Quick Summary
The "STATUS_BREAKPOINT" error in Chrome indicates that the browser has encountered a breakpoint, an intentional stopping point for debugging purposes, but one that shouldn't be triggered during normal operation. This usually points to an issue with an extension, the browser itself, or potentially a problem with the system's interaction with Chrome.
Common Causes
- Faulty Extension: One or more Chrome extensions are causing the browser to trigger a breakpoint due to errors in their code or conflicts with other extensions/the browser itself.
- Corrupted Chrome Installation: The core Chrome installation files or user profile data may be damaged or corrupted, leading to instability and unexpected breakpoints.
- Software Conflicts: Conflicts with other software installed on your computer, such as security software, drivers, or other applications, can interfere with Chrome's operation.
- Outdated Browser Version: An outdated version of Chrome can contain bugs that lead to unexpected breakpoints and crashes.
- Hardware Acceleration Issues: Problems with your computer's graphics card or its drivers, particularly when hardware acceleration is enabled in Chrome, can cause issues leading to this error.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Disable Extensions
Step 1: In Chrome, type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2: Toggle off all extensions to disable them.
Step 3: Restart Chrome and see if the error persists. If the error is gone, enable extensions one by one, restarting Chrome after each, to identify the problematic extension.
Step 4: Once you've found the faulty extension, remove it or update it if an update is available.
Method 2: Clear Chrome Cache and Cookies
Step 1: In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on macOS) to open the Clear Browsing Data dialog.
Step 2: Select "All time" for the time range.
Step 3: Check the boxes next to "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files".
Step 4: Click "Clear data".
Step 5: Restart Chrome.
Method 3: Reset Chrome Settings
Step 1: In Chrome, type chrome://settings/reset in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2: Click "Restore settings to their original defaults".
Step 3: Click "Reset settings".
Step 4: Restart Chrome.
Method 4: Update Chrome
Step 1: In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Go to "Help" > "About Google Chrome".
Step 3: Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them. If an update is found, restart Chrome after it's downloaded and installed.
Method 5: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Step 1: In Chrome, type chrome://settings in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 2: Search for "Hardware acceleration".
Step 3: Toggle off "Use hardware acceleration when available".
Step 4: Restart Chrome.
Method 6: Reinstall Chrome
Step 1: Uninstall Chrome through your operating system's control panel (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS).
Step 2: Download the latest version of Chrome from the official Google Chrome website.
Step 3: Install Chrome.