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Chrome does not have one switch that stops every unwanted tab. The correct fix depends on when the tabs appear: after a click, at startup, randomly during browsing, as notification-style alerts, or after an extension or app changes the browser. Work through the matching fixes below, starting with pop-up controls and site permissions before resetting Chrome or scanning the device.
Identify what is opening the tabs
| What you see | Likely cause | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| A tab opens after clicking a button, video, download or blank area | Site pop-up, redirect or advertising script | Block pop-ups and redirects; leave sites that repeatedly force redirects |
| Several tabs appear whenever Chrome starts | Startup pages, session restoration, extension or hijacker | Check startup settings and extensions |
| Tabs open while you are doing nothing | Malicious extension, unwanted app, notification abuse or malware | Disable extensions, remove suspicious apps and scan the device |
| Alerts appear in the lower-right corner | Website notifications, not necessarily tabs or malware | Revoke notification permission |
| Your homepage or search engine changes | Extension, browser hijacker or unwanted software | Remove the cause and reset Chrome if needed |
| The issue happens only in Incognito | An extension allowed in Incognito or the site itself | Review Incognito access and test another site |
| Only one website causes it | Site behavior or a site-specific permission | Remove that site’s permissions or stop using it |
Block pop-ups and redirects
On desktop Chrome, open More (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects, then choose the blocking option. You can open the page directly at chrome://settings/content/popups. Review the Allowed list and remove unfamiliar domains. Chrome blocks many unsolicited pop-ups by default, but a deliberate click, an allowed site, an extension, a notification permission, a restored session or another application can still launch a tab. Google’s official guidance is at Chrome pop-up and redirect controls.
For intrusive advertising controls, check Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Additional content settings → Intrusive ads. Blocking pop-ups will not remove a malicious extension or an unwanted program.
Remove suspicious website notifications
Notifications are different from browser tabs. A site can send them after you previously clicked Allow, and scammers often style them as “virus detected” or antivirus warnings.
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- Open Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Notifications, or go to
chrome://settings/content/notifications. - Under Allowed to send notifications, find unfamiliar domains.
- Open each site’s menu and choose Block or Remove.
- Optionally prevent sites from asking for notification permission again.
Do not call a number, install a “cleaner,” click “Scan now,” or grant remote access from a notification. See Google’s notification instructions.
Check startup pages and session restoration
If tabs appear immediately when Chrome opens, go to chrome://settings/onStartup (or Settings → On startup). Temporarily select Open the New Tab page. Under Open a specific page or set of pages, remove every unfamiliar URL, restart Chrome, and add back only trusted pages. The Continue where you left off option may simply be restoring tabs from your previous session, which can look like spontaneous opening. Google documents these options in its startup settings guide.
Test and remove extensions
Open chrome://extensions. Disable every extension, restart Chrome and test. If the tabs stop, re-enable extensions one at a time until the behavior returns, then remove the responsible one. Prioritize extensions installed shortly before the problem, with unfamiliar publishers, broad browsing access, or control over the new-tab page, homepage, search engine or proxy.
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Not every new-tab change is malware: productivity, shopping and tab-management extensions may intentionally make it. The issue is whether you expected and authorized the change. Reinstall only from the official Chrome Web Store or a verified developer site. Chrome’s extension policies explain sensitive settings overrides at Chrome Web Store policy guidance.
Uninstall suspicious applications
If the behavior returns after removing an extension, inspect the operating system. Google recommends checking for unwanted programs before resetting Chrome (Google troubleshooting guidance).
Windows
- Open Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Sort by installation date when possible.
- Uninstall unfamiliar programs added around the time the problem began, then restart.
macOS
Open Finder → Applications and move unwanted applications to the Trash. Also check login items and browser extensions if the issue continues. Do not delete system files merely because their names are unfamiliar; use the normal uninstall process and verify the publisher first.
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Chromebook and mobile
Remove recently installed or suspicious apps through the device’s normal app-management screen. A Chromebook’s browser controls differ from Windows and macOS, while an Android app may be launching Chrome from outside the browser.
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Reset Chrome only after investigating
A reset is less disruptive than reinstalling Chrome and can undo settings changed by unwanted software, but it does not remove an underlying operating-system infection, scheduled task or management policy. Open chrome://settings/reset, or choose More → Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their original defaults → Reset. Record important startup pages, search preferences, site permissions and extension settings first. Afterward, review extensions and turn on only those you trust; Google notes that some may need to be enabled again through More → Extensions → Manage extensions. See the official reset reference.
Scan for unwanted software
Run a reputable, up-to-date security scan when tabs return after removal, settings change back, redirects affect multiple browsers, Chrome relaunches after being closed, or you installed cracked software, fake updates or suspicious add-ons. Start with the operating system’s built-in security tools and obtain any second-opinion scanner from its official website—not from the pop-up. Resetting Chrome alone does not prove that malware is gone.
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Check whether Chrome is managed
On work, school or shared devices, administrator policies may control extensions, startup pages and search settings. Open chrome://management and chrome://policy. If Chrome says Managed by your organization, do not delete registry entries or policies blindly; contact the administrator. On a personally owned device, an unexpected management status is a reason to investigate installed software and security policies.
Android fixes
In Chrome for Android, open Settings → Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects and Site settings → Notifications. Labels vary by Android version, manufacturer and Chrome release, so use Settings search if necessary. Also check Android’s system notification controls, remove recently installed suspicious apps and determine whether the issue is a Chrome tab, a Chrome notification or another app launching Chrome.
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iPhone and iPad fixes
Chrome on iOS and iPadOS does not expose all desktop controls. Use Chrome’s pop-up control, clear affected website data and permissions, review Settings → Notifications, remove suspicious apps, and update both Chrome and iOS. Explain the sign-in and data consequences before clearing all browsing data. If Safari and other browsers show the same behavior, investigate the website, device profile or installed app rather than Chrome alone.
When to stop browser troubleshooting
Escalate to device-level help if multiple browsers are affected, security software detects a threat, tabs open outside Chrome, you entered passwords on a suspicious page, the device is managed by an employer or school, or the issue persists after removing permissions, extensions and apps. Change exposed passwords from a clean device and enable multifactor authentication when appropriate.
Quick Recap
Quick checklist
- Block pop-ups and redirects.
- Remove suspicious notification permissions.
- Disable all extensions, then identify the culprit one at a time.
- Check startup pages and session restoration.
- Uninstall unfamiliar applications.
- Scan the device using trusted security software.
- Reset Chrome settings.
- Check
chrome://managementandchrome://policyif settings keep returning.
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