Google Chrome extension – “Download was not a CRX”

When you try to install a Google Chrome extension show the following error message:

An error has occurred
Download was not a CRX
RELOAD CLOSE

Effect:
Not install the required extension.

Solution from your comments: (Prefered because it respects your privacy but not always works)
Open Google Chrome,
click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar then select New incognito window
or
press Ctrl+Shift+N
then open the page of extension in this mode, if you don’t know the url you can copy and paste in the incognito window the following:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions

search the extension and click on ADD TO CHROME to install.

Note: If you chose this solution you have to repeat the above steps everytime you want to install a new extension because it will always appear the same error. Whenever, you have to open an incognito window.

My Solution:
Sign in into Google before to try to install an extension.

To Sign in or Sign up in to Google Chrome, open Google Chrome
click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar then select Sign in to Chrome
or
using the following link:
Google Accounts

Did my solution solve your problem? Leave a reply.

32 thoughts on “Google Chrome extension – “Download was not a CRX””

Random AnonJanuary 18, 2013 at 5:16 am

It worked.

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:27 pm
  
  Hi, thank you for your comment
  
  Reply ↓
FuckRequiredNamesJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:14 am

Shitty solution. Install the extension in a incognito windows instead.

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1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 20, 2013 at 3:59 pm
  
  Hi, I accept your comment and thank you for it, I’ll add your solution but I don’t approve your language. Please, more polite.
  
  Reply ↓
Can'tGetMyThemesJanuary 19, 2013 at 9:39 am

Didn’t solve anything

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1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 19, 2013 at 4:31 pm
  
  Hi, I’m sorry, thank you for your comment. Please give me more information about your actions and if the error message is the same so I can try to help you.
  
  Reply ↓
Chet ValdesJanuary 20, 2013 at 7:23 pm

second solution worked, first one didn’t. Incognito window had same error message. Had to login to Google account, then didn’t need incognito window.

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 20, 2013 at 9:12 pm
  
  Hi Chet Valdes, thank you for your comment, I needed a confirm because first solution (from comment) was not verified from me.
  
  Reply ↓
AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 5:09 am

incognito first time round did not work — second time round – I used your link after I opened in incognito — same error message what WHOLLA — CAGE was up and running Very nice indeed — thank YOU!!!!!!

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1. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 5:11 am
  
  oops meant to read BUT Wholla
  
  Reply ↓
  1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:02 am
    
    Hi, thank you for your comment, I don’t understood very well your actions, I’m happy that you solved your problem but I’d like have more info. You say that in second round show in incognito windows the same error, what page you opened? Do you confirm that first solution works with the steps written? Let me know
    
    Reply ↓
TJanuary 22, 2013 at 3:24 pm

Worked perfectly first try – thanks!

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1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 22, 2013 at 3:35 pm
  
  Hi, thank you for your comment. I’m happy to help you. What solution? First or second?
  
  Reply ↓
SamadaJanuary 26, 2013 at 6:34 am

hello, thx for your advices. its kinda weird. i tried the first solution and it worked. but then after i closed the incognito window and tried to download another theme, it doesnt work anymore. so i tried the second solution that’s working till now. :3

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1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 27, 2013 at 9:34 am
  
  Hi Samada, thank you for your comment. I added a note to my post to clarify the first solution.
  
  Reply ↓
MaxJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:23 pm

The “incognito window” trick did work! Thanks a lot!

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:06 pm
  
  Hi Max, thank you for your comment
  
  Reply ↓
AnonymousJanuary 28, 2013 at 5:16 pm

Incognito window worked!
thank you

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:04 pm
  
  Thank you for your comment
  
  Reply ↓
AnonymousJanuary 30, 2013 at 2:03 pm

THank you

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorJanuary 30, 2013 at 3:57 pm
  
  Thank you for your comment
  
  Reply ↓
AnonymousFebruary 1, 2013 at 1:36 am

Thank you for solving that annoying issue.

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1. Eclipses Post authorFebruary 1, 2013 at 7:35 am
  
  Hi, thank you for your comment
  
  Reply ↓
AnonymousFebruary 1, 2013 at 5:39 pm

Why does it work to download the extension in an incognito window?

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorFebruary 2, 2013 at 11:49 am
  
  Hi, thank you for your comment. I haven’t right answer to your question because I don’t work in Google (I’d like). I think that in Google want know who download Chrome extension so they require Sign in before but if you use their Incognito Windows skip this check. Their error message is not clear so I wrote in my post my solution.
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: 크롬 에러 해결방안 – “Download was not a CRX” | NS
1. Eclipses Post authorFebruary 2, 2013 at 11:52 am
  
  Hi, thank you for your pinback. If you want you can subscribe to receive update and new post alert automatically
  
  Reply ↓
itsinthebloodFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:26 pm

It worked for me. Thanks, and a beer is on its way!

Reply ↓
1. Eclipses Post authorFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:53 pm
  
  Hi itsintheblood,
  Thank you for your comment, I’m happy to help you. Thank you for your support (the beer is arrived but has not yet been drunk), it’s very important for the life of this site. I suggest you to subscribe so receive automatically new posts.
  
  Reply ↓
AnonymousFebruary 6, 2013 at 2:02 pm

Thanks, work great:))

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1. Eclipses Post authorFebruary 8, 2013 at 7:37 am
  
  Hi,
  thank you for your comment
  
  Reply ↓
THX.5280March 19, 2013 at 4:05 pm

neither solution has worked for me. neither does deleting the old “default” folder in …/chrome/user data. any other suggestions? I should mention that I’m on work computer with a fresh Windows 7 install. I was previously on Windows XP and adding chrome extensions worked fine.

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