Chrome Blocking Downloads



© Anadolu Agency/Contributor/Getty Images You can stop Chrome from blocking downloads through the browser's security settings. Anadolu Agency/Contributor/Getty Images

  • You can stop Google Chrome from blocking downloads by temporarily turning off the Safe Browsing feature, located in the Privacy and security section of Chrome's Settings page.
  • Chrome's Safe Browsing feature is designed to protect you from malicious websites and infected files that can damage your computer or compromise your security.
  • After you download the blocked file, it's a good idea to re-enable Safe Browsing.
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Chrome's built-in security tools are your first line of defense against online malware, including dangerous websites and malicious downloads.

Unfortunately, Chrome is sometimes too cautious and can block perfectly safe files, which it believes might be dangerous.

If you are trying to download a file, but Chrome won't allow it, you can temporarily (or permanently) disable the browser's security. Of course, you should be sure the file is safe before you choose to override Chrome's protection.

  • Recommended Answer. Relevant Answer. When it comes up at the bottom that its 'dangerous, so chrome has blocked it.' You press 'show all' (all downloads) then you simply jus keep 'dangerous file'. Recommended this.
  • Download the file and let Chrome 'block' it. If you are directed to a 'site ahead contains harmful programs' page, click 'details' then 'visit the site'. After chrome displays the warning message in the download bar, click 'show all downloads', or choose 'downloads' from the menu, or press 'ctrl+j' (on Windows at least).

Here's how to do it.

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How to stop Chrome from blocking downloads

1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu at the top right of the window.

2. In the drop-down menu, choose 'Settings.'

Disable Chrome Blocking Downloads

3. On the Settings page, in the You and Google section, click 'Privacy and security.'

© Dave Johnson/Business Insider Go to the Privacy and security section of Chrome's settings to find the Safe Browsing feature. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How To Remove Chrome Blocking Downloads

Disable chrome blocking download

4. In the Privacy and Security section of the main page, click 'Security.'

5. In the Safe Browsing section, click 'No protection (not recommended)' to turn the feature off.

6. Click 'Turn off' in the pop-up to confirm you want to do this.

© Dave Johnson/Business Insider When you turn off Safe Browsing, you are disabling the browser's primary security tool for keeping you safe online. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

7. Download the file that was blocked.

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Ever wanted to download a file using Google Chrome browser but receive a prompt telling you Chrome has detected a malicious file and blocked it? In this situation, it will be useful to know how to stop chrome from blocking downloads.

Part of Chrome protective measures is to scan every file before the download begins. This security measure helps protect your computer from files that might contain a virus, malware, or other types of infections by blocking them.

Files deem as unsafe by Chrome might however be “clean.” But it can be frustrating when Chrome keeps blocking a download you know originates from a trusted source.

For this reason, let me show you how to prevent chrome from blocking downloads. Also, I will explain how to fix a situation where Chrome blocks automatic downloads originating from the same source.

DownloadsChrome blocking zip downloads

How to Stop Chrome from Blocking Downloads:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click the three dots icon in the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Click “Settings.”
  4. Under the “You and Google” section, click “Sync and Google services.”
  5. Locate the switch next to “Safe Browsing” and turn it off. The button is blue when turned on and gray when it’s off.

From now on, Chrome will not block downloads anymore. Note that the Safe Browsing feature also protects you from “phishing or malware sites. Therefore, turning it off means missing out on other important security features, which when not in place may expose your computer to virus infections and other attacks.

For this reason, I recommend you turn on “Safe Browsing” after downloading the file in order not to expose your computer to malicious files coming from potentially dangerous sites.

And that leads us to another situation where Chrome blocks multiple downloads originating from the same source, especially from file conversion sites.

How to Unblock Automatic Downloads:

Chrome Blocking Downloads As Dangerous

  1. Click the three dots icon at the top right corner.
  2. Scroll down and click “Advanced.”
  3. Underneath the “Privacy and security” section, click the “Content settings.”
  4. While in the Content settings panel, scroll down and click “Automatic downloads.”
  5. Toggle on the button to the right of “Do not allow any site to download multiple files automatically.” After turning on the button, it will display “Ask when a site tries to download files automatically after the first file (recommended).” With this setting in place, chrome would allow automatic downloads but still prompts for permission whenever a site initiates a download.

Chrome Blocking Downloads Virus

If the confirmation becomes a hassle, then add to a whitelist the site you wish to accept automatic downloads from. To do this, click the “Add” button next to “Allow” in the

How To Stop Chrome Blocking Downloads

This allows the browser to allow downloads directly without interruption. But always make sure you make this setting for a website you trust.

Chrome Blocking Downloads Fix

I hope this post on how to stop chrome from blocking downloads has helped with circumventing Chrome’s restrictions on potentially unsafe websites and downloads.