How to Fix: Aw, Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH error?

Whether it is Google Chrome or Microsoft, Edge in Windows, the Aw, Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH error shows up whenever there is any configuration issue. Also, the error can be due to your Antivirus, which conflicts with your current Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

I have encountered the same error and it is somehow connected to the unsecured websites. But do not worry as you can fix the issue without having much technical knowledge.

This error could happen when the chromium-browser is unable to run an EXECUTABLE FILES image (not the photos, pictures, or images) due to an invalid hash security key. However, this is an issue with the web browser and can be resolved by disabling the system protection.

Alert: Disabling the antivirus or firewall protection is not recommended. This can compromise the system, and the computer may get hacked. Please proceed with caution.

We can manually add the registry key, disable the anti-virus protection, and also disable the code integrity feature to avoid STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH error.

What is Aw, Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH?

Aw, Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH is a browser error due to an invalid executable file image security hash that you would normally see while browsing the internet or on video streaming websites. You can fix this minor issue with the registry editor and a few other troubleshooting ways.

Note: Before trying these methods, make sure to restart your Chrome browser, as most of these errors pop away automatically after a simple restart.

Make sure that you have updated your browser to the latest version, whether it is Chrome or Edge since the error can be due to an outdated browser sometimes.

Adding a Registry Key via Command Prompt

You can edit a key in the Registry Editor for Chrome, or you can disable the code integrity feature. For Microsoft  Edge, you can update it and rename the Edge application and update the antivirus.

Though it can add the key using the Registry Editor, it is better and an easy process in command prompt rather than in Registry Editor. However, before that, ensure that Google Chrome is not running in the background. You can launch the Task Manager and cross-check for the same.

Here are the steps to add the registry key in Google Chrome:

1. Windows search bar, type cmd, and search for it.
2. Select the command prompt and click on the Run as Administrator option to run it as an Admin.
   
3. Type the following command and press the Enter button on your keyboard to enter the Retry Key.

REG ADD “HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome” /v RendererCodeIntegrityEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0

Once the process is complete, close the command prompt and launch Google Chrome and check if the error has been fixed or not.

Similarly, you can also add the registry key to the Microsoft Edge browser. Just replace the path of Google Chrome’s HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE with Microsoft Edge HKLM.

Disabling Code Integrity Feature in Chrome

To resolve our Aw Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH issue, we need to disable the integrity feature in Chrome. The steps are easy to implement if you follow them as I have mentioned here.

Here are the steps to disable the code integrity feature in Google Chrome:

1. Right-click on the Google Chrome icon.
2. Select Properties from the quick menu.
   
3. Click in the input field beside the Target label.
4. Now, after the chrome.exe” section, press on the Spacebar to add a space.
5. Type or paste the following code mentioned below:

   --disable-features=RendererCodelntegrity

6. After that, click on the Apply button.
7. Click on the Continue button in the prompt to confirm the settings.
8. Then close it by clicking on the OK button.

Now launch Google Chome, and check if the Aw, Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH error has been resolved.

Renaming Edge to msedge.exe

A weird solution at first, but for most of the users, it worked. For this, you will have to rename the Edge application into msedge.exe. Already, it can be named pPmsedge.exe, but you can name it again and try whether it works or not.

People have also done similarly in Chrome, and it worked. You can try that too. Moreover, instead of msedge.exe, you can rename it to anything and check. To do so, first, you will have to locate the Edge executable file.

Here are the steps to locate the file on Edge and then rename it:

1. Open up the File Explorer.
2. Go to This PC > Local Disk(C:) > Programs files(x86) > Edge > Application.
3. In the application directory, right-click on the Edge executable file.
4. Select Rename, then name it to msedge.exe.

Changing the Compatibility Settings

If none of the other methods work, then lastly, you can try changing the compatibility settings of Chrome and Edge and check if it resolves the issue of Aw Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH edge.

Here are the steps to change the compatibility settings on Chrome or Edge:

1. Locate the Chrome and Edge executable file in C:\.
2. Then right-click on it and select Properties.
3. Now, in the properties window, go to the Compatibility tab.
   
4. Enable the check box to Run this program in compatibility mode for option.
5. From the drop-down, you can select Windows 7, 8, or 10, and then confirm it.
6. Hit the Apply button, select OK.

Then launch Chrome and Edge and see if the Aw Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH error is fixed. If not, try other compatibility options.

Bottom Line: Fix invalid image hash

While browsing the internet, you may get many similar errors like Aw, Snap! in Chrome. I got very confused when I saw this error for the first time, and got scared since I did not know how to fix that back then.

Most users are paranoid when they see such an error on their browser screen. But do not worry as there are a couple of troubleshooting ways to fix this minor issue.

The registry method is a permanent solution to this problem, and you won’t see this error again. But in case the error still shows up, then you can follow other troubleshooting ways mentioned above. If none of the above works, then try to reinstall your browser to see if it works.

How did you react when you first encountered the Aw Snap! STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_HASH error? Was this article helpful in fixing it for you?

FAQs: Fix invalid image hash

Now, we will go through various frequently asked questions regarding how to fix an invalid image hash in your browser.

What are the different ways to fix an invalid image hash?

The major ways in which you can fix an invalid image hash in a browser are, Adding a Registry Key via Command Prompt, Disabling Code Integrity Feature in Chrome, Renaming Edge to msedge.exe, and Changing the Compatibility Settings.

How to change the Compatibility Setting in Chrome or Edge Browser?

Locate the Chrome and Edge executable file in C:\ and right-click on it and select Properties. Now, in the properties window, go to the Compatibility tab and enable the check box to Run this program in compatibility mode for the option. From the drop-down menu select your windows version and hit on apply.

How to add a Registry Key via Command Prompt to fix an invalid image hash?

Type cmd in the windows search bar and select the command prompt and click on the Run as Administrator option to run it as an Admin. Now, enter “REG ADD “HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome” /v RendererCodeIntegrityEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0” command and press enter to enter the retry key.