How to fix Chrome Magnet Links Not Working 2023
Chrome Magnet Links Not Working: We are assuming that most…
Chrome Magnet Links Not Working: We are assuming that most of you all are aware of magnet links and have come across these Magnet Links at least once in your life. It is obvious otherwise, you would not have searched for this article.
Magnet links are used to download torrents from the web, a popular way to share files online. Magnet links are otherwise known as magnet URLs.
The reason behind their popularity is you can copy and paste these links in the plain text almost anywhere, like web, emails, text messages, etc.
It makes file sharing easier in a P2P environment. Also, you do not have to store BitTorrent files on the server.
In this article, we shared all the relevant information on why some Chrome Magnet Links Not Working. Without further ado, let’s get started!!
So, Why use Magnet links?
Magnet links are more secure. They remove the need to hash every individual file to protect them against cyber attacks. A torrent file contains tracker URL, names of all the files to be downloaded, and a hash code.
Magnet link will remove the need of middleman and connect you directly with the source by using the hash code. Your torrent client such as BitTorrent will use this hash code to find peers (who upload the required files).
You are not required to download the torrent file or the tracker. It not only saves bandwidth of the hosting site but the bandwidth of the user as well. So, it is a win-win situation.
Once you click on a magnetic link, Chrome will be able to define the hash data and open it in your default torrent client.
If chrome refuses to identify the magnet link and runs an error, then know there is an issue with that magnet link. Which means you cannot download the file shared.
Let’s fix Chrome Magnet Links Not Working issue:
Check content settings
Since we are dealing with the content here, check if the content settings of your Chrome browser are set correctly or not.
- For this, click on the Menu icon (three verticle dots) in any Chrome tab and select Settings.
- Here, scroll down to find the Advanced button. Next, click on it to reveal more options.
- There you will see Privacy and security. Underneath it, you will see Content Settings.
- Next, look for Handlers option, click on ‘allow sites to ask to become default handlers for protocols (recommended)’.
- Now, make sure that the option is toggled on. If it is on, you will see it in blue colour and if it is not, then it will be in grey.
This setting will basically tell Google to make a call and handle the necessary protocols. In our case, it is Magnet links, and associate it with the correct program automatically(Such as BitTorrent). You can also use other torrent clients like Vuze which is completely fine.
If the setting is off, then toggle it on and visit a torrent hosting site that offers the magnet link option.
Next, click on one of the many magnet links to see if your browser opens it with BitTorrent automatically. Before you all panic let me tell you it may take a few seconds to open.
If Chrome is not working as expected or the settings are turned on by default. But, chrome cannot open magnet links properly, then take a little breather and look deeper into windows registry settings.
Edit Windows registry settings
Sometimes, you will get an error saying, ‘this file does not have an app associated with it’. You might be thinking, why does this happen if you have a torrent client installed already?
It happens when Chrome or Windows is unable to detect the right application to do the job. In simple words, it fails to associate the magnet link with the torrent client. Follow the below instructions to edit the registry settings.
For this, you need to first, press Win+R to open the run command prompt. Now, enter some commands here that help you manage your PC. Next, enter ‘Regedit’ in the box.
It will further open the Registry Editor in a new window. Now you are required to navigate to the following file location.
\Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Magnet\shell\open\command
Check the image below to get a better understanding of the folder structure. You will require to scroll a lot here.
In the right panel, the Data column will show the complete directory path of the BitTorrent client. All you need to do here is to make sure that the BitTorrent client resides in the same directory as the one you see here.
C:\Users\a\AppData\Roaming\BitTorrent\BitTorrent.exe
Did you observe the .exe at the end? it basically means it is linking to an executable file that should launch when needed.
Ignore any random string of text you see after that. Next, open C drive in a new window and begin the process. Press Win+E which will further open My Computer directly.
If your torrent client is in a different folder, then edit the registry entry under Name column. For this, select Default under Name and then select Modify to change the directory hierarchy that shall link to your torrent client executable file (.exe format).
Note that the random key string you see at the end should remain untouched. As it is there for a reason. All you need to do is just change the folder structure and save.
Now, go back to the torrent site of your choice in Chrome and try opening a magnet link again. It should work without any issues now.
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Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful to you. In this article, we shared all the information on how to fix Chrome Magnet Links Not Working. Although most of the torrent sites offer both downloadable torrent file and magnet link options.
Piratebay has recently come up with an announcement that they will discontinue hosting torrent files wholly. It signifies a change that will gradually be adopted by the rest of the internet for a good reason.
The reason why it is important to fix the chrome magnet links not working errors in Chrome. Making sure everything is working as it should be. If you have any queries related to this article let us know in the comment box below.
If you know any other method to fix this issue that we have not mentioned, then share it with us in the comments.
Feel free to share this post with your peers who are facing the same issue.