To get rid of Yahoo in Google Chrome, open Chrome’s Settings > Search engine and set Search engine used in the address bar back to Google. Then check On startup and Appearance for Yahoo pages, and remove any extensions you don’t recognize. If Yahoo keeps coming back, a browser hijacker extension or unwanted program is usually responsible; removing it and resetting Chrome’s settings fixes the problem.
Below are the steps in order, from the quick settings change to fully cleaning up a hijacked browser.
Step 1: Change the default search engine
- Click the three-dot menu in Chrome and choose Settings.
- Click Search engine in the left menu.
- Next to Search engine used in the address bar, choose Google (or another engine you prefer).
Step 2: Remove Yahoo from the search engine list
- On the same page, click Manage search engines and site search.
- Find Yahoo (or an unfamiliar engine) in the list.
- Click the three-dot menu next to it and choose Delete.
If you can’t delete it because it’s the default, make Google the default first. If the entry shows a message that it’s controlled by an extension or your organization, see Step 5.
Step 3: Fix your startup pages and home page
- In Settings, click On startup.
- Choose Open the New Tab page, or under Open a specific page or set of pages, remove any Yahoo address.
- Click Appearance. If Show home button is on, make sure it points to the New Tab page or a site you choose, not Yahoo.
Step 4: Remove suspicious extensions
- Type
chrome://extensionsin the address bar and press Enter. - Look for extensions you didn’t install, especially ones with names related to search, maps, PDF converters, weather, or “safe browsing.”
- Click Remove on anything suspicious.
Hijacker extensions often change your search engine to Yahoo or a lookalike that sends results through Yahoo, earning money from your searches.
Step 5: Check for policies and unwanted programs
- Type
chrome://policyto see if any policies are forcing a search engine. On a personal computer, these usually come from unwanted software. - On Windows, open Settings > Apps and uninstall programs you don’t recognize or that were installed around the time Yahoo appeared.
- On a Mac, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Profiles (if present) for configuration profiles you didn’t add, and remove them.
- Run a full scan with Windows Security or another trusted security tool.
Step 6: Reset Chrome settings
- Go to Settings > Reset settings.
- Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.
This resets your search engine, startup pages, and new tab page, and turns off extensions. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords aren’t deleted.
Remove Yahoo in Chrome on Android or iPhone
- Open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu (Android) or the three-dot button (iPhone).
- Tap Settings > Search engine.
- Select Google.
Prevent Yahoo from taking over again
- Choose Custom install. Free programs often bundle search changes in their installers. Pick Custom or Advanced setup and uncheck offers to change your search engine or home page.
- Download software from official sites. Third-party download portals are a common source of bundled extras.
- Install extensions only from the Chrome Web Store, and check reviews and the number of users first.
- Keep Chrome updated. Updates include protections against settings changes by unwanted software.
- Turn on Enhanced protection under Settings > Privacy and security > Security for stronger warnings about dangerous downloads and extensions.
Remove Yahoo shortcuts and bookmarks
Hijackers sometimes leave behind shortcuts on the New Tab page or bookmarks that point to a Yahoo search page. Hover over a New Tab shortcut and click its three-dot menu to remove it. Open Bookmarks > Bookmark manager and delete any unexpected entries. Also check the shortcut you use to open Chrome: right-click it, choose Properties, and make sure the Target field ends in chrome.exe" with no web address after it.
Why does Yahoo keep showing up?
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| You or an installer changed the default | Change it back in Search engine settings |
| Browser hijacker extension | Remove the extension |
| Unwanted program on your PC | Uninstall it and run a security scan |
| Chrome sync restoring settings | Fix settings on every synced device, or reset sync |
| Policy set by software | Remove the software; check chrome://policy |
Related: How to stop using Yahoo searches by default on iPhone.
Related: How to make Yahoo your homepage on Windows 10.
Related: Make Google your homepage on Windows 10.
The same fix works in Edge and Firefox, and switching every Windows 11 browser to Google shows each settings path.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yahoo search a virus?
No. Yahoo is a legitimate search engine. The problem is software that changes your settings without asking.
Why does my search start with Yahoo and then switch to Google?
That redirect pattern often means a hijacker is tracking your searches. Remove suspicious extensions and reset Chrome.
Will resetting Chrome delete my passwords?
No. Resetting changes settings and disables extensions but keeps bookmarks, history, and saved passwords.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.