Let’s admit it: Google Chrome is the most popular web browser available for desktops, Android, iOS, and every other operating system. The web browser is feature-rich and also has a few customization options.
While Google Chrome has fewer bugs than any other web browser, users sometimes face problems. Recently, many users have been getting Error Code 3: 0x80040154 — system level error message while updating the web browser.
If you are also getting the same error message while updating your Chrome browser, don’t panic; we have some solutions for the problem. This article will share a few easy methods to fix Error Code 3: 0x80040154 — system level on Windows computers.
How to Fix Error Code 3: 0x80040154 on Google Chrome
Before exploring the troubleshooting methods, let’s know why the Error Code 3: 0x80040154 — system level error message appears. Here is the most common reason for the Google Chrome error while updating.
- The Google Chrome updater tool can’t connect to the server.
- You have just installed a VPN or Proxy Server.
- Chrome Files are Corrupted.
- Malware/Virus on Windows PC
So, these are some of the most probable reasons for the error code Error Code 3: 0x80040154. Below are the steps to resolve the error.
1. Restart the Chrome Browser
The very first thing you should do after encountering the Error Code 3: 0x80040154 error message is to restart your Chrome browser.
You may get the error code 3 0x80040154 because of a bug or glitch. And the best way to deal with such bugs is to restart the web browser. Close the Chrome browser and end all its processes from the Task Manager.
2. Restart your Computer
The second best thing you should do if the restarting Chrome browser fails to resolve the error code 3 0x80040154 error is to restart your computer.
Restarting the computer will resolve temporary glitches in the computer that might be preventing Google Update Service from running. Hence, click on the Windows Start button and select ‘Restart’.
3. Turn Off VPN or Proxy
Using a VPN or Proxy server is not a problem, but the error code 3 0x80040154 appears when the Chrome Update Service fails to run.
There may be various reasons Chrome Update Service may fail to run, and using a VPN or Proxy is the most prominent one.
Sometimes VPNs, especially the free one, prevent Google Update Service (gupdate) from connecting to the server, leading to the error code 3 0x80040154 error message.
4. Start the Google Update Service
Viruses and Malware can prevent Google Update Service from running. The best way to deal with viruses and malware is to run a full scan using Windows Security. After scanning, you need to start the Google Update Service manually. Here’s what you need to do.
1. First, click on Windows Search and type in RUN. Next, open the RUN dialog box from the list of options.
2. On the RUN dialog box, type services.msc and hit the Enter button.
3. On the List of services, find and double click on the Google Update Services (gupdate).
4. On the Startup type, select ‘Automatic (Delayed Start)‘, and then on the Service Status, click on the Start button.
That’s it! This is how you can manually start the Google Update Services on a Windows computer.
5. Enable Chrome Update from the Windows Registry
If the Services method doesn’t work, you can enable Chrome update from the Registry Editor. Here’s how to enable Chrome update from the Windows Registry.
- Press the Windows Key + R button on your keyboard. Type regedit.exe on the RUN dialog box and press Enter.
- When the Registry Editor opens, navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update
- Now double-click on the UpdateDefault Key
- On the Value data field, type 1 and click Ok.
- Once done, close the Registry Editor & restart your computer.
That’s it! This will enable the Chrome update services on your computer.
Important: The above method may not work on the latest version of Windows 10/11. If you are using the latest builds of Windows 10/11, follow the Services method shared above this one.
6. Whitelist Google Chrome in Windows Firewall
Apart from Viruses and malware, Windows Firewall can also prevent the Google Chrome Update Service from running. This happens when Windows Firewall blacklists the Google Chrome Update Service. Hence, you must whitelist Google Chrome in Windows Firewall to resolve the issue.
1. First, open the Windows Search and type Windows Defender Firewall. Next, open the Windows Defender Firewall option from the list.
2. Click on the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the right.
3. You must allow tools.google.com and dl.google.com to run through the Firewall. Or else, just allow Google Chrome to run through the Firewall.
That’s it! After making the changes, restart your Windows Computer and try to update Chrome again.
7. Reinstall the Google Chrome Browser
If all the methods failed to resolve the error code 3 0x80040154 error message, you must reinstall the Chrome browser.
Reinstalling Chrome is easy; open the Control Panel and find Google Chrome. Right-click on it and select Uninstall.
Once uninstalled, head to the official Chrome homepage and download the latest web browser version. Once downloaded, install it. This way, you will have the latest version of Google Chrome. After installing, sign in with your Google Account to get back your data.
Also Read: How To See Saved Passwords On Google Chrome
So, these are some simple ways to resolve error code 3 0x80040154 on the Google Chrome browser. Let us know if you need more help fixing Chrome update errors in the comments. Also, if the article helped you, share it with your friends.