Fix Chrome Error Message: “Your profile can not be used because it is from a newer version of Google Chrome”
As you may know, there are a number of Early Access Release Channels for Google Chrome the let you test out new features that are still under development. For example, you could be using Google Chrome 9 right now, if you were so inclined and were prepared to put up with a few errors and instabilities now and then.
But what happens more often than not when a user switches to a beta channel or dev channel of Chrome is that they switch back to the stable channel after too many crashes. This is all well and good—it’s just a matter of reinstalling Chrome—but when you move from a newer version of Google Chrome to a previous version, you’ll get this error message upon launch:
Your profile can not be used because it is from a newer version of Google Chrome. Some features may be unavailable. Please specify a different profile directory or use a newer version of Chrome.
So, Chrome lays out the problem, and even the solution, but how the heck do you specify a different profile directory in Chrome? Search me. Personally, I think the easiest way to fix this is to just delete your profile and start from scratch. You won’t lose anything like saved form data, passwords or synced bookmarks, but it will get rid of this pesky error message telling you that your profile cannot be used. Here’s a quick fix.
Step One
Launch Windows Explorer. Navigate to C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Don’t forget to sub out your Windows user name for YOURUSERNAME.
Note you may need to Show hidden files and folders to get here. Click Start and type Folder Options in the search bar and choose Folder Options. In the View tab, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives under Hidden files and folders.
Step Two
Locate the file called web data. Delete it.
Note: If you’re nervous about doing this, you can simply rename it to “web data.bk” to save it as a backup. But deleting this shouldn’t have any adverse effects.
Step Three
Launch Google Chrome. The error message is gone!
That’s all there is to it. What a pesky error—luckily, it’s an easy fix.
80 Comments
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ntcpqzflqh
Thank you very much, this is just what I needed! I wish they had anticipated this (probably common) downgrade cycle.
Gregory
Thank you so much. Wish I had checked here earlier, would have saved myself some time. Again, thank you so much.
kumar
Can you please give instructions for the mac.
MaryAnn
I need mac instructions too.
Jason
Go to your user home folder -> Library -> application support -> Google -> Chrome -> default -> delete the web data file. Hope that helps :)
Feico
Thanks, works 100%
dave
This solution worked for me at first but after opening and closing chrome a few times, the issue returns and I have to delete the same two files once again.
katie
Thank you very much! It worked like a charm.
supa
thanks you … you saved my day
supa1
thanks you … you saved my day
Carpii
Thanks, this worked great
For anyone else on a Mac, the file to nuke is in
~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Web Data
Andrei B
Thank you very much, it worked! :)
Harem
wouldn’t this delete all of the bookmarked pages in my Firefox?
hinata
i cannot find C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default in window 7 plszz help
zogmeister
C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
should be
C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Default
groovinJackman
That’s odd. I dbl-checked in the 32-bit and 64-bit ver and it’s C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default for me on both.
zogmeister
Ok. Try using explorer to search for file “web data” in your USER folder “My Documents” (or whatever the f*** it is on Windows 7). Then delete it.
Robert Phillips
I have no “Web Date” file!!
zogmeister
Thta’s because it’s “web data” <– check speeelling
Jason
Thanks, works like a charm !!!!!
Ebony
OMG!!! Thank you sooooo much!!!! Awesome
newbee
This is gr8..thanks for post m8..!!
jim shady
AMAZING, U saved my life!!! not really, but made it not suck as much. thanks a million
baddu
thanks alot dude…ur amazing…keep it up
Al
After a pretty severe corruption and default restore of my Windows 7 user profile I had this problem. You’re method repaired my problem. Thanks
Steve Krause
Awesome @0f0af1582d87be686d1a84ea70ae323e:disqus glad it worked out!
asdfsd
cant find app data in my user?
Manish
This fix causes another problem.
Can’t see history items anymore. The history tab is blank now. I sensed it before I tried the recommended fix, but knew no other way to fix the error message (which was more annoying).
Any fix for this issue, or did this happen only on my PC?
PS: OS = Windows 7
purna
Thanks man it really helped made my chrome error free .Thanks again
Marcus
You rock, Jack Busch! One of the few step-by-steps that matches what I ended up seeing on my screen. So easy. Thanks.
stallon
hi
thanx. for srware iron browser it is netlog.mayb it could help someone.
meToo
Thank you thank you, exactly as you said it should be. How often does that happen?
Scindia
Thanks a lot….. It worked very well.
terri
worked great thank you
iblistobat
thanks, u really clearly helpful ..
Zahid
I can’t find ‘web data’ on my pc plz anyone help me
shotokan1965
No one will help you, and you will be ignored, because this is a problem NO ONE knows the answer to. I have the same problem. I get the error, and “BINGO!” No freakin’ “web data” file to delete. Windows 7 Pro
hardik
Thanks a lot. Its working..
Fadzil
its work.. thank bro..
RacerX
Thanks man. Worked like a charm!
JohnMiller
My thanks too! Having the screenshots made it very clear!
Fola Tai
Hi, this is superb, i just want to say thank you.
Screendrip
Amazing. This had been really annoying me.
Anso
Awesoooooomee!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Buddy
Hayk
thankssss
Aaron
Thank you.
Maureen
I deleted the file and it was fine for 24 hours then I couldn’t get online so I
uninstalled Chrome and went back to Google Toolbar.
Will it affect my computer not having the deleted file?
Tanya
Thanks – seems to have worked :)
Steve Krause
Awesome! Thanks for the comment.
Jason
Worked for me as well;-)))))))))))))))
nelsadams
Good job writing this fix – clear and complete. Thank-you!
Steve Krause
You bet! Glad we could help and welcome to groovyPost!
Teresa Davis
The only problem with this fix is it’s not permanent. As soon as you restart you computer it happens all over again!!!!
Apollo
not so, every time I restart my computer I still get the same eror message
Shobhit Bhatnagar
i have solved this problem by following these step but after that a new problem arise which i can,t explain videos on you tube not playing correctly with out this error message like RED LINE below the you tube video is crashing and CRACKING videos quacking every time actually this problem has been for many time when ever i instlall google chroom from opera with flash player this message arise (Your profile could not be used because its from a new version of chrome) but video plays this time correctly but when i download chrome from the main site message do not arise but videos not playing chorrectly actualy you tube videos not playing correctly either in Opere like Videos quacking every time red line below the video which run with the video is weirdly moving and broke up in the end please tell me the solution i have scan computer from anti virus but it does’t work
ken
i cant delete the wed data file.. when i delete it,, “the action cant be completed because the file is open in search settings”,,, what should i do..?
Fran
THANKYOU SO MUCH! this made it so much clearer and i’m so glad it finally worked :)
Shane Sparky
Thanks works!
Kate
I had a major issue with Microsoft Office and then the “tech” from Microsoft deleted an important file that completely screwed up my entire computer. After I thought I had everything fixed, Google kept popping up with this message. Your blog was the ONLY one that gave an easy fix that didn’t require any major editing in the cache. Thank you!! I wish I could hug you, haha.
June
Thank you.
parastoo
I dont have the web data file! i did everything but I still have the issue!!!!! plz help me
Bigred
THANK YOU!!! These are the best, easiest instructions anyplace on line. You don’t assume that I know where to find everything and even answer the questions that I didn’t know to ask (how to uncheck “hidden” stuff). After playing around unsuccessfully with other “help” sites, this was sooo perfect a solution.
PeterJames
Solution still works.
Thanks for a fix, for the pesky
google notifications that pop up without end :)
Pete
Steven Wilensky
Just fixed this issue today for Windows 7, 1) Uninstalled Google Chrome. 2) Deleted Chrome Folder from Program Files (X86)\Google. 3) Deleted Chrome Folder from Users\user name\AppData\Local\Google. Now here was the extra missing fix. The computer was running AVG. Logged out and into safe mode then 4) Deleted Chrome Folder from Users\user name\AppData\Local\AVG Safeguard toolbar. Logged out back into regular mode and reinstalled Google Chrome. Works perfectly know.
I also think that this issue might have to do with changing from a Home Network to a Public Network. I noticed that the Google Chrome Icon had the Firewall Shield within it. Once I changed the computer from a Public Network to a Home Network and did as stated above, The Google Chrome Icon was without the Firewall Shield and everything was working perfectly.
Martin
Thanks. Saved me much time and irritation.
Nancy
Thank you! Great instructions. Keep up the good work.
Wish I knew where/how this problem came about. I’ve been using Google Chrome for a few years and never encountered this issue before.
jake
Thank you,
i ws gonna remove chrome and then reinstall and wipe all the data, but no reason to do so now.
Totally solved the problem, no error, thanq
Dave
The only permanent fix I was able to find for this issue was to remove chrome an use Firefox instead. For my case the “fix” listed above only worked temporarily and the issue reoccurred after a few browser sessions.
Mo
Hi There,
I went through all of your steps, thank you, and when I got to the last folder…
I do not have Webdata. I am running Win 7 X64.
I have the folder databases and Web Application.
Could this annoying pop up be in another folder on my computer?
Thanks!
Mo
Saeid
I don’t have AppData folder on my pc at all !
costa
I use google chrome PORTABLE, can’t fix this issue
what must I do?
Kazuyuki
This article is OUTDATED; deleting the ‘web data’ file or “converting” it to a backup file—thus making Chrome creates a brand new ‘web data’ file—will CLEAN off all saved forms and passwords!
There was a trick I’ve used when a similar error (the issue with Preference file instead) which fixed the error without deleting anything, but I can’t recalled it for the time being. :(
—
Previous: Chrome v36
Now: Chrome v37 [28-Aug-14]
Reverting to v36 because of “lagging” tabs (CPU at 60-80% when normally it should be lower than 40%).
Kazuyuki
However, a solution to that is by SYNCING your saved data and forms with Google Account, as proposed here:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/_7z1uOcnQtY%5B1-25-false%5D
Even there, it is stated that deleting/modifying the ‘web data’ file has a negative effect. Therefore, I’d like the author of this article to update it accordingly.
radhika
What about Ubuntu ?? Can you please help me with that as soon as possible ??
Joe
THANK YOU!
I tried everything that a neophyte usually does. Restart, Restore. Then I couldn’t even get an internet connection. I read your directions on my cell and followed the simple directions.
IT WORKED.
THANKS!
krishna
It worked like a charm for Opera too! I got the right website to get this answer :D
jim
I’m getting this message on a chromebook….so how does one fix that?
joseph
thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuu! =)
Charvo Benjamin
Hi,
i deleted the file web data. Chorme browser start working. after some day same issue is happening. is there any solution for this issue, rather than work around
Thnx,
Charvo Benjamin
Stan Li
Please help!!!!!!!!!!!! Mine keeps popping out. I have deleted the web data countless times