How to Disable Extensions and Plug-Ins in Google Chrome

Is an extension giving you trouble? Get rid of it!

What to Know

  • To delete or disable, go to menu (3 vertical dots) > More tools > Extensions > slide toggle next to extension or select Remove.
  • To disable, go to the Chrome menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > select toggle next to plug-in.
  • A quick way to get to Chrome settings is to enter the following in the address bar: chrome://settings.

This article explains how to disable or delete Chrome plug-ins and extensions. Instructions apply to all versions of Chrome browser.

Person disabling Chrome plug-ins and extensions
Lifewire / Miguel Co

How to Delete or Disable Chrome Extensions

There are two ways to remove or disable Chrome extensions. One is through the Chrome menu, and the other is by entering a specific URL in the Chrome navigation bar.

  1. Enter chrome://extensions in the navigation bar in Chrome or use the menu button (the three vertical dots) in the upper-right corner of Chrome to access the More tools > Extensions option.

    Chrome://extensions URL in Chrome browser's URL bar
  2. Next to the extension you want to manage, slide the toggle to the left to disable it or click Remove to delete it and click again to confirm. To re-enable an extension, slide the toggle to the right.

    Toggles for Application Launcher and Google Docs Offline in Extensions page via Google Chrome

If you delete a Chrome extension that you didn't install and suspect it was installed by a malicious program, select the Report abuse check box before confirming the deletion to tell Chrome that the extension might not be trustworthy.

Re-enabling extensions in Chrome is as easy as going back to the Extensions screen and checking the box next to Enable.

How to Disable a Chrome Plug-In

Chrome plug-ins are managed through the Chrome Content Settings window.

  1. Go to chrome://settings/content or open the Chrome menu and select Settings.

    Settings in Chrome menu
  2. Click Privacy and security > Site Settings.

    Chrome privacy and security settings
  3. Scroll to the plug-in you want to control and click it.

    Chrome browser site settings.
  4. Click the toggle switch to turn on or turn off the plug-in. You may also see Block and Allow sections where you can input specific websites on which to disable (or enable) the plug-in.

    Blocking Java in Chrome

    You can also get alerts when a site wants to use a plug-in. On the Site Settings screen, click Unsandboxed plug-in access, and toggle on Ask when a site wants to use a plug-in to access your computer.

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