Google Chrome is a very reliable web browser. But like any application, it causes specific issues. For example, sometimes the browser won’t open on Mac.
This is, by no means, a cause for concern, as there are solutions to fix the issue. But what prevents Chrome from opening on Mac?
Hi, I’m Andreas, and I’ve been using Google Chrome as the default web browser on my MacBook for a long time. Over the years, I have encountered this issue and have found several solutions.
So, with all that said, let’s start.
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Why Won’t Chrome Open on Your Mac?
I’ve only found a few reasons why Chrome won’t open on Mac. Here is a brief rundown of the reasons.
Reason 1 – Faulty Chrome Installation
Based on my personal experiences, Chrome doesn’t open because of an installer error. Either the installation was incomplete, or somehow the install file got corrupted.
Reason 2 – Malware & Permissions
Another reason might be because of malware and insufficient permissions.
Now that you know what might be causing the issue, let’s look at the fixes.
Fixes to Make Chrome Open on Mac
Despite the issue being a huge inconvenience, the fixes are straightforward and take little time. Let’s start with the rundown.
Solution 1
The first solution involves checking if Chrome is running in the background. For some reason, this bug prevents Chrome from opening, as your Mac notices Chrome running in the background.
Step 1: Launch the Force Quit Window by pressing “Option” + “Command” + “Escape.” You can also find the Force Quit window in the Apple menu.
Step 2: Look for Google Chrome. If you see it, click on it and press “Force Quit.”
Step 3: Confirm the “Force Quit”.
Step 4: Launch Chrome again to see if it works.
As you can see, the first solution is very straightforward and only requires a combination of keys to enter the Force Quit manager window.
The Force Quit manager window will allow you to shut down applications manually. If Chrome is tricking your Mac into believing it is running, it will appear in the manager window.
Solution 2
The following solution is an even more straightforward one. And believe me, this one gets the job always done. This solution requires you to restart your Mac.
As simple as that sounds, it is often the best approach when dealing with a corrupt application. Because there’s no telling what it’s happening in the background, restarting your Mac will most likely resolve the problem.
Solution 3
This next solution comes with a few additional steps. If you can’t see Chrome in the Force Quit window, the problem might be because of permissions.
So what you’ll need to do is manually permit Chrome to open. Here is how to do that.
Step 1: In Mac’s Finder Menu, click “Go” and “Go to Folder.”
Step 2: In the search field, enter the following: ~/Library/Application Support.
Step 3: Locate a folder with the “Google” name.
Step 4: Right-click on the folder and select “Get Info.”
Step 5: You’ll need to see if Chrome sets the correct permissions in this section. Click on “Sharing and Permissions”.
Step 6: Ensure your user has the privilege of “Read & Write.” If not, click on the privilege section and change it. Click on the “Settings” icon below to save the changes. Restart Chrome and see if it opens.
This solution solves the problem if your privilege settings aren’t set to Read & Write. With a Read & Write privilege, you tell Chrome that you can open and use Chrome.
Solution 4
The last solution is similar to this list’s second solution. Namely, instead of restarting your Mac, try reinstalling your Chrome. Here is how to do that.
Step 1: Go to the Finder menu and click “Applications.”
Step 2: Locate Google Chrome and put it in the trash.
Step 3: Go to the Chrome download page and download Google Chrome for Mac.
I recommend this solution because the installation could have been corrupted, or files might not be installed appropriately. So an easy fix is to delete and install Google Chrome again.
Conclusion
That concludes this short guide on why Chrome isn’t opening and how to fix it. The four solutions will certainly get the job done, but I suggest trying each one if the first doesn’t work.
I hope I’ve helped solve your problem and look forward to reading about your interesting takes on the issue. Either way, leave a comment below.
