How To Fix ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND Error In Google Chrome

Have you ever come across the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error while using Google Chrome? This error typically appears when Chrome can’t locate a file it needs. It’s a common issue when using certain extensions or navigating static or dynamic websites. In either case, this error also means you’re running into a resource the web browser can’t access.

Usually, this doesn’t mean the file or resource isn’t there. When you understand how to troubleshoot and fix the “file not found error”, you can continue working on your development project or keep your browser functioning smoothly and prevent disruptions.

In this tutorial, we’ll cover what the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error is and why it appears. We’ll also explore common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix the error. Additionally, we’ll go through tips to prevent the error from happening again.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error occurs when Chrome can’t find a file.
2. Disable Chrome extensions one by one to identify any extensions causing the error.
3. Remove leftover extension files from the user data folder for a clean slate.
4. Reset Chrome to default settings to fix underlying issues.
5. This error can appear in various applications and platforms.
6. Regularly update and monitor your extensions to prevent this error.
7. Properly manage your file paths and resources to avoid missing files.

What Does ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND Mean?

The ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND in Google Chrome indicates that the browser cannot locate a specific file necessary to display a webpage. This error often occurs due to broken links, missing resources, or issues with browser extensions.

Technically, when you request a webpage, the browser sends a request to the server where the site is hosted. The server then sends back the necessary files, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, for the browser to render the page. If any of these files are missing or cannot be found at the expected location, Chrome will display the

error.

Let’s understand this with an example. Imagine you are reading a book and come across a reference to a picture on page 50. You turn to page 50, but instead of the picture, you find a blank page. This missing picture is like the missing file in your browser.

Just like you need that picture to understand the book fully, your browser needs all the files to display the webpage correctly. If it can’t find one of the files, it shows the failed to load resource: net::err_file_not_found error; this tells that something is missing and the page cannot be displayed properly.

So, whenever you run into an HTTP error, the first thing to do is check if the website’s URL is correct. If it is, then carefully read the error description provided by your browser to understand the root cause.

In our case, Google Chrome says the file you’re trying to access couldn’t be accessed. It may have been moved, edited, or deleted. This means you’re trying to access an unavailable resource or file.

You may also run into the exact error code in other browsers. However, this error message is specific to Google Chrome. Additionally, certain elements in Chrome can cause this error even if there is no problem with the file or directory you’re trying to access. We’ll explore this in more detail in the next section.

Common Causes Of ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND Error

There are multiple scenarios where you may face a file not found error. However, it occurs when there’s a problem with the browser itself. It has nothing to do with the website’s server.

One of the main causes of the “file wasn’t available on site” error is problems with Chrome extensions. Sometimes, an extension might be outdated, improperly coded, or conflicting with other extensions. These issues can prevent Chrome from accessing certain files, resulting in an error message. Disabling or removing problematic extensions often resolves this issue.

Another common cause is when the browser is trying to access files that have been deleted or moved. For example, if a webpage links to an image or a document that no longer exists at the specified location, Chrome will show this error. Always ensure that files exist in their correct location and that paths are updated.

Incorrect file paths can also trigger this error. This happens when the URL or file path specified in the browser is wrong. It could be due to a typo or an outdated link. Double-checking and correcting file paths can help fix this problem.

3 Methods To Fix ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

Since Chrome extensions are the primary source of the failed to load resource: net::err_file_not_found error, you’ll need to check if they are causing it. Here’s how to do this.

Disable Chrome Extensions

Chrome extensions are tiny software applications designed to add new features to your browser or boost its functionality. They can assist in blocking ads, managing passwords, or even enhancing productivity with useful tools. Although extensions are often beneficial, they can occasionally lead to issues, such as the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error.

How does this happen? Extensions sometimes rely on specific files or resources to function correctly. If these files are missing, corrupted, or not properly updated, the extension might not work as expected, leading to the “file not found” error. This error occurs because Chrome is trying to access a file that isn’t available, often because an extension is pointing to an incorrect or non-existent resource.

To fix this error when caused by extensions, you can disable Chrome browser extensions to see if the problem resolves. Here’s how to do it:

First, open Google Chrome on your computer. Click on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner of the browser window. Then, go to Extensions → Manage Extensions. Alternatively, you can use the chrome://extensions/ link to go to the extensions page.

You will see a list of all the extensions installed in your Chrome browser. To disable an extension, toggle the switch next to it to the off position. The switch color will change from blue to gray, demonstrating that the extension is disabled.

After deactivating or disabling an extension, force refresh the page to see if the error is fixed. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac). This ensures that Chrome loads the most recent version of the page, not a cached version. This step is crucial to verify if the disabled extension was causing the problem.

If the error disappears, the extension you just disabled or deactivated caused the issue. Now, click Remove to completely uninstall it and look for an alternate to do your job smoothly.

Remove Persisting Extensions from User Data Folder

When you uninstall Chrome extensions, residual files are sometimes retained in your user data folder. These leftover files can continue to cause issues, including the failed to load resource: net::err_file_not_found error. Cleaning these files ensures this extension is completely removed and can help resolve persistent problems.

Here are the steps to locate and delete leftover extension files in Windows:

Press Win + E to open File Explorer. Now, go to the following directory:

C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions

If you don’t see the AppData folder, you may need to enable hidden files. Click on the View tab in the File Explorer window and check the Hidden items box.

Alternatively, press the Win + R key combination to open the Run window. Type in the path mentioned above (remember to replace the [Your Username] placeholder with your username). Then, press Enter or click OK.

Important: If the Default folder is missing in the User Data folder. Type in chrome://version/ in the URL bar. Find the Profile Path file and see what replaced the \Default. For example, yours was C:\Users\Hunter\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default. Now it should be this: C:\Users\Hunter\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 1. Why? \Default is the default location where Google Chrome stores user data for the primary profile. However, when you create multiple user profiles in Chrome, each profile gets its separate directory within the User Data folder. These directories are typically named Profile 1, Profile 2, Profile 3, etc.

In the Extensions folder, you’ll see subfolders named with long, random strings. Each of these corresponds to an installed or previously installed extension. Remember, you won’t find the exact extension’s name here. However, there’s a simple way for it, which we describe in the next step.

Open each subfolder and look for an extension’s icon or manifest.json file. This file contains information about the extension. Right-click manifest.json and open it with a text editor like Notepad (we’re using Notepad++).

Inside manifest.json, you’ll find details like the extension’s name. Use this information to identify which extension the folder belongs to. Once you identify the extension causing the issues, delete its entire folder. Be cautious and ensure you’re deleting the correct folder to avoid removing files for active, necessary extensions.

Remember, the manifest.json file is a critical part of any Chrome extension. It retains metadata about the extension, such as its name, version, permissions, and more. By examining this file, you can determine the extension’s purpose and decide if it’s safe to delete the associated folder.

You might have a question now: how can I find the exact folder for an extension that needs to be removed? As we said, the folders are named with random strings; this makes it harder to identify the required folder. However, you can access the extensions directory immediately after uninstalling the software and sort the folders by the date they were modified.

The last modified folder should correspond to the extension you recently uninstalled. If you can’t find the corresponding folder, the extension did not leave any files/folders behind.

By following these steps, you can thoroughly remove any residual files from extensions that might be causing the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error. This will ensure a cleaner and smoother browsing experience. However, if the error persists, you need to reset your browser.

Reset Chrome

If disabling the extensions didn’t fix the error, you may need to reset your Chrome browser. Resetting means restoring your Chrome to its default and original settings; this can sort these issues by deactivating all extensions, resetting corrupt settings, and clearing outdated cache and cookies.

To reset Chrome, open the Chrome window and go to ⋮ → Settings → Reset settings. Alternatively, use chrome://settings/reset to land on the same page. Then, click on Restore settings to their original defaults.

A confirmation dialog will appear, explaining what the reset will do. Click on Reset settings to confirm.

After the reset is complete, close Chrome and reopen it to ensure the changes take effect. If you follow these steps, you can reset Chrome and resolve issues causing the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error. Resetting Chrome also helps restore functionality, ensuring a smoother and more reliable browsing experience.

Other Instances Where ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND Might Appear

While this particular error is specific to Chrome, similar issues can occur in other browsers, often showing up as 404 errors. This problem can also arise in various scenarios across different platforms and applications. Here are some common instances where you might encounter this error:

ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND on Android:

This error means that Google Chrome on your Android device cannot access a necessary resource. If you encounter this problem, try using a different browser on your mobile device to see if the problem persists.

ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND in Outlook:

If you see this error in Outlook, especially when you want to access a PDF resource, it might be related to your browser’s extensions. It’s recommended to troubleshoot your Chrome extensions, as described in the main guide, to resolve this specific error.

ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND on Windows 10:

When this error occurs on a Windows 10 system, it indicates that Google Chrome is having trouble accessing a resource. If you follow those extension troubleshooting steps we discussed previously, this can help fix the issue on Windows 10 devices.

ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND for PDF Preview:

This error, which prevents one from viewing a PDF attachment, often results from a conflict with PDF-related extensions. Check any extensions that interact with PDF file(s) and consider disabling them as part of your troubleshooting.

ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND in JavaScript Queries:

In web development, this error can occur in JavaScript when the script is trying to test an HTML webpage or access a file that doesn’t exist or has been moved. This can be due to incorrect file paths, missing files on the server, or issues with file permissions. Double-checking the file paths and ensuring the files are correctly uploaded to the server can help resolve this issue.

Understanding these different scenarios helps in diagnosing and fixing the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error across various platforms and applications. By identifying the cause in each specific instance, you can take the most suited steps to resolve the error and ensure smooth operation.

Prevention Tips For ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

To avoid encountering the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error in Google Chrome, consider implementing the following preventive measures:

Regularly Update Extensions:

Ensure that all your browser extensions are updated. Developers frequently release updates to resolve bugs, enhance performance, and maintain compatibility with the newest version of Chrome. Keeping your extensions updated can help prevent errors related to missing or outdated files.

Monitor Extension Compatibility:

Regularly check the compatibility of your extensions with the current version of Chrome. Some extensions may not work well with newer browser versions, leading to errors like ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND. If an extension is causing issues, look for updates or consider using alternative extensions compatible with your browser.

Properly Manage File Paths and Resources:

When developing or managing a website, ensure that all file paths are correct and that the necessary resources are available. Incorrect file paths or missing resources can lead to the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error. Regularly verify that all links, scripts, and file references are accurate and functioning properly.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error. Regular maintenance and careful management of your extensions and files ensure a smoother and more reliable browsing experience.

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