Download errors are common on Google Chrome, and they come in many forms. In this article, we'll explore the "Download Failed - Network Error" issue. Show
This error message usually pops up in the middle of a download. Sometimes, it appears immediately when you click the Download button. And no matter how many times you try downloading your files, the process keeps failing. Although the error message suggests that the issue is with "a network," this is not always the case. So, let's check out what causes Chrome's download failed network error and explore all possible solutions. Your browser does not support the video tag. What Causes the "Download Failed Network Error" Issue on Chrome?Here's why you may be seeing the download error on Google Chrome:
Now, we'll check out how you can easily tackle all these problems. The solutions include:
Let's explore all these solutions in detail. 1. Quick Fixes for the "Download Failed Network Error" on ChromeHere are some tips on how you can quickly tackle the issue at hand:
Now, it's time to check out the detailed fixes. 2. Modify Your Antivirus SettingsThis Chrome download network error might be caused by your computer's antivirus program. For instance, most antivirus programs include traffic monitoring features such as HTTPS scanning. These features are supposed to protect your computer against malware hidden behind secured and encrypted websites. However, such features can sometimes go overboard by blocking all downloads—even if the downloads are harmless. So, disabling HTTPS scanning or temporarily disabling your antivirus program could help. But then, remember to re-enable HTTPS scanning or your antivirus program when you finish downloading. 3. Try Incognito ModeChrome plugins or extensions help improve your browsing experience. However, a corrupt or outdated extension could limit Chrome's functionality. In some cases, an extension could suddenly become incompatible with the Chrome version you're using. To check if an extension is responsible for this error, enable incognito mode. This will automatically disable all third-party extensions and allow you to browse privately. From there, retry your download and check if the network error when downloading in Chrome persists. If this resolves your problem, then it's likely that some of your extensions are causing the error. A good way to resolve the issue is to disable all extensions and then re-enable them—one at a time. This will help you identify the problematic extension. 4. Update Google ChromeIn some instances, the issue at hand might be caused by an outdated browser. Google Chrome should update automatically when you close and reopen it. But if you haven't closed your browser in a while, there might be a pending update. So, let's check out the steps for updating Google Chrome:
5. Reset Chrome or Try Another BrowserTo resolve the Chrome failed network error, you might have to reset Google Chrome and restore its default settings. This will disable all third-party extensions and automatically delete your browser cookies and cache. Fortunately, this won't affect your browsing history, saved passwords, and bookmarks. Now, here's how to reset Google Chrome:
If this doesn't resolve your issue, try downloading your files using another web browser. 6. Update or Reinstall the Network DriversAre you bumping into the Chrome failed network error when downloading files on a Windows PC? Perhaps the issue lies with the Windows network drivers. The network drivers control the interface between your Windows PC and a given network. But if you're running outdated or corrupted network drivers, this could cause various network connection issues. So, updating your network drivers could tackle the downloads network error on Chrome.
If the issue persists, then reinstall the network drivers through these steps:
7. Configure the Windows Attachment Manager SettingsThe Windows Attachment Manager protects your computer from the unsafe files that you download or receive via email. If this tool considers a file unsafe, it blocks you from downloading it. So, this Windows tool might be the reason you're encountering the "failed download error" issue on Chrome. In this case, you'll need to configure the Windows Attachment Manager settings to resolve the issue.
8. Change the Default Downloads LocationSometimes, the issue at hand isn't network-related. Instead, it might be caused by the way you've configured some of your system settings. For example, maybe some settings are preventing you from downloading files to the default "Downloads" folder. In this case, changing the default download location could help. So, here's how you can choose a different folder for your downloads:
Restart your device, and then try downloading your files again. You've Successfully Resolved the "Download Failed - Network Error" IssueGoogle Chrome is prone to several issues that affect functionalities such as downloading files. As we've indicated, this error could also stem from your computer. Hopefully, you should be able to resolve this issue using any of the tips we've covered. And if you need to troubleshoot further, checking Chrome's error logs should point you in the right direction. |