Google Chrome security update failure—what you need to do.
It really shouldn’t need saying, but I’m going to anyway: Google’s Chrome security updates are not optional to be filed under nice to have. There’s a reason why these critical updates appear frighteningly regularly, as without them your browser, device and data are at risk of attack. And Google Chrome users are front and center when it comes to attacker crosshairs as recent 2FA bypass and “don’t click twice” attacks have demonstrated.
Luckily, Chrome’s security updates are automatic, requiring the user to relaunch the browser to ensure protection, but otherwise, without any intervention required. That said, I always recommend Chrome users kickstart the process manually to get those security protections as soon as possible and to ensure there are no issues. But what should you do when, as Chrome users have been complaining in online support forums, those security updates fail? Here’s what you need to know.
Chrome Won’t Update
When it comes to something as critical as security updates to the Google Chrome browser, any time users complain about problems with the process, then it needs to be taken very seriously. So, when I see complaints (1,2) that Chrome won’t update in the official Google support forums, that’s precisely what I’m doing: taking it seriously. At least, more seriously than some of the users making these complaints, one said they were refusing to redownload and install Chrome, despite the error message explaining that’s what needed to be done, for example. Don’t worry, though, as the solution might well not be as extreme (if you really think an application reinstall is extreme) as that. Here’s what you need to do.
How To Fix Chrome Update Failure Issues
As is most often the case when not comes to software failures, the clue to resolution sits with the error message that appears when that failure occurs. The Chrome security update issue is non exception, and heading for Google’s official Chrome support pages should be your first move. Here you will find an explanation of the error messages most commonly associated with Chrome security update failures.
Chrome update error messages.
Google confirmed that you might see other messages related to Chrome update failure such as: Updates are disabled by administrator, This computer will no longer receive Chrome updates because Windows XP and Windows Vista are no longer supported, or Google Chrome may not be able to keep itself updated.
Google offered some recommended solutions to be followed in this order:
- Uninstall and re-download Chrome. “If you keep seeing an error,” Google said, and you are using Windows, ”try the standalone installer.”
- Review any antivirus, firewall or parental control settings in case these are blocking the updates. Ensure that tools.google.com and dl.google.com aren’t blocked, in particular.
- Reboot your computer. In my opinion, this should be at the top of the list as it’s often a simple way to fix a myriad of software issues, including failed updates.
- Check for malware. This one is critical; run those scans and check that malware isn’t preventing you from installing the latest security updates.
I have appraoched Google for a statement regarding the Chrome security update failure issue.