Fix: Google Chrome “Failed to load extension from.. Manifest is missing”

When you open Google Chrome browser and are met with the error: “Error Loading Extension” that mentions Manifest, this is usually caused by a corrupt extension that you have installed at some point.

For example: Failed to load extension from: C:\Extension\6.6.8._0 Manifest file is missing or unreadable

Sometimes by deleting all extensions, the error doesn’t clear. Most online articles on this subject will advise you to clear the browser back to default including wiping out history, cache and saved passwords.

In this post though, here are instructions to fix the issue without clearing everything.

How to Fix Without Deleting Everything

To fix the “Error Loading Extension” issue in Google Chrome without clearing your saved passwords and history, you can try the following steps:

1. Identify the Problematic Extension:
   • Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/.
   • Look for any extensions that are flagged with an error message. Note the names of these extensions.
2. Disable or Remove the Problematic Extension:
   • On the chrome://extensions/ page, disable the problematic extension by toggling off the switch.
   • If disabling the extension resolves the error, you can then decide whether to keep it disabled or remove it entirely by clicking the “Remove” button.
3. Reinstall the Extension:
   • If you need the extension, try reinstalling it. First, remove the extension by clicking “Remove.”
   • Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for the extension.
   • Click “Add to Chrome” to reinstall the extension.
4. Check for Corrupt Files:
   • Sometimes, extensions can become corrupted. Navigate to the following directory on your computer (depending on your operating system):
     • Windows: C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
     • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions
     • Linux: ~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Extensions
   • Locate the folder corresponding to the problematic extension and delete it. This forces Chrome to download a fresh copy of the extension files the next time it is installed.
5. Reset Chrome Settings:
   • If the above steps do not work, consider resetting Chrome settings. This will not delete your passwords and history:
     • Open Chrome and go to chrome://settings/.
     • Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”
     • Scroll to the bottom and click on “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
     • Confirm by clicking “Reset settings.”
6. Check for Malware:
   • Sometimes malware can interfere with extensions. Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus program to ensure your system is clean.
7. Update Chrome:
   • Ensure you are running the latest version of Chrome. Go to chrome://settings/help to check for updates.

All Done – Problem Resolved

If you follow these steps, hopefully you should be able to resolve the “Error Loading Extension” issue without losing your saved passwords and history. If the issue persists, you might want to consider creating a new Chrome profile and importing your data.