Are you encountering frustrating crashes in Google Chrome every time you attempt to print a document? You’re not alone. Many users have experienced this issue, where their Chrome browser suddenly crashes when trying to print. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the possible reasons behind this problem and provide you with effective solutions and troubleshooting tips to resolve it.
Understanding the root cause of the problem is essential in finding the appropriate fix. There can be multiple factors contributing to Chrome crashes while printing. It could be due to conflicts with printer drivers, outdated software, incompatible browser extensions, or even issues with the Chrome settings themselves. Let’s explore each of these possibilities in detail to help you identify and rectify the issue.
Check Printer Drivers and Software Compatibility
One common cause of Chrome crashes during printing is incompatible or outdated printer drivers. Ensuring that your printer drivers are up to date and compatible with your operating system is crucial. To check your printer drivers, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Device Manager
To access the Device Manager, right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager” from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Expand the Printers Category
In the Device Manager window, find and expand the “Printers” category to view your installed printers.
Step 3: Update Printer Drivers
Right-click on your printer and select “Update driver” from the context menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver. If an update is available, Windows will automatically download and install it for you.
If updating the printer driver doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to reinstall the driver completely. To do this:
Step 4: Uninstall Printer Driver
In the Device Manager window, right-click on your printer and select “Uninstall device” from the context menu. Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
Step 5: Reinstall Printer Driver
After uninstalling the driver, restart your computer. Upon restarting, Windows will automatically reinstall the printer driver. Alternatively, you can visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest version of the driver manually.
Updating your printer drivers should help ensure compatibility with Chrome and minimize the chances of crashes when printing.
Update Google Chrome to the Latest Version
Outdated browser versions can also lead to crashes when printing. It’s important to keep Chrome updated with the latest releases, as they often include bug fixes and enhancements. To update Chrome, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Chrome’s Menu
Click on the three-dot menu icon located in the top-right corner of the Chrome window.
Step 2: Access Chrome Settings
In the dropdown menu, hover over “Help” and select “About Google Chrome” from the submenu. This will open the Chrome settings page.
Step 3: Check for Updates
Chrome will automatically check for updates and display the current version. If an update is available, Chrome will begin downloading and installing it. Once the update is complete, click on the “Relaunch” button to restart Chrome and apply the changes.
Updating Chrome to the latest version is an essential step in resolving crashes during printing, as it ensures you have the most stable and optimized version of the browser.
Disable Browser Extensions and Plugins
Sometimes, third-party extensions or plugins can interfere with Chrome’s printing functionality, causing crashes. To determine if an extension or plugin is causing the problem, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Chrome’s Extensions Page
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the Chrome window and select “More tools” from the dropdown menu. Then, choose “Extensions” from the submenu.
Step 2: Disable Extensions
In the Extensions page, you’ll see a list of all installed extensions. Toggle off the switches next to each extension to disable them temporarily.
Step 3: Disable Plugins
To disable plugins, type “chrome://plugins” in the address bar and press Enter. This will open Chrome’s plugins page. Toggle off the switches next to each plugin to disable them temporarily.
After disabling the extensions and plugins, try printing again to see if the crashes persist. If the issue is resolved, you can narrow down the problematic extension or plugin by enabling them one by one and testing printing after each activation. Once you identify the culprit, consider updating or removing it to ensure a stable printing experience.
Clear Browsing Data and Reset Chrome Settings
Accumulated cache, cookies, and browsing data can impact Chrome’s performance, including printing. Clearing this data and resetting Chrome settings can potentially resolve any conflicts that may be causing crashes. Follow these steps to clear browsing data:
Step 1: Open Chrome’s Settings
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the Chrome window and select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Access Browsing Data
In the Settings page, scroll down and click on “Advanced” to expand the advanced settings. Then, under the “Privacy and security” section, select “Clear browsing data.”
Step 3: Clear Browsing Data
Choose the time range for which you want to clear the data, such as “Last hour,” “Last 24 hours,” “Last 7 days,” or “All time.” Select the types of data you want to clear, such as browsing history, cookies, and cached images and files. Finally, click on the “Clear data” button to remove the selected data.
If clearing browsing data doesn’t resolve the issue, you can also try resetting Chrome settings to their default values. To do this:
Step 4: Reset Chrome Settings
In the Chrome Settings page, scroll down to the bottom and click on “Advanced.” Then, under the “Reset and clean up” section, select “Restore settings to their original defaults.” Confirm the action in the pop-up window by clicking “Reset settings.”
Clearing browsing data and resetting Chrome settings can help eliminate any potential conflicts that might be causing Chrome to crash when printing.
Adjust Print Margins and Page Layout
Sometimes, incorrect print margins or incompatible page layouts can trigger crashes in Chrome. Adjusting these settings can ensure they are compatible with your printer and prevent any potential crashes. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Print Settings
While attempting to print a document, click on the “Print” option in the Chrome print dialog. This will open the print settings page.
Step 2: Adjust Print Margins
In the print settings page, locate the margin settings and ensure they are set to an appropriate value. You can adjust the margins by dragging the margin handles or entering specific values. Make sure the margins are within the printable area of your printer.
Step 3: Check Page Layout
Verify that the selected page layout matches the one you intend to print. It should correspond to the paper size and orientation you are using.
By adjusting the print margins and page layout, you can optimize the printing process and reduce the likelihood of crashes in Chrome.
Reinstall or Repair Printer Drivers
If your printer drivers are corrupted or misconfigured, crashes during printing may occur. Reinstalling or repairing the drivers can help resolve these issues. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Uninstall Printer Driver
Open the Control Panel on your computer and navigate to the “Devices and Printers” or “Printers and Scanners” section. Right-click on your printer and select “Remove device” or “Delete” from the context menu. Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
Step 2: Download the Latest Driver
Visit the manufacturer’s website and locate the support or drivers section. Enter your printer model and operating system details to find the latest driver. Download the driver file to your computer.
Step 3: Install the Driver
Open the downloaded driver file and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Make sure to select the correct printer model and specify any additional settings as required.
Reinstalling or repairing the printer drivers can help resolve any issues related to driver corruption or misconfiguration, potentially eliminating crashes when printing in Chrome.
Enable Print Preview and Use Alternative Printing Methods
Enabling the Print Preview option in Chrome can help identify potential issues before printing, preventing crashes. To enable Print Preview, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Chrome’s Print Dialog
While attempting to print a document, click on the “Print” option in the Chrome print dialog to open the print settings page.
Step 2: Enable Print Preview
In the print settings page, locate the “Print Preview” option andtoggle it on. This will allow you to preview the document and make any necessary adjustments before sending it to the printer. By identifying and resolving any potential issues in the preview mode, you can prevent crashes during the actual printing process.
In addition to enabling Print Preview, you can also try alternative printing methods if the crashes persist. One option is to use the system’s default printing method instead of Chrome’s built-in printing feature. To do this, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Print Dialog
While attempting to print a document, click on the “Print” option in the Chrome print dialog to open the print settings page.
Step 2: Select System Print Dialog
In the print settings page, look for the “Destination” section and click on the “Change” button next to it. From the list of available options, select the system’s default print dialog.
By using the system’s default print dialog, you bypass any potential conflicts within Chrome’s printing feature, reducing the chances of crashing.
Disable Protected Mode in Chrome
Chrome’s Protected Mode is a security feature that isolates the browser from potentially malicious actions on your computer. However, in some cases, it can interfere with the printing process and lead to crashes. To disable Protected Mode temporarily, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Chrome’s Shortcut Properties
Right-click on the Chrome shortcut icon on your desktop or taskbar and select “Properties” from the context menu.
Step 2: Modify Shortcut Target
In the Properties window, go to the “Shortcut” tab. In the “Target” field, locate the path to the Chrome executable file. Add a space after the file path, followed by “–disable-features=RendererCodeIntegrity” (without quotes).
Step 3: Apply Changes
Click on the “Apply” button to save the changes, and then click “OK” to close the Properties window.
After disabling Protected Mode, try printing again to see if the crashes are resolved. Keep in mind that this is a temporary workaround, and it’s recommended to enable Protected Mode once you’ve identified and resolved the printing issue.
Scan for Malware and Viruses
Malware or viruses on your system can disrupt various processes, including printing. Performing a thorough scan of your computer can help detect and remove any potential threats. Follow these steps to scan for malware and viruses:
Step 1: Use Antivirus Software
If you have antivirus software installed on your computer, open the program and initiate a full system scan. Make sure the antivirus software is up to date to ensure it can detect the latest threats.
Step 2: Consider Malware Removal Tools
If you suspect malware or viruses but don’t have antivirus software installed, consider using reputable malware removal tools. There are several free options available online, such as Malwarebytes and Avast, that can scan and remove malware from your system.
Step 3: Follow Removal Instructions
If any malware or viruses are detected during the scan, follow the instructions provided by the antivirus software or malware removal tool to remove them from your system. Restart your computer after the removal process is complete.
Scanning for malware and viruses helps ensure the security and stability of your system, potentially resolving any issues that may be causing Chrome to crash when printing.
Seek Assistance from Chrome Support
If all else fails, reaching out to Chrome’s support team can provide you with specialized assistance tailored to your specific issue. Follow these steps to seek help from Chrome support:
Step 1: Visit Chrome Help Center
Go to the Chrome Help Center website by typing “chrome://help” in the address bar of your Chrome browser and pressing Enter.
Step 2: Search for Relevant Topics
In the Help Center, enter keywords related to your issue in the search bar. For example, you can search for “Chrome crashes when printing” or similar phrases. Browse through the search results to find articles or support threads that address your problem.
Step 3: Contact Chrome Support
If you can’t find a solution to your problem in the Help Center, click on the “Contact” button on the top-right corner of the page. This will open a form where you can provide details about your issue and request assistance from the Chrome support team. Fill out the form accurately and submit it.
Chrome’s support team has the expertise to guide you through specific troubleshooting steps or provide additional solutions to resolve the persistent crashing problem.
In conclusion, encountering Chrome crashes when printing can be frustrating, but there are various solutions to overcome this issue. By following the troubleshooting tips and solutions outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and resolve the root cause of the problem. Remember to keep your printer drivers and Chrome browser updated, disable conflicting extensions, clear browsing data, adjust print settings, and seek assistance if needed. With these steps, you’ll be back to printing seamlessly in no time.