Don't update Chrome: It's crashing Linux desktops
A new bug in the latest update corrupts the fontconfig cache, which can in turn crash your entire desktop.
An update to Google Chrome pushed out to Linux repositories this week caused Linux apps and desktops to break. A patch is due out Friday, but for the moment, you should hold off on updating Chrome.
Happening now
A bug with Google Chrome version 154.0.8037.57-1 reportedly causes both Wayland and X11-rendered apps to crash on Linux desktops, and it can also cause KDE Plasma itself to crash when rebooting the system.
As discussed on the Kubuntu subreddit, Chrome is corrupting the fontconfig cache, which in turn causes other apps using the cache to crash. The bug was reported on Wednesday as issue 565132857 in Chromium's bug tracker. An engineer from Kubuntu Focus posted a more detailed background to how the bug works, along with these instructions on how to resolve it, in the case that you get an unusable desktop:
- Switch to a TTY by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F4.
- Log in at the text prompt using your username and password.
- Run
cd ~/.cache - Run
rm -rf fontconfig - Reboot the system
I tested these instructions myself, and it worked. By the way, you can reboot from the TTY with sudo reboot now.
If you've already updated, then you're best off not using Chrome, and keep these instructions in mind if you start having issues. If you haven't updated your Linux desktop in a while, then just make sure Chrome gets held back on any updates you make until a version later than 154.0.8037.57-1.
Zooming out
Why this announcement matters: Google is annoying enough. Chrome crashing your other apps or entire desktop feels like adding insult to injury.
My take: I'm a victim of this myself. I eagerly updated my entire Kubuntu system this morning, and after a reboot, low and behold what greeted me when I logged in:
Diving in
Go further: While you wait for the patch expected Friday September 25, 2026, consider switching to Mozilla Firefox.
