Why Does Chrome Keep Showing RESULT_CODE_MISSING_DATA Error and How Can You Fix It Fast?

What Causes the Frustrating RESULT_CODE_MISSING_DATA Error in Edge and Chrome Browsers?

The RESULT_CODE_MISSING_DATA error in Chrome and Edge browsers occurs when the browser cannot retrieve or process the necessary data to load a webpage properly. This frustrating error prevents users from accessing websites and can sometimes cause the entire browser to crash.

What Causes This Error?

I've found that several factors typically trigger this error:

Corrupted browser data is the most common culprit. When your cache, cookies, or temporary files become damaged or outdated, they interfere with how pages load. Think of it like having a corrupted address book - your browser can't find the right information to display websites properly.

Outdated browser versions also contribute to this problem. When your Chrome or Edge isn't updated, it lacks the latest patches needed to handle modern web content. This creates compatibility issues that manifest as the RESULT_CODE_MISSING_DATA error.

Problematic extensions can interfere with normal browser operations. Third-party add-ons sometimes conflict with website loading processes, causing data retrieval failures.

Quick Solutions That Work

Restart Your Browser First

Before trying complex fixes, I always recommend starting with a simple browser restart. This resolves temporary glitches that might be causing the error:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Find Chrome or Edge in the process list
3. Right-click and select "End task"
4. Wait 30 seconds, then reopen your browser

Clear Your Browser Cache

Corrupted cache files frequently cause this error. Here's how I clear them effectively:

For Chrome:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data
2. Set time range to "All time"
3. Check "Cached images and files," "Cookies," and "Browsing history"
4. Click "Clear data"

For Edge:

1. Navigate to Settings > Privacy, search, and services
2. Select "Clear browsing data" > "Choose what to clear"
3. Set time range to "All time" and check all options
4. Click "Clear now"

Update Your Browser

Keeping your browser current prevents many compatibility issues:

For Chrome: Click the three-dot menu > Settings > About Chrome. The browser will automatically check for and install updates.

For Edge: Click the three-dot menu > Settings > About Microsoft Edge to trigger automatic updates.

Advanced Troubleshooting Methods

Run Chrome in Compatibility Mode

When standard fixes don't work, compatibility mode often resolves the issue:

1. Right-click Chrome on your desktop and select "Properties"
2. Go to the "Compatibility" tab
3. Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for"
4. Select "Windows 8" from the dropdown
5. Click "Apply" and "OK"

Modify Chrome's Target Settings

This technical fix changes how Chrome launches:

1. Right-click Chrome on desktop and choose "Properties"
2. In the "Shortcut" tab, find the "Target" field
3. Add "-no-sandbox" after the quotation marks (with a space before it)
4. Apply changes and restart Chrome

Disable Problematic Extensions

Extensions can interfere with data loading:

1. Click the three-dot menu in Chrome
2. Go to Extensions > Manage Extensions
3. Disable all third-party extensions temporarily
4. Test if the error persists
5. Re-enable extensions one by one to identify the problematic one

Reset Browser Settings

When other methods fail, resetting to default settings often works:

For Chrome: Go to chrome://settings/reset and click "Restore settings to their original defaults"

Complete Browser Reinstallation

As a last resort, completely removing and reinstalling the browser eliminates corrupted installation files:

1. Uninstall Chrome or Edge through Windows Settings
2. Download the latest version from the official website
3. Install with a fresh setup

Prevention Tips

I recommend these practices to avoid future occurrences:

• Keep your browser updated automatically
• Clear cache and cookies regularly (weekly)
• Limit the number of installed extensions
• Restart your browser daily if you're a heavy user
• Avoid running too many tabs simultaneously

The RESULT_CODE_MISSING_DATA error, while annoying, is typically resolved through these systematic approaches. Start with the simplest solutions like restarting and clearing cache before moving to advanced fixes like compatibility mode or reinstallation.