How to fix the 'Download Failed Network Error' on Google Chrome

The 'Download Failed Network Error' is a common problem that can prevent you from downloading files from the internet using Google Chrome. It can occur due to corrupted cache files of the browser, problematic extensions, interference with your antivirus and third-party programs, and even outdated network drivers. Since it is not always easy to determine what is causing the problem, and there may even be more than one cause, you should try out different fixes to get rid of the error.

Basic checks

Before trying out various fixes for the 'Download Failed Network Error', you should perform some basic checks, which can sometimes help sort out the issue without much work.

First, make sure you have a fast and stable internet connection, as any issues with that can cause Chrome downloads to fail. It is a good idea to reboot your router and refresh your internet connection.

Aside from this, there may be a glitch in your system that is preventing you from downloading files from Chrome. To fix this, restart your computer and then try downloading again. Finally, check the format and size of the files you are trying to download. If the file is too large or its format is unsupported, Chrome will not be able to download it. If you've performed these basic checks and are still getting the error, you can try out various fixes mentioned here.

Fix 1: Clear Chrome cookies and cache

Sometimes Chrome's cache files and browsing data can get corrupted, leading to the 'Download Failed Network Error' message. In this case, you need to clear the browsing data from Chrome settings to get rid of the problem.

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right.

2. When the dropdown menu appears, click on 'Settings' near the bottom.

3. On the Settings page, click on 'Privacy and Security' on the left.

4. Now click on the 'Delete browsing data' option.

5. Lastly, click on the 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached files and images' options to select them in the pop-up that appears, and then click on the 'Delete data' button.

Fix 2: Disable extensions

Certain extensions can sometimes interfere with Chrome downloads, causing them to fail. You can disable them temporarily and see if that gets rid of the error.

1. Open Chrome, click on the Extensions button that appears next to the address bar at the top, and then on 'Manage extensions'.

2. You will see all your installed extensions on the next page. To disable an extension, simply click on its toggle.

3. After disabling your extensions, try downloading the files you were trying to download earlier. If the error does not appear, an extension is responsible for the problem.
4. Once you've downloaded your file, re-enable the extensions one by one to find out which one is causing the error.

Fix 3: Change antivirus settings

Antivirus programs often have network monitoring features like HTTPS scanning designed to protect your computer from malware but can also cause problems at times, such as when they prevent you from downloading files using the web browser. You may need to turn off network monitoring features or temporarily disable the antivirus to download your files from Chrome.

1. Click on the taskbar overflow button which appears like an arrow on the taskbar to view hidden icons.

2. When the hidden icons appear, click or right-click as needed on your antivirus program to open it.

3. Once the antivirus application opens, go to its settings page. Depending on the program, there may be different ways to access it. For AVG Free Antivirus, you have to click on 'Menu' for the Settings option to appear.

4. Next, click on 'Basic Protection', which can again appear differently depending on your antivirus.

5. Here you should be able to see the different protection areas of the antivirus. Click on the one related to the internet, which appears as 'Web Shield' in AVG.

6. Then click on the 'Enable HTTPS scanning' option to disable it. If there is a port checking option, disable that too. Then try downloading your files from Chrome again. Once you've successfully downloaded your files, make sure to turn HTTPS scanning back on again.

Fix 4: Edit the registry

The Registry Editor can help you resolve the 'Download Failed Network Error' but make sure to back up the registry before making any changes. Tampering with the registry entries without proper knowledge can damage your computer.

1. Open the Start menu, type regedit and click on 'Run as administrator'.

2. When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following directory: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

3. Click on the 'Attachments' folder within the Policies directory on the left and then double-click on the 'ScanWithAntivirus' entry on the right.

4. When the entry opens, change its value from 0 to 1. Then click on the 'OK' button, close the Registry Editor, and restart your PC.

Fix 5: Use Incognito Mode

If you do not wish to disable your extensions when downloading files from Chrome, you should try Incognito Mode, where the extensions are automatically disabled. Once you've downloaded the files you need, simply close the incognito window and your extensions will remain functional in the regular Chrome window. You can open an Incognito window in Chrome using the Ctrl + Shift + N shortcut.

Fix 6: Update Chrome

An outdated version of Chrome can also lead to various issues, such as the one resulting in the 'Download Failed Network Error' message. Updating the browser may help fix this.

1. Open Chrome and click on the three dots on the top right.
2. Move your cursor down to the 'Help' option and then click on 'About Google Chrome'.

3. Chrome will check for updates and will install them if they are available. Restart the browser once the updates are installed and then retry your download.

Fix 7: Reset Google Chrome

If the previous fixes cannot help you, you may need to reset Chrome to its default settings. Keep in mind that doing so will delete all your cookies and cache data as well as third-party extensions.

1. Open the Settings page in Chrome and then click on 'Reset settings' on the left.

2. Then click on the 'Reset settings to their original defaults' option before clicking on the 'Reset settings' button in the pop-up.

Fix 8: Update or reinstall network drivers

If you're running into the 'Download Failed Network Error' message while using Chrome on Windows, there may be an issue with your network drivers. The drivers may be outdated or corrupted, in which case you will have to update or reinstall them.

1. Right-click on the Start button and click on 'Device Manager'.

2. When the Device Manager opens, click on the 'Network adapters' section to expand it.

3. Right-click on the network driver you want to update and click 'Update driver'.

4. Next, click on 'Search automatically for drivers' in the window that appears.

5. Wait for Windows to search for and install the latest drivers. Then restart your computer. If you want to reinstall a driver, right-click on it and click on 'Uninstall device'.

6. When the device is uninstalled, restart your PC and open the Device Manager again.
7. Click on the 'Action' tab at the top and then on 'Scan for hardware changes'. Windows will automatically search for the best drivers for the device and install them.

Fix 9: Change Windows Attachment Manager settings

The Windows Attachment Manager can prevent you from downloading files it considers unsafe, which may be why you're seeing the 'Download Failed Network Error' issue. So, you will have to change the Attachment Manager settings to be able to download files from the internet.

1. Open the Run dialog using the Win + R shortcut and type inetcpl.cpl inside it before pressing Enter.

2. Click on the 'Security' tab at the top and then on the 'Custom Level' button below.

3. When the Security Settings dialog box appears, scroll down to the 'Downloads' option and check that the 'File download' option toggle is enabled.

4. Then scroll down to the 'Miscellaneous' option and click on the 'Prompt (recommended)' option under the 'Launching applications and unsafe files' section and click on 'OK'.

5. Finally, click on the 'OK' button again in the 'Internet Properties' dialog box before restarting your computer.

Fix 10: Change the download location

Another possible solution to the 'Download Failed Network Error' issue is to change the location where files are downloaded from Chrome.

1. Launch Google Chrome and then open the Settings page.
2. Once the Settings page opens, click on 'Downloads' on the left.

3. On the Downloads page, click on the 'Change' button and then navigate to the folder you want to set as the download location. Then restart your PC.

Fix 11: Edit the Hosts file

If the Hosts file on your computer has been edited accidentally, it can stop you from accessing certain websites and prevent you from downloading files from them. To fix this, you need to edit the Hosts file.

1. Open the File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
2. Now right-click on the Hosts file and click on 'Edit in Notepad'.

3. When the file opens, search for 127.0.0.1 clients2.google.com and delete it. Then save the changes.

Things to know

• You can try to reinstall Chrome if resetting the browser does not work. To do this, open the Apps page in the Settings app on Windows and click on the 'Uninstall' option next to Chrome. Then download the latest Chrome setup and run it to reinstall the browser.
• If you have multiple browsers installed on your computer, you can always switch to a different one to download files from the internet. In case that also does not work, your system has some other issue preventing you from downloading files.
• Apart from disabling your antivirus, you should also try turning off your firewall temporarily, which may also be preventing you from downloading files.
• Third-party programs can sometimes cause various problems, such as blocking your Chrome downloads. Remove the problematic application and then retry to download your files. Then you can reinstall the program.