Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix error 138 Error – Google Chrome giving error 138

Google Chrome error 138: unable to access the network.

Quick Answer: Check if your firewall or antivirus software is blocking Google Chrome, and add it as a permitted program.

Google Chrome is experiencing an error where it randomly stops working and displays an 'Error 138' message. This issue affects users who rely on Google Chrome for their browsing needs.

This error can be frustrating, especially when other browsers like Firefox and IE9 are functioning properly. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary cause of Error 138 in Google Chrome is a misconfiguration of the firewall settings or antivirus software. This can lead to Chrome being blocked from accessing the network, resulting in the error message.
  • Alternatively, the issue could be caused by conflicts with other installed programs or system files that interfere with Chrome's ability to connect to the internet.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Resetting Chrome's Network Settings

  1. Step 1: Open Google Chrome and type 'chrome://settings/network' in the address bar. Click on 'Advanced' at the bottom of the page.
  2. Step 2: Click on 'Reset network settings to their default values.' Confirm that you want to reset the network settings by clicking 'Reset'.
  3. Step 3: Restart Chrome and try accessing the internet again.

Temporarily Disabling Firewall and Antivirus Software

  1. Step 1: Open your Windows Firewall settings by pressing the Windows key + R, typing 'firewall.cpl', and pressing Enter.
  2. Step 2: Click on 'Advanced Settings' on the left side of the window. Find Chrome in the list of allowed programs and click on it to delete it from the list.
  3. Step 3: Repeat this process for any antivirus software that may be blocking Chrome. Then, restart your computer and try accessing Google Chrome again.

✨ Wrapping Up

If you have tried both methods and still encounter the error, it may be necessary to perform a clean reinstall of Google Chrome or seek further assistance from a technical support specialist.

Did this fix your problem?

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