Use or fix Flash audio & video

The Adobe Flash plugin lets you hear and see Flash audio and video content on Chrome on your computer.

Note: Adobe will stop supporting Flash at the end of 2020. Visit the Chrome blog to learn more about how Chrome will work with Flash until 2020.

Let sites play Flash videos, animations, and games

Only allow Flash to run on websites that you trust. Security vulnerabilities are regularly found in Adobe Flash Player.

The webpage doesn't open

  1. When you visit a page you trust that has Flash content, click Click to enable Adobe Flash Player.
  2. Confirm by clicking Allow.

The site asks to download Flash

  1. To the left of the web address, click Lock Lock or Info Information.
  2. To the right of "Flash," click the Arrows Arrows.
  3. Choose Always allow on this site.
  4. Reload the page.

Change your default Flash setting

Always ask to run Flash (recommended)

Choose "Always ask to run Flash" so it can't run without your permission. Only allow Flash to run on websites that you trust.
  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More More and then Settings.
  3. At the bottom, click Advanced.
  4. Under "Privacy and security," click Content settings.
  5. Click Flash.
  6. At the top, turn the setting to Ask first (recommended).

Always allow Flash on trusted sites

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Go to a page you trust that has Flash content.
  3. To the left of the web address, click Lock Lock or Info Info.
  4. To the right of "Flash," click the Arrows Arrows.
  5. Choose Always allow on this site.
  6. Reload the page.

Always block Flash

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More More and then Settings.
  3. At the bottom, click Advanced.
  4. Under "Privacy and security," click Content settings.
  5. Click Flash.
  6. At the top, turn the setting to Ask first (recommended).

Fix problems with Flash

If Flash isn't working or you see the following error messages, try the troubleshooting steps below.

  • Adobe Flash has been blocked because it is out of date
  • Couldn’t load plugin
  • The following plugins were blocked on this page 
  • This plugin is not supported
  • A plug-in (Shockwave Flash) isn't responding

Step 1: Turn on Flash

Only allow Flash to run on websites that you trust. 

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Go to the site with the video or game. 
  3. To the left of the web address, click Lock Lock or Info Information.
  4. To the right of "Flash," click the Arrows Arrows.
  5. Choose Always allow on this site.
  6. At the top left, click Reload Reload.

Step 2: Update Flash

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. In the address bar at the top, enter chrome://components and press Enter.
  3. Look for "Adobe Flash Player."
  4. Click Check for update.
  5. If you see "Component not updated" or "Component updated," you're on the latest version.
  6. Go back to the page with the Flash content. If it doesn't open automatically, at the top left, click Reload Reload.

Step 3: Update Chrome

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More More.
  3. Click Update Google Chrome. If you don't see this button, you're on the latest version.
  4. Click Relaunch.
Having problems updating Chrome? Learn how to fix Chrome update problems.

Step 4: Reinstall Flash

Make sure that you only install Flash from Adobe's website.
  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Go to adobe.com/go/chrome.
  3. Under "Step 1," select your computer's operating system.
  4. Under "Step 2," choose the option that lists "PPAPI."
  5. Click Download now, and follow the steps to install Flash.

Fix other Flash errors 

"The following plugin has crashed" or you see the Plugin icon Plugin

  1. If Flash doesn't restart automatically, force it to close:
    1. At the top right, click More More.
    2. Click More Tools and then Task Manager.
    3. Select "Plugin: Shockwave Flash."
    4. Click End process.
  2. Close the Task Manager window, and go back to the page with the Flash content.
  3. At the top left, click Reload Reload.

You don't see Flash settings

If you’re using a work or school device, your organization might not let you change Flash settings.

You can't change your Flash settings

If you’re using a work or school device, your organization might not let you change Flash settings.
 

If you're an administrator for a work, school, or other group, learn more about managing the default Flash settings for your organization.

Megan is a Google Chrome expert and the author of this help page. Help her improve this article by leaving feedback below.

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