Quick answer: If Chrome endlessly crashing on Android happens on your phone, start by checking for a Chrome update, updating Android System WebView, and force stopping Chrome. The most likely causes are a bad Chrome update, corrupted app data, or a WebView conflict. Do not clear data, uninstall, or reset anything until these safe checks are done.
Fix this issue faster
Most users apply the wrong fix. Use the correct path first.
Quick Fix Checklist
- Update Chrome from the Google Play Store.
- Update Android System WebView and Google Play services.
- Force stop Chrome, then reopen it.
- Restart your Android phone.
- Check that Chrome has enough storage space to save temporary files.
- Turn off Chrome extensions only if you use Chrome sync with desktop extensions and the crash happens after sign-in.
Causes
Chrome usually crashes repeatedly on Android when the app build is unstable, its local data is damaged, or WebView components are out of sync with Chrome.
| Cause | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bad Chrome update | The installed version has a bug that causes repeated app crashes. | Update Chrome or roll back by clearing updates only if the app is still unusable after safe checks. |
| Corrupted app data | Chrome’s saved files or session data are damaged and the app fails on launch. | Clear cache first, then clear storage only if needed. |
| Android System WebView conflict | Chrome depends on WebView components that can crash when they are outdated or mismatched. | Update WebView and Chrome together. |
| Low storage | Chrome cannot create temporary files or finish startup tasks. | Free up storage before deeper app cleanup. |
Step-by-Step Fix
- Force stop Chrome. Go to Settings > Apps > Chrome > Force stop, then open Chrome again.
- Update Chrome. Open the Google Play Store, search for Chrome, and install any available update.
- Update Android System WebView. In the Play Store, update Android System WebView and Google Play services if updates are available.
- Restart your phone. A restart clears temporary app state that can keep Chrome stuck in a crash loop.
- Clear Chrome cache. Go to Settings > Apps > Chrome > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
- Check storage space. Make sure Android has free space available, then try Chrome again.
- Remove conflicting Chrome profile data. If Chrome crashes right after sign-in, sign out of Chrome on Android and sign back in after the app opens normally.
Still Not Working
- Clear Chrome storage. Only after the safe steps above, go to Settings > Apps > Chrome > Storage & cache > Clear storage, then reopen Chrome.
- Remove Chrome updates. If the crash started right after an update, open the app info page and uninstall updates if your device allows it, then update again from the Play Store.
- Check for a Chrome beta or dev build. If you installed a testing version, switch back to the stable Chrome app.
- Disable browser add-ons tied to sync. If the crash happens only after Chrome syncs desktop settings, turn off synced extensions and try again.
- Reinstall Chrome only as a last resort. Do this only after cache, storage, and update checks fail, because reinstalling removes local app data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome keep crashing on Android as soon as I open it?
It is usually caused by a bad app update, damaged Chrome data, or a WebView mismatch.
Should I clear Chrome cache first?
Yes. Clearing cache is the safest first cleanup step and often fixes launch crashes.
Will clearing Chrome storage delete my bookmarks?
Bookmarks synced to your Google account should return after sign-in, but local app data will be removed.
Why does updating Android System WebView help Chrome crashing?
Chrome uses WebView components, and a mismatch between them can trigger repeated crashes.
Is reinstalling Chrome the first thing I should try?
No. Try updates, force stop, restart, and cache clearing first because they are safer and often enough.
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