Google Chrome version 15.0.874.121 (Official Build 109964) m:
Operating System:windows xp pro
Error Message:none
Extensions installed:favourite doodle, nokia maps 3d browser plugin, realplayer html5 video downloader, skype click to call

I,ve installed the angry birds app before. I deleted it and then tried to install the updated version today. after browsing it at the chrome webstore and I clicked "add to chrome. A prompt came up, I chose install and then I was asked to save a .crx file. After downloading the file nothing happened except that the "add to chrome" button had hanged to "checking..." (after refreshing the page, it goes back to add app again) Ive tried this for other apps and it does the same thing. I've disabled all my extensions and restarted several times, still nothing. What do I do.. pls help!

Make sure you Google Chrome is the default browser, and try to drag the crx file in you omnibar (url+search bar). Then click on install.

chrome is my default browser, and dragging the .crx file to the omnibar only re-downloads it.(it asks me where to save the file).what should I do now. Thanks in advance

I just did that.. still the same.

I'm actually coming from there. I tried everything on that thread before creating this one. I really don't understand why it's not working

is it extension name or extension id? When I use this method with the extension id it simply downloads the .crx file again and asks me where to save

The error-invalidAppId thing only works for some extensions. Others will say 'need to be installed from Web Store'.
What's going on?

Hi everyone,I wanted to check in on this. Installation issues should have cleared up between versions 15 and 16 of Google Chrome, but if you're still experiencing issues with items not installing properly even after you've updated to version 16 (you can check which version you have if you type in "about:version" in your address bar), please reply to this thread and we'll investigate further.

Arneil,

I have a similar issue as Tobi1kenobe (except that I am not asked to download a crx file): I go to the Chrome web store page, select an extension, click on the button "Add to chrome", button changes to "Checking..." (enabled state), and nothing happens thereafter. Tried with different extensions and apps (all by Google, to be sure).
Restarting of chrome or rebooting the system produce no effect.
My Chrome updated automatically on 12/14/11 from v15 to v16:
Google Chrome        16.0.912.63 (Official Build 113337) m
OS        Windows
WebKit        535.7 (@101565)
JavaScript        V8 3.6.6.11

Cheers,
Max

I have the same issue...when i click the "Add to chrome " button it goes to checking and stays there..nothing happens after that ....any solution guys pls help thanks in advance...

My Chrome in 15.0.874.121 can installed Apps
But up to 16.0.912.63 m , Can't add any Apps too. No Error Message, No any download.

@Arneil, this is happening on version 16.0.912.63 beta-m.  In my case, when I click Add To Chrome, it changes to Checking, then it prompts to install, then it remains Checking for ever and nothing happens.  

This also happens with themes too.

I met with the same question.The apps have been download successfully.After I install them it changes to Checking and just stay still. My version is16.0.912.63 m.

Like others, also my chrome (version 16.0.912.63) can't install new apps from chrome webstore. I also get the "checking" icon, and nothing happens.

Same problem here. Version 16.0.912.63

I've found that I had accidentially deleted the Crhome default downloads folder (%USERPROFILE%\My Documents\Downloads in Windows XP). After restoring it I'm able to install extensions again.

I agree with the above post.  I did not have the %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\Downloads folder in Windows XP and the second that I created it I was able to download from the apps store.  Interestingly, as far as I can tell, it did not create anything in that folder.

Oddest thing, I just created a new folder in My Documents, named it Downloads, and voila!, the extensions, apps and themes are installing again.  I never had this problem before, never had a need for that folder, but it does work.

I can confirm that creating a folder named "Downloads" in My Documents the installation of extensions now is ok.

To better describe the problem for the developers, I must add that in Chrome options my Download folder is NOT in My Documents but on another drive. Maybe  the folder "My Documents/Download" has been hardcoded in the installation routine in Chrome instead of referring to the folder I set up in Options?

Cheers,
Max

I have installed extensions and apps before. For the last few days I've been unable to do so - it goes into "Checking..." and hangs. In one instance, I went to the developer's website and was able to install from there when I was unable to do it at Chrome Store.

Windows Vista
Chrome version 16.0.912.63
Chrome Option "Download location" is set to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Downloads
 
I've verified that %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Downloads does exist. Still won't work.

I have the most up to date version of Chrome and my attempts to install apps hang at "Checking." I am using Windows Vista. I managed to install two extensions (both having to do with Mail Link using Gmail) but nothing else.

I don't know what changing the downloads folder has to do with it since I am not downloading anything when trying to install an app. And all these ideas to edit HOSTS folders? Is Chrome for IT professionals only?

I believe that the reported problem may have something to do with localized versions of Windows. That is, I currently use Czech version of Windows XP where path for downloading files is defined like "%USERPROFILE%\Dokumenty\Stahování" (and the same goes for folders like My Pictures etc.). Except the extension problem everything is fine, including the situation when the same (=localized) path is set for downloading data (via the "Download location" Chrome option as mentioned earlier by someone else).

In order to make Chrome download&install extensions, I had to manually create "Downloads" folder in %USERPROFILE%\My Documents folder... hence my suggestion to Chrome developers is to check whether they don't accidentally use hardcoded English string where they shouldn't ;)

Hi everyone, thanks for the responses on this. Our team is investigating this issue now. It's a good idea to check if the downloads folders have been changed or deleted, but I'll let our team know that users like +rortly are experiencing this issue without having edited the directory. I'll be watching this issue closely, so once I learn more, I'll be sure to let all of you know. Thanks for your patience!

Just popping to say that I was having the same problem (apps hung at 'checking'), and creating a folder called 'Downloads' in My documents solved it. Despite the fact that nothing actually downloaded into that folder.

Version: 16.0.912.63 (Official Build 113337) m
OS: Windows XP pro

I'm getting the same problem on Linux, and the download 'folder' exists... Any news?

I have thge "checking" and all 18 people in our group who have the latest google chrome have the same checking problem when they go to download an app.

The latest version of chrome is a failure, as was many versions before, how hopeless is google.

It's a google problem, we're all uninstalling and just going to use the latest version of fire fox.

Google not worth all the problems just to try the chrome app store

I can confirm that adding a folder in "MY DOCUMENTS" called downloads fix it instantly...!!!!

Hi everyone, thanks for your patience as we've looked into this issue. There have been a few responses on this, but if you've already confirmed that you haven't somehow reset your Download location in "chrome://settings/advanced," then creating a folder called "Downloads" (with an uppercase D) in your "My Documents" folder should resolve the issue.

It doesn't.  I have created a "Downloads" folder in "My Documents" and it doesn't help at all.  This is very frustrating.

I am running Windows 7

I fixed it!  Based on something I read in another forum I unchecked the box in "under the hood" "do not allow websites to know where you came from...ie suppress HTTP referrer) and it worked like a charm!  Hope this helps someone!

I reinstalled Google Chrome and it works now. Simple, fast, easy, and free.

I was also missing the Downloads folder, but NOT in "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Downloads"  (I apparently have a complicated setup).  It was in another "My Documents" location. Go figure...

Google: It would be fantastic to have a slightly more detailed error message, such as e.g. which folder Chrome is trying to access and if it failed.

Indeed the problem has todo with the default DOWNLOADS folder, I told Chrome to always download to another folder, being E:\Download, and up till recently I always downloaded fine, be it addons themes, exe's.
Somehow since version 16.xxx (i beleive) something changed and the addons won't install until one creates a Downloads folder underneath the MyDocuments folder, I used TweakUi to use another folder on my E: disk, when I created that folder everuthing was ok again.
Weird thing is, nothing really gets downloaded at this location, it just needs to be there?

Hmm...Chrome apps obviously weren't made for XP, it was made for 7. I can tell, I have an XP and a 7 and it only works on 7. I wish it could be fixed because I can't use Chrome often without? :(

Just an observation :)

@cooljsb, I use apps both on Windows XP and my Windows 7. Maybe one app isn't working on one of your computers by chance. Can you tell me what app are you trying to use?

I had the same problem for Mac, I fixed it, crazy. I went into settings->under the hood, and Chrome by default has an invalid download directory: it's looking for a "Macintosh HD" drive that doesn't exist! I changed the location to a REAL directory, and voila, it worked!

first step click on your wrench where you will find options, click options, go to underhood there will be a heading called downloads click change, click on my documents, click make new folder , type downloads then ok, should be good to go

Hi everyone,

Same issue here, Arch Linux, 16.0.912.63 (Developer Build 0 Linux).
The funny thing is that extensions won't be installed even if I have configured chrome to download files to ~/Deskop.

Cheers

Win7, Chrome 16.0.912.63
Confirmed the problem started with deleting "Downloads" from "My Documents". After create the "Downloads" dir back, the apps installation is back to normal!

Go into incognito with google chrome, then app store and install extensions/apps. Same thing happened to me and this fixed it.

I have the same problem, but it's not solved by making a downloads folder in My documents. Because I use windows 7 and the CRX files are saved to the User/Downloads folder by default, even when I change the download location from the settings.
I tried to drag the downloaded CRX to the address bar and it says: "Package is invalid: CRX_MAGIC_NUMBER_INVALID"
My chrome version is 16.0.912.75

Win7 64 bit Home Premium, v16.0.912.75 m still has this issue as of 1/8/2012

Win7 64 bit Home Premium, v16.0.912.75 m still has this issue as of 1/9/2012. Adding the Downloads folder doesn't work.

I wanted to try a chrome theme today, and I had the same problem as chrome apps, but I realized it's only the google chrome website that has the problem, because I managed to install a theme from here:
http://www.chrometheme.net/taxonomy/term/142?page=14

Same problem for me - it prompts to save the crx file, but won't then let me install it.

Having the "Downloads" folder doesn't seem to help with redirected profiles (profiles stored on a network share). Chrome sees the UNC path, but extensions won't install. It will just come up with the download dialog for the crx file.

I ran into this issue this morning as well.  The circumstance?  I ran Glary Utilities, including the registry optimizer, registry cleaner, and disk cleaner.  I recall deleting "0 byte files", paying little attention to what and where they were located.  Upon launching Chrome, all of my settings had been lost, the "welcome to google chrome" page appeared, and no apps appeared installed.  Then upon reinstalling the apps, I ran into this issue with the "Checking..." as described in this thread.  Though changing the Downloads directory under Chrome://settings/advanced to various directories, I had to restore/create the %USERPROFILE%\My Documents\Downloads directory as others have for the app to finally install.  Interestingly, I had changed the "Target folder destination" for the My Documents directory to a custom location and restored this to the default windows location (%USERPROFILE%\My Documents)

I hope this information helps the engineers determine a solution.

I've tried about everything I can think to do with the Downloads folder (which was there to start with) but I still can't install any apps, extensions or themes. Is there any more news on the problem?

What if you have always had the "Downloads" directory and it still doesn't work. What would be the reason then? I am running Windows XP.

Win Xp x64, Google Chrome 16.0912.75, writes it up to date. But still have the same problem - can not install extensions(tried only adblock and adblock+), do not see any pictures in the Chrome gallery besides the gallery opens for a very long time compare to another sites.

16.0.912.77 m, Win7 64-bit still has this issue. I have tried deleting and recreating the Downloads folder, reinstalling Chrome, and choosing a different Download folder location. Nothing I seem to try resolves this issue. I am NOT prompted to save a .CRX file. It just does nothing. Beginning to think this will never be fixed. :(

To add to above: I'm not sure that everyone in this thread is having the same issue. I do NOT get a CRX file to download. For me, after clicking the Install button, I get a "Checking..." button, an Install popup and then nothing else happens. Is there another thread for this issue?

Update!

As of 17.0.963.38 beta-m, this problem is fixed!

Thanks for all the help and suggestions, but unfortunately, none of it has worked for me. I would really like to see this problem solved once and for all. Normally, I would just try all the suggestions until I found one work, but unfortunately, I do not always have access to My Documents. This is quite unfortunate as the extensions are the primary reason I switched back to Chrome.

Here's the answer people! Just install manually!!!:

1. Copy & paste the address below into your address bar:

     - https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx?response=redirect&x=id%3D[EXTENSION_ID]%26uc%26lang%3Den-US

2. Copy & paste the extension's unique ID into the address where it says [EXTENSION_ID] (without the [brackets] obviously).

     - Tampermonkey's ID is dhdgffkkebhmkfjojejmpbldmpobfkfo

     *** Extension IDs are always found at the end of their page address in the Chrome Web Store. ***

          ** Tampermonkey's address is https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dhdgffkkebhmkfjojejmpbldmpobfkfo **

3. Press enter after you've completed steps 1 & 2. You should see the warning box pop up in the bottom left corner of the browser.

4. In the bottom left corner warning box, click on Continue and install like always.

Thanks cedriccjmusic, but that just brings up a download window which saves a useless file. I'd love it if Google gave some indication on when they expect to have it fixed.

Here is what worked for me on Win7 Home Premium.....I unistalled completely (All data and such); restarted and then installed. After I did that, everything worked as I expect Chrome to.

I noticed that after the fresh install Chrome had changed the location of where files are stored and the Program itself is installed. Seems to me google did solve the problem........As they have stated all along.

But what happens in cases where reinstalling has no effect? All that has happened since I reinstalled is that it no longer correctly syncs so I don't even have access to all the apps I've installed previously and can access on other machines.

1st Did you restart after uninstalling?

And by 'sync' are you referring to the bookmark bar and other similar features/settings?

Yeah I did. Sadly no use though. If they've fixed it on the beta Chanel though I guess we just have to be patient. It's not like not having extensions stops chrome being the best browser out there.

Change the download location folder (http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95574) and try again to install the extension.

Hi everyone,

It's happening to me...
Chrome version 17.0.963.46 beta-m
OS Win7 Pro 64-bit

I uninstalled and moved to the beta channel, still happening here on 17.0.963.46 beta-m. I'm using XP (at work) not having the same problem on OSX at home.

I found a work-around by chance. Here is the problem:
1. Visit the chrome web store
2. Click on any app
3. The screen greys out, but the info of the particular app is not showing

Work around:
At the moment when the page is greyed out, click on the url and remove the 's' from 'https://...'. This will force the page to reload (surprisingly it will reload back to secure http), and now the info of the app shows up. What's more, if you click further on any other app it will show correctly without the need to repeat the trick explained above; that's until you close the tab.

@Arneil
Still happening
Have re-installed Chrome, created "Downloads" directories, moved the "My documents" location back to default.

Currently it says I am on 17.0.963.46
Windows XP
Service Pack 3

WHY WHY WHY  does Google just ignore this

I was having this issue and found a solution that worked for me.

I am working on a Windows XP machine and have Google Chrome portable installed on a USB (comes up on my computer as D: drive). I kept being prompted to save the .CRX file and creating a download directory in My Documents did not help. Nor did the manual download link where you replace the extension name.

I went to the removable disk drive and created a Downloads directory there (e.g. D:\Downloads), refreshed the page for the extension and clicked on 'Add to chrome' and it worked perfectly. Note that my chome installation exe is at the following location, just FYI: D:\GoogleChromePortable

Hope this helps a few people.

Can't install extensions.  Chrome 17.0.963.46 m, Win 7 64-bit.

Tried deleting download dir and recreating it.  Didn't work.

Another thing, since this past weekend images in the Chrome store web page don't download properly. Sometimes I can see them all, sometimes just a few and sometimes none.  Worse with Google+ and Picasaweb - no images at all.  A lot of google seems to be broken.

I just tried again and it still isn't working under XP with 18.0.1025.11 beta-m.

17.0.963.56, XP, setting Chrome to default browser doesn't help. Tried a couple other "fixes" from this forum - nothing. The problem still exists!

I'm also stuck with this problem where it just leaves me hanging and i'm been surfing the web for the solution which i couldn't find at all.
My chrome date:

Google Chrome        17.0.963.46 (Official Build 119351) m
OS        Windows
WebKit        535.11 (@106042)
JavaScript        V8 3.7.12.20
Flash        11,1,102,55

someone help?I can't find the word "add to chromo" at chrome web store,how am i gonna install the theme or other apps?

Hi all
I found a work arround, maybe a bit long but it worked.
It involves using the Chrome Synch feature. I noticed that on another computer Extensions were still working and using this computer I logged into my Google account and setup synch to only synch Extensions. Then I installed the Extensions I wanted and went back to my own computer and the Extentions were there.

I also noticed that the 2nd computer was running Version 16 of Chrome where my computer runs Version 17 - looks like the problem is on Version 17

Hope this helps.

@staff: Close it! To get rid of this glitch, disable the option to drop referrers.

As well as the continuing problem of not being able to install apps and themes I've noticed recently that  file downloads are often interrupted and don't automatically download to my chosen downloads folder even if told to. I remember the downloads folder was key in some people's solutions to this problem. Are these related?

I had the same experience from 16 version to latest beta version and it's annoys
Because of addons problem, i stop using google chrome.

Go to -> "Options" -> "Details" and change your DOWNLOAD PATH.

How does changing it help? Mine has been the downloads folder in My Documents the whole time, I can change it to all sorts of locations but none of them let me download files automatically and none of them let me install apps.

The problem here is that if the developers need to fix the problem that prevents app installation so even if you can tell me where I should set my download location I should be able to use the folder of my choice!

Hi guys,

Just solved my issue (which also was the Chrome Store hanging up on "CHECKING" and the .crx files opening and re-downloading forever when dragged to the omnibar)

I just got into my Chrome options --> Under The Hood --> And I changed the Download destination folder to my Desktop (or whichever folder you like). Seems like Chrome was trying to access an external drive that didn't exist and it never could complete the download/installation process.

I hope this helps.

I did a similar thing as cacabostik - changed my Download destination. But mine was originally set as Desktop, so I changed it to My Documents -> Downloads.

Solved it.

This is happening to me now and the suggested fix doesnt work. Mac OSX 10.6.8 Chrome version 17.0.963.65

I've tried changing my download destination folder to the Desktop and My Documents -> Downloads and I'm still having this problem. I'm using 18.0.1025.45 beta-m on the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

I did this and it worked... seems Chrome was downloading to a USB key at some time and that was what it was trying to access...

Happening to me. Windows Vista SP2 Chrome 17.0.963.79 m

Thanks for that! It solved my problem! Chrome was accessing an old drive I didn't use anymore (I never thought it might cause problems as I checked the "Choose every time where to download" option..but it did as it seems..)

Thanks for the idea!

I just tried to add a few more apps to my chrome and received a constant checking status. (Chrome Beta 18.0.1025.133, Windows 7 fully updated).

After reading this thread for a few minutes and trying different things, I checked my default downloading location, and realized that it's still set to my external hard drive, which I no longer use since it broke down. After changing the default download location to and existing folder, all apps installed correctly.

So maybe the chrome developers can make chrome revert to a system temp location if default download location is inaccessible?

Chrome:  17.0.963.83
OS:  Mac OSX 10.7.3
I've been having issues with the Chrome Web Store but I've also been having issues with all of the Google Products in general--nothing seems to work correctly, running slowly or not at all.  I've checked for updates and have found none so I assume that the issue lies with Google and not with me.  

Worked for me.  Thanks for the tip although that should be fixed!

I have version 17.0.963.83 and I am having this problem. I click add to chrome, it asks me to install, I click install, nothing downloads and the button just says checking.

What fixed it for me was deleting a shortcut to my downloads folder that was sitting next to the downloads folder, so the browser got confused, it caused freezing on both Chrome and Firefox when a download was made.

I have same problem. Make the default download directory something, anything that under Win7 you can automatically download to. In Win7  even though I am administrator the system needs confirmation when downloading to C:\ the default and that is what is holding things up as you cannot confirm the auto download. Just try making the default any folder except the root of the drive.

Same problem here, after clicking "add to chrome", it turns into "checking" not going anyway.

Google Chrome        18.0.1025.151 (Official Build 130497) m
OS        Windows
WebKit        535.19 (@113052)
JavaScript        V8 3.8.9.16
Flash        11,2,202,229
User Agent        Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1) AppleWebKit/535.19 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/18.0.1025.151 Safari/535.19
Command Line        "C:\Users\Stephen\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --flag-switches-begin --enable-sync-tabs --flag-switches-end
Executable Path        C:\Users\Stephen\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Profile Path        C:\Users\Stephen\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Thanks,

Just found the solution: plz refer to Cacatosik's post above.

sorry, cacabostik

I also confirmed that adding a "Downloads" folder in My Documents worked.  I'm using a work computer so the "My Documents" that is accessed from the start menu is not actually the following (Correct) one:
C:\Users\<your user name>\Documents\Downloads

It was something much longer and was mapping to a version of My Documents on the network.  I added a Downloads folder in the My Documents by mapping there from the C:\ drive in My Computer.  Hopefully that works.

Yes, this worked for me too:

- click on the wrench in the top right of chrome
- click Settings
- click 'Under the Hood' on the left
- modify your Downloads location

I had mine pointing to my Drobo download directory as the default, ie:

  N:\downloads

I just reset it not using "N" but using its share name, ie:

   \\[My Computer Name\Drobo\downloads

and it worked perfectly.

...Dale

I have google chrome version 18.0.1025.162 and I have the same problem

The error I encountered was the infinite "Checking..." error. The download location was the issue.  Why?  Chrome syncing accounts.  Syncing Chrome between a Win XP and Win 7 machines changed the download directory as far as I can tell.

Win XP's download folder is like this for example...
c:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\Downloads

Win 7 has a download directory like this with additional comments...
c:\users\username\Downloads
...and while you can use the Windows 7 Explorer to browse to c:\Documents and Settings\, when opening Windows 7 will flag an error as not being accessible.

Within Win 7 the folder "My Documents" is now "Documents" attached to a Library without a Download folder inside it.  Just to confuse the reader, if you open the Start menu and open "Documents" you'll notice the title should display as this, "Libraries/Documents".  Confused? "My Documents" appears when you browse "Documents" in Libraries.

The Win 7 accessible download directory is c:\users\username\Downloads.  You can create your own folder within the Documents(My Documents??) folder if you want.

Another way for the Win Xp download location appear is if migrate a Win XP Chrome settings folder to a Chrome Win 7 settings folder.  A copy is a copy.  In this case you must browse the settings and ensure they match the Win 7 environment and in this case the file-system structure.

The solution for Google Chrome developers is to provide a finer grain of sync choices for uploading and downloading per machine.  An example is you might not want to mirror all extensions but some and you may want options and enabling profiles to be different.  Would you do this at a source machine or a receiving machine?

I'm suggesting online sync profiles per machine.  I can imagine this could be more than you want to keep online but it looks to be the only way to resolve a number of sync issues.  Chrome sync logins look to be separate from Google accounts.

You also need to provide a less intense way to program syncing other browsers.  Too much translation is required.  Get with the other open source browser projects and mutually settle on a sync environment.  The browser wars are over the Internet won.

Cheers,
John S Wolter

------------------------------------------------------
Google Chrome        18.0.1025.168 (Official Build 134367) m
OS        Windows
WebKit        535.19 (@114948)
JavaScript        V8 3.8.9.19
Flash        11,2,202,235
User Agent        Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/535.19 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/18.0.1025.168 Safari/535.19
Command Line        "C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" -process-per-site --flag-switches-begin --flag-switches-end

This worked for me. On a large network, where your user resources are centrally (and not locally) stored, just change download destination to C drive (local). It may not have anything to do with XP/7 switching.

Worked for me also. My download directory in Chrome was set to my remote drive which was turned off. Once I changed the location to a directory on my local machine I could download apps as normal.

The solution that worked for me, as with others above. Is redirecting the Downloads folder for Chrome.

For Chrome 19.0.1084.46 m
Wrench > Settings > Show advanced settings > Downloads - Download location:

the probles is that Chrome cant access the download folder, so either change it, or run it as administrator.

Just to confirm that updating the settings to a download folder Chrome can actually find does the trick in Mac OS 10.7.3 Lion.

I'm concerned about the suggestion to change folder permissions.  I'm not yet an expert on desktop Windows permissions profiles.  I do not want to allow the administrator's open access to the download folder as I'm concerned that doing so will open an exploitable door.

I'd have to call on someone who is a Windows XP/7 or Mac OS X security permissions expert to explain the change suggested.  It is the culture of most discussion forms to perscribe a fix in a cookbook fashiion.  I have to request more than a recipe.

I need to know the What and Why not just the How answer

As far as the cause I spotted, please scroll up in the form to locate my original discovery about the difference in location of the download folder between Win7 and WinXP.

It is possible there is a similar issue with Mac OS X versions.  Check Chrome's download folder location in the Wrench-Icon>Settings>Show Advanced Settings>Downloads.  If it is not to where your Mac OS X download folder it may experience the same infinite looping behavior.

Cheers,
John S. Wolter

Same problem; not solved by changing downloads directory in settings (tried Desktop, Downloads, Documents, and a temp folder within Downloads).

Also tried running Chrome as administrator. No dice.

Chrome: 20.0.1132.47 m
Windows 7

Windows restart solved it. Time to change the Downloads directory back....

Nolanamy, It is not clear which measures your took for solving your issue.  Can you be specific about the actions you have taken?  Also have you devised a way to confirm where the Chrome extension download actually was placed during installing?  This information might better allow us all to understand this problem.

There are a large number of variations of permissions, group, Active Directory IT imposed permissions, and multiple versions of these from Microsoft.  Apple's layers and OpenDarwin.org permissions for Mac OS X have their own concepts.

Note that I'm not a Mac OS X systems level programmer.  As I understand it, Mac OS X is a combination of OpenDarwin.org kernel, which arrived from the BSD UNIX OS world, and Apple's proprietary GUI and supporting programs.  I could say for example that the Finder is the Skin or shell around Darwin.  

Imagine trying to program Chrome given the historical origins of where things are placed and what the permissions structure is different between Mac and Windows XP/7/8.  The implementations of permissions are very different but related in theory.

Normally the Windows 7 download directory is located directly off the <user folder>.  That folder has one set permissions while the Documents or 'My Documents' folder has a different set.  Microsoft and software programmed with MS dll-libraries might expect one location and those programmed with open source LINUX/UNIX libraries a different location.

Add the feature of Library that holds references to 'My Documents' or Documents and the variations start to multiply and thus potential problems.

Google's program designers are going to need to have these variations in mind.  I hope the development team leaders are allocating enough time for the programmers to gather these variations and then to abstract a level above this.  That would lead to an implementation to deal effectively with this kind of gotcha.

All right, I just fixed the problem using info from this thread. My default download directory existed, but was on a remote machine (\\mtucifs3\home\Downloads). I changed it to a local directory, and everything is fine.

I'm running 22.0.1201.0 dev-m on Win7.

I agree with Asnia, that is the reason why I couldn't download stuff. Thanks!

Had the same problem.  The answer for me, as some have discovered here, was to go into Chrome Settings > Advanced Settings > Download Folder and set it to "Downloads" -- I found mine was set to "Desktop".   I'm using Mac.   As soon as I made that simple change, extensions began downloading.

Version 22.0.1221.0 dev-m

I am using HostsMan, which is a freeware application that lets you manage your Hosts file by adding lists of domains to block. I had this problem for a long time but randomly, I disabled the program (so the program stopped to block domains) then I tried to install an extension and it worked, it fixed the problem. I think that this program was blocking a domain related to the Chrome Web Store every time I tried to install an extension. That's how the download of the .crx file was impossible for me and why it was stuck at "Checking...". I can't figure out which domain caused this because my HostsMan have 127 077 listed domains to block.

That's how I'm now able to install extensions! :)

just simple go to settings of chrome,advenced settings and change download location on existing hdd.that solved my problem.thanks

I'm having the same problem, is there any solutions yet?
My Chrome ver.22, using Mac OS 10.6.8

Got it! thanks kamil32. So I change the download location to my user dekstop or in any case is my hard drive. and it works! ....go to Settings> Downloads> Download location

Version 22.0.1229.94 m

Windows 7 Premium

Thanks. This worked for me as well. (And when you think about it, it makes sense.) :)

I had the same problem for Mac, I fixed it by going into settings>Advanced Settings>Downloads and reset the download folder that you use. Mine is on my Macintosh HD Desktop under Chrome Downloads. I reloaded the location to the Desktop "Chrome Downloads", and BINGO, it worked!  Finally!

I think I found the reason why I can't install the extensions (whenever I want to install an extension, instead of installing it, Chrome always download it.)

I checked the settings in Chrome, I noticed the [default download folder] was set to a network drive. Therefore I changed the default download folder to a local folder on drive c, problem resolved!

I had this exact problem and it was also caused by an unavailable downloads folder. As soon as I made the download location available, I was able to install apps.

Chrome Versión 23.0.1271.95 m
Windows 7

Just DELETE the Chrome folder at
C:\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome
IT SOLVES IT

Just DELETE the Chrome folder at

C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome
IT SOLVES IT

Worked for me, thanks... :)

It happens to me as well. Started after i installed TinEye extension, but closed the extension window in the web store before the extension started installing.
Now I can't install anything.

Try signing in again in the store.
At least it worked in my case.

Go to your settings via top-right corner (the 3 thick lines) then settings.
Scroll to the end of the page, it reads: Show advanced settings...
Click that to display the advanced settings.
You should find a section reads: Downloads.
Click on the "Change..." button over the far right.
Select a folder where you would want to save your files.

Go back to Google Chrome Web Store and install again.
If that does not work, restart Google Chrome to see if it helps. Why? It may not flush and reset the download location / folder correctly.

same problem here

Windows 8 Chrome Version 23.0.1271.97 m

Bond Lin - That did it! Thanks

This is what finally worked for me as well.  Opened a seperate incognito window and downloaded the extension I wanted from there.  It then installed on the non-incognito window successfully.

This is an old thread, but the same thing happened to me today with Flash Control.

Viewing the crx file in Notepad++ revealed it to be an HTML file. I renamed it to .html, opened it in Chrome and found that it was asking me to login to my Gmail account. I did so in a separate tab, then installed Flash Control successfully!

On Saturday, December 10, 2011 4:44:14 PM UTC-7, Tobi1kenobe wrote:
> Google Chrome version 15.0.874.121 (Official Build 109964) m:
>
> Operating System:windows xp pro
>
> Error Message:none
>
> Extensions installed:favourite doodle, nokia maps 3d browser plugin, realplayer html5 video downloader, skype click to call
>
>
>
> I,ve installed the angry birds app before. I deleted it and then tried to install the updated version today. after browsing it at the chrome webstore and I clicked "add to chrome. A prompt came up, I chose install and then I was asked to save a .crx file. After downloading the file nothing happened except that the "add to chrome" button had hanged to "checking..." (after refreshing the page, it goes back to add app again) Ive tried this for other apps and it does the same thing. I've disabled all my extensions and restarted several times, still nothing. What do I do.. pls help!

seemed to start working again for me when i signed in.

Go to Settings>Extentions then turn developermode on/off

THAT was the solution!  Signed in to Gmail and it worked.  Thanks!

this is exactly what solved my problem... idk why that folder is needed since its empty and why it wasn't created on the chrome install but they need to add that check to each chrome update to make sure that folder is there with every update or a warning that says "no downloads folder" insted of "checking"... error message would of been very helpful for sure

Same problem.

Ubuntu 12.04LTS

Chromium Version 20.0.1132.47

I had exactly this problem (extension installation process not going beyond Checking...), and of the many solutions proposed in this thread, the one that finally did it was black00wind's one a few pages back: just go into Incognito mode. It worked first time.

The Downloads folder didn't seem to be the issue for me: the .crx files were downloading fine into every different location I tried (the original, default folder; a Downloads folder on the desktop; in the root of C), but they just weren't running for some reason.

Someone mentioned localised versions of Windows. Mine happens to be Spanish, but I don't think that was the reason either. It's true that, for instance, the Users folder appears as Usuarios in the title bar etc., but actually the underlying path, in the baroque file system that Microsoft has introduced to entertain us, is actually the English one (e.g., users\downloads, not usuarios\descargas). You can see this if you click in the address bar of the folder: it switches from user-friendly Spanish with clickable path elements to the standard path format with backslashes.

My set-up: Chrome 23..., Windows 7 Home Premium in Spanish. The extension I was trying to install was Google Dictionary.

Old issue, but just happened for me in Version 23.0.1271.97 m

I found a solution that doesn't involve killing your profile.

As weird as it sounds, to fix this, you simply need to login to your Google account in the Chrome Web Store.

All extensions said "Checking..." and never worked. Once I logged into the web store, it actually installed.

Do note that making a new profile also works, just isn't a happy experience.

Hello, I am using Chrom Version 23.0.1271.97 m.
But same story, the extension never stops checking, even after I have logged in within webstore ;-(

Two things that work for some people:

1. Check that your Download folder exists where Chrome expects it to exist (check Chrome settings). This seems to be the problem for most people. Check back in the thread for variations on this.
2. Try installing the extension in Incognito mode. It's just a workaround, but it's a simple one. Worked for me.

Clicking on Settings/Extensions & checking "developer mode" fixed it for me.

This was solved for me by signing into my google account.

Hello,

ThanX for the advice. To set up the download folder again, solved my problem;-)

Same problem with Chrome 17-24 for linux.  Re-installed newer/older versions, no joy.  Problem compounded because we're using slackware instead of one of the more user-friendly distributions.  Apparently the Chromium people are having the same problem, which has apparently existed since v15.

Yeah, I know, how much did we pay for it?  I couldn't even install it, so I continue to use good old firefox, which husband (chrome user) claims crashes all the time for him.

Not happy.  It may not be evil, but it's certainly annoying.

Sign-In, and all will be solved :)
This works for me !!

Am I not signed in just by reading this group or reading gmail at the site or using picasa or google+?  Or do you mean something else?  

Actually he may not have done that because he never uses any google features -- he just downloads mail from gmial using thunderbird.  I'll check...

There should really be a checklist of solutions on here, and posters could state whether they'd tried all solutions. Here are the main ones as far as I can see:

1. Check Chrome's Downloads folder - does it exist? Is it accessible (permissions, device connected...)

2. Sign in

3. Try going to Incognito mode (Ctrl-Shift-N) and installing

1.  Yes
3.  Yes

Re sign-in:  if you have to be logged in to SOME google facility that requires a login, shouldn't an error message pop up?  It works that way for the Android/googleplay site, why not for chrome?

I'll suggest it tomorrow, but he was so p*ssed about the whole thing he just wiped his whole chrome installation.

All he wanted to do was play the .aif files that a learn-to-speak-Mandarin website provides.  Setting the preference in firefox was trivial, why is this so difficult?

I had my Chrome downloads set to F://Downloads

I changed this back to the my documents/downloads folder and I was able to get past the "checking" stage.

Seems having non default download location can cause issues, sort it out Google!

shutup!!!

I had the same problem. Install would freeze at "CHECKING"
I also noticed my Google login page froze on Chrome as well.
TruSuite Website Login Extension was disabled and login page problem cleared up.
Then I signed in to my google account and the chrome extension install was successful.

Happening to me im on

OSX 10.8.2
Chrome Version 23.0.1271.101
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Chrome Version 23.0.1271.101
Running Snow Leopard.

I saw the "Checking ..." stall issue when trying to install the FlashBlock extension from josorek.  I'm using Chrome 23.0.1271.97 (Official Build 171054) on Debian 6.0.

Signing into my Google account (from within Chrome settings) solved the problem.

Trying to install Ghostery, stalls at "checking".
Chrome Version 21.0.1180.89
OSX 10.7.5

Thanks for your efforts!

Addendum: tried signing into Chrome with my Google account. Still stalls at "checking".

Signing in worked for me. That's the first thing people should try since it is so easy and has worked for so many. The sign-in option is at the upper right of every extension or theme page. For more check out [http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!msg/chrome/5_xm2PjWPa4/nnRZuAqvOr8J].

Hi,
Same issue:
1. Downloadsfolder: Works fine
2. Sign in Done
3. Incognito mode: Done

No joy, Also tried reinstalling chrome.
Windows 7 x64, Dutch localisation, Chrome version: 23.0.1271.97

I had the same problem described here, using Chrome 23.0.1271.97. Download folder is ok. I then realized that the downloaded .crx file was indeed a web page that was requesting to log in!

Even if I was logged in Chrome, I was not logged in the Chrome Web Store. After logging in the Chrome Web Store, I could then install the extension that was not installing. At last!!

Really bad user experience though...

Was just having a similar problem. Anyone still having this problem, check what your default download folder (Under Advanced Settings) is set to, even if you have it set to "Always ask before downloading." Mine had been set to a folder that no longer existed, and even though I had it set to "Always ask..." Chrome refused to DL new Extensions, etc.

Signing in and incognito mode didn't work for me.
What finally did it was reverting to the default download folder ("Downloads" on Mac OSX).

Good luck, everybody! Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

i am trying to find out... why everytime i try to get an app.. it says.. "installation is not enabled"

all you have to do is make sure you are logged in

logged in where

Ameil,

I had the same issue, fixed it with help from here

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r27801872-Chrome-Can-t-install-extensions-stuck-on-Checking-

"Your SQL databases may be corrupted or in need of cleaning. Download Speedyfox from here:
»www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox
Close all browsers, then run it. It does not need to be installed"

Hope this helps, it did for me

I'm having some issues with this as well... I'm just downloading to my desktop.

When I try and install thing it will say:

Subject: An error has occurred.

Body: Could not create download history.

No matter how many times I press reload it will not work. I know it is not the exact same problem as everybody else but it is similar so I thought posting it here would still help me.

Google Chrome Version: 26.0.1410.65
And I use Mac Mountain Lion as my OS

Hope you can help!
Ben Cunningham  

Is there any progress on this since the last reply from Arneil in January of 2012? I am still having this problem.

Nothing else worked for linux, except drag and drop the .crx downloaded file, and magically the window to install showed up and installed smoothly.

Google Chrome        26.0.1410.63 (Official Build 192696)
OS        Linux

For anyone still having this "CHECKING" problem when installing Chrome Extensions, please see my thread here:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r27801872-Chrome-Can-t-install-extensions-stuck-on-Checking-

I resolved it:

solution: chrome://chrome/settings/
advanced.
change download location

I changed it to a real location that exists.

I used the Downloads folder. I navigated to it using the Change button.

I think it only cares that's a real location that you can write to. My problem was that it had been pointing to a drive letter that's not currently on the machine.

Hi

I can't install any extensions. I get this pop-up error on Chrome store.

Thanks

Google Inc.
Copyright 2013 Google Inc. All rights reserved.
Google Chrome        27.0.1453.110 (Official Build 202711) m
OS        Windows
WebKit        537.36 (@151310)
JavaScript        V8 3.17.6.15
Flash        11.7.700.203
User Agent        Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; WOW64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/27.0.1453.110 Safari/537.36
Command Line        "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --flag-switches-begin --enable-full-history-sync --sync-keystore-encryption --flag-switches-end
Executable Path        C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Profile Path        C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 1

Nevermind. Turns out someone changed my HOSTS file with an weird IP addr for clients.google.com... erased the entry and all is good.

Chrome Version: 28.0.1500.72 (Official Build 211400) m
Operating System: windows 7
Extensions: Adblock 2.6.3, da Message Notifier 0.7.1.1, YouTube Default to Subscriptions Uploads Only 2.2

Google Chrome Version 28.0.1500.95 m

Windows 7 Home Premium

All my requests in the store seem to time out, I get the:

An error has occurred
There was a problem loading the item. Please refresh the page and try again.
[Reload]  [Close]

I am receiving the same error as Brad.

Not only on my home computer that is running Windows 8 but my work computer running Mac OSX and my mother's computer running Windows 7.

Could it be an issue on Google side?

I've been getting this message as well.

Same thing is happening to me. I can't install any apps at all. Get "checking" message and then another message telling me there was an error and recommends restarting the page. It doesn't help. This really sucks.

Ok so I am not alone than I was going crazy... same issue cant install anything

The same here ... When trying to get extensions I have the following answer: "There was a problem adding the item to Chrome. Please refresh the page and try again."