How to Fix Google Chrome Downloads Getting Stuck at 100%

Several users have reported that they constantly see Google Chrome downloads getting stuck at 100%. This seems to happen for no apparent reason with a variety of files (small or large). Most affected users report that the download remains at 100% until they restart the browser while others say that for them it finally completes after 5 minutes or so. The issue is not exclusive to a certain Windows version since it’s confirmed to occur on Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 7.

What is causing Chrome downloads to stay at 100%?

We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports and the repair strategies that are commonly being used to fix this particular issue. As it turns out, there are several potential culprits that have the potential of triggering this issue:

If you’re currently struggling to resolve the same error message, this article will provide you with several different troubleshooting steps. Down below, you’ll find a collection of methods that other users in a similar scenario have successfully used to resolve the issue with the Chrome downloads staying at 100%.

Each potential fix is confirmed to be working by at least one affected user. For the best results, we advise you to follow the methods in the order that they are presented since they are ordered by efficiency and severity. One of them is bound to resolve the issue regardless of the culprit that is actually causing it.

Method 1: Preventing 3rd party antivirus software is analyzing the file

If you’re using a 3rd party antivirus suite and you have reasons to believe that it has the potential of being overprotective, chances are the security suite is preventing the file to become accessible to the rest of the system before it manages to complete the virus scan.

In fact, there are several antivirus suites that are known to scan completed downloads before allowing other system-wide applications to access it. The most popular ones are ESET Nod32, Malwarebytes Pro, ESET Endpoint, AVAST, and AVG.

Whenever this procedure is started on a compressed file, scanning will take a lot more than the usual. This is known to cause pauses or hangs – especially on PC configurations with a traditional HDD.

If this scenario is applicable to you, your first try should be to search inside your AV settings for an option that disables browser download checks – But keep in mind that going this route means that you’ll be leaving your system vulnerable to security threats.

Another possible scenario is that the 3rd party AV that is active on your computer is actually conflicting with Chrome’s own virus scanning feature. If both of them are trying to scan the file at the same time, the file will remain stuck at 100% until both security scans are complete.

If you are annoyed by the fact that your download remains at 100% for several minutes, one way to resolve the issue is to uninstall or disable the 3rd party antivirus that is causing the holdup. Typically, you can disable the 3rd party Antivirus by right-clicking its tray-bar icon and using the context menu to disable the real-time protection.

If you’re determined to uninstall the security suite completely, an efficient way to do it is to follow this article (here). It will show you how to completely uninstall any security program while ensuring that you’re not leaving any leftover files behind.

If this method didn’t resolve the issue or wasn’t applicable to your particular scenario, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Downloading the file in Incognito Mode

As it turns out, problematic extensions can also be responsible for downloads getting stuck at 100%. In most cases, download managers and security scanners that are installed as extensions in Chrome are reported as potential culprits.

Fortunately, there is one way to determine whether extensions are actually causing this problem or not. By opening your browser in Incognito mode and downloading the same file that was previously getting stuck at 100%, you’ll force Chrome to perform the operation without using any installed extensions.

Here’s a quick guide on opening Chrome in Incognito Mode and then identify the culprit if the issue is resolved:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the action button (three dot icon) in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, click on New Incognito Window from the context menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside Incognito mode, navigate to the download location that was previously getting stuck at 100% and see if the issue is still occurring.
3. If the issue is no longer occurring, it’s clear that one of your extensions is causing the issue. In this case, type “chrome://extensions/” and press Enter to access the Extension tab of Google Chrome.
   Note: If the issue is still occurring, move down to Method 3.
4. Inside the Extensions tab, disable each extension individually until all of them are disabled. Then, systematically re-enable them one by one and trying to download the file again after each one until you identify the culprit extension that is responsible for the holdup.

   

5. Once you manage to identify the extension responsible for the problem, click the Remove button associated with the extension that is causing the issue.

   

6. Restart your browser and see if the issue has been resolved.

If you’re still seeing your Chrome downloads getting stuck at 100%, move down to the next method below.

Method 3: Reinstalling Google Chrome

As it turns out, this issue can also occur if you’re using a severely outdated Chrome version. Several affected users have reported that they managed to resolve the issue by uninstalling their current chrome version and then reinstalling the latest build.

This might be effective in situations where the problem is being caused by a defective installation. Here’s a quick guide on uninstalling and then reinstalling Google Chrome:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “appwiz.cpl” inside the text box and press Enter to open up the Programs and Features window.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Programs and Features window, scroll through the list of applications and locate Google Chrome. Once you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the context menu.

   

3. Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer and wait until the next startup sequence is complete.
4. Open your default browser and navigate to this link (here). Once  you’re there, click on Download Chrome 

   

5. Once the installer is downloaded, double-click on it and follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest version of Google Chrome.
6. When the installation is complete, open Chrome, attempt to download the same file again and see if the issue has been resolved.

If you’re still seeing your downloads getting stuck at 100%, move down to the next method below.

Method 4: Installing an older Chrome version

If none of the methods above have helped you to resolve the issue, then downgrading to an older Chrome version might resolve the issue for you. Several affected users have reported that they managed to get around the problem by downgrading to a Chrome version older than 73.0. In most cases, users have managed to fix the problem by installing version 72.0.3626.121.

Here’s a quick guide on uninstalling your current Chrome version and installing an older build:

1. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “appwiz.cpl” and hit Enter to open up the Programs and Features utility.

   

2. Inside Programs and features, move to the right pane and scroll through the list of applications until you locate Google Chrome. Once you see it, right-click on it and choose Uninstall from the context menu. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

   

3. Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer.
4. At the next startup sequence, open your default browser and navigate to this link (here) to get a list of previous Chrome versions.

   

5. Next, click on a version that is older than build 73.0 and click the Download button.
6. When the download is complete, install the oldest Chrome build and see if it manages to resolve your issue.