How to turn off automatic redirects in Chrome
Chrome redirects happen when a website automatically sends you to a different URL without you clicking anything. This can be a legitimate feature — a company might redirect you from an old domain to a new one — but it can also be annoying or, rarely, a sign of malware. You can disable redirects entirely in Chrome's settings, or you can block them on a case-by-case basis using your browser's developer tools.
The most practical approach depends on what's redirecting you. If a specific website keeps sending you somewhere you don't want to go, blocking just that redirect takes 30 seconds. If you want to stop all redirects across Chrome, you'll need to adjust a setting that most people never touch.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome doesn't have a built-in on-off switch for all redirects, but you can block redirects from specific websites using developer tools.
- To block a redirect on one site, open Chrome's developer tools, go to the Network tab, reload the page, and look for the redirect request to cancel it.
- If a website keeps redirecting you, check whether it's a legitimate redirect (like an old domain pointing to a new one) or something you actually want to stop.
- Redirects that happen automatically without user action are different from redirects you trigger by clicking a link, and only the former can be blocked in Chrome's settings.
Block a redirect using Chrome's developer tools
This method works when a specific website is redirecting you somewhere you don't want to go. Open the website in Chrome, then press F12 (or Ctrl+Shift+I on Windows, Cmd+Option+I on Mac) to open developer tools. Click the Network tab at the top.
Now reload the page. You'll see a list of requests. Look for one labeled with a status code like 301 or 302 — these are redirect codes. Click on it to see where it's sending you. If you want to stop this redirect from happening, you can right-click the request and select Block request URL. The next time you visit that page, the redirect won't fire.
This approach blocks the redirect only for you, only in Chrome, and only on that specific device. It doesn't affect other people or other browsers. If you stop using that website or clear your Chrome data, the block may reset depending on your settings.
Understand what kind of redirect you're dealing with
Not all redirects are the same. A server-side redirect happens on the website's server before the page even loads in your browser — this is what you see when a company moves to a new domain and automatically sends old links to the new one. A client-side redirect happens in your browser after the page loads, usually triggered by JavaScript code on the page.
Chrome can block client-side redirects more easily than server-side ones, because client-side redirects are happening in your browser where you have more control. Server-side redirects are harder to stop because they happen before Chrome even knows what page you're trying to reach.
If you're being redirected to a website you don't recognize, or if the redirect happens repeatedly even after you've tried to block it, that's worth investigating. Check whether the original website is legitimate and whether the destination makes sense. Redirects to ad networks or suspicious sites can sometimes indicate malware, though this is rare in modern Chrome.
Check your Chrome extensions for unwanted redirects
A Chrome extension can cause redirects even if the website itself isn't doing it. If you've recently installed a new extension and started seeing redirects, that's often the culprit. Open Chrome's menu, go to More Tools, then Extensions. Look through the list for anything you don't recognize or anything you installed recently.
Try disabling extensions one at a time and visiting the website that's redirecting you. When the redirect stops, you've found the problem extension. You can then uninstall it or contact the extension's developer if you want to keep using it but need the redirect turned off.
Some extensions are designed to redirect you — ad blockers, VPN tools, and security extensions sometimes redirect traffic for legitimate reasons. If an extension you trust is causing redirects, check its settings to see whether there's an option to turn them off.
Disable JavaScript to stop client-side redirects temporarily
If you want to visit a website without triggering any JavaScript-based redirects, you can turn off JavaScript in Chrome. Press F12 to open developer tools, then press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to open the command palette. Type Disable JavaScript and press Enter.
This will turn off JavaScript for that tab only, which will stop client-side redirects from working. However, it will also break many websites — buttons won't work, forms won't submit, and pages may look broken. This is a temporary troubleshooting step, not something to leave on permanently.
Once you've disabled JavaScript and confirmed that the redirect was JavaScript-based, you can turn it back on by repeating the same steps and selecting Enable JavaScript instead. Then you can decide whether to block the redirect using the developer tools method described earlier, or uninstall the extension causing it.
Understand Chrome's redirect settings and limitations
Chrome doesn't have a master setting that turns off all redirects. This is intentional — many websites rely on redirects to work properly, and disabling them all would break the web for most people. Instead, Chrome lets you block redirects on a per-site basis using developer tools, or block them by extension if an add-on is causing them.
If you're looking for a way to block all redirects across all websites, you would need to use a different browser or a specialized extension designed for that purpose. However, be aware that blocking all redirects will break many websites, including legitimate ones that use redirects for security or to direct you to the right regional version of their site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block redirects on my entire computer, not just in Chrome?
No, browser-level redirect blocking only affects that browser. If you want to block redirects across all browsers and applications, you would need to configure your router or use network-level tools, which is complex and not recommended for most users. Blocking redirects at the network level can break many services.
What's the difference between a redirect and a pop-up?
A redirect automatically sends you to a different page on the same domain or a completely different website. A pop-up is a new window or tab that opens on top of the page you're viewing. Chrome has built-in pop-up blocking, but redirects are treated differently because many websites use them legitimately.
If I block a redirect, will it affect other websites?
No. When you block a redirect using developer tools, it only affects that specific URL on your device in Chrome. Other websites and other people are not affected. If you uninstall an extension that was causing redirects, that affects all websites that extension was redirecting.
Is a redirect always a security problem?
No. Most redirects are normal and legitimate — companies use them when they change domain names, when they want to send you to a regional version of their site, or when they're tracking clicks for analytics. A redirect becomes a problem only if it's sending you somewhere you don't want to go, or if it's happening repeatedly despite your attempts to stop it.
Why does Chrome keep redirecting me even after I blocked it?
The redirect might be happening at the server level rather than in your browser, which means blocking it in developer tools won't work. Or the website might be using a different redirect method each time you visit. If blocking doesn't work, try disabling the extension that might be causing it, or stop visiting that website if the redirect is unwanted.