If you’re browsing with Google Chrome and suddenly encounter a tab crash with the message STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION, you’re not alone. This error typically shows up when opening new tabs, navigating to certain websites, or using specific features of Chrome — and it’s not exclusive to Chrome, either; other Chromium-based browsers like Edge or Opera can show the same message.
In this article, we’ll break down what this error means, its most common causes, and how to fix it — step by step.
What Does STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION Mean in Chrome?
The error code STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION points to an unexpected memory access violation. Essentially, the Chrome browser or one of its processes tried to access a part of memory it didn’t have permission to use. This can be caused by internal conflicts within Chrome or external interference from other software or extensions.
Common Causes
Here are the typical reasons this error might occur on your Windows 10/11 system:
🧩 Faulty or incompatible Chrome extensions
🔒 Conflicts with antivirus, firewall, or other security tools
💻 Outdated or buggy GPU drivers (Chrome uses GPU acceleration)
🌐 Faulty website scripts (if the error only happens on specific websites)
⚙️ Corrupted Chrome user profile or installation
🐞 Malware or faulty RAM (rare, but possible)
How to Fix the STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION Error in Chrome
Try these steps in order until the error disappears:
1. Disable All Chrome Extensions
Go to:Menu (three dots) → Extensions → Manage Extensions
Toggle off all extensions. Restart Chrome and see if the issue is gone. If so, enable extensions one by one to identify the problematic one.
2. Update Google Chrome
Navigate to:Menu → Help → About Google Chrome
Chrome will automatically check for updates and install them. Restart the browser when complete.
3. Disable Third-Party Antivirus or Firewall
Temporarily turn off your antivirus or firewall. If the error disappears, consider switching to a different security tool or adding Chrome to the whitelist.
4. Rename the Chrome Executable
Navigate to:C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\
Rename chrome.exe to something like chrome_test.exe, and run it via a shortcut. This workaround has helped some users bypass memory-related bugs.
5. Update or Roll Back Your Graphics Drivers
Make sure your integrated and dedicated GPU drivers are up to date. You can get them from the official websites of Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA.
Alternatively, disable hardware acceleration in Chrome:Menu → Settings → System → Use hardware acceleration when available → Toggle off
6. Run System File Checks
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
These commands will scan and fix system file corruption that might be interfering with Chrome.
7. Use a System Restore Point
If the issue started recently, restore your system to a previous state using System Restore.
8. Check Your RAM
Use the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool or third-party tools like MemTest86 to scan for faulty RAM.
9. Clear Chrome’s Cache and Data
Open Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Del, and clear all cached files and site data. Restart the browser.
10. Reset or Reinstall Chrome
-
Reset:
Menu → Settings → Reset Settings -
Or uninstall Chrome fully and download the latest version from google.com/chrome
Advanced Fixes (Use With Caution)
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Disable Core Isolation (Memory Integrity) in Windows Security settings.
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Launch Chrome with –no-sandbox flag:
Right-click the Chrome shortcut → Properties → add--no-sandboxat the end of the Target field.
While STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION may look intimidating, it’s usually caused by extension conflicts or outdated software. In most cases, a few simple steps like updating Chrome, disabling extensions, or checking drivers will solve the issue.
Explore other helpful tools in our Windows utilities section.
