Google Chrome is one of the fastest browsers to surf the internet and download stuff online; sometimes, you may get an error when you try to download anything from the web that is “Failed- Virus Scan Failed.”
This error occurs when Google chrome can’t check for the security certificate for any download from their publisher, and Chrome just can’t scan the program or file.
This happens due to malware in your computer, which may be a virus, adware, or browser hijacker. Or there may be some conflicting programs.
Sometimes when you uninstall a program, its registry entries remain active. If you uninstalled an antivirus like McAfee, there is a high chance of download fail error since antivirus overtakes Chrome to scan downloaded items.
This is annoying when you download any antivirus to scan your computer, but you can’t download the antivirus itself.
How to Fix Virus Scan Failed Error On Windows 10, 8.1 & 7
To fix the Virus Scan Failed error, we need to make some changes to the Windows registry. Since it says Chrome cannot scan the downloaded file for possible viruses or malware, we will trick the registry so that it won’t try to scan the downloaded files.
After that, we will fix the root cause and revert the changes. Follow the below steps –
Step 1. Press Windows + R keys at the same time
and you will get the “Run” dialog box.
Step 2. Type “regedit” and hit ok. Now you will get the registry editor window.
Step 3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >SOFTWARE >Microsoft >Windows >CurrentVersion >Policies >Attachments by expanding the folder tree.
Step 4. Now double-click on the “ScanWithAntivirus” registry key and change its value to “1” which is by default “3“. Changing the key value to “1” actually, instruct the browser not to scan the downloaded program or files.
Watch This Video Tutorial For More Explanation
After doing the above steps, you will be able to download it from google Chrome. If you have the same issue on other browsers, then download and install a good antivirus on your computer and scan your computer.
Once the scan is completed, you will be able to download programs and files in all browsers. Now, change the registry key value to its original value which is 3 to avoid any malicious downloads.
Every Chrome user should check this:- Reduce High RAM usage by Chrome
Another Method to Fix Virus Scan Failed Error.
If the above method is difficult to perform or you are unable to locate the correct registry key, then here is a simple method available. All you have to do is download this patch and run it.
After running this Registry patch, you will get a success message and click on OK.
In most cases above 2 solutions work pretty well, but if it is not working for you, then try to reset Google Chrome.
By any chance, if the above solution does not work, then you can try to scan your PC.
Antivirus Scan to Fix Chrome Download Error
There may be malware on your PC. If you are getting this error, again and again, you can scan your PC with the Antivirus you may have.
But if your antivirus is unable to detect any possible malware, then you can download Hitman Pro for a quick scan that comes free for the first 30 days.
Download Hitman Pro and perform a quick scan.
Hitman Pro is best for the flash scan and a second opinion to your existing antivirus, but it is not that good for the real-time scan.
Delete all the found malware and restart your computer, do check all the found malware before deleting them; this antivirus may give you a false positive result like marking some DLL files as a virus; make sure you uncheck them.
Registry Scan to Fix Corrupt Entries
I am sure the above method will help you to fix the Google chrome download error, but if still, you are unable to fix it, then you can try to scan your registry and repair the corrupt entries; to do so, you need to install the registry cleaning tools like Ccleaner or IObit Advanced System Care.
Once you install it, just perform the registry optimization from the several options.
Restart the PC to make changes effective.
There may be another error on the screen while downloading a file “search failed an error occurred while chrome was searching for harmful software.”
Fix Search Failed Error
This error occurs when Chrome can’t search for malicious software on your computer. Google Chrome has an inbuilt malware scanner to remove software that violates Google’s unwanted software policy.
If Chrome can’t scan for malicious software automatically, it will through the above error, or sometimes Chrome won’t open.
To fix the Search Failed error, you must manually scan the PC using Chrome Virus Scanner.
- Open Google Chrome
- Go to Menu by clicking on the 3 little dots at the right top corner.
- Click on Settings.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click “Advanced.“
- Under “Reset and clean up,” click Clean up computer.
- Now click on Find.
- If it does ask to remove unwanted software, then click Remove.
- Reboot your computer.
Google Chrome will find harmful software and remove it from your computer.
That’s All; you are done now; your download will not have any errors like virus scan failed or search failed. Make sure your computer does not have any viruses. Install a good antivirus and remove the different types of malware such as a virus, adware, trojan, rootkit, etc, and any conflicting programs.
Or you can install a free antivirus but having a full version of an antivirus gives you peace of mind.
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