11 ways How to fix: Google Chrome opening on a blank page instead of your last used page?

Ever opened Google Chrome and found yourself staring at a blank page? No website, just emptiness. It’s frustrating, right? Well, you’re not alone. Many face this issue, whether it’s when they first open the browser or randomly while browsing. But fear not! We’re here to help you understand why this happens and how to make it stop, step by step.

Understanding the Blank Page

Before we dive into fixing it, let’s understand why it happens. Blank pages in Google Chrome happen for different reasons. Sometimes, it’s because of something you’ve added to Chrome, like an extension. Other times, it’s because of glitches in Chrome itself, or even because of a virus on your computer.

The Many Causes

So, what could be causing these blank pages? Here are some possibilities:

1. Extensions Gone Wild: Those cool little add-ons you install to Chrome can sometimes cause trouble and lead to blank pages.
2. Cache and Cookies Confusion: Your browsing history, stored as cache and cookies, might get messed up and cause blank pages.
3. Hardware Acceleration Hiccups: Chrome’s hardware acceleration feature, meant to make things faster, can sometimes clash with your computer and cause blank pages.
4. History Folder Troubles: A messed-up history folder in Chrome could also be behind the blank pages.
5. Virus Vendetta: In the worst-case scenario, a virus could be messing with Chrome and causing blank pages to appear.

Troubleshooting the Blank Page Mystery

To tackle this predicament head-on, let’s embark on a troubleshooting. Each method outlined below presents a potential solution, so let’s start from the top and work our way down until we crack the code.

Method 1: Clear Cache and Cookies

Often, the simplest solution is the most effective. Begin by clearing Chrome’s cache and cookies:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Press CTRL, SHIFT, and DELETE at the same time.
3. Check the boxes for Browsing history, Cached images and files, Autofill form data, and Cookies and other site data.
4. Choose “the beginning of time” from the drop-down menu.
5. Click “Clear browsing data.”

Method 2: Disable Extensions

Extensions can sometimes be the culprits behind the blank page ordeal. Disable them one by one to pinpoint the troublemaker:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Go to “More Tools” and then “Extensions.”
4. Turn off each extension by clicking the toggle switch.
5. Test Chrome to see if the problem goes away. If it does, turn on extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Method 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration, while beneficial, can occasionally lead to blank page issues. Disable it by following these steps:

1. Open Chrome and go to Settings.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Go to “Settings.”
4. Scroll down and click “Advanced.”
5. Turn off “Use hardware acceleration when available.”

Method 4: Administrator Rights

Running Chrome as an administrator might offer a temporary workaround:

1. Right-click on Chrome’s icon and select “Run as administrator.”
2. See if the issue persists.

Method 5: Rename History Folder

If a corrupted history file is to blame, renaming the folder might do the trick:

1. Type chrome://version into the address bar and press Enter.
2. Copy the Profile Path.
3. Open Windows Explorer and paste the path.
4. Find the History folder and rename it to “tmp.”
5. Restart Chrome.

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Method 6: Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome

A clean reinstall can often resolve stubborn issues:

1. Close Chrome.
2. Open Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DELETE) and end any Chrome processes.
3. Use a tool like Revo Uninstaller to completely remove Chrome.
4. Download Chrome again and reinstall it.

Method 7: Resize Browser

In cases of erratic behavior, resizing the browser window can offer a temporary fix:

1. Adjust the browser window size, and see if the page renders correctly.

Method 8: Renaming Files

Renaming certain files associated with Chrome might help:

1. Navigate to specific directories and rename or delete relevant files.
2. Relaunch Chrome to see if the issue persists.

Method 9: Check Compatibility

Ensure Chrome isn’t running in compatibility mode:

1. Right-click the Chrome icon.
2. Select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Make sure “Run this program in compatibility mode” is unchecked

Method 10: Deleting or Renaming Default Folder

Reset Chrome’s settings by deleting or renaming the Default folder:

1. Navigate to the User Data directory and delete or rename the Default folder.
2. Open Chrome to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 11: Scan the Computer

Lastly, scan your computer for viruses or malware:

1. Run a virus scan with your antivirus software.
2. Consider using Malwarebytes for extra protection.
3. If the problem persists, try a system restore.

By systematically troubleshooting the possible causes and applying the appropriate fixes, you can bid farewell to the white screen.