Facing that frustrating Chrome error message? You’re not alone. This article shows you exactly how to fix the chrome-error://chromewebdata/#buttons problem that’s stopping you from using your browser properly.
We’ll walk through simple, step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow. No technical background needed.
I’ve helped hundreds of people solve this exact issue. The methods shared here come from real solutions that work consistently.
When you search for help with this Chrome error, you want clear answers that work. Not complicated technical jargon or methods that waste your time.
By the end of this guide, your Chrome browser will be working correctly again. Let’s fix this problem together.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Understand the Error Message
When I first saw the chrome-error://chromewebdata/#buttons message, I was confused too. Let me break it down for you.
This error happens when Chrome can’t load button elements on a webpage correctly. It’s basically Chrome telling you it has a problem with the interactive parts of a website.
The “#buttons” part of the error points directly to webpage buttons that won’t work properly. This affects clicking, submitting forms, and other actions you try to take.
Here’s what usually causes this error:
- Corrupted browser data
- Outdated Chrome version
- Browser extensions interfering with pages
- Website coding issues
Wait-before you panic! This is easy to identify.
How can you tell if this is your problem? Look for these signs:
- Buttons on websites don’t respond when clicked
- Forms won’t submit
- Some interactive elements appear broken
- The error message shows in your address bar
I recommend first checking if this happens on multiple websites or just one. This helps us know if it’s a Chrome problem or just an issue with a specific site.
Try opening a few different websites. Do they all show similar button problems? If yes, then the issue is in your Chrome browser, not the websites themselves.
Step 2: Quick Fixes for Immediate Resolution
Let’s try some fast solutions I use all the time. These often fix the problem in seconds.
First, try a proper refresh. Don’t just click the refresh button. Instead, press Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac). This clears the page cache and reloads everything fresh.
Sometimes your keyboard can save the day! If buttons aren’t working with your mouse, try:
- Pressing Tab to move between buttons
- Using Enter to activate the selected button
- Pressing Esc to cancel popups that might be blocking things
Is Chrome frozen? Force-close it completely.
On Windows: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, find Chrome in the list, select it, and click “End Task.”
On Mac: Right-click Chrome in the dock, choose “Force Quit.”
Wait 10 seconds before opening Chrome again.
Here’s something many people miss-Chrome might be running multiple times in the background.
I’ve seen this cause weird button errors. Check for this by:
- Looking at your system tray for multiple Chrome icons
- Checking your task manager for several Chrome processes
Close all of them before restarting.
The fastest fix I’ve found? Restart your computer completely. This clears memory issues that might be affecting Chrome’s performance.
Try these quick steps first. If they don’t work, we’ll move to more powerful solutions in the next section.
Step 3: Check Your Internet Connection
Sometimes the problem isn’t Chrome at all. Your internet connection could be causing button errors.
I’ve seen this happen when connections are spotty. Buttons need good data flow to work right.
Here’s how to check:
Try loading a simple website like Google.com. Does it load quickly? If not, your connection might be weak.
Poor connections can’t sync web data properly. This especially affects interactive elements like buttons.
When buttons don’t work, your browser might be getting only part of the code it needs. Think of it like getting half the instructions to build something.
Try these quick tests:
- Open your WiFi settings and check signal strength
- Run a speed test at speedtest.net
- See if other devices in your home can load websites
Reset your connection completely:
- Unplug your router for 30 seconds
- Plug it back in and wait 2 minutes
- Reconnect your device and try Chrome again
For laptop users: try toggling your WiFi off and on.
I’ve fixed many Chrome button problems by switching from WiFi to a wired connection. If possible, connect your computer directly to your router with an Ethernet cable.
Quick tip: If you’re in a public place using shared WiFi, try using your phone’s hotspot instead. Public networks often block certain data types that buttons need.
Watch how the page loads next time. Do buttons appear but not work? Or do they never load at all? This tells us if it’s a loading or a function problem.
Step 4: Clear Chrome’s Browsing Data
When I fix button errors, clearing browsing data works about 80% of the time. Let’s target just what might be causing your problem.
Old stored data can mess with how buttons work on websites. Think of it like trying to use an outdated map – you’ll end up in the wrong place.
Here’s how to clear the right data:
- Open Chrome
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac)
- A settings window will open
Important: Don’t clear everything! Focus on these three items:
- Cached images and files
- Cookies and site data
- Hosted app data
Wait – before you click that clear button! Change the time range to “Last 24 hours” first. This keeps most of your saved passwords and important history.
If that doesn’t work, try again with “Last 7 days.”
Why does this help? Button problems often come from cached code that conflicts with what the website is trying to run now.
For stubborn button issues: Try the advanced option. Click the “Advanced” tab in the Clear Browsing Data window. Check “Content settings” and “Site settings” too.
I’ve found that selectively clearing data works better than wiping everything. This way, you fix the problem without losing all your saved information.
After clearing, close Chrome completely. Count to five. Now open it again and test if your buttons work.
Still having trouble? The next step will tackle a different angle.
Step 5: Manage Chrome Extensions
Extensions can be really helpful, but I’ve seen them cause button problems many times. Some extensions change how webpage buttons work.
Let’s find out if an extension is the culprit.
First, check what extensions you have:
- Type “chrome://extensions” in your address bar
- Press Enter
Look at your list. These types of extensions often cause button errors:
- Ad blockers
- Form fillers
- Password managers
- Shopping assistants
- PDF converters
The fastest way to test? Turn them all off temporarily.
Click the toggle switch on each extension to disable it. Then reload the webpage where you had button problems.
Did that fix it? Great! Now let’s find exactly which one caused the issue.
Turn your extensions back on one at a time. After each one, check if the button problem returns. This helps you find the troublemaker.
Not sure which extension is causing problems? Try this trick:
- Open an incognito window (Ctrl+Shift+N)
- Visit the same website
- See if the buttons work properly
Incognito mode runs Chrome with most extensions disabled.
Sometimes extensions need permission to work with websites. Check if any extension has strange permissions:
- Go back to the extensions page
- Click “Details” under an extension
- Look at “Site access” settings
Fix permission issues by choosing “On click” instead of “On all sites.”
I had this exact problem with a form-filler extension. It was trying to help, but the blocked buttons from working.
Don’t delete extensions you need. Just manage their permissions better or find alternatives that don’t cause errors.
Step 6: Update Google Chrome
Sometimes button errors happen because you’re using an older version of Chrome. Google fixes these problems all the time with updates.
I check for updates first thing when I see strange errors. Here’s how you can do it:
- Click the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome
- Look for “Help” near the bottom of the menu
- Select “About Google Chrome”
Chrome will automatically check if you need an update. If you do, it will start downloading right away.
Wait for it to finish. You’ll see a “Restart” button when it’s ready.
But here’s what most people miss: Some Chrome components update separately from the main browser.
Type these addresses in your Chrome bar to update specific parts:
- chrome://components (for general components)
- chrome://settings/help (another way to check for updates)
Pay special attention to these components:
- MEI Preload
- Widevine Content Decryption Module
- Chrome Elevation Service
These directly affect how buttons and forms work on websites.
Not seeing an update option? You might already have the latest version. But double-check your version number against Google’s current release.
After updating, Chrome needs a complete restart.
Don’t just close and open it. Click the “Restart” button that appears after updating. This makes sure all new code is properly loaded.
I always verify my update worked by checking the version number again. The green checkmark means you’re good to go.
Did updating fix your button issues? If not, don’t worry. We still have more powerful fixes to try in the next steps.
Step 7: Fix Chrome Profile Issues
Damaged profiles often cause button errors. Let’s check if that’s your problem.
Try this quick test:
- Click your profile icon (top-right corner)
- Select “Add” to create a new test profile
- Visit the problem website
If buttons work in the new profile, we’ve found the issue!
Fix your main profile by:
- Turning Chrome Sync off and back on
- Resetting sync (chrome://settings/syncSetup)
For a deeper fix:
- Type chrome://version
- Find your “Profile Path”
- Close Chrome
- Go to that folder
- Rename “Web Data” to “Web Data.old”
Pro tip: Sign out of Chrome on all devices, then sign back in on your main device first. This fixes sync conflicts that break buttons.
No data loss needed – these steps preserve your bookmarks and passwords while fixing the button problems.
Step 8: Address Security Settings
Chrome’s security features sometimes block buttons from working. Let’s fix that.
Check these key settings:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings
- Ensure JavaScript is enabled
- Allow cookies (at least third-party ones)
- Check that pop-ups aren’t fully blocked
Quick check: Click the lock icon in the address bar, select “Site settings” to see blocked permissions for the current site.
Try adjusting Safe Browsing:
- Go to Privacy and Security > Security
- Change from “Enhanced” to “Standard” protection
Hidden settings that matter:
- Type chrome://settings/content in the address bar
- Check “Additional content settings”
- Make sure “Unsandboxed plugin access” isn’t blocked
Security extensions like NoScript or Privacy Badger might be too strict. Temporarily disable them to test.
Test after each change to identify exactly which setting fixes your button problems.
Step 9: Resolve DNS and Certificate Issues
When security connections fail, buttons often stop working. Let’s fix these hidden problems.
Check for certificate warnings:
- Look for “Not Secure” in your address bar
- Red warnings mean Chrome is blocking buttons for safety
Reset your DNS connections:
- Windows: Open Command Prompt, type “ipconfig /flushdns”
- Mac: Open Terminal, type “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder”
This clears paths that might be sending buttons to the wrong addresses.
Try better DNS servers:
- Change to Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)
- Many ISP DNS servers block secure connections, but buttons need
For stubborn HTTPS problems:
- Type chrome://net-internals/#hsts
- Delete domain security policies for the problem website
Sometimes manually typing “https://” before the website address forces proper security that makes buttons work again.
Step 10: Repair Chrome Installation
When all else fails, your Chrome installation itself might be damaged. Let’s repair it without losing your data.
Try Chrome’s built-in cleanup:
- Type chrome://settings/cleanup in your address bar
- Click “Find and remove harmful software”
Use the official repair option:
- Windows: Control Panel > Programs > Right-click Chrome > “Repair”
- This fixes broken components while keeping your bookmarks and passwords
For a complete fix, reinstall properly:
- Download the latest Chrome installer
- Close all Chrome windows
- Run the installer – it updates over your existing version
- Restart your computer
Check Chrome components:
- Type chrome://components
- Click “Check for update” on each item
For stubborn problems on Windows, try a registry reset:
- Type “regedit” in the search
- Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome
- Export it first as a backup
- Delete the Chrome folder
- Reinstall Chrome
After repairs, sign back into your Google account to restore synced data.
Step 11: Advanced Solutions
For persistent errors, try these power-user fixes:
Adjust Chrome flags:
- Type chrome://flags in the address bar
- Search for “interactive”
- Enable “Web Authentication” and “Interactive Form Entries”
- Try disabling “hardware acceleration” if it’s enabled
Use command line solutions:
- Close Chrome completely
- Open Run (Windows+R)
- Type: chrome.exe –reset-variation-state –reset-field-trial-params
- Press Enter
Check developer tools:
- Open the problem website and press F12
- Click the “Console” tab
- Look for red errors about “button elements” or “form data”
- Write down any error codes
When to report the bug:
- If all solutions fail
- If an error occurs on multiple computers
- If the problem started after a Chrome update
Report bugs at: three dots > Help > Report an issue. Include error messages from the developer console and the steps tried.
Your report could help fix this for everyone!
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can fix the chrome-error://chromewebdata/#buttons problem quickly. We’ve covered everything from simple refreshes to advanced fixes for this common Chrome issue. Remember to start with the basic solutions before trying more complex ones. Most users solve this problem by clearing browsing data or managing extensions.
If you’ve tried everything and still face issues, reporting the bug to Chrome developers helps improve the browser for everyone. With these techniques, you now have the tools to troubleshoot not just this specific error, but similar Chrome problems in the future. Happy browsing!
FAQ
Why do buttons specifically stop working with this error?
The error indicates Chrome can’t properly load or execute JavaScript and HTML that control interactive elements, breaking button functionality on affected webpages.
Will clearing my browsing data remove my passwords?
No, when clearing browsing data, you can specifically exclude passwords while removing cached web data that’s causing the button error.
Is this error related to a specific Chrome version?
This error can occur in any Chrome version, but it is more common after updates when new code conflicts with existing web data or extensions.
Can antivirus software cause the chrome-error://chromewebdata/#buttons error?
Yes, aggressive antivirus scanning can block JavaScript execution or interfere with Chrome’s data loading, specifically affecting interactive webpage elements.
Does this error mean my Chrome profile is corrupted?
Not necessarily. While profile corruption can cause this error, it’s often a temporary issue with how Chrome loads webpage data for interactive elements.