How to Fix the Audio Not Working on Google Chrome Error
Audio Not Working Error
Google Chrome is one of the fastest and simplest internet browsers out there. With a single click, users will be able to load multiple tabs, web pages, and applications without any delays. This is why numerous business enterprises and advanced users prefer Google Chrome browser to other alternatives. However, just like any other web browser, Chrome also encounters minor issues at regular intervals.
One of the most frustrating Google Chrome issues is, undoubtedly, the “Audio Not Working on Google Chrome” error. When this happens, you will not be able to hear any sounds while using the browser. Several users who have experienced this Google Chrome error often ask “Chrome audio keeps not working or cutting out. How can it be fixed?” If you are one among them, then we have got you covered.
Update Google Chrome
The first and most important thing you should is to check whether you are using an outdated version of Google Chrome. Several computer users often fail to realize the fact that most of the Chrome browser issues that they are experiencing could be due to the use of an outdated version of the browser. So, update your browser, as it might help you to fix the issue.
Reset Chrome Settings
Update Google Chrome
If you are unable to hear sounds from other browsers or while playing videos on your device, then there might be something wrong with the speakers in your device. On the other hand, if you are able to hear sound from other apps and browsers, then resetting the Settings in Google Chrome browser might help you to solve the issue. To do that, open Google Chrome on your computer and then click on the three-dot menu button. You will now need to click on Settings, followed by Advanced, and then Reset.
Clear Cache
Browser cache, the temporary data that speeds up the loading time of websites, might sometimes be the major culprit behind the “Audio Not Working on Google Chrome” error that you have been experiencing. The good news is that clearing the cache data on your Google Chrome browser might help you to resolve this issue. Other common Google Chrome errors such as Chrome not responding and Chrome keeps crashing in Windows 10 might also get solved by clearing cached data.
All you Need to Know about Google Chrome Error 124 and How to Fix it
Error Code 124
Google Chrome is a widely popular web browser across the world. People rely on Google Chrome a lot these days, as almost every information is available through the platform. Not just the search engine, Google also has various applications like YouTube, Gmail, Maps, PlayStore, etc., that make the life of a use much simpler. Everything you need to know is just one tap away. However, what if this power of “one tap” is not responding; that would be the most irritating thing for a user. Shockingly, Google Chrome not responding error is the most common reported issue with the browser.
One of the Google Chrome errors, coded “Error 124”, can occur during program installation, startup or shut down, or during Windows operating system installation. Even though cleaning all junk files maybe helpful, it may not necessarily solve the entire problem. Troubleshooting the issue could be easy if you know when and where the error occurs. So let us see how you could resolve the Google Chrome Error 124.
What is Error Code 124?
“124” is the numerical value of the error, meaning that it holds the information of what caused the error. This code has a hexadecimal number and has a technical description linked to it. In some cases, this error may contain more parameters in hexadecimal system, which shows the memory location where information was loaded during the time of the error. A browser tech support personnel can easily identify the error using the 124 code and the description.
What Does the Error 124 Do?
The error crashes the active program window, besides leading to frequent PC crashes, making Windows run sluggishly and respond very slowly to inputs. In most of the cases, the message displayed on the screen would be Error 124 (net__ERR_WINSOCK_UNEXPECTED_WRITTEN_BYTES, and the computer would freeze for few seconds each time.
The Causes
Common Browser Issues
The Error 124 occurs due to many reasons, such as:
- Corrupted download or incomplete installation of the Chrome software;
- Corruption in the Windows Registry due to a Chrome related software change;
- Any malicious program deleted Chrome related files; or
- Virus or malware that corrupted system or Chrome files.
Steps to Fix the Error
Follow the below-given steps in order to fix Google Chrome Error 124.
- Repair Windows Registry entries associated with the error.
- Run a full malware scan of your PC.
- Clean your system junk.
- Update your PC device drivers.
- Use Windows System Restore to undo recent system changes.
- Try to uninstall and reinstall the Chrome program(s), which is associated with the error.
- Run Windows System File Checker.
- Install all available Windows Updates.
If the error persists even after following all the troubleshooting steps as mentioned above, perform a clean installation of Windows as a last resort.
How to Troubleshoot Random Hangs on Mozilla Firefox 3 or Later
Troubleshoot Random Hangs
When Mozilla Firefox hangs or if it stops responding randomly, a label indicating the browser issue would pop up on the address bar of Firefox and cursor of the mouse would become a spinning wheel if you place it over an open tab. Read on for steps to troubleshoot random hangs in Mozilla Firefox if it happens after an action, such as downloading a large file or while quitting the browser.
Steps to Follow
If such kinds of unresponsiveness happen on Mozilla Firefox 3 or later periodically, note that the Places database may be corrupt. Places stores bookmarks, keywords, annotations, and browsing history on Firefox browser. Follow the below steps for creating a fresh Places database for storing all that information in browsing sessions afterward. Note that doing this would clear history of visited web pages and bookmarks of a day depending on when you create a new Places database.
- For that, first open the Profile folder on Mozilla Firefox; click on the menu button to the top of the browser denoted by three horizontal lines and navigate to Help > Troubleshooting Information. A tab would open subsequently on Firefox.
- Under the Application Basics heading, click Open Folder and that would reveal your Profile Now click on the said menu button and choose Exit. Wait until Firefox quits all tabs.
- After that, navigate to and rename files sqlite, and places.sqlite-journal (if the second one exists on the Profile folder).
- To change the name of a file, right-click on one, and choose Rename. While renaming, add .old after sqlite or places.sqlite-journal. When done, quit and reopen Mozilla Firefox.
Common Browser Issues
Once the browser reboots, it would make a fresh Places database. This would mean that old browsing history on Firefox would be gone, but the browser would import bookmark from the most recent backup file containing that.
If Mozilla Firefox freezes every few seconds even after following the above-mentioned steps, you might have to disable hardware acceleration. This is because with certain graphics driver and card driver set-ups, Firefox tends to hang while hardware acceleration is being enabled. To disable it, click the menu button and select Options. In the new window, deselect Use Recommended Performance Settings option under the Performance tab. Just under that, you have to deselect Use Hardware Acceleration When Available. After that, exit Firefox and see to it if browsing works normally.
4 Ways to Resolve Chrome Issues after Windows Update
Change the Properties
The latest Windows 10 updates have brought a spate of problems in programs installed in the operating system. One of these is Google Chrome, which so happens to be the web browser of choice for most computer users around the world. Post update, you may not be able to use Chrome to browse the internet and visit the sites which you most often go to, or even download apps from your favorite websites. Following are some fixes for this, and for Chrome crashing Windows 10.
Fix it in Safe Mode
- Head to the Start menu, hit the Power icon, press Shift, and then restart the PC.
- Choose Troubleshoot, and then Advanced Options. After this, choose Startup Settings, and choose Restart. Hit F5.
- Clear the cache and cookies in Chrome using the Ctrl + Shift + Del shortcut key combo. Additionally, switch off hardware acceleration in the browser and relaunch it.
- After that, log in using normal mode. Chrome should be working fine.
Change the Properties of Google Chrome
For this, you will need to launch the browser using the Run as Administrator context menu option.
- Right click on the Chrome icon and choose Properties. Select the Compatibility tab, and choose the button that says Change Settings for All Users. Deselect the Run This Program in Compatibility Mode option, which you find beneath Compatibility Mode.
- Select Run This Program as an Administrator, and hit Apply, then OK.
Troubleshoot after Adding the Reliable Multicast Protocol
Common Browser Issues
If the methods detailed above failed, you may have to check the network configurations on the Windows 10 update.
- Launch the Run program using the Win + R combo; when the dialog box appears, type in cpl, and hit Enter.
- When you get to Network Connections, right click the network adapter that is working right now, and choose Properties.
- Select Microsoft Network Adapter Multiplexor Protocol, and hit the Install Leave the Protocol option highlighted, and click on Add. Get Reliable Multicast Protocol highlighted, and hit OK.
Update the Network Drivers on the OS
The issue with Google Chrome can also arise from missing, outdated, or incompatible network drivers. There may also be various problems with the network after the update, such as no Wi-Fi, slow internet, etc. Get a driver download program from the internet, preferably freeware, and download all the needed drivers for the OS.
How to Open a Website Link in Google Chrome in a New Window
Opening Website Link
Google Chrome is one of the best browsers being used by power users. One of the best aspects about Chrome browser is its intuitive user interface, that won’t let down sophisticated uses. If you are a newbie to the UI of Chrome, though, you may not know that some hot keys can let you open an external link in an active Chrome tab in a new window or foreground.
Suppose you are surfing the web in Google Chrome and see a link on a particular website, opening such external links in the browser by clicking the hyperlink text will reveal it in a new window by exiting the active tab. To override that, open the website link within an active Chrome tab by using the scroll of the mouse or the middle-click. Alternatively, you can also hold down Ctrl key and left-click to open the link in a new tab or foreground tab as web developers refer it to. This way, you won’t have to navigate back in case you have accidentally opened such links in Google Chrome.
Common Browser Issues
Using the said hot keys to open the website link in an active tab once will allow you to use left-click going forward. Note that an active website may have several links for online marketing purposes, but some may be part of a tutorial with relevant content such as in an internet forum. If you are using a different Chromium-based browser, you can press Ctrl and Shift keys simultaneously and left-click on the hyperlink text you want to switch to in a foreground tab. These hot keys will work in Internet Explorer 11 and Mozilla Firefox latest version as well.
Google Chrome also lets users install an add-on known as Tab Activate to override the same automatically. To install that browser extension, search Tab Activate in Google, open the respective link, and click Add to Chrome button highlighted in blue. Then confirm the installation of Tab Activate in Google Chrome by clicking Add Extension on the dialog box that appears on the screen. Once this browser extension is installed in Chrome, all of the links you need to open will do in the foreground each time you do that by using the middle-click.
How to Troubleshoot Firefox Tabs Freezing Problem in Windows
Firefox Tabs Freezing
Once Mozilla Firefox closes unexpectedly, it will reveal a dialog box that prompts those surfing the web to submit a report of the crash to developers of the browser. Based on the crash report, Firefox developers will improve subsequent versions of the browser. In the meantime, users would need to know about troubleshooting steps to resolve it. Note that in case Mozilla Firefox won’t open or stops responding, it is termed as a browser hang, and not necessarily a crash.
If your Firefox browser crashes, first open it in Safe Mode to see it if that fixes the issue on Windows PC. For that, click on the hamburger menu to the top, click Help and choose an option that lets you restart the browser with extensions disabled. It will reveal Firefox Safe Mode dialog box; click Start in Safe Mode button to confirm the same.
Once the browser starts in the Safe Mode, see to it if crashes occur in a particular website in which you may have previously experienced it. In case it won’t fix the browser issue, you can use any of the below step mentioned to resolve a Firefox tab crashing. Note that if a crash happens even when operating Firefox in Safe Mode, the underlying reason for that may be got to do with version of Firefox and not installed malware plug-ins or enabling of hardware acceleration in the browser.
Update Firefox
Common Browser Issues
Each version of Mozilla Firefox comprises of several bug fixes to have developed based on previous crash reports sent by users through the browser upon noticing of the problem. Updating the browser to a new version might fix a crash. For that, click on the three-dot menu to the top and choose About Firefox. The browser would check for available updates if any and download the same over the internet. Keep the About Mozilla Firefox popup window open until updates get installed fully and click on Restart to Update Firefox button upon its completion.
In addition, update Windows OS and Firefox plug-ins to the latest versions to see if that helps. Note that Windows Update may install latest graphic drivers, which may enable the browser to use JavaScript and hardware acceleration. Updated graphic drivers may prevent crashes of Mozilla Firefox while taking a webpage printout as well, so that is worth trying.
Some Benefits of Incognito Browsing in Google Chrome
Incognito Browsing Benefits
Much like other web browsers, even Google Chrome provides an option to surf the web privately. The Incognito mode in Chrome opens up upon pressing Ctrl, Shift, and N keys simultaneously, or users can access it by clicking the three-dot menu to the upper right and selecting the option for the same. If you browse Incognito in Google Chrome browser, it will not save browsing history, cookies, usernames and passwords, or the info you fill into web forms, but will save any bookmarks you want to keep. No one except a website, your employer, or Internet Service Provider will be able to see your browsing activity when surfing the web on an Incognito window in Google Chrome.
The main benefit of accessing a website in this particular mode is that it keeps the browsing information private, which comes in handy if you share your computer with other people. When it comes to browser security, Incognito offers an advantage in the sense that it clears cookies the moment you close the window. This only goes to make the private browsing mode in Google Chrome ideal for surfing on public or shared systems. In case you do not log out from an account you have signed in for the first time after completing a private browsing session in Chrome’s Incognito, the browser will delete respective cookies upon closing the respective tab.
Private Browsing Session
Since cookies will not be shared between incognito and standard windows in the browser, you have another advantage in the sense that you can sign in to a personal account in normal tab and a different account in Incognito. For instance, if you are sending an urgent mail and your friend wants to check his/her Google account, you can simply sign in to the other Gmail account in Incognito. Likewise, if your spouse tells you that she wants to access a social media account while you are logged into yours, you do not need to log out to provide the access, but open it in an Incognito window.
Note that Incognito does save whereabouts of the websites you have visited in Google Chrome upon a condition. For instance, you sign into Gmail in Incognito tab and do a search on Google, that browsing information will get saved in your account. However, there is a trick in Chrome, which allows users to stop the search engine from tracking the web history.
Why IE or Edge Pops up When you Switch Networks
Edge Pops Up
It is common for IE or Edge to pop up a window on your system after a reboot has happened, if you have changed the network. While this may seem like it is the work of a virus, like when you have Internet Explorer not responding, the pop-ups may be due to some default settings in Windows.
Why This Happens
Windows has a component specifically meant to identify changes in network, called the “Network Connectivity Status Indicator” or NCSI. It performs the function of detecting the status of internet connectivity, and comes as a part of the NlaSvc service. One of the things it does is background testing, which can tell you if the machine is connected to the internet. NLA or Network location awareness works alongside NCSI, by finding out if the connection is in a domain or public network. This way, it can set up a proper firewall.
For Users of Windows 7 and Below
Windows 7 will show a message lasting a short time about you needing further actions to connect to the internet. This means you will not get internet until you open the browser and match the Wi-Fi hotspot requirements to log in. After this, the connection will be normal, and even the yellow-colored bang mark will disappear.
For Users of Windows 8 and Above
Common Browser Issue
Recent Windows versions have made the user experience more comfortable for normal users, in that when the machine detects a login, it will open the browser window.
Why Pop ups Come up When There is No Hotspot
You may ask why pop ups come up from IE or Edge when you are in a company or corporate network, without any hotspots nearby. The simple reason is that there is a proxy connection at the office, and Windows is not able to connect to the NCSI website directly. In cases such as these, the proxy gets contacted in the background, and more often than not, this will require proxy authentication. The URL will redirect to the MSN portal.
It is seen that many anti viruses will block the URL, which leads to the taskbar showing limited access. Resolving this issue can be done in simple step – adding the msftncsi website to the list of trusted URLs.
How to Fix the YouTube Not Working on Google Chrome Error
YouTube Not Working
Google Chrome is one of the best and most popular internet browsers in the world and millions of users access the web through this browser. Google Chrome usually offers a flawless performance and enables users to carry out all their online requirements at a rapid pace. However, just like any other browser Google Chrome also often experience a few issues.
If you are a computer user who uses Chrome browser, then you might have already experienced Google Chrome keeps freezing issue or Chrome constantly crashing error. In most cases, these kinds of browser issues are very common and they can be easily solved with the help of an expert browser support technician.
Recently, several people who use Google Chrome on a regular basis complained that they were unable to access YouTube through Chrome browser. This can be a frustrating and irritating issue but there are a few simple solutions to fix the YouTube not working on Google Chrome error.
Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome
Common Browser Issues
Before you move to this troubleshooting step, you need to check whether you are using an outdated version of the Chrome browser or not. If yes, then updating the browser might help you to solve the issue. Let us assume that you are using an up-to-date version of Google Chrome and still not able to play YouTube videos. If so, simply uninstall the browser and then reinstall it after a couple of minutes. Check if that resolved the error; if not, move to the next step.
Update the Video Drivers
If the video drivers on your PC or laptop is outdated or if they are not functioning properly, then this might be the reason why you are unable to play YouTube videos on your Chrome browser. So, head straight to your PC or laptop manufacturers’ official website, find the latest video driver, download it, and then install it on your device. If the error persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Disable Extensions
In some cases, the major culprit behind this Google Chrome error is one of the extensions that you have installed on your browser. Disable all the extensions from your Chrome browser to identify if any of the extensions are causing this error. Now enable each extension one-by-one to pin down the culprit, and uninstall it from the Google Chrome browser.
Download Bombs can Now Freeze Chrome on Malicious Sites
Chrome Freeze On Malicious Sites
Scammers operating tech support scam websites have come up with a new way to the get visitors blocked from browsing the web. This happens when a person visits the shady sites set up by said scammers, and is intended to scare non-technical users into asking for assistance. Help invariably shows up in the form of unneeded software or servicing fees from the scammers.
How the problem first comes on is through JavaScript code, which is present on the malicious pages that the user visits. Such a page immediately starts thousands of file download operations, which then quickly consume the memory resources on the user’s computer, so that Chrome gets frozen on the scam site. Panicked users then turn to the tech support number shown on the page. Even the latest version of Chrome, version 64.0.3282.140, can freeze when one of these sites is visited.
Leading expert Jérôme Segura from Malwarebytes said that the new method makes uses of the JavaScript Blob, as well as the window.navigator.msSaveOrOpenBlob function, which are put to work creating a “download bomb” that freezes Chrome while browsing the web. According to other experts, the way to stop the attack is by opening Task Manager in Windows and closing the web browser.
Common Browser Issues
This may still be a problem if the browser is configured to open the last open pages after restarting, in which case it is best to close the tabs on the malicious site first thing. That way, the page cannot load and begin any downloads on your computer, so you know you are mostly safe.
The download bomb trick comes on the heels of the history.pushState API, which similarly froze Chrome on malicious websites. Google had comes up with a fix for the latter, after which the download bomb began attacking users. The trick, as such, only works in Chrome, and if the user lands on the same sites while using other browsers, they will be redirected to other pages. So the next time Google Chrome keeps freezing on a new site, you know what the reason may be.
As long as we are on the topic of shady sites, you should also stay clear of sites that push fake Adobe Flash update packages. These can contain CPU miners, which can cause your system to slow down. Also dangerous are dubious sites pretending to sell you browser updates.