Top 4 Ways to Fix Virus Scan Failed Error in Google Chrome

If you’ve tried downloading a file in Google Chrome and got slapped with a “Virus scan failed” error, you’re not alone. This message usually pops up when Chrome can’t scan a file for viruses — but the issue isn’t always the file itself. Sometimes, the problem lies in your browser settings, antivirus software, or system configuration.

Here are the top four ways to fix the “Virus scan failed” error and get your downloads working again.

1. Disable Windows Attachment Manager (Temporarily)

Chrome relies on the Windows Attachment Manager to scan files. If there’s a permissions glitch or policy issue, it can block your download.

How to fix:

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Go to:
   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Attachment Manager
3. Double-click “Do not preserve zone information in file attachments” and set it to Enabled.
4. Restart Chrome and try the download again.

⚠️ Note: This reduces security, so revert the setting after the download.

2. Check Your Antivirus Software

Sometimes your antivirus software flags downloads incorrectly or blocks Chrome from scanning them.

What to do:

• Temporarily disable your antivirus and retry the download.
• If the download works, add Chrome to your antivirus’s exclusion list or whitelist.

Important: Only disable antivirus if you’re confident the file is safe.

3. Reset Google Chrome Settings

Corrupted browser settings or extensions can interfere with downloads.

Steps:

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings.
2. Scroll to the bottom and click “Reset settings”.
3. Confirm by clicking “Restore settings to their original defaults”.

This won’t delete your bookmarks or passwords, but it will clear extensions and settings.

4. Use Command Prompt to Fix Registry Permissions

If the issue is with user permissions in the registry, this method can help.

Instructions:

1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and choose Run as Administrator.
2. Run this command:

REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments" /v SaveZoneInformation /f

3. Restart your PC.

This removes a registry key that could be blocking Chrome’s access to downloads.

Final Tips

• Always make sure Chrome is updated to the latest version.
• Try downloading the file using Incognito Mode or a different browser if all else fails.

If none of the above works, the file might be hosted on a shady server — and Chrome’s doing you a favor by blocking it.

Got it fixed? Let me know in the comments which method worked for you — or if you’ve found a different solution!