Troubleshooting Chrome and Chromium Flag Configuration Issues on Pop!_OS

Encountering issues while trying to configure Chrome or Chromium flags on Pop!_OS can be a frustrating experience, especially when the usual methods seem to fail. This article dives into a specific problem reported on the r/pop_os subreddit, where a user struggled to get Chrome and Chromium to recognize custom flags defined in their configuration files. We will explore the troubleshooting steps taken and potential solutions for resolving this issue.

The Problem: Chrome/Chromium Ignoring Configuration Files

A user on Pop!_OS was attempting to set a specific Chrome flag (--disable-features=ExtensionsToolbarMenu) to customize their browser experience. They created the ~/.config/chrome-flags.conf and ~/.config/chromium-flags.conf files, placing the desired flag inside. However, neither Chrome nor Chromium seemed to acknowledge these files.

Traditional methods like modifying the .desktop file located in ~/.local/share/applications also proved ineffective. Despite verifying file ownership and permissions, the browsers simply refused to read the specified configuration.

Diagnostic Steps and Findings

To diagnose the issue, the user employed the strace command, a powerful tool for tracing system calls made by a program. By running strace -f google-chrome-stable 1&> chromelog and then searching the output for "chrome-flags.conf" using grep chrome-flags.conf chromelog, they could determine whether Chrome was even attempting to access the configuration file.

On a working system, the strace output would show lines similar to these:

stat("/home/matt/.config/chrome-flags.conf", {st_mode=S_IFREG|0644, st_size=373, ...}) = 0[pid 1039010] openat(AT_FDCWD, "/home/matt/.config/chrome-flags.conf", O_RDONLY) = 3

This indicates that Chrome successfully accessed and opened the chrome-flags.conf file. However, on the problematic Pop!_OS installation, the strace output showed no such lines, suggesting that Chrome was not even attempting to read the configuration file.

Potential Causes and Solutions

While the exact cause of the problem in the original Reddit post remains unclear without further debugging, here are some potential explanations and solutions to consider:

• Incorrect File Permissions: Double-check the permissions of the ~/.config directory and the configuration files themselves. Ensure that the user has read and write access to these files. Use the command chmod 755 ~/.config to set proper permissions for the directory and chmod 644 ~/.config/chrome-flags.conf for the config file.
• Syntax Errors in Configuration File: Although unlikely, verify that the syntax within the chrome-flags.conf and chromium-flags.conf files is correct. Ensure that each flag is on a new line and that there are no typos.
• Conflicting Flags: It is possible that another flag or setting is interfering with the desired flag. Try commenting out other flags to isolate the issue.
• Browser Profile Corruption: A corrupted browser profile can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Try creating a new browser profile to see if that resolves the issue. In Chrome, this can be done by going to chrome://settings/addPerson.
• Pop!_OS Specific Issue: Although less likely, it's possible that there is a bug or configuration issue specific to Pop!_OS that is preventing Chrome and Chromium from reading the configuration files. Check the Pop!_OS forums and documentation for any relevant information. You may also want to ensure that all system packages are up to date.
• Environment Variables: Certain environment variables could potentially interfere with Chrome's ability to read configuration files. Examine the environment variables and look for any suspicious settings related to Chrome or Chromium.
• SELinux/AppArmor: Security tools like SELinux or AppArmor might be preventing Chrome from accessing the configuration files. Check the logs for any related errors.
• Version Incompatibility: Ensure that the Chrome and Chromium versions are compatible with the configuration file method being used. It's always a good idea to keep your browsers updated.

Alternative Approaches

If the configuration file method continues to fail, consider these alternative approaches:

• Command-Line Flags: Launch Chrome or Chromium with the desired flags directly from the command line to test if the flag itself is working correctly. For example: google-chrome-stable --disable-features=ExtensionsToolbarMenu
• Chrome Policies: For more complex configurations, consider using Chrome policies. These policies allow you to manage Chrome settings centrally, either for individual users or entire organizations. See Google Chrome Enterprise documentation for more information.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Chrome and Chromium flag configuration issues on Pop!_OS requires a systematic approach. By carefully examining file permissions, syntax, and system behavior, it's often possible to identify the root cause and implement a solution. If all else fails, exploring alternative configuration methods or seeking help from the Pop!_OS community may be necessary. Remember to consult official documentation and resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.