Fix: Chrome error “failed to load extension” He’s dead, Jim!

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on June 7, 2023
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

The error, “Failed to load extension from: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\42.0.2311.90\resources\gaia_auth. Manifest file is missing or unreadable,” followed by “He’s dead, Jim!” would appear when Chrome has become severely corrupted.

No matter what you do – reinstall, uninstall, or reset – the issue won’t go away.

Well, that is why I decided to write this guide. In this guide, I will list down the steps you can take to fix this issue.

Let’s get started! 🙂

If you have bookmarks and you would like to save them, follow this procedure first before proceeding to the steps.

1. Reboot your computer and repeatedly press F8.

2. When you see the advanced boot menu, choose “Safe Mode”.

3. After you have logged into Windows in Safe Mode, open Google Chrome.

4. Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT + O to open the Bookmarks Manager.

5. Click “Organize” and choose “Export bookmarks to an HTML file.

organize

6. Save them on your desktop, and then reboot the PC back into Normal mode.

Now since we’ve copied/saved the bookmarks, we can uninstall Chrome completely and re-install to make it work.

1. Go to www.revouninstaller.com.

2. Download the trial version of Revo Uninstaller and install it.

3. Open Revo Uninstaller, select “Google Chrome,” and click Uninstall.

4. Wait for it to finish uninstalling, then click the Advanced Uninstall option and type ‘Chrome‘.

5. It will automatically pull up stored logs, and there may be more than one. If there is more than one, repeat from step 4 until you find none when you type ‘Chrome’ in the Advanced Uninstall Option on RevoUninstaller.

6. Next, choose the log and uninstall it completely; remove anything that it finds.

7. Then, hold the Windows key and press R.

 8. Type ‘%LOCALAPPDATA%\‘.

localappdata

9. Locate the Google folder and rename it to Google1.

10. Exit out and reboot your PC.

11. Now, reinstall Google Chrome.

12. After it has been installed, reopen it, then hold CTRL + SHIFT + O to open the Bookmarks Manager.

13. Click “Organize” and-import the “Bookmarks” file.

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on June 7, 2023
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo of Kevin Arrows

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

19
    AL
    ALEX Mar 23, 2016

    Gosh, you are amazing! I was googling for a whole day trying to fix this problem until I see your solution. I tried IObit at first, but didn’t work. I figured out it somehow works under safe mode, but still can’t run it under normal condition.

    Reply
      FF
      ffzane Mar 29, 2016

      IObit free has more features than Revo free, but there’s a catch. There’s always a catch. I don’t recommend anyone getting IObit as it installs its products onto your computer without your consent. IObit is always trying to advertise and force-feed their products onto people who install their products.

      Reply
    NI
    Nicholas Mar 26, 2016

    Thank you/ Only your guide could help me.

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Mar 26, 2016

      Welcome.

      Reply
    PG
    Patryk Górgól Apr 5, 2016

    To solve the problem just press [ALT] + mouse and enter

    in the beginning: %USERPROFILE%Local SettingsApplication DataGoogleChromeUser Data that is your local path on the system drive

    the drive roller for Google Chrome then click “Apply” and click “OK” and run our browser.

    Reply
      SP
      Soumtra Patole Jul 3, 2016

      after pressing alt mouse and enter nothing happnes

      Reply
        KA
        K. Arrows Author Jul 4, 2016

        use the steps listed in the post, not the comments.

        Reply
    SE
    Stephanie E May 3, 2016

    Worked perfectly! As you may be able to tell, I’m surprised.. Too bad Google doesn’t have an easy fix, but following this step by step, deleting EVERYTHING, even if it feels wrong, is the only solution that has worked for me.. Thank you

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author May 3, 2016

      Thanks

      Reply
    SP
    Soumtra Patole Jul 3, 2016

    still i am having the same problem i have follow all the step then also its showing the same

    Reply
    AP
    Aniket Patil Oct 1, 2016

    can’t change the name of the folder. dialog box says file is open in other program

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Oct 2, 2016

      reboot and then change the name without opening chrome.

      Reply
    AP
    Aniket Patil Oct 1, 2016

    can’t change the name of the folder. dialog box says file is open in other program. even after restarting my computer

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Oct 2, 2016

      responded.

      Reply
    PQ
    Peter Quest Feb 20, 2017

    tried this the 2nd one seems to work uninstalling using revo uninstaller but after a few hours of sign in it came back again.. its a left over trace from a virus that never vanishes at all.

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Mar 8, 2017

      Make sure you dont sign into Chrome using your gmail address, then test and see?

      Reply
    OM
    omar Jul 12, 2017

    Why I cant write Chrome in the path after uninstalling it???

    Reply
    OM
    omar Jul 12, 2017

    Why I cant write Chrome in the path after uninstalling

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Jul 12, 2017

      You will have to re-download it.

      Reply