How To Fix The ‘Aw, Snap!’ Error (Eight Easy Ways)

While the ‘Aw, Snap!’ error might look less daunting than seeing, say, something like ‘err_ssl_version_or_cipher_mismatch‘ on your screen, it doesn’t mean it’s in any way less annoying to deal with as a browser error. 

We’ve all had that extremely frustrating experience, loading a site only for it to crash with the dreaded ‘Aw, Snap!’ error message.

This page loading error can happen for various reasons, but there are multiple ways to fix it and get back to browsing without any issues. Luckily, there are many straightforward ways to fix the ‘Aw, snap!’ error message on Google Chrome, and in this blog post, I’ll show you just how to do that.

What Does The ‘Aw Snap’ Error Mean?

The “Aw, Snap!” error message is sometimes known as a page crash error, which means the site you’re trying to access is not responding, and Chrome can’t load the webpage. 

The ‘Aw, Snap!’ error occurs when Chrome has difficulty loading a webpage. It’s usually accompanied by a sad face icon, which doesn’t really help but further annoy someone!

Chrome’s ‘Aw Snap!’: Possible Causes

The ‘Aw, snap!’ error message can occur for many reasons, such as an unstable internet connection, incompatible extensions, or old browser cache and cookies. 

Eight Ways To Fix The ‘Aw Snap!” Error

Here are eight easy methods to fix your ‘Aw, snap!’ error message on Google Chrome:

#1. Reload The Page You’re Trying To Visit

It may seem quite obvious, but refreshing your browser is sometimes enough to fix this error. Press the refresh button, or if the issue persists, try reloading the web page. If the page loads just fine, you’re all set and don’t need to try the other solutions.

If you’re still getting the error message, read below for other solutions that you can try.

#2. Close All Other Tabs / Open An Incognito Tab

Sometimes, Google Chrome has difficulty handling multiple tabs simultaneously. We all know someone who has 70 tabs open on their browser at all times for no real reason.

Close all your tabs and reopen the page you’re trying to view. This way, you’ll have a new browsing session while accessing the site.

If the error message disappears when you open the same site on a new Chrome profile or an incognito tab, then it means that you may need to close some tabs on your browser to fix this. 

#3. Check For An Unstable Internet Connection

Poor internet connectivity also causes loading errors such as this one. If you’re experiencing poor signal strength or an unstable connection, try restarting your router or connecting to a mobile hotspot. 

Most routers typically require that you unplug them, wait 30 seconds, and restart them. Some have a reset button on the device. Below is a screenshot from the Verizon website. I suggest you check the router manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to reset their device. 

#4. Clear Cache And Cookies

Your browser cache may fill up and cause it to slow down and crash, resulting in the ‘Aw, snap!’ error message. In such a case, clearing your cache and cookies will solve the problem.

To do so, click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of your Chrome browser. Then, scroll down and select ‘Clear Browsing Data’. A new tab will open, and will ask you to choose the browser data you’d like to delete.

Select ‘cached images and files’ as well as ‘cookies and other data’ from the list, pick ‘all time’ as the date range and click ‘clear data’.

Check out the screenshot below in case you’d like a visual aid. 

Try reassessing the website again to see if the error message has disappeared. If the site loads without the ‘aw snap’ message, it means your browser cache was likely causing the issue in the first place. 

If you’re still experiencing the error, read on below for other solutions that can help.

#5. Disable Browser Extensions

Conflicts with certain Chrome extensions can also be the reason for the ‘Aw, snap!’ error message. Disabling your Chrome extensions can temporarily solve the issue until you figure out which extension is causing the error. 

Head to Chrome settings, select ‘extensions’ from the drop-down menu, and toggle off all the active extensions. Re-enable your extensions one by one and test if the error occurs with a specific extension.

#6. Update Google Chrome

Google Chrome updates regularly to improve the browser’s stability, security, and performance. Check for any available updates, install it, and restart your Chrome browser.

Once you’re on the settings page, scroll all the way to the bottom and select the ‘About Chrome’ section. If there are any browser updates that are available, it will show up on this page. Click update (or ‘relaunch to update’ in newer versions). 

#7. Restart Your Device

If none of the above solutions work, try restarting your device. It can help clear up any minor issues causing the ‘Aw, snap!’ error message.

Whether it’s your laptop or phone, sometimes restarting the device will solve this error for you. 

#8. Disable Antivirus (Temporarily)

Sometimes, antivirus programs mistakenly interfere with Chrome browser activities, causing it to crash. Turning off your antivirus temporarily can help fix the problem. 

Note: While temporarily disabling your antivirus might resolve the error for you, please note that this is a temporary fix. Your antivirus software exists to keep your device safe and protect it from malware and attacks, and it should never be disabled long-term. Instead, try adding the website to a safe list on your antivirus program to avoid this error in the future. 

Conclusion: Final Thoughts 

I hope this guide to the ‘Aw Snap!’ error helped you. The error is a pesky loading error and is definitely annoying when it pops up on your screen.

Try the eight solutions discussed above to resolve the problem. Remember always to clear your cache, restart the router, and disable extensions before you panic.

If you’re still experiencing issues with the error, it may be best to contact your ISP for technical support. 

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