How to Fix Google Chrome Update Problems?

Google Chrome is probably one of the most preferred browser globally due to its features, performance and security. If you are using an outdated version of the Chrome, you could be putting your computer and personal information at risk. For this reason it is important to update your browser to fix any security bugs as well as enjoy improved features. Besides, you may be unable to access some modern websites as they are designed to use features provided by up-to-date browsers.

Being said that, Google updates Chrome browser automatically using Google Update feature. However, you could encounter some problems whenever Google Update couldn't get the connection to server. This article will help you resolve some of the common Chrome update issues.

1. Try Manual Update to Fix Failed to Start Error (Error code 3: 0x80080005)

This is a common error when you are trying to update Chrome manually. By default Chrome browser is set to update automatically but when it is required, you can also update manually.

• Open the browser and click on the menu icon located at the top right corner of the browser window.
• Hover the mouse over “Help” option and select “About Google Chrome”.

Google Chrome Help

• Chrome will automatically look for available updates and install them automatically.

Check Chrome Version Using Help Command

If there are issues in auto update, Chrome will show the error like below:

Chrome Update Error

This indicates that you have some problems in updating to latest version.

2. Ensure You Haven't Disabled Auto Update

The real problem with Chrome auto update is that it does not allow downgrading to the previous version in case of issues. When there are major changes to the functionalities, you may get annoyed with the auto updated version. So sometimes people play around with Services and Registry entries on Windows PC to disable the auto update. If you have disabled auto update, enable the services and registry entries back by following the below instructions.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Chrome will check for available update in periodic interval of every 5 hours. So ensure to have a stable internet connection for the update to work.

Remember many countries like China completely blocks Google services. Also some restricted networks like organizations, schools and colleges block update services. So if you have travelled to such countries or working inside a restricted network then Chrome update will get time out. In this case, you need to use the older version as it is on your computer. The only solution is to use VPN or connect your computer to the unrestricted network that is not blocking Google updates.

4. Restart Google Chrome

Most of the simply restarting your browser will help to resolve the update problems.

• On Windows PC, navigate the Chrome menu by click the icon (three vertical dots) at the top-right corner of the browser and click “Exit”. On Mac, go to "Chrome > Quit Google Chrome" menu.
• Launch the browser afresh and try the manual update again.

5. Enable Google Update Services

Chrome update check could fail if the Google update services are disabled in your computer. To enable the services:

• Open the Windows run utility by pressing the “Win + R” keys, then type “services.msc” then click “ok”.

Open Services Using Run Command

• It will open the Services Manager where you can see all the services running on your PC. Scroll down and find the “Google Update Service (gupdate)”.
• Double click on the service, then click on the arrow under “Startup type” and select either “Automatic” or “Automatic (Delayed Start)” option.
• Click “Apply” and then “Ok” button.

Change Chrome Update Startup Type

• This will take you back to the services window, double click on the next service “Google Update Service (gupdatem)”.
• Click on the drop-down box against the “Startup type” option and select “Manual” from the list.
• Click “Apply” button and then “OK” button to set the update service to manual startup.

Set Service to Manual

• Now restart your PC and try to update Google Chrome by navigating to “chrome://settings/help” page.

6. Enable Google Updates from the Windows Registry Editor

• Press the “Win + R” keys to open run utility, type “regedit” and click the “Ok” button to open the registry editor.
• Click the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” folder to expand it and then navigate to “SOFTWARES > Policies” section.
• Look for "Google > Update" key.

• Double click on the “UpdateDefault” key and enter 1 in the “Value data” field.

Set Value Data

• Close the registry editor and restart your PC, then check for Chrome updates.

If you did not see the "Google" folder in registry, simply create the folder and further entries to setup the value as 1.

7. Uninstall and Install the latest version of Google Chrome

If the above option don’t work, it is possible Chrome updates failure is as a result of missing files and installing Chrome afresh could resolve the issue.

• Go to control panel by typing “Control” in the Windows Cortana and select “Control Panel”.
• Under “Programs” click on “Uninstall a program”.
• From the list of the installed programs, click on Google Chrome and click “Uninstall” at the top of the list.

Uninstall Google Chrome

• Wait for the program to uninstall and once uninstalled successfully, restart your computer.
• Go to the official Chrome website from Edge, Safari or any other browser, and click the “Download Chrome” link.

Install Google Chrome

• You will be prompted to accept terms and install, click “Accept and Install”.
• Follow the plug and play instructions to complete the installation process. It is important to ensure that your system features meets the requirements for the latest version of the browser.