If Google Chrome keeps crashing and restarting, the cause may be an outdated browser, a troublesome extension, limited device resources, or a damaged profile. These ten checks are for Windows, Mac, and Chromebook users who want to troubleshoot in a sensible order, starting with quick, reversible changes and saving more disruptive steps for later.
1. Update Chrome and restart the device
An incomplete update or a temporary problem with a browser process can make Chrome unstable, so first close other programs and restart the computer, then open Chrome and check for updates. On desktop, use the three-dot menu, choose Help, then About Google Chrome; Chrome checks for an update on that page and prompts you to relaunch if one is ready. A normal relaunch installs a pending update but does not erase bookmarks or saved passwords, and a full device restart also clears processes that may have remained stuck after the browser closed. If Chrome crashes before you can reach the menu, download the current installer from the official Chrome website using another browser, rather than a third-party download page.
2. Turn off extensions to find a conflict
Extensions can interfere with pages or browser startup, especially if a recently installed add-on is outdated or has overlapping functions with another extension. In Chrome, open chrome://extensions, switch off every extension, and relaunch the browser; if it becomes stable, turn extensions back on one at a time and use Chrome between each change to identify a likely trigger. You can then remove or update that extension, or leave it disabled if the crashes return. Incognito mode is not a complete test by itself because extensions are usually disabled there, but users can explicitly allow individual extensions in Incognito, so checking the extensions page gives you more control over what is running.
3. Close resource-heavy tabs and processes
A large number of open tabs, video calls, complex web apps, or other programs competing for memory can make Chrome slow or unstable, particularly on a device with limited available memory. Close tabs you are not using and quit demanding apps, then check whether Chrome stays open; if it does, reopen the tabs gradually to see whether a particular site consistently triggers the problem. Chrome has its own Task Manager, available from the three-dot menu under More tools, where you can inspect tabs and extensions and end a process that is not responding. Ending a tab process can discard unsaved work in that tab, so try to save documents or forms first, and avoid repeatedly reopening a page that causes Chrome to crash.
4. Test Chrome with graphics acceleration off
Hardware or graphics-driver problems can sometimes affect browser rendering, video playback, or startup, and disabling graphics acceleration is a useful way to test that possibility. In Chrome desktop settings, open System and switch off Use graphics acceleration when available, then select Relaunch; the wording or location can vary slightly by Chrome version. If Chrome becomes stable, check for an operating-system graphics driver update through the device maker or your operating system’s normal update mechanism, then consider testing acceleration again after the update. This setting can make some graphics tasks less efficient, so treat it as a diagnostic change rather than proof that your graphics hardware is faulty.
5. Try a fresh Chrome profile
A damaged or misbehaving browser profile can cause trouble even when Chrome itself is installed correctly, and a separate profile helps distinguish profile problems from browser-wide ones. Select the profile icon near the top of Chrome, choose the option to add a profile, and test the new profile before importing extensions or changing settings; if it stays stable, the original profile or one of its contents may be involved. Sync can bring extensions and settings back, so do not immediately enable every synced item if the clean profile is being used to isolate the cause. Before removing or resetting the old profile, confirm that important bookmarks and other data are synced or backed up, and do not assume that every local item exists in your Google Account.
6. Clear cached browsing data selectively
Corrupted or outdated cached files can contribute to problems loading particular sites, although clearing the cache is less likely to fix crashes that occur before Chrome opens. Go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Delete browsing data, choose a time range, and select Cached images and files; you can leave passwords and other data unchecked. Clearing cookies and site data is a more disruptive test because it can sign you out of websites and remove saved site preferences, so only include those categories if the problem seems tied to specific sites. After clearing the selected data, restart Chrome and revisit the pages that were triggering trouble; if the browser still crashes everywhere, move on rather than repeatedly deleting data.
7. Restore Chrome’s default settings
If settings or startup behavior have been changed in a way that is hard to track down, Chrome’s reset option can return many browser settings to their defaults. On desktop, open Settings, select Reset settings, then choose Restore settings to their original defaults and review the confirmation before proceeding. This reset disables extensions and resets items such as the startup page, pinned tabs, and search engine, but it does not delete bookmarks or saved passwords; it also does not reinstall Chrome or repair the operating system. Because extensions are turned off, check whether Chrome is stable immediately after the reset, then enable only the extensions you trust and need.
8. Check operating-system updates and free space
Chrome relies on the operating system and its available storage, so install pending system updates and make sure the device has room to work before assuming the browser is the only problem. On Windows, check Windows Update; on a Mac, open System Settings and check General, then Software Update; on a Chromebook, use Settings and About ChromeOS to check for updates. Also review available storage in the operating system’s storage settings and remove files only when you know they are no longer needed, since extremely low free space can disrupt updates and normal application activity. Restart after applying updates, then test Chrome before making additional changes, so you can tell whether an update or storage cleanup affected the behavior.
9. Reinstall Chrome carefully
If Chrome still crashes after updates, extension checks, and a profile test, reinstalling may replace damaged program files. Before uninstalling, make sure you can access your Google Account and that important bookmarks and passwords are synced or otherwise backed up; local profile data may not be recoverable if it is deleted during removal. Uninstall Chrome using the normal app-removal process for your device, restart, and install it again from Google’s official Chrome download page. Pay attention to any option that offers to remove browsing data, and do not select it unless you intend to erase local Chrome data; after reinstalling, test Chrome before restoring extensions or custom settings.
10. Use crash information to narrow down the cause
If none of the earlier steps work, record when the crash happens: for example, immediately at launch, only with one website, during video playback, or after a particular extension starts. On desktop Chrome, enter chrome://crashes to see crash reports that are available; reports may not appear if crash reporting is disabled or no report was recorded, and this page does not necessarily explain the cause in plain language. Note your Chrome version from chrome://version and your operating-system version, then use those details when seeking help through Google Chrome Help or the device maker’s support channel. A clear pattern and version information are more useful than repeatedly reinstalling or changing several settings at once.
How to Choose
Start with the least disruptive checks: restart the device, update Chrome, close resource-heavy tabs, and disable extensions. These steps are quick to reverse and can reveal whether the issue is a temporary process, an add-on, or a particular site. If Chrome runs reliably with extensions off but crashes after one is enabled, investigate that add-on rather than resetting or reinstalling the whole browser.
Match the next test to the symptoms. Crashes during video or other graphics-intensive work make the hardware-acceleration test more relevant, while trouble that follows one account or a particular set of settings makes a fresh profile a useful comparison. Clear cached files when site loading is involved, but avoid clearing cookies or resetting a profile unless you are prepared for sign-ins and preferences to change. Keep notes and change one thing at a time; that makes it easier to identify what actually helped.
Save the more disruptive steps for last. A settings reset changes browser preferences, and reinstalling requires extra care with local data and sync, so verify your backups before proceeding. If crashes persist across a fresh profile and a reinstall, or if other programs are failing too, investigate operating-system updates, storage, and device support rather than treating Chrome as the only possible cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome keep closing and reopening?
Chrome may be crashing and restoring its previous session, or the operating system may be reopening the browser after a failure. Extensions, a problematic profile, resource pressure, outdated software, or graphics issues are all possible causes; the timing and a one-change-at-a-time test can help narrow them down.
Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks and passwords?
Chrome’s Restore settings to their original defaults option does not delete bookmarks or saved passwords. Still, confirm that important data is backed up or synced before troubleshooting, especially before uninstalling Chrome or removing a profile.
Can one website make Chrome crash?
Yes. A site with demanding scripts, video, or a page-specific bug can trigger a tab or browser problem. Test other sites and close the suspected tab; if the crash is repeatable only on one site, update Chrome and report the issue to the site or browser support channel.
Should I delete Chrome and reinstall it right away?
Usually not. First update Chrome, test with extensions off, and try a fresh profile, since those checks are easier to undo and may identify the cause. Reinstall only after protecting local data and confirming you can sign in again.
What if Chrome crashes before I can open Settings?
Restart the device and try launching Chrome with no other demanding apps open. If it still closes, use another browser to download Chrome from Google’s official site or get help from your device maker; avoid deleting profile folders unless you understand what local data they contain.
Final Thoughts
When Google Chrome keeps crashing and restarting, work through the checks systematically: update first, isolate extensions and resource-heavy tabs, then test settings and profiles. Protect local data before resetting or reinstalling, and use the crash timing and version details to guide further help if the problem continues.