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Today in this article we will explain how to Fix ‘Virus Scan Failed error’ issue in google chrome. When Google Chrome is unable to scan your downloaded files for viruses, the error message “virus scan failed” will appear in the browser’s status bar. This may take place if you have another antivirus program running in the background, each of which has its own unique set of permissions, and these permissions may be in conflict with the permissions that your Google Chrome download requires. You might also see this error if you have another extension installed on your browser, and that extension has updated itself or blocked certain files while Chrome was open.
It does not indicate that there is a problem with your computer; rather, it indicates that Chrome was unable to perform its normal virus scanning process. You will need to carry out a number of troubleshooting steps if you want to fix the error that says virus scan failed in Google Chrome. The Google Chrome browser was developed by Google in 2008 and has been made available for use across multiple platforms ever since. The Chromium project, which develops free and open-source software, is responsible for providing the majority of its source code. It has more than 2.65 billion registered users all over the world and is available on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS platforms. It is extremely popular right now. Here are the ways how to Fix ‘Virus Scan Failed error’ issue in google chrome.
Causes of the ‘Virus Scan Failed error’ issue in google chrome
- Incomplete Download: Sometimes, the error can be as simple as an interrupted or incomplete download. If the download is disrupted for any reason, Chrome might not be able to verify the file.
- Network Issues: A weak or unstable internet connection can cause the error. If the connection is lost while Chrome is downloading a file, it may not be able to complete the scan.
- Browser Cache: Corrupted or overloaded browser cache can interfere with Chrome’s ability to scan files properly. Clearing your browser cache can sometimes resolve the issue.
- Antivirus Software: Antivirus or security software installed on your computer can sometimes conflict with Chrome’s built-in security features. If your antivirus is overly aggressive or not configured correctly, it might block the file download.
- Safe Browsing Feature: Google Chrome’s Safe Browsing feature is designed to block potentially harmful downloads. However, it can sometimes generate false positives, preventing legitimate files from being downloaded.
- Chrome Flags Settings: If you’ve modified certain experimental settings in Chrome Flags, such as enabling or disabling download checks, it might affect how the browser handles downloads and security scanning.
How to Fix ‘Virus Scan Failed error’ issue in google chrome
Update Google Chrome

- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Go to “Help” > “About Google Chrome.”
- Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them if available. Once updated, relaunch the browser.
Clear Cache and Cookies
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security.”
- Under “Clear browsing data,” select “Clear browsing data.”
- Choose the time range, and select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
- Click “Clear data.”
Disable Extensions
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu icon.
- Go to “More tools” > “Extensions.”
- Disable your extensions by toggling the switches next to them.
- Try downloading the file again. If it works, re-enable the extensions one by one to identify the problematic one.
Adjust Security Settings
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click the three-dot menu icon.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security.“
- Adjust your security settings, especially “Safe Browsing” and “Insecure content.”
- Try downloading the file again.
Reset Chrome to Default Settings
- Open Chrome.
- Click on the three-dot menu.
- Go to ‘Settings.’
- Scroll down and click on ‘Advanced.’
- Under ‘Reset and clean up,‘ click on ‘Restore settings to their original defaults.’
- Click ‘Reset settings.’
Disable Download Check in Chrome Flags
- In the Chrome address bar, type ‘chrome://flags’ and press Enter.
- Search for ‘Enable download scan’ using the search bar.
- Set it to ‘Disabled.’
- Relaunch Chrome.
Conclusion
You are able to download various types of files (images, documents, zips, executables, audio files, and so on) from the internet using the built-in file downloader module that comes standard with Google Chrome. In addition to downloading files, Chrome also performs a quick scan of the file to check for viruses and other malicious software. The virus scan function begins behaving in an unusual manner and producing errors for reasons that are not clear. It will not download even clean files, even if you are certain that they do not contain any malicious software. The “Failed – Virus Scan Failed” error that occurs in Google Chrome on Windows 11 and 10 can, fortunately, be remedied with a few straightforward solutions.
Questions and Answers
You are required to turn off the virus scan in Chrome, but doing so will turn off the virus scan for all activities involving the browser. Display the Advanced Settings panel in Chrome’s Preferences, then deactivate the “Enable phishing and malware protection” checkbox.
It’s possible that a faulty extension is the cause of your “Virus scan failed” error. In this instance, deactivate all of the browser extensions you have installed, and then check to see if the file downloads successfully. Choose More tools > Extensions after clicking the three dots located in the upper-right hand corner of Chrome.
After you have cleared Chrome’s data under Settings > Apps > Clear Data, navigate to Storage > Clear Cache for All Apps, and finally, restart your device. Chrome should be uninstalled and then reinstalled if the virus is still present. If it is still there, you most likely downloaded a piece of junkware software from one of those third-party websites.