ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND Google Chrome | How to Fix

When you encounter the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error in Google Chrome, it can be frustrating. The good news is that you'll learn how to troubleshoot and fix this issue with helpful tips and solutions.

What Is ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND in Google Chrome

The ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND issue is quite common when using the Google Chrome browser. It might occur while you're either developing an extension for the browser, using a specific command to view local files, or simply browsing the web. 

This error message indicates that you've encountered a resource that the browser is unable to access.

Most of the time, this doesn't necessarily mean the resource or file is missing. Knowing how to resolve the issue can help you retrieve the file and continue with your work or internet browsing as usual. For instance, if you are using Google Chrome and come across this error message, it might suggest that the file you are attempting to access has been deleted or relocated.

While this issue can occur on web browsers well, the wording of the error message is unique to Google Chrome.

This article will delve deeper into the reasons behind the error. Provide solutions on how to deal with it.

Fix 1. Recover Lost Files That Cause ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

One potential reason for encountering the issue could be that specific files or directories on your computer were unintentionally erased, damaged, or relocated. This error may easily happen when you want to view all files in Google to recover hidden files on an SD card or other storage devices.

When Google Chrome cannot find target files successfully, you can rely on professional file recovery software to find these missing files/folders.

If that situation arises, you may find it helpful to utilize the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to retrieve your data. Download this hassle-free recovery tool now and fix this file's not-found error.

This program is created to aid in the retrieval of lost, formatted, or misplaced data from storage devices such as USB drives, memory cards, digital cameras, and others. No matter if you have encountered this error on which storage devices, EaseUS can help you recover deleted files and folders quickly.

The software is compatible with a range of file formats surpassing 1000 types, which include images, videos, documents, audio files, emails, and more. It is user-secure and boasts a high success rate, in data recovery.

You may also have a chance to recover deleted Google docs with this handy tool. Check the following steps and recover the missing files now!

Step 1. Run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. Choose the drive where you lost files and click "Search for Lost Data". If your lost files were on an external storage device, connect it to your computer firstly.

Step 2. The software will quickly scan the deleted files immediately, and then automatically perform a deep scan to find more lost files. After the scan is completed, you can use "Filter" or "Search box" to quickly locate specific file types.

Step 3. Click the "Preview" button or double-click on a file for a full preview. Finally, select the desired files, click "Recover" and choose another safe location or Cloud drive to save all the files at once.

Other Google Chrome users have encountered this issue as well; you can share the EaseUS recovery tool with them to help!

Fix 2. Solve ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND by Forbidding Chrome Extensions

Adding extensions to Chrome can make it more useful, but sometimes they clash or cause errors. If an extension is poorly coded or doesn't get along with another one, it might trigger the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error. Disable unnecessary extensions also help reduce Chrome memory usage.

You'll have to disable the extension that is causing the problem. Check the following guide:

Step 1. Click on the three dots at the top-right of the Chrome.

Step 2. Head over to the "Extensions" tab and click on "Manage Extensions ". You'll find a rundown of all your Chrome extensions.

Step 3. Turn off the switches for your extensions to disable them all, then restart Chrome.

Step 4. Try turning on one extension at a time and restart Chrome to see if the net: ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND problem continues.

💡Do this for each extension. If the issue shows up only when a specific extension is on, that extension is causing the problem. You can leave it turned off or click the "Remove" button to delete it. This solution may also help you solve Google Chrome lagging in Windows 11.

Fix 3. Remove Extensions with Run Program to Fix ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

At times, simply removing a Chrome extension in this manner may not be sufficient if it leaves behind files. These residual files could result in issues such as the error. To fully eliminate them, you can navigate to Chrome's folder in the Windows file system and manually delete the extension files.

Step 1. Press the "Windows" and "R" to launch the Run window.

Step 2. Insert this path:  %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions into your file explorer. Then click "OK". This takes you to the Extensions directory where Chrome keeps extension files.

Step 3. In this directory, you'll see folders with random character strings, each representing an installed extension in Chrome.

Step 4. To find the problematic extension, match the folder names with the extension IDs on the Chrome extensions page (you can find this at chrome://extensions in your Chrome browser).

Step 5. Once you've identified the folder for the troublesome extension, delete it in File Explorer. Make sure to only remove the folder you've identified to avoid affecting other extensions.

Fix 4. Reset Google Chrome to Troubleshoot ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

If you've attempted all the suggested solutions without success, the final option to consider is resetting your Google Chrome to its settings. This process will disable all the extensions and delete all temporary data, like cached files and cookies. 

Step 1. Click the three-dot button and select "Settings".

Step 2. Choose "Reset Settings".

Step 3. Select "Restore settings to their defaults" 

Step 4. Once the windows pop up, click the "Reset settings" button to confirm.

After completing those steps, simply refresh your Google Chrome browser. You should then be able to visit the website without encountering any errors. Don't forget to share these methods on social media！

Conclusion

The ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND error is like the well-known error 404, but it's specific to Google Chrome. Usually, this error pops up due to issues with Chrome extensions. This means you'll have to troubleshoot your Chrome setup to resolve it.

To troubleshoot the problem, we suggest turning off your Chrome extensions. Next, it's an idea to clean up any leftover data from these extensions. If nothing else works, you may have to restore Chrome to its settings.

In case you lose your files due to this issue, we suggest giving EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard a try for file retrieval.

ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND FAQs

Take a look at some of the questions and answers around this topic of ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

1. How do you fix the Err_file_not_found error in Google Chrome?

There are a few ways in which you can solve this  Err_file_not_found error. Here are some of the fixes:

• Check if the file or resource is still available at the given URL.
• Disable or uninstall any Chrome extensions that may cause conflicts or errors.
• You can reset your Google Chrome

2. What causes the problem ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND?

When you see the error, it indicates that the browser is facing difficulty in accessing a file or resource. This issue can arise due to reasons including;

• The file or resource may not be accessible at the provided URL, or the URL itself could be inaccurate or incomplete.
• An extension in Chrome may cause disruptions in the browser's work, leading to conflicts with the website's operations.
• The Chrome data files or extension installation files are corrupted or missing.
• The network connection is unstable or restricted.

3. Can I recover the not-found files with a recovery tool?

Indeed, you have the option to retrieve files using a recovery tool provided that data haven't replaced the files. These tools can scan your storage device and recover deleted or lost files. Some of the best recovery tools you can use include EaseUS Data Recovery software.