FIX – STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION Error on Chrome or Edge

Encountering the STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION error while browsing on Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge can disrupt your online experience, leaving you staring at an “Aw, Snap!” message or a crashed tab.

This frustrating issue, common to Chromium-based browsers, often stems from memory access conflicts or browser misconfigurations. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a tech wizard to resolve it.

In this guide, we’ll break down clear, actionable steps to fix the STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION error, helping you get back to seamless browsing on Chrome or Edge with minimal hassle.

Understanding the STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION Error

This error occurs when a program or browser component tries to access memory it doesn’t have permission for, leading to a crash. It’s typically triggered by:

• Outdated browser versions with unresolved bugs.
• Conflicting extensions or experimental features.
• Corrupted browser data or profiles.
• Hardware or system-level interference.

While it’s not a critical system failure, it can halt your workflow. Let’s explore practical fixes to eliminate this annoyance from your Chrome or Edge browser.

1. Refresh the Page or Restart the Browser

Sometimes, the simplest solution works wonders:

• Refresh the page: Hit F5 or click the refresh button a few times. This can resolve temporary glitches causing the error.
• Restart the browser: Close Chrome or Edge completely (check Task Manager to ensure no processes linger), then relaunch it.

If the error persists across multiple pages, move on to deeper troubleshooting.

2. Update Your Browser to the Latest Version

Running an outdated browser can invite bugs like STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION. Here’s how to update:

• For Chrome:
  1. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
  2. Go to Help > About Google Chrome.
  3. If an update is available, it’ll download automatically. Click Relaunch to apply it.
• For Edge:
  1. Click the three-dot menu and select Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge.
  2. The browser will check for updates and install them. Restart when prompted.

Keeping your browser current ensures you benefit from the latest bug fixes and security patches.

3. Rename the Executable File

A quirky yet effective workaround involves renaming the browser’s executable file. Users have reported success with this method:

• For Chrome:
  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application.
  2. Find chrome.exe, right-click it, and select Rename.
  3. Change it to something like chrome1.exe or chromenew.exe.
  4. Launch the browser using the renamed file.
• For Edge:
  1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application.
  2. Locate msedge.exe, right-click, and rename it (e.g., msedge1.exe).
  3. Restart Edge.

This tweak may bypass integrity checks causing the error, though it’s a temporary fix until developers address the root issue.

4. Disable Problematic Extensions

Extensions can interfere with browser operations, triggering memory access violations. To troubleshoot:

• For Chrome:
  1. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter.
  2. Toggle off all extensions.
  3. Re-enable them one by one, testing after each to identify the culprit.
• For Edge:
  1. Enter edge://extensions/ in the address bar.
  2. Switch off all extensions, then reactivate them individually to pinpoint the issue.

If an extension (like an ad blocker or script manager) causes the crash, remove it and consider alternatives from the Chrome Web Store or Edge Add-ons.

5. Turn Off Renderer Code Integrity

Chromium’s Renderer Code Integrity feature, designed to enhance security, can sometimes misfire and cause this error. Disabling it might help:

• For Chrome:
  1. Right-click the Chrome shortcut on your desktop and select Properties.
  2. In the Shortcut tab, add –disable-features=RendererCodeIntegrity to the end of the Target field (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe –disable-features=RendererCodeIntegrity).
  3. Click Apply and OK, then launch Chrome.
• For Edge:
  1. Follow the same steps for the Edge shortcut, adding the same flag to the Target field.
  2. Restart Edge.

Note: Disabling this feature reduces security, so avoid visiting untrusted sites while it’s off.

6. Reset Browser Settings

Corrupted settings can lead to persistent errors. Resetting restores defaults without affecting bookmarks or passwords:

• For Chrome:
  1. Go to chrome://settings/ and scroll to Reset and clean up.
  2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.
• For Edge:
  1. Navigate to edge://settings/reset and select Restore settings to their default values.
  2. Confirm and restart the browser.

This step clears custom configurations that might clash with browser operations.

7. Switch to a Stable Build or Reinstall

If you’re using a beta or Canary build, switch to a stable version:

• Uninstall:
  1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
  2. Find Chrome or Edge, right-click, and select Uninstall.
• Reinstall:
  • Download Chrome from Google’s official page.
  • Get Edge from Microsoft’s download page.

A fresh install of the stable version often eliminates lingering issues tied to experimental builds.

8. Scan for Malware

Malware can disrupt browser functionality, causing errors like STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION. Run a scan:

• Use Windows Defender (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection) or a trusted third-party tool like Malwarebytes.
• Remove any detected threats and restart your system.

A clean system ensures the error isn’t tied to external interference.

9. Test with a New Profile

A corrupted user profile might be the source. Create a fresh one:

• For Chrome:
  1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Add.
  2. Set up a new profile and test browsing.
• For Edge:
  1. Click your profile picture, then Add profile > Add.
  2. Sign in or proceed as a guest to check if the error persists.

If the new profile works, migrate your data and ditch the old one.