Google Chrome has become the browser of choice for many users in the world. As a top-tier browser, it combines a minimal design with state-of-the-art technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier to use.
However, Chrome is not perfect, and just like any other browser, it can suffer from crashes, virus attacks, and many other errors. One particularly annoying issue is that the Chrome browser keeps opening new tabs. Furthermore, users reported similar problems. Here is our summary of the situations in which a browser opens new tabs:
- Google Chrome opens new tabs by itself without any action.
- Chrome keeps opening new tabs when clicking a link.
- Unwanted sites open automatically in Google Chrome.
- Google Chrome keeps opening new tabs when typing.
- New tabs keep opening in Chrome with ads.
Stop Chrome From Opening New Tabs Automatically
There are a variety of different reasons why this could happen. There may have been issues with Chrome not installing properly, or maybe you have some third-party apps that are causing Chrome to act erratically. You could have inadvertently downloaded something, and now there’s malware running behind the scenes somewhere that’s causing the issue. But don’t worry, there are several methods you can adopt:
- Reinstall Chrome
- Check to see if there are any unsafety apps/programs/extensions
- Install a different browser
- Revert to Chrome’s default settings
- Run antivirus software
- Adjust your Chrome settings
- Clear cookies and cache
Method 1: Reinstall Chrome
It’s possible that either Chrome has been corrupted or it was never installed properly. So, to resolve this issue completely, reinstall Chrome:
- Press Win + X and choose Apps and Features.
- Select Chrome on the list, and click Uninstall.
- Wait for the process to finish and then install Chrome again.
Method 2: Check Programs You Have Installed
Open Control Panel through the Search box and look at what programs you have. If you see anything that you didn’t install, it could possibly be malware that is causing the tabs to open. Delete the questionable ones that you don’t recognize.
Method 3: Use a Different Browser
There are plenty of reliable browsers other than Chrome. Try installing one and check to see if you have the same issues in the new browser. Although this doesn’t entirely solve the problem, this could be a quick and easy fix for unwanted tabs opening.
Method 4: Removing Unwanted Extensions
There might be certain extensions on your Chrome browser that might be problematic. In this step, we are going to be removing unwanted extensions.
- Open up your Chrome Browser and in the address bar type: chrome://extensions/”
- This will open up the extensions that have been applied to your chrome browser. If you find an extension that you did not add yourself, click on Remove.
- Also, make sure to remove any VPN or Proxy extensions as they are mostly the cause of the issue.
Method 5: Check for Malware
- Enter defender in the search box and select Windows Security.
- Go to Virus and threat protection, then select Scan options.
- Select the type of scan and click on Scan now.
We recommend you look into the best antivirus software options and pick one that fits your system resources and your budget. You can find plenty of budget-friendly or even free well-performing antivirus software.
Method 6: Disable Popups and Redirects
Some websites send traffic to a landing page or a promotional offer, while others could send you into a never-ending loop of unwanted pop-up windows. Follow the steps below to configure your Chrome browser to block this type of activity:
- Navigate to Chrome Settings, and click on Privacy and Security.
- Select Site Settings, then scroll down to Pop-ups and Redirects.
- Select Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects.
A simple change to your Chrome settings could be all you need to do to stop additional tabs from opening.
Method 7: Clear Cookies and Cache
- Open Google Chrome and click the More Menu icon.
- Choose More tools and Clear browsing data.
- Choose All time from the Time range drop-down window, then choose all the unwanted data and click Clear data.
Method 8: Reset Chrome to Default Settings
- Click the More options icon and click Settings to open the Chrome settings page.
- Then select the Advanced option on the left pane, and finally select the Reset and clean up option.
- Select the Restore settings to their original defaults option.
- When the Reset settings window pops up, select Reset settings to reset Chrome.
- If you do not want to share your current Chrome settings, you can uncheck the Help make Chrome better by reporting the current settings option.
Conclusion
Here are 8 methods to fix the issue that Chrome keeps opening new tabs.