Running into an issue with Claude AI’s Chrome extension on your Mac? The frustrating “Error: Google Chrome is not running. Please launch and try again” message can disrupt your workflow when trying to fetch page content.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — many macOS users encounter this error. Here’s a quick fix to get Claude AI running smoothly again.
Understanding the Claude AI Chrome Extension and the Common Error
Claude AI, developed by Anthropic, is a powerful AI assistant that integrates seamlessly into your browser via its Chrome extension. It’s designed to help with tasks like summarizing web pages, generating content, and even automating browser interactions – perfect for e-commerce pros looking to streamline operations and drive sales.
However, on macOS, users often face the “Google Chrome is not running” error when the extension attempts to interact with browser content. This happens because the extension relies on Apple Events (a macOS feature for inter-app communication) to access Chrome’s JavaScript environment. By default, Chrome blocks this for security reasons, leading to the misleading error message – even if Chrome is clearly open and running.
This issue has been reported by users across forums, with a straightforward resolution that involves tweaking a hidden Chrome setting.
Step-by-Step Fix: Enable “Allow JavaScript from Apple Events”
Follow these steps to quickly fix this issue:
- Open Google Chrome on your Mac: Make sure Chrome is running.
- Access the Developer Menu:
- Click on View in the top menu bar.
- Hover over Developer to expand the submenu.
- Enable the Option:
- In the Developer submenu, check the box next to Allow JavaScript from Apple Events.
- If it’s already checked, try unchecking and rechecking it to refresh the setting.
- Test the Extension: Relaunch the Claude AI extension or refresh the page you’re working on. It should now fetch content without any errors.
That’s it! Once enabled, the setting persists across sessions, so you won’t need to repeat this every time.
Why This Fix Works
This setting allows Apple Events to execute JavaScript in Chrome, bridging the gap between the extension and the browser. Without it, macOS security features prevent the necessary communication, triggering the error.
If the issue persists after this fix, try:
- Updating Chrome to the latest version.
- Reinstalling the Claude AI extension.
- Checking for macOS updates, as compatibility can sometimes play a role.
By enabling “Allow JavaScript from Apple Events,” you’ll have Claude AI working perfectly on your macOS Chrome setup.
