Updated March 2025: Stop these error messages and fix common problems with this tool. Get it now at this link
Sometimes the Chrome malware scan may fail due to an outdated Chrome browser, corrupted browser cookies/data, or the installation of the browser itself.
When a concerned user suspects that their browser is infected with spyware, malware, or adware and tries to run a scan through Chrome, they encounter the following error.
Table of Contents:
What causes a “Search Failed” error when using a Chrome malware scanner?
You can use the Chrome cleaner tool to clean your computer to find and remove malware. However, you may only get a “scan failed” error message. An error occurred while scanning for malware in Chrome.
What is the cause of this problem? We gather information on three main reasons:
- Google Chrome is out of date.
- Damaged cookies or browser data.
- The browser is corrupt.
By focusing on these causes, we will present effective solutions. If you’re not sure about the exact cause of the Google Chrome search crash, you can try the following solutions one by one.
If your computer is affected by viruses or malware, you should use professional antivirus software to scan your device and remove any viruses found. If you accidentally lose important data in the process, you can use a third-party tool to recover it.
How to solve the “Search Failed” error when using the Chrome malware scanner
This tool is highly recommended to help you fix your error. Plus, this tool offers protection against file loss, malware, and hardware failures, and optimizes your device for maximum performance. If you already have a problem with your computer, this software can help you fix it and prevent other problems from recurring:
Updated: March 2025
Clear cookies and cache files
Cache files and cookies store information about web pages, allowing them to load faster in subsequent sessions. If any of these files are corrupt, you may have problems with browser functionality.
- Press Ctrl+H to open the History window in Google Chrome.
- Select Clear browsing data.
- In the Clear browsing history window, select the All-time interval.
- Select the checkboxes for cache files and cookies.
- Select Clear data to delete the cache and cookies.
- Restart your browser and see if this solves the problem.
Update Google Chrome
Google Chrome is regularly updated with security updates and other features. Very old versions of Google Chrome may not have the malware scanning feature, and even slightly outdated versions may not have the latest security updates. In this case, searching for malware will be useless and you may get a Search failed error in Chrome when using the search for malware feature.
- Click the More icon (three vertical dots) in the top right corner of your Google Chrome browser.
- Go to the Settings section.
- On the left side of the Settings page, select About Chrome.
- Google Chrome will automatically update to the latest version.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to fix a failed error when searching for malware in Chrome?
- Update Google Chrome.
- Delete Chrome cookies and cache.
- Reinstall Google Chrome.
How do I fix a failed virus scan in Chrome?
- Open Google Chrome.
- Go to the menu by clicking on the 3 little dots in the top right corner.
- Click on Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Advanced.
- Under Reset and Cleanup, click on Clean up your computer.
- Now click on Search.
How do I fix the virus detection error in Chrome?
- Try using a browser with built-in security features.
- Search for PUPs using a special tool.
- Unblock Chrome and restore quarantined files.
- Disable Windows Defender.
How do I fix an anti-virus scan error in Chrome?
Contact the site owner or try to find the file on another site. These errors mean that your antivirus software may have blocked the file from downloading. Check your antivirus scanner to find out why the file was blocked.