crashpad_handler.exe

Crashpad Handler

Application Process Safe Crash Reporter

CPU Usage

Memory

5-15 MB

Location

Program Files

Publisher

Google/Microsoft

Quick Answer

crashpad_handler.exe is safe. It's a crash reporter for Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, etc.) that collects crash data and is only active during application crashes.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in browser folder

Warning

Only active during crashes

Normally uses no resources

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Disables crash reporting only

What is crashpad_handler.exe?

crashpad_handler.exe is a crash reporting utility used by Chromium-based browsers and applications, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, and other apps built with the Chromium framework. When an application crashes or encounters a critical error, Crashpad Handler automatically collects diagnostic data about the crash.

This process is part of Google's Crashpad crash-reporting system, which replaced the older "Breakpad" system. It monitors applications for unexpected crashes and generates crash reports that help developers identify and fix bugs. The collected data typically includes error codes, stack traces, and system information at the time of the crash.

Quick Fact: Crashpad Handler only becomes active when an application crashes, which means it uses virtually no CPU or memory during normal operation.

Is crashpad_handler.exe Safe?

Yes, crashpad_handler.exe is safe when it's located in the legitimate installation directory of a Chromium-based browser or application.

Is crashpad_handler.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real crashpad_handler.exe is NOT a virus. It's a legitimate component developed by Google for the Chromium project and is used by major browsers like Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Brave.

How to Tell if crashpad_handler.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\, C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\, or similar browser directories. Any crashpad_handler.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Should show "Google LLC" for Chrome or "Microsoft Corporation" for Edge
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0% CPU and 5-15 MB RAM. The process should only be active briefly during crashes.
Behavior: Should only appear when a browser or Chromium-based app crashes or starts up, then remain dormant.

Red Flags: High CPU usage, running from unexpected locations (like Temp folders or System32), multiple instances running constantly, or lack of a valid digital signature may indicate malware masquerading as crashpad_handler.exe.

Why Is crashpad_handler.exe Running on My PC?

crashpad_handler.exe runs automatically because you have Chromium-based browsers or applications installed on your system.

Reasons it's running:

Browser Installation: Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave, or other Chromium-based browsers launch crashpad_handler.exe on startup to monitor for crashes.
Electron Apps: Many modern applications built with Electron framework (like Discord, Slack, VS Code) use Crashpad for crash reporting.
Crash Monitoring: The process stays in the background ready to capture crash data if the main application fails unexpectedly.

Can I Disable or Remove crashpad_handler.exe?

Yes, you can disable crashpad_handler.exe. Disabling it will prevent crash reports from being collected and sent, but will not affect the normal functionality of your browser or applications.

How to Disable Crashpad Crash Reporting

For Google Chrome:

Open Chrome Settings (chrome://settings/)
Scroll to "Privacy and security"
Click "Sync and Google services"
Toggle off "Help improve Chrome's features and performance"

For Microsoft Edge:

Open Edge Settings (edge://settings/)
Go to "Privacy, search, and services"
Scroll to "Optional diagnostic data"
Toggle off "Help improve Microsoft products"

Note: Disabling crash reporting means developers won't receive information about crashes you experience, which could delay bug fixes. However, it has no impact on browser performance or stability.

What Happens When Disabled?

✔ Browser continues to work normally
✔ Crash data won't be collected or sent
✔ Slightly improved privacy (no crash data transmitted)
❌ Developers won't know about crashes you experience

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If crashpad_handler.exe is consuming excessive resources, this is unusual since it should be dormant most of the time:

Common Causes & Solutions

Repeated Crashes: An application is crashing repeatedly, causing crashpad_handler.exe to constantly collect crash data → Identify and fix the crashing application or update it to the latest version.
Corrupted Browser Profile: A corrupted user profile can cause continuous crashes → Create a new browser profile or reset your browser to default settings.
Malware Impersonation: A virus is disguising itself as crashpad_handler.exe → Run a full antivirus scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes, and verify the file location and digital signature.
Outdated Browser: An old browser version with bugs may trigger excessive crash reports → Update your browser to the latest version.

Quick Fixes:
1. Restart your browser completely (close all tabs and windows)
2. Check Task Manager to see if multiple instances are running
3. Update your browser to the latest version
4. Temporarily disable browser extensions that might be causing crashes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is crashpad_handler.exe a virus?

No, crashpad_handler.exe is not a virus. It's a legitimate crash reporting component from Google used in Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers. To verify it's legitimate, check that it's located in your browser's Program Files directory and has a valid digital signature from Google LLC or Microsoft Corporation.

Why is crashpad_handler.exe using so much CPU?

Crashpad_handler.exe should use nearly 0% CPU during normal operation. High CPU usage typically indicates an application is crashing repeatedly, forcing the crash handler to constantly collect data. Check which application is crashing, update it, or disable crash reporting in your browser settings.

Can I delete crashpad_handler.exe?

While you technically can delete it, it's not recommended because your browser or application may reinstall it automatically. Instead, disable crash reporting through your browser's privacy settings. Deleting it won't improve performance since it uses minimal resources when idle.

Can I disable crashpad_handler.exe?

Yes, you can disable crash reporting in your browser settings. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Sync and Google services, then turn off "Help improve Chrome's features and performance." In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services, then turn off "Help improve Microsoft products."

Why is crashpad_handler.exe running at startup?

Crashpad_handler.exe starts automatically when you launch Chrome, Edge, or other Chromium-based browsers. It needs to be ready to capture crash data immediately if the browser encounters a critical error. It remains dormant in the background using minimal resources until needed.