Google Chrome downloads may appear to complete but remain stuck at 100%, preventing you from opening the file or starting new downloads. This often happens because of antivirus scanning, conflicting browser extensions, or problems with the downloaded file or your system's storage. Addressing these factors can restore normal download functionality and allow files to finish properly.

Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Whitelist the Download Folder

Antivirus software frequently scans files as they finish downloading, which can cause Chrome to display 100% completion while the file remains inaccessible. This extra scan can delay completion, especially with large files or on slower computers. If you trust the source of your download, you can temporarily turn off your antivirus software to determine if it's causing the delay.

Step 1: Locate your antivirus icon in the system tray or open your antivirus application. For Windows Defender, open Windows Security from the Start menu, then go to Virus & Threat Protection.

Step 2: Access the settings for real-time protection. In Windows Defender, click Manage settings under Virus & Threat Protection Settings and toggle off Real-time protection. For third-party antivirus software, right-click the icon and select options like Disable or Pause Protection.

Step 3: Try downloading your file again. If the download completes and you can open the file, your antivirus is likely the cause. To avoid disabling protection in the future, add your download folder to the antivirus whitelist or exclusions list. In Windows Defender, this is found under Virus & Threat Protection > Manage settings > Exclusions. For other antivirus software, refer to its documentation for managing exclusions.

Always re-enable your antivirus protection after troubleshooting to maintain system security.

Pause and Resume the Stuck Download

Sometimes, Chrome downloads stall due to temporary interruptions or software conflicts. Pausing and resuming the download can prompt Chrome to finish processing the file.

Step 1: Open the Chrome downloads bar or navigate to chrome://downloads in your browser.

Step 2: Click the Pause button next to the stuck download, wait a few seconds, and then click Resume.

This action can help Chrome re-establish the connection or restart its final checks, allowing the download to complete. If the download remains stuck, proceed to other methods.

Check for Browser Extension Conflicts

Extensions such as download managers, security add-ons, or privacy tools may interfere with the completion of downloads. Disabling these extensions can help identify the source of the problem.

Step 1: Open Chrome's menu and go to Extensions > Manage extensions.

Step 2: Disable all extensions by toggling them off.

Step 3: Attempt to download the file again. If the download completes, re-enable your extensions one by one, testing the download after each to identify the problematic extension.

Alternatively, use Chrome's Incognito mode, which disables most extensions by default. Open a new Incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Cmd+Shift+N on Mac), and try downloading the file there.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Corrupted or outdated cache files and cookies can disrupt Chrome's download process. Clearing these can resolve issues where downloads fail to complete.

Step 1: Click the three-dot menu in Chrome, select Settings, then go to Privacy and security.

Step 2: Click Delete browsing data. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then click Clear data.

Restart Chrome and attempt the download again. This step removes any temporary files that may be causing conflicts.

Verify Internet Connection and Storage Space

Network interruptions or insufficient disk space can cause downloads to hang at the final stage. Confirming both can prevent incomplete downloads.

Step 1: Check your internet connection by loading another website or running a speed test. If your connection is unstable, restart your router or switch to a different network.

Step 2: Verify that your storage drive has enough free space for the file you're downloading. On Windows, open This PC and review available space on your download drive. If space is low, delete unnecessary files or move downloads to another drive.

Test for Server or File-Specific Issues

Occasionally, the problem lies with the source server or the specific file you are downloading. A file may be corrupt, or the server may be experiencing technical issues.

Step 1: Try downloading a different file from the same website. If the issue persists with other files from the same site, the server may be at fault.

Step 2: Download a file with the same format from another source. If only one file fails to complete, it may be corrupted or incomplete on the server. In this case, contact the website administrator or seek an alternative download source.

Reset or Reinstall Chrome

Persistent download problems may result from misconfigured browser settings or corrupted installation files. Resetting or reinstalling Chrome restores it to factory settings and can resolve lingering issues.

Step 1: To reset Chrome, open Settings, scroll to Reset settings, and select Restore settings to their original defaults. Confirm the reset.

Step 2: If resetting does not help, uninstall Chrome from your system. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Chrome, and select Uninstall. Download the latest version from the official Chrome website and reinstall it.

Back up your bookmarks and important browser data before resetting or uninstalling Chrome to avoid data loss.

Stuck Chrome downloads at 100% often result from antivirus scans, browser extension conflicts, or network and storage issues. Addressing these areas usually restores normal download behavior, so you can open files without delay and keep your workflow moving smoothly.