By default, every Chromebook comes with Google Chrome as the primary browser. But if you’re looking for something different, you can easily install alternative browsers like Opera or Firefox.
Now, if you’ve installed Opera and it’s not working properly, you’re not alone. Sometimes, Opera may run into issues on a Chromebook, but the good news is, they’re usually simple to fix.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and get Opera working smoothly again on your Chromebook.
How to Fix Opera Not Working on Chromebook
If Opera is acting up, not launching, or just not performing the way it should, follow the steps below to get things back on track.
1. Check your Network
First things first, make sure your Chromebook is connected to the internet. To use any browser, you need an active internet connection. If you’re not connected, you can simply connect to a Wi-Fi network, as Chromebooks don’t come with an Ethernet port.
If you’ve connected your phone to your Chromebook using Phone Hub, you can also use your mobile data by enabling the hotspot feature on your phone.
2. Force Close Opera
Once you’re connected to a stable internet connection, try opening the Opera browser. Click on the Launcher icon, search for Opera, and launch the app.
If Opera doesn’t respond or seems stuck, you can try force stopping the app to reset its current state.
Here’s how to force stop Opera on your Chromebook:
1. Open the App Drawer, locate the Opera app, and right-click (or two-finger tap) on it.
2. From the context menu, click on App info.
3. This will open the app settings page. Scroll down and click on More Android settings and permissions to view advanced options.
4. Click on Force Stop, then confirm by clicking OK.
Now, try launching Opera again. In most cases, force stopping the app helps resolve freezing or non-responsive behavior.
3. Disable VPN
Opera Browser includes a built-in free VPN, which can be useful for privacy. However, it may sometimes interfere with website loading or overall browser performance. Disabling the VPN can often fix these issues right away. Here’s how you can disable it:
1. Click on the App Launcher (circle icon) at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Search for Opera and click to open it.
3. Click on the profile icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen and select the VPN option.
4. Turn off the toggle to disable the VPN in the Opera browser.
4. Clear Data from your Browser
Sometimes, a buildup of cache, cookies, and other browsing data can lead to performance issues, loading errors, or unresponsive behavior in Opera. Clearing this data can often fix the problem.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Open Opera, then navigate to settings page.
2. Scroll down and click on Privacy & Security.
3. Click on the Clear data option. In the pop-up window, make sure the following options are selected:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and site data
- Site settings
4. Click on Clear data to confirm.
Once done, close and relaunch Opera to see if it performs better. In most cases, this helps speed up the browser and resolves strange glitches.
5. Re-install Opera Browser
Still no luck after trying all the troubleshooting methods above? Reinstalling the app should be your last resort. This will remove any corrupted files and perform a fresh installation of the latest version of the Opera browser, which can resolve most persistent issues.
Keep in mind that reinstalling Opera will remove your existing data, so you’ll need to set up your accounts again after installation.
Here’s how to reinstall Opera on your Chromebook:
1. Open the App Launcher.
2. Right-click on Opera and select Uninstall.
3. Confirm by clicking Uninstall again.
4. Then, open the Google Play Store, search for Opera, and install it again.
Conclusion
That’s it! This is how you can fix Opera not working on Chromebook. Whether it was a network issue, a stuck process, or just a bad cache, these steps should help you get back online.
If none of the fixes work, you can always reinstall Opera for a clean start. A fresh installation often resolves deeper issues and gives you a smoother browsing experience.
