Chrome Downloads Failing or Blocked How to Fix It

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Chrome Downloads Failing or Blocked How to Fix It

You click a download link and Chrome shows Failed - Network error, Download blocked, Virus scan failed or another message instead of a finished file. The message tells you where the problem is: your connection, the website, your security software, or the folder Chrome saves to. This guide explains each one, based on Google's Chrome Help list of download errors, and then covers fixes that help in every case.

If Chrome can't open websites at all, see this site can't be reached in Chrome first.

Where to See the Error

Press Ctrl + J (or open chrome://downloads) to see every download and its status. The error appears under the file name, and you can select Retry there.

Error by Error

Failed - Network error
The download was interrupted. Retry it; if it keeps failing, right-click the link and choose Save link as. Google notes that unwanted software on the PC can cause this error - remove programs you don't recognize and scan for malware. If nothing helps, reinstall Chrome.

Download blocked
Your computer's security settings stopped the file. On Windows, the Attachment Manager (the security feature that checks files you download) may have removed it. Check your antivirus and Windows security settings - don't turn protection off just to get one file.

Virus scan failed / Virus detected
Your antivirus blocked the file. Open your antivirus (or Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history) to see why. If it found a threat, don't try to get around it; download the software from its official website instead.

No file / File missing
The file isn't on the website any more, or has moved. Contact the website owner, or find the file somewhere official.

Disk full
There isn't enough free space on the drive Chrome saves to. Free up space - see storage full - how to find what is taking up disk space - then retry.

Insufficient permissions / System busy
Chrome couldn't save the file to the chosen folder. Cancel and retry, or right-click the link, choose Save link as, and save it to a folder you can write to, such as Downloads or Desktop.

Needs authorization / Forbidden (Failed - Forbidden)
The website's server refused the download. Go back to the page, sign in if the site needs it, and start the download again - download links often expire. If it still fails, contact the site owner.

"This File May Be Dangerous"

Chrome's Safe Browsing warns about files that are known to be harmful, rarely downloaded, or come from a site it doesn't trust. In the Downloads page you may see options to delete the file or keep it. Only keep a file if it came from the official website of the software you wanted and you're sure it's right. Fake "update" and "driver" downloads are a common way to spread malware - see top 10 signs your computer has malware.

Fixes That Help With Any Download Error

Retry later. The website may be busy.
Check your connection. Open another site; if pages load slowly too, fix the connection first.
Check the download folder. Open Chrome Settings > Downloads (or chrome://settings/downloads). Next to Location, select Change and pick a folder on your PC that exists and you can write to. If the location points to a removed USB drive or a missing folder, downloads fail. You can also turn on Ask where to save each file before downloading.
Try an Incognito window (Ctrl + Shift + N). Extensions are usually off there. If the download works in Incognito, an extension - often a download manager or ad blocker - is interfering. Open chrome://extensions and turn them off one at a time.
Update Chrome. Open Settings > About Chrome; Chrome checks and installs updates, then select Relaunch.
Try another browser. If Microsoft Edge downloads the same file fine, the problem is in Chrome (extensions, settings or profile). If it fails everywhere, the problem is the website, your connection or your security software.
Reset Chrome settings. Open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults. This turns off extensions and resets settings, but keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords.

Still Failing?

If downloads fail in every browser and on every site, check for pending Windows updates, run a full antivirus scan, and check the proxy and VPN settings on the PC. For crashes and freezes while downloading, see Chrome keeps crashing or freezing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does 'Failed - Network error' mean in Chrome?

The download was interrupted. Retry it, check your connection, and try right-click > Save link as. Google also says unwanted software on the PC can cause it, so scan for malware if it keeps happening.

Why does Chrome say a download is dangerous or blocked?

Chrome's Safe Browsing, your antivirus or Windows security settings think the file may be harmful. Download it only from the official site of the software, and don't override the warning unless you are sure the file is safe.

How do I change where Chrome saves downloads?

Open Chrome Settings > Downloads, select Change next to Location, and pick a folder you can write to. You can also turn on 'Ask where to save each file before downloading'.

What does 'Failed - Forbidden' mean?

The website's server refused the download. You may need to sign in to the site first, or the link has expired. Go back to the page and start the download again.