Troubleshooting Chrome and Chromium Flag Configuration Issues on Pop!_OS

Encountering issues with Chrome or Chromium not reading custom flags on Pop!_OS can be a frustrating experience, especially when you're trying to optimize your browser or implement specific configurations. This article delves into a specific problem reported by a Pop!_OS user on Reddit, offering potential solutions and a deeper understanding of how Chrome and Chromium handle configuration files on Linux-based systems.

The Problem: Ignored Configuration Files

A user on the r/pop_os subreddit described an issue where Chrome and Chromium were not recognizing the chrome-flags.conf or chromium-flags.conf files, despite them being correctly placed in the ~/.config/ directory. The user confirmed that the files were owned by the correct user and that there were no typos in the file names or paths.

The user was attempting to disable the Extensions Toolbar Menu using the --disable-features=ExtensionsToolbarMenu flag. They had previously used a workaround on Mint Linux by modifying the .desktop file, but wanted a more correct and reliable solution.

Understanding Chrome and Chromium Flags

Chrome and Chromium allow users to modify their behavior through command-line flags. These flags can be used to enable experimental features, disable certain functionalities, or tweak performance settings. The standard way to apply these flags on Linux is by creating a configuration file.

• Location: The configuration files should be placed in the ~/.config/ directory.
• File Names: Chrome uses chrome-flags.conf, while Chromium uses chromium-flags.conf.
• Content: Each line in the file should contain a single flag.

Potential Causes and Solutions

Here's a breakdown of potential causes and solutions for Chrome and Chromium ignoring configuration files:

1. Incorrect File Permissions:

   • Solution: Ensure the chrome-flags.conf and chromium-flags.conf files have the correct permissions. Use the following command:

     chmod 644 ~/.config/chrome-flags.conf
     chmod 644 ~/.config/chromium-flags.conf
     

   This sets the permissions to read/write for the owner and read-only for everyone else.

2. Incorrect File Ownership:

   • Solution: While the user in the Reddit post confirmed correct ownership, it's worth double-checking. Use the following command to ensure the files are owned by your user:

     chown $USER:$USER ~/.config/chrome-flags.conf
     chown $USER:$USER ~/.config/chromium-flags.conf
     

3. Syntax Errors in the Configuration File:

   • Solution: Carefully review the contents of your configuration files for any typos or incorrect syntax. Each flag should be on a separate line. For example:

     --disable-features=ExtensionsToolbarMenu
     --flag-switches-begin
     --enable-experimental-web-platform-features
     --flag-switches-end
     

     Pay close attention to include --flag-switches-begin and --flag-switches-end if you are using experimental features.

4. Chrome/Chromium Cache Issues:

   • Solution: Sometimes, cached data can interfere with Chrome or Chromium reading the configuration files. Try clearing the browser cache and restarting. Also, try the command killall chrome or killall chromium before restarting.

5. Conflicting Flags:

   • Solution: It's possible that another flag or extension is conflicting with the flag you're trying to set. Try disabling extensions one by one to see if that resolves the issue.

6. Pop!_OS Specific Issues:

   • Solution: While unlikely, there might be a Pop!_OS specific configuration that is preventing Chrome/Chromium from reading the files. Research Pop!_OS forums or documentation for any known issues.

7. Incorrect Executable Path:

   • Solution: The user in the Reddit post also tried modifying the .desktop file. Ensure that the Exec= line in the .desktop file points to the correct executable and includes the necessary flags.

8. Strace Output Analysis:

   • Solution: The user attempted to use strace to diagnose the issue, which is a good approach. If strace doesn't show Chrome/Chromium attempting to access the configuration file, it suggests a more fundamental problem. Double-check the environment variables and ensure nothing is preventing the browser from accessing the ~/.config/ directory.

Alternative Solutions

If the above solutions don't work, consider these alternative approaches:

1. Using the --user-data-dir flag: You can create a separate profile with the desired flags by using the --user-data-dir flag.

   google-chrome --user-data-dir="/path/to/new/profile" --disable-features=ExtensionsToolbarMenu
   

2. Chrome Policies: For more complex configurations, you can use Chrome policies. This involves creating a policy file and placing it in the appropriate directory. However, this is more advanced and might not be necessary for simple flag configurations.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Chrome and Chromium configuration issues on Pop!_OS requires a systematic approach. By checking file permissions, syntax, cache, and potential conflicts, you can usually identify the root cause of the problem. If all else fails, consider alternative solutions like using separate profiles or exploring Chrome policies. Remember to consult the official Chrome and Chromium documentation for more detailed information on command-line flags and configuration options.

External Resources:

• List of Chromium Command Line Switches

Internal Links:

• Optimizing Pop!_OS for Performance
• Troubleshooting Common Linux Issues