Browser Keeps Redirecting or Your Homepage Was Hijacked (Chrome Fix)

Published ✓ Verified ⏱️ 2 min read June 16, 2025 · by Ryan Bennett

Chrome keeps redirecting you to unfamiliar pages, your homepage or search engine changed without your permission, or extensions and toolbars you didn’t install keep reappearing.

Why: This is almost always a browser hijacker — an unwanted extension or program that changed your settings. Remove the extension behind it first, then reset Chrome’s settings back to safe defaults.

Fix 1: Remove the unwanted extension

In Chrome, select More (the three dots, top right) > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Look for anything you don’t recognize or didn’t intend to install.
Select Remove on each suspicious extension, then confirm.
Restart Chrome and check whether the redirects stop.

If an extension won’t let you remove it or keeps coming back, move on to Fix 2 and Fix 3 — there’s likely an unwanted program reinstalling it.

Fix 2: Reset Chrome settings to default

This restores your homepage, search engine, new-tab page, and startup pages to safe defaults and turns off your extensions. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords are kept.

Select More > Settings.
Select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their original defaults, then Reset settings.
Restart Chrome.

After resetting, turn extensions back on one at a time under More > Extensions > Manage extensions — and only turn on the ones you trust and recognize.

Fix 3: Remove the unwanted program from your PC

If the hijack returns, an unwanted program on your computer is the cause.

Windows: Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find anything you don’t recognize, and select More (…) > Uninstall.
Run a malware scan to be sure. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan.
Restart Chrome and confirm the redirects are gone.

Be careful what you uninstall — remove only programs you’re confident are unwanted, and search the exact name first if you’re unsure.

FAQ

Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks or passwords? No. Resetting settings keeps your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords; it resets your homepage, search engine, new-tab page, startup pages, and turns off extensions.

The redirect comes back every time I reopen Chrome — why? A leftover unwanted program is re-applying the hijack. Work through Fix 3 to uninstall it and run a full scan.

Is a hijacker dangerous? It’s a sign your system let in unwanted software. Clean it up promptly and avoid installing “free” downloads from sites you don’t trust.

Sources: Google Chrome Help — Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware, Microsoft Support — Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows