Chrome and Edge Crash Error Codes (Aw, Snap!)

Google Chrome displays an error page (aka “Sad Tab”) when a page crashes. This page currently does not tell us, users, the reason for a page crash. Google is working on a solution for this.

Update: Now that Microsoft’s Edge browser is also powered by Chromium, these error messages are applicable to Edge as well.

“To make it easier to diagnose user reports of the sad tab, perhaps we could consider putting the crash exit code on the sad tab as we do for SSL errors. Then users can google for the error, we can seed help center pages to help users, everyone wins.” The page also provides some mockups of how this might look like:

Chrome Crash Error Codes

The code change request has a list of error codes as well. Not all errors are self-explanatory and will need additional documentation to understand. As the Help Center team develops new articles explaining these error messages, diagnosing these will become easier.

We shall update this article with more details on these error codes as soon as they become available.

General Steps for Fixing Most Chrome Errors

Before diving into specific error codes, try these basic steps. They often resolve many Chrome issues:

1. Update Chrome
   • Open Chrome.
   • Go to chrome://settings/help.
   • Let Chrome check for updates and install them.
2. Restart Your Device
   • Close all apps and reboot your device.
3. Clear Browsing Data
   • Go to chrome://settings/clearBrowserData.
   • Choose “All time” and clear cache and cookies.
4. Disable Extensions
   • Visit chrome://extensions/.
   • Toggle off all extensions.
   • Restart Chrome and test again.
5. Reset Chrome Settings
   • Go to chrome://settings/reset.
   • Click “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
6. Reinstall Chrome
   • Uninstall Chrome.
   • Delete leftover folders in:
     • Windows: C:\Users\<your_name>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome
   • Reinstall from the official site.

HUNG

1. Force quit Chrome using Task Manager.
2. Disable extensions and restart the browser.
3. Clear cache and cookies.
4. Disable hardware acceleration (chrome://settings/system).

KILLED_BAD_MESSAGE

1. Disable extensions.
2. Update Chrome.
3. Use a clean user profile.
4. Reset Chrome settings.

GPU_DEAD_ON_ARRIVAL

1. Go to chrome://flags.
2. Disable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
3. Update your graphics drivers (Windows).
4. Reboot and relaunch Chrome.

INVALID_CMDLINE_URL

1. Remove any custom launch parameters from Chrome shortcuts.
2. Reinstall Chrome to reset launch options.

BAD_PROCESS_TYPE

1. Avoid launching Chrome with unsupported command line arguments.
2. Use default settings to start Chrome.

MISSING_DATA

1. Create a new user profile.
2. Sync your data using your Google account.

SHELL_INTEGRATION_FAILED

1. Reinstall Chrome with administrative privileges.
2. Check Windows shell configuration integrity.

MACHINE_LEVEL_INSTALL_EXISTS

1. Uninstall machine-level installations via Control Panel.
2. Delete Chrome folders manually from Program Files.

UNINSTALL_CHROME_ALIVE

1. End all Chrome processes via Task Manager.
2. Try uninstalling again.

UNINSTALL_USER_CANCEL

1. Retry uninstall process.
2. Make sure no background Chrome processes are running.

UNINSTALL_DELETE_PROFILE

1. Confirm you want to delete user data during uninstall.
2. Backup bookmarks if needed.

UNSUPPORTED_PARAM

1. Remove any non-standard Chrome flags or startup parameters.
2. Launch Chrome normally.

IMPORTER_HUNG

1. Skip import from another browser during setup.
2. Manually import bookmarks via settings.

RESPAWN_FAILED

1. Check for malware that could interfere with Chrome’s launch.
2. Reinstall Chrome.

NORMAL_EXIT_EXP1 to NORMAL_EXIT_EXP4

1. These indicate controlled experimental exits. No action needed unless repeated.
2. Reinstall Chrome if instability persists.

NORMAL_EXIT_CANCEL

1. This means Chrome was closed normally by the user.
2. No action needed.

PROFILE_IN_USE

1. Close all Chrome processes.
2. Reboot and open Chrome again.
3. Create a new profile if needed.

PACK_EXTENSION_ERROR

1. Ensure manifest files are correct.
2. Use valid paths and JSON formatting.
3. Try packing via chrome://extensions/ developer mode.

UNINSTALL_EXTENSION_ERROR

1. Remove the extension manually from the Chrome profile directory.
2. Restart Chrome and check.

NORMAL_EXIT_PROCESS_NOTIFIED

1. Usually safe to ignore.
2. Reinstall Chrome if persistent.

INSTALL_FROM_WEBSTORE_ERROR_2

1. Ensure Chrome is up to date.
2. Disable any download restrictions or filters.
3. Retry installation.

EULA_REFUSED

1. Accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) prompt.
2. If skipped earlier, reset Chrome.

SXS_MIGRATION_FAILED_NOT_USED

1. Uninstall all versions of Chrome.
2. Install only one version.

ACTION_DISALLOWED_BY_POLICY

1. If using a managed device, contact your administrator.
2. Check chrome://policy.

INVALID_SANDBOX_STATE

1. Reinstall Chrome with clean settings.
2. Disable third-party antivirus temporarily.

CLOUD_POLICY_ENROLLMENT_FAILED

1. Log out of managed Chrome accounts.
2. Use a personal profile if not on a work/school device.

DOWNGRADE_AND_RELAUNCH

1. Download the correct Chrome version.
2. Remove existing Chrome data.
3. Install manually.

SIGQUIT to SIGSEGV, SIGSYS

1. These signal crashes from internal Chrome or OS errors.
2. Reboot system.
3. Reinstall Chrome.
4. Update OS and drivers.

WAIT_TIMEOUT

1. Reduce extensions and background tabs.
2. Restart browser.

SBOX_FATAL_…

1. Disable sandbox-related flags in chrome://flags.
2. Update OS and security settings.
3. Reinstall Chrome.

Crashpad Errors

1. Check disk space.
2. Disable extensions.
3. Try using a new profile.

CPP_EH_EXCEPTION

1. Caused by extension or rendering errors.
2. Clear browsing data.
3. Disable extensions.

STATUS_… Errors

1. These are Windows system-level exceptions.
2. Check for system updates.
3. Run memory diagnostics.
4. Reinstall Chrome.

Out of Memory

1. Close unused tabs.
2. Enable Memory Saver in Chrome.
3. Increase virtual memory (Windows).

FACILITY_VISUALCPP Errors

1. Update Visual C++ Redistributables.
2. Reinstall Chrome.

unknown

1. If error message is unclear, run Chrome in safe mode.
2. Use a clean profile.
3. Contact Chrome support or submit feedback.

Do you think this is a helpful move? Let us know in the comments section.

Source: Gerrit.