We usually joke about the fact that everyone uses Internet Explorer or its upgraded version Microsoft Edge Browser to install Google Chrome only. What if Edge gets a bit cranky and doesn’t let you download Google Chrome? That’s what is happening with some Windows 10 users. If you are also facing the issue where Windows 10 is blocking Google Chrome installation, then you are at the right place.
Sometimes, when Chrome is giving you trouble or when you upgrade your PC, you may want to reinstall Chrome. Typically, you would open another browser and proceed to download Chrome. But sadly, the installer gets stuck on ‘Downloading’ or ‘Waiting to Download’ option.
What do you do in such a situation? How do you install your beloved Chrome again? Find the answer here where we tell you how to fix Google Chrome stuck on downloading.
1. Restart Your Computer
It’s a good practice to shut down your computer after using it instead of putting it on sleep or hibernating it. If you are trying to install Chrome on a system that hasn’t been restarted in a while or you recently uninstalled Chrome, you should start by restarting your PC.
2. Set Correct Date and Time
Setting the correct date and time plays a vital role in the proper functioning of your PC. If downloads fail on your system, verify whether your PC has a correct date or not. For that, right-click on the date and time in the taskbar and select Adjust date/time from the menu. In case the date and time are missing from the taskbar, fix it first.
Enable the options for Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. Also, click on Sync now present under Synchronize your clock. Then, try installing Chrome.
3. Download Offline Installer
Typically, when you install Chrome, you download a small installation file. You need an active internet connection to install it fully. If the installation fails, you can try installing it from the offline installer. Download it from the link given below, and once downloaded, click on it to start the installation process.
Download Chrome
4. Turn off Smart Screen
Windows 10 includes a protective feature called Smart Screen that saves you against phishing and stops you from downloading malicious files. However, sometimes, it stops Chrome from letting you download the normal files too. To fix it, you need to disable Smart Screen on your PC.
For that, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings on your PC from the Start Menu. Alternatively, press Windows and I keys on the keyboard.
Step 2 : Go to Update and Security.
Step 3: Click on Windows Security in the left sidebar and select App & browser control on the right side.
Step 4 : Under SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, either select Warn or select Off.
Step 5: Restart your PC and then try downloading Chrome.
5. Enough Storage
If you are unable to download anything from your browser, make sure you have enough storage space on your PC. You can use the Storage Sense feature to free up space.
6. Disable Antivirus
Sometimes, the antivirus software present on your computer also prevents Chrome from installing successfully. If you are installing Chrome after getting it from an authorized source, you should try disabling antivirus for a while. Then try to install Chrome. You can also check your firewall settings and see if something is wrong.
7. Change Download Path
At times, the download path is pointing to an invalid location. Possibly that’s why you are unable to download anything from the Edge browser. To fix it, you have to change its download location.
For that, follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the Edge browser and click on the three-dot icon at the top. Select Settings from the menu.
Step 2: Scroll down in the General section, and you will find Downloads. Click on Change and choose a valid location.
8. Use Internet Explorer
Who would have thought that someone would suggest using the old Internet Explorer as a fix? Well, as they say, old is gold. If the new Edge browser is giving you trouble, Internet Explorer will come to your rescue. It’s pre-installed on your PC. Use the search to find it and then download Chrome using it.
9. Disable S Mode
If you are running Windows 10 S edition , then you can install apps from Microsoft Store only. That might be the reason why Chrome installation is failing for you.
To fix it, you need to convert your PC from Windows 10 S edition to Windows 10 Pro. Then you can install any app. While the process is free and easy, there is a drawback that you cannot go back to the S mode. It’s a one-way journey. So be careful before you take this step .
Here’s how to switch out of S mode in Windows 10.
Step 1 : Open Settings on your PC and go to Update and Security.
Step 2 : Click on Activation in the left sidebar.
Step 3: Under the Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro section, click on Go to the Store.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions.
Welcome Chrome
Microsoft Edge isn’t that bad. However, once you get used to Chrome, it just keeps you tied to the Google services and the convenient features. And that’s why it’s the first thing we install when we get a new PC. We hope you were able to install Google Chrome on your PC using the fixes mentioned above. In case you like the Edge browser and wondering if you can use it on your phone, here’s how it differs from Chrome on Android .
Next up: Once the Chrome is up and running, it might also give you troubles in the future. You can fix those by resetting Chrome. Know from the next link what happens by resetting Chrome.
Was this helpful?
- Access the print queue on your computer and manually clear any stuck print jobs that might be causing the issue.
- Ensure you have the latest printer drivers installed. If not, update them or reinstall the drivers to resolve compatibility issues.
- Use your computer’s built-in printer troubleshooter tool to detect and fix common printer problems.
Preliminary Fixes
- Check Printer Connection : You should first try power cycling both your computer and printer. Refreshing the connection between your devices may solve this problem much quicker than you had anticipated.
- Check Pages and Ink : If your printer has run out of pages or ink, you may receive the ‘documents are waiting’ error. You should refill the ink or add more pages to your printer for a smooth operation.
- Check your Printer Status : Ensure your printer’s status is not set to offline. This will make the printer undetectable for your computer. As a result, your PC won’t be able to communicate with the printer.
Fix 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Step 1: Navigate to Settings . Then, open the System and select Troubleshooters .
Step 2: Select Other troubleshooter . Now, Run the printer troubleshooter from the following menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
If the troubleshooter cannot solve your problem, try restarting the Print Spooler service.
Fix 2: Restart the Print Spooler
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open a new Run window.
Step 2: Then, type services.msc and press Enter .
It opens the services menu.
Step 3: Scroll down to Print Spooler .
Step 4: Right-click on the service and select Stop .
The service should no longer be running now.
Step 5: Now, launch File Explorer and go to the following path.
C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers
Step 6: Delete the content of the folder. By doing that, you’ll delete the printing queue.
Note : Don’t delete the folder itself.
Step 7: Restart your computer.
Step 8: Go back to Print Spooler and restart the service.
Step 9: Set the Startup Type to Automatic .
If the steps above are too complicated, complete the same task from the Command Prompt menu.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as admin.
Step 2: Run these commands and press Enter after each one.
net stop spooler
del /Q %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start spooler
Check if the error is gone. If this doesn’t resolve, check out the next fix.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Printer Drivers
If your print drivers got corrupted, are missing, or are running outdated drivers, you may not print your documents. That’s why you need to update your drivers. Or reinstall them if they get corrupted.
Step 1: Launch the Device Manager . Then, go to Print Queues and expand the list.
Step 2: Select Update driver and check if the problem is gone.
If it persists, select Uninstall device to remove your current print drivers. Restart your computer. Your device will automatically install the latest print drivers.
Check if your printer still says documents are waiting to be printed.
Fix 4: Remove and Add Your Printer
If nothing worked, maybe re-adding your printer to your computer will do the trick. It’s a handy way to fix the printer ‘documents waiting’ error.
Step 1: Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners menu.
Step 2: Select your preferred printer.
You can check the printer’s details. You can run the troubleshooter from the same menu too.
Step 3: Click Remove .
Now, go back and select Add device . Once Windows detects your printer, click Add device .
You may need to cancel documents waiting to print and try again.
If the printing error only appears while using Google Chrome , check our dedicated guide to troubleshoot it. Before you rush to the nearest store to print your documents and files, use the tricks above to fix the problem.
