Some Windows users who download Chrome get no browser at all. Instead, the small setup program shows “Installation failed. The Google Chrome installer failed to start.” The online installer is only a downloader: it fetches the real setup files from Google and then runs them, so anything that interrupts that hand-off can stop it. Here are the fixes that work, starting with the simplest.
1. Check your connection and download the installer again
Google’s first advice is to make sure your internet connection is stable, then download a fresh copy of the installer and run that new file. A partly downloaded or corrupted setup file is a common reason the installer can’t start.
2. Use the offline (standalone) installer
If the normal installer keeps failing, Google recommends an offline installer. It contains the full browser, so it does not need to download anything while it runs. Google offers two versions: one for computers with multiple user accounts and one for a single user account. Pick the one that matches your PC, download it from Google’s help page and run it.
3. Turn off antivirus for a moment
Security software can block the installer. Temporarily turn off your antivirus, download and install Chrome again, then switch the antivirus back on right away. If Chrome only installs with protection disabled, Google says you should update your antivirus software.
4. Let the Google updater through the firewall
- Open Windows settings and search for Firewall.
- Select Allow an app through Windows Firewall, then Change settings and Allow another app.
- Click Browse and go to
%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Google\GoogleUpdater. - Open the folder with the highest number, select
updater.exeand click Add.
5. Free up disk space
Error 0x80070070 means the system disk is full. Delete temporary files, old downloads and programs you no longer use on drive C, then try again.
6. Remove a broken older install
If Chrome was installed before for all users, Google says to uninstall that version before installing another. Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, right-click Google Chrome and choose Uninstall. If Windows reports an error while removing it, Microsoft suggests running its Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter.
Other error codes
- Error 4: a newer version of Chrome is already installed.
- Errors 7, 12, 13, 35, 57, 102 and 103: the install failed for an unknown reason; the steps above apply.
- Error 31: Chrome couldn’t be reinstalled.
- “OS not supported”: your version of Windows no longer meets Chrome’s requirements.
Not an administrator on the PC? Install normally, and if it still fails, ask whoever manages the computer. Once Chrome is running, a quick security check of your PC is worth doing if something was blocking installers, and our Windows Security guide shows how to review firewall rules.
