How To Allow Chrome To Access The Network? [2023 GUIDE]

Network-related issues are common on browsers and Chrome is not an exception.

So if you encounter network-related issues while using the Chrome browser, allow it through your firewall or antivirus.

Firewalls can block Google Chrome from functioning properly and cause the problem.

So, read through the article and know how to allow Chrome to access the network in your firewall or antivirus settings.

How To Allow Chrome To Access The Network In Your Firewall Or Antivirus Settings

Table of Contents

Here I will show you how to add Chrome to the exception list of Windows Firewall and other Antivirus programs. Have a look!

Also know how to fix Google Chrome profile error.

1) Allow Chrome Through Windows Firewall

Firewall controls and monitors all outgoing and incoming traffic. It may be overprotective and block some access to the internet.

This may also include Google Chrome. So, add Chrome to the Firewall exception list and fix the issue.

Follow the steps given below to add an exception to Windows Firewall:

Enter Firewall in the Windows search box and choose Windows Defender Firewall from the list.
From the left pane, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

Go through the list and check the box from Google Chrome.

You may also disable your Firewall protection temporarily following the process below:

Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
Then check the boxes for both private and public network settings.

2) Add Exclusion To Windows Security

Windows security is an anti-malware program by Microsoft Windows.

If allowing Chrome through Firewall doesn’t fix the problem, add it as an exception through Windows Security.

To add Chrome to the exclusion list of Windows security follow the steps given below:

Enter Windows Security in the Windows search box and select the top option.
Select the Virus and threat protection option.

Then select the Manage Settings option.

Next click on Add an exclusion as shown below.

Next, choose to Add an exclusion option and click on the folder.
From the folders section, choose to exclude the entire Chrome folder located in the directory where you downloaded it.

3) Add Chrome To The Exclusion List Of Your Antivirus Protection

To add Chrome to the list of exclusions of your antivirus protection, follow the steps given below.

Here I am showing the steps with Avast Antivirus as Avast may sometimes block Chrome and other programs to run properly. The steps may vary for other antivirus programs.

Open Avast and expand the menu or the three horizontal lines.
Choose Settings and click on the General tab.
Choose the Exceptions option as I have shown below.

Next select Add Exception option.

Then Browse to the exe Chrome file.

Confirm your action by clicking on the Add Exception option.

You may also disable Avast following the process given below:

From System Tray, right-click on the Avast desktop icon.
From Avast UI, click on Avast shields control.

You will find a side menu has opened. Select the period for which you want to disable the shields.
Click on the Yes button and confirm your action. This will turn off Avast for the period.

4) Add Chrome To The Exception List Of Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an anti-malware program by Malwarebytes Corporation.

If you are using Malwarebytes then allow Chrome through it. To do so, follow the steps given below:

Click on the Malwarebytes desktop icon to open it. You can also enter Malwarebytes in the Windows search box and choose the top option.
Click on the gear icons to open Malwarebytes Settings.
Choose to Allow list and click on the Add button.

Choose to add a folder option and navigate to the Chrome installation folder.
Click Chrome and choose the Select Folder option.

Click on the Done button to add Chrome as an exception.

5) Allow Google Chrome Through McAfee

If you are using McAfee as your antivirus protection, then follow the steps given below to add Chrome as an exception to McAfee.

Open McAfee antivirus and click on the PC Security tab.
Turn on the Real-time Scanning option from the left panel.

Expand Excluded files and click on the Add file button.

Go to the Chrome’s launcher exe file location. Select it and click on Open.
This will add Google Chrome to the exception list of McAfee.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Here are some questions commonly asked by the users who want to allow Chrome to access the internet:

How do I fix Chrome to access the network in your Firewall or antivirus settings?

To fix Chrome to access the network in your Firewall or antivirus settings allow Chrome through Windows Defender Firewall, Windows Security, antivirus, and anti-Malwarebytes programs.

How do I check my Firewall settings on Google Chrome?

To check the Firewall settings on Chrome, open Chrome settings and click on Privacy & Settings option. Select Site Settings > Choose the setting you want to update.