Shockwave Flash Crash

How to fix Shockwave Flash Crashing?

• Update your browser
• Disable Google Integrated Shockwave Flash Player
• Download Registry Cleaner Software
• Test Incognito Mode
• Remove Shockwave Player/Disable Plugin From Browsers
• Conduct Scan for Active-X, Registry and Flash Errors
• Reinstall Shockwave Flash Plugin
• Reregister GCSWF32.dll File
• Enable Software Rendering

It is important that you carry out these steps in order to fix the problem effectively.

Here is the detailed procedure to perform these steps:

Update Your Browser

Whether you are using Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or Firefox, the first thing that you should do is to update your browser. Although most advanced browsers would automatically update themselves or prompt you to take that action.

Disable Google Integrated Shockwave Flash Player

If you are a Google Chrome user and experiencing Shockwave Flash crashing it could be a problem with Shockwave's integrated version. While using other browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer, you might have installed a standalone version of Shockwave Flash Player that caused complications with integrated version.

• Open Google Chrome.
• In the Address Bar type 'about:plugins' and press ENTER.
• Scroll down to get Flash plugin. Expand its list by clicking + Details icon at the right hand side.
• You will get list of Flash versions installed on your computer- Integrated version and standalone version.
• Keep your standalone version enabled and disable the integrated version. (Disabled version will appear in gray colour.)
• Note: The integrated version can have path similar to ...\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application.
• Close Google Chrome.

Download Registry Cleaner Software

The Registry Cleaner software is a program that scans the most important part called the Registry of the Microsoft Windows. The Registry portion of your operating system stores important information about all computer programs in the form of complicated codes/entries. Corruption in this area causes several errors such as Flash Player Crash and Shockwave Plugin Crash. To resolve these problems it is highly recommended you download a good Registry Cleaner software. One software helpful in fixing Flash/Shockwave plugin crashes is the Intel Software Partner, RegInOut. Download it here: Shockwave Flash Repair Tool.

Test Incognito Mode

The Incognito Mode is a feature introduced in Google Chrome which lets you browse without leaving your internet & search history and cookies stored on the computer. In simple words, it’s private browsing.

We would use Incognito Mode to fix Adobe Shockwave crash as it does not load any browser extension. If you no longer experience the above mentioned problem some of your browser extensions are causing Shockwave Flash plugin to crash. What you have to do is to load Chrome in normal mode, go to Wrench | Tools | Extensions. Disable each extension and test Chrome for some period.

Remove Shockwave Player/Disable Plugin from Browsers

Sometimes you will face an error called: the following plugin has crashed: Shockwave Flash.

When such an error is occurring in your browser, it means there is something wrong with the Shockwave Flash installed in your browser as an extension/plugin.

You have to disable/remove it temporarily from your browser. Go to the settings/extension or plugins option to do this. Alternatively try to remove it from the Add/Remove feature from the control Panel.

Conduct Scan for Active-X, Flash and Registry Errors

Now use the software (Registry Cleaner) which you downloaded initially. Conduct scan for active-x, Flash and registry errors through it.

Reinstall Shockwave Flash Plugin

Now reinstall the Shockwave plugin http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/

After performing all these steps Restart your computer. Now the Shockwave Flash Crash in Windows 7, Vista and XP should have been resolved.

Reregister GCSWF32.dll File

There is a file GCSWF32.dll which is installed by Shockwave Flash Player in the Google Chrome installation directory. If the problem relates with its registry entries, it can be easily solved by re-registering it with Command Prompt. Do the steps given below:

• Click Start, point to All Programs | Accessories.
• Right click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
• Type the following commands:
  
  > Regsvr32 -u C:\Users\< Enter Your User Name Here >\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\ < Enter Your Google Chrome Version Here> \GCSWF32.dll
  
  > Regsvr32 C:\Users\< Enter Your User Name Here>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\ < Enter Your Google Chrome Version Here > \GCSWF32.dll


• Note: In the above command, do replace with the name of the user account to which you’re logged-in and input the latest version number of Google Chrome web browser.
• Restart the computer.

Enable Software Rendering

Shockwave Flash crash problem is experienced if Software Rendering is disabled. When software rendering is disabled, hardware acceleration is enabled and vice versa. With Hardware Acceleration, your web browser moves all graphics and text rendering from your CPU to GPU. You have to disable hardware acceleration and enable software rendering:

• Click Start, select Control Panel.
• Click Network and Security | Internet Options.
• Click the Advanced tab and then Accelerated Graphics.
• Check up the box named Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering and click Apply | OK.

Disable Protected Mode

The Protected Mode is a security feature. Conflicts with Protect Mode feature and your web browser result in crashes. Change its settings to disable this feature.

• Click the Start button.
• Select Run.
• Type following path:
  C:\Windows\System32\Shockwave\Flash
• Right click the “MMS.CFG” file, select Open With | Notepad.
• Scroll down and add following line at the end:
  ProtectedMode=0
• Click File | Save. Close Notepad

Allocate Higher Storage Space for Third Party Flash Content

When you run a multimedia object based, third party Flash contents are stored on your computer. If the storage space allocated for them is too low, Shockwave Flash stops running unexpectedly. Allocate adequate solutions as a solution for this problem.

• Right click the multimedia animation/ graphical content you are running.
• Select Settings from the context menu.
• Click the Local Storage tab.
• Move the sidebar to the extreme right to allocate a higher amount of space.
• Click the Close button to save and exit.
• Restart your web browser.

Disable QuickTime Plug-In Taking Over Shockwave Flash

Computers with QuickTime Player installed experience this problem. The QuickTime Player plug-in takes over Shockwave due to its default application settings. These settings need to be changed in the following manner:

• Open QuickTime Player.
• Click Edit | Preferences | QuickTime Preferences.
• Click the Browser tab and then MIME Settings button.
• Scroll down the scrollbar. Uncheck the “Flash Media” and “Flash File” textboxes.
• Click OK and close the media player.
• Mozilla Firefox users please locate this directory: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Plugins. Delete the “NPQTPLUGIN.DLL” file. Restart your browser.