Google Earth Failed to Fetch Startup Values: Fix It Now!

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Google Earth failed to fetch startup values

Getting the error Google Earth failed to fetch startup values can be frustrating, as it prevents you from using the app.

This error typically occurs due to:

  • Corrupted cache or settings files
  • Outdated software
  • Graphics acceleration settings

Don’t worry, though โ€“ Iโ€™m here to help you fix it.

Just follow these simple steps:

Enable Graphics Acceleration in Your Web Browser

Enabling graphics acceleration can improve the performance of Google Earth and prevent errors.

Google Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
    Google Chrome settings
  2. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Scroll down and click on the “System” tab to access hardware acceleration settings.
    System settings in Google Chrome
  4. Find “Use graphics acceleration when available.”
  5. Toggle the switch to turn it on.
  6. Restart Chrome so the changes take effect.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open Firefox and click on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
  2. Select “Setting” from the dropdown menu.
    Accessing settings in Mozilla Firefox
  3. From the General tab, scroll down to the “Performance” section.
    Performance settings in Mozilla Firefox
  4. Check the box next to “Use recommended performance settings” if it’s not already checked.
  5. Check the box next to “Use hardware acceleration when available.”
  6. Restart Firefox so the changes take effect.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Launch Microsoft Edge, click the three dots in the top-right part of the screen, and select โ€œSettings.โ€
    MS Edge settings
  2. Locate the “System and Performance” tab, and from here, toggle the option “Use Graphics acceleration when available.”
    Microsoft Edge performance settings
  3. Restart the browser so the changes take effect.

If enabling graphics acceleration in your browser doesnโ€™t resolve the issue, move on to the next fix.

Download and Install the Desktop Version of Google Earth

Using the desktop version of Google Earth usually offers a more stable experience.

So, if youโ€™re using the web version, try installing Google Earth Pro on your PC.

  1. Visit the Google Earth website.
  2. Click on “Google Earth Pro on desktop.”
    Google Earth homepage
  3. Download the installation file for your operating system.
  4. Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Google Earth Pro.

Launch Google Earth Pro after installation is complete to check if the problem is fixed.

Use OpenGL in Google Earth Pro

Switching to OpenGL can improve graphics performance and resolve rendering issues.

To enable OpenGL, follow these steps:

  1. Open Google Earth Pro.
  2. Click “Tools” in the top menu, and select “Options.”
    Google Earth Pro Options
  3. Go to the “3D View” tab, and in the “Graphics Mode” section, select “OpenGL.”
    Enabling OpenGL in Google Earth Pro
  4. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
  5. Restart Google Earth Pro for the changes to take effect.

Update Your Graphics Driver

Keeping your graphics driver up-to-date ensures compatibility and performance improvements.

Windows

  1. Type “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar and open the app.
  2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
    Updating graphics drivers from the Device Manager
  3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
  4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Mac

  1. Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
  2. Click on “Software Update.”
  3. Click “Update Now” to install the latest graphics driver if an update is available.

Clear Cache and Settings

Clearing the cache and settings can resolve any corrupted files that cause the error.

  1. Open Google Earth Pro, click “Tools” in the top menu, and select “Options.”
    Clearing disk and memory cache in Google Earth Pro
  2. Go to the “Cache” tab. Click “Clear disk cache.”
  3. Click “Clear memory cache.”
  4. Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
  5. Restart Google Earth Pro for the changes to take effect.

If you’re using the web version, here’s how you can clear the cache:

  1. Launch the web version of Google Earth.
  2. Select the “Tools” tab, then “Settings.”
    Accessing Settings in web version of Google Earth
  3. After that, locate the “General” section, and here, click “Clear Data Cache.”
    Clearing data cache in Google Earth

That’s it!


By following the steps above, you can resolve the Google Earth failed to fetch startup values error in no time!

Which method did the trick for you? Let me know in the comments!

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