookies can cause problems when Chrome tries to load a webpage, resulting in a crash.
- Software Conflicts: Other running software on your computer may be interfering with Chrome's operation. This is more common with security software, such as anti-virus programs, or infrequently updated software.
- Corrupted Chrome Profile: The Chrome profile stores user settings, browsing history, and other data. A corrupted profile can lead to unexpected behavior, including 'Aw, Snap!' errors.
- GPU Issues: Problems with the graphics processing unit (GPU) or its drivers can sometimes cause Chrome to crash, especially if hardware acceleration is enabled.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Reload the Page
Step 1: Simply click the 'Reload' button or press F5 to reload the page.
This sometimes temporarily resolves the issue, especially if it was a transient error.
Method 2: Close Other Tabs and Extensions
Step 1: Close any unnecessary tabs or extensions that are running in Chrome.
Step 2: This frees up system resources and reduces the likelihood of conflicts.
Method 3: Restart Chrome
Step 1: Close all Chrome windows and processes.
Step 2: Reopen Chrome.
This clears the browser's memory and may resolve temporary issues.
Method 4: Update Chrome
Step 1: In Chrome, click the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Go to 'Help' -> 'About Google Chrome'.
Step 3: Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. Relaunch Chrome if prompted.
Keeping Chrome updated ensures you have the latest bug fixes and security patches.
Method 5: Clear Browsing Data
Step 1: In Chrome, click the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Go to 'More tools' -> 'Clear browsing data'.
Step 3: Select 'All time' for the time range.
Step 4: Check the boxes for 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached images and files'.
Step 5: Click 'Clear data'.
Clearing the cache and cookies can resolve issues caused by corrupted or outdated data.
Method 6: Disable Extensions
Step 1: In Chrome, type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2: Disable all extensions by toggling the switches off.
Step 3: Restart Chrome and see if the problem is resolved. If so, enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit.
Method 7: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Step 1: In Chrome, click the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Go to 'Settings'.
Step 3 :Search for 'hardware acceleration'.
Step 4: Toggle 'Use hardware acceleration when available' to off.
Step 5: Restart Chrome.
Disabling hardware acceleration can sometimes resolve issues related to the GPU.
Method 8: Run the Chrome Cleanup Tool
Step 1: In Chrome, click the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Go to 'Settings'.
Step 3: Go to 'Advanced' -> 'Reset and clean up'.
Step 4: Click 'Clean up computer' -> 'Find'.
Step 5: Remove any malicious software that is found and follow on-screen instructions.
This tool can help identify and remove software that might be interfering with Chrome.
Method 9: Create a New Chrome Profile
Step 1: In Chrome, click the profile icon in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Click the gear icon (Manage People).
Step 3: Click 'Add person'.
Step 4: Sign in with your Google account or start without an account.
Using a new profile can help determine if the issue is related to your existing profile, which could be corrupt.
Method 10: Reset Chrome Settings
Step 1: In Chrome, click the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Go to 'Settings'.
Step 3: Go to 'Advanced' -> 'Reset and clean up' -> 'Restore settings to their original defaults'.
Step 4: Click 'Reset settings'.
This will reset your Chrome settings to their default values, which can resolve issues caused by incorrect configurations.
Method 11: Check for Malware
Step 1: Use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program to scan your computer for malware.
Step 2: Follow the program's instructions to remove any detected threats.
Malware infections can sometimes cause Chrome to crash.