SOLVED: Google Earth Stuck on Initializing Screen

After playing with this bizarre Google Earth (GE) problem for some time and reading dozens of very frustrated blogers end their threads with “… and the only way I could get it to work was to wipe my PC and perform a fresh Windows install”, I got creative. Being unable to launch Google Earth past the splash screen is quite annoying.

The solution appears to be linked with the first time initialization getting stuck. Sooo, this is what I did to solve it:

Reboot, Press F8 on Windows startup and select LOW RESOLUTION 640 x 480 MODE.
Start Google Earth First in DIRECT X MODE then in OPEN GL MODE
1. Direct X will likely lock or error out and that is fine; just END TASK on it and move to OPEN GL
Reboot your windows into normal mode and start Google Earth
OPTIONAL (FOR CORPORATE PCs ONLY) Go to C:\PROGRAM DATA\GOOGLE and on the SECURITY TAB, set AUTHENTICATED USERS to have FULL CONTROL

I have seen this twice now and both times the GE issue was resolved using the Boot the LOW RES 640×480 MODE process above. In my case this was on Windows 7 64Bit Enterprise but I seen many references to Win XP, Windows Vista and 32 bit operating systems.

Home
How To’s
- Windows 11 & Windows 10Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 and more How Tos
- Windows Serverwindows 2003, 2008, R2 how tos
- Microsoft 365, Azure & HostingHelp with Office 365 Issues
- Office: Word, Excel, Outlook…Office Apps like Word, Excel, Visio, Outlook, Project, Powerpoint, 2003, 2007 and 2010
- Mobile: Android, Samsung, LGBlackberry, BES, and BIS news and how tos
- Microsoft Exchange ServerExchange 2003, 2007, 2010 how to and demos
- System CenterEndpoint Protection
- JokesThis category is for I.T. relates gags and practical jokes
- Product Reviews & Other TechnologiesOther Technologies like firewalls, VoIP, Skype, Hardware Comparisons and other how tos
Windows 10, 11 & Server
- Windows 11 & Windows 10Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, Windows 8 and more How Tos
- Windows Serverwindows 2003, 2008, R2 how tos
Office 365 & Azure
- 25 User FREE Office 365 Trial
- Office365 & Azure HelpHelp with Office 365 Issues
IT Business News
YouTube Channel
Contact
- Discount Hosting
- On Site SupportHARDWARE & SOFTWARE We have found that most customers are tired of the excuses from ICT vendors… “… it’s the softwares fault” “…it’s Dell’s fault”. Fault is not important when you are having problems… getting it fixed is. We typically take end to end responsibily for anything that plugs into the wall, from desktops and laptops, to photocopiers and phone systems… it’s all our problem. Server hardware Server Software (like Exchange, Server 2008, Print Sharing, Sharepoint, Dynamics…) Desktops (from any vendor, IBM/Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba, White box…) Laptops Switches and Firewalls (from any vendor, like Dlink, Cisco, Linksys, FortiNet, Netgear…) Uninteruptable Power Supplies (UPS) network, phone and electrical cabling land line systems (like Nortel, Avaya and Toshiba) photocopiers (like Xerox, Kyocera, Mita, Canon, Toshiba…) cell phones Blackberry’s Blackberry Enterprise Server and even the Apple Mac’s… we handle it all CONTRACT MANAGEMENT & NEGOTIATIONS Many companies simply take the “rack rate” on their purchases and leases. We are skilled and experienced at managing and renegotiating all sorts of contracts. Cell contracts will Telus, Bell, Rogers… are often Service contracts with photocopy companies Land Line contracts with Bell, Telus, Rogers, All-stream Evergreen renewals and sooo much more We can reduce your costs and increase…
- Computer Recycling
- Hardware & SoftwareNEW HARDWARE & SOFTWARE We sell and support all of the ‘Tier 1′ and ‘Tier 2′ brands. Toshiba, HP, Dell, Samsung, Logitech, Lenovo, Intel, AMD, Colubris, AOC, Kingston, Microsoft, Symantec, Kaspersky, McAfee and on and on… HARDWARE REPAIR AND UPGRADE We will support, repair, and upgrade hardware from any brand or manufacturer. From Dell to Toshiba, to Lenovo/IBM we service it all. Up & Running will also perform a security wipe and dispose of your old hardware, networking equipment and software to all firms in the Calgary Region. DATA RECOVERY Our qualified technicians provide full data recovery from failed or deleted hard drives and memory sticks for anyone in Southern Alberta.
- Privacy Policy
Search for:

Categories: Product Reviews & Other TechnologiesWindows 11 & Windows 10

Tags: freezinggoolge earthlow resolutionsplash screenstuck on initializing screenwindows 7

7 Comments

frits · July 10, 2019 at 1:43 pm

Same: Google earth hangs in splash screen in Linux Mint 19 (64bit) the splash stays on top.

Ian Matthews · July 12, 2019 at 3:53 pm

Hi Frtis, we don’t have much information on Linux. Sorry.

Nawaz · October 2, 2018 at 1:18 pm

My one Isn’t loading in Google Earth Because its stuck at Loading 0

Ian Matthews · December 11, 2018 at 7:05 pm

Have you tried changing MODES?

Paul Stejskal · February 27, 2018 at 7:46 am

Google Earth Pro still gets stuck at initialisation – everything tried, updated drivers, repair tool, re-installations and low resolution mode. What IS IT with GE!!???
27 Feb 2018

Ian Matthews · March 15, 2018 at 5:27 pm

Hi Paul;

That is odd. I have used this technique several times in the past to resolve the GEarth is Stuck problem. If you cannot get past it, I suggest you try three things:
1: Update your video card drivers
2: Uninstall GEarth, reboot, then delete the Google folders in C:\PROGRAM FILES C:\PROGRAM DATA C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES, then use use the free CCleaner (https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download) to remove any orphaned registry entry
3: Try an older version of Google Earth http://www.oldversion.com/windows/google-earth/

I hope this helps

LadyInMaine · April 14, 2013 at 12:54 pm

You’re fortunate that it fixed your problem, as it did nothing for mine. Google Earth is still getting hung up.

Published by Ian Matthews on September 6, 2012September 6, 2012