If you’ve noticed that your default search engine in Google Chrome has unexpectedly switched to Yahoo, it’s likely due to a browser hijacker or a setting change caused by a third-party extension. While Yahoo is a legitimate search engine, this kind of unintentional change can be frustrating and is often a sign that unwanted software is tampering with your browser. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove Yahoo Search from Chrome and restore your preferred settings.
1. Change Your Default Search Engine in Chrome Settings
The first step in fixing this issue is to manually change your search engine back to the one you prefer, such as Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo.
Steps:
1. Open Chrome Settings: Click on the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of your Chrome browser and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Search Engine: In the left-hand menu, click on Search engine.
3. Change the Default Search Engine: Under the Search engine used in the address bar section, click the dropdown menu and select your preferred search engine (e.g., Google).
4. Remove Yahoo from the List: To make sure Yahoo doesn’t reappear, click on Manage search engines and site search, find Yahoo in the list, click the three dots next to it, and choose Remove from list.
This method restores your preferred search engine, but if Yahoo keeps reappearing, additional steps may be necessary.
2. Remove Suspicious or Unwanted Chrome Extensions
Browser hijackers often come bundled with browser extensions that have the ability to change your settings without permission. If changing the default search engine didn’t work, you’ll want to check for any suspicious extensions.
Steps:
1. Open the Extensions Menu: Click the three-dot menu in Chrome, go to More tools, and then click on Extensions.
2. Review Installed Extensions: Look through your installed extensions and disable or remove any that seem unfamiliar or suspicious, especially ones installed recently. Extensions that alter browser behavior often have vague or unusual names.
3. Remove Problematic Extensions: If you find an unwanted extension, click Remove next to it.
Disabling or removing these extensions will stop them from interfering with your browser settings.
3. Scan for Malware and Browser Hijackers
If Yahoo Search keeps reappearing even after adjusting your settings and removing extensions, there might be malware on your computer that is affecting Chrome. A thorough malware scan can help identify and remove these threats.
Steps:
1. Use Chrome’s Cleanup Tool: Chrome has a built-in cleanup tool that detects and removes harmful software.
– Go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer.
– Click Find to scan for harmful software and follow the instructions to remove it.
2. Run a Third-Party Malware Scanner: Consider using trusted anti-malware software like Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner to scan your system and remove any browser hijackers or unwanted programs.
After completing the malware scan, restart Chrome and check if the problem is resolved.
Removing Yahoo Search from your Chrome browser is straightforward once you follow these steps. First, change the default search engine in Chrome settings. Next, remove any suspicious extensions that might be causing the issue. Finally, scan your system for malware to ensure no browser hijackers are present. Following these methods will help restore your browsing experience and keep your Chrome browser free from unwanted changes in the future.