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Edge, Chrome, or browser pop-ups taking over
Windows ProblemsEasy15-30 minutes

Edge, Chrome, or browser pop-ups taking over

Difficulty
Easy
Time
15-30 minutes
Category
Windows Problems

Browser bombarding you with pop-ups, notifications, and unwanted tabs? Here's how to stop browser hijackers and clean up your browsing.

đź’ˇWhat's Happening

Your browser is acting like it has a mind of its own: new tabs opening randomly, pop-up ads everywhere, your homepage changed to something you didn't set, search results redirected to weird sites, or constant notifications asking for permissions. You might also see toolbars you didn't install or new extensions appearing on their own.

This is usually caused by browser hijackers or adware—unwanted software that sneaks onto your computer when you install free programs or click misleading download buttons. It's not always a virus, but it's definitely annoying and can compromise your privacy.

âś“Quick Checks

Before starting fixes, quickly assess the situation:

  • Does this happen in all browsers, or just one? (Try opening a different browser to check)
  • Did this start right after installing a specific program? (That program likely included the adware)
  • Check your browser's homepage and search engine settings—if they changed without your input, you have a hijacker
  • Look for unfamiliar browser extensions or toolbars

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Remove Suspicious Browser Extensions

Start by cleaning out unwanted extensions, which are the most common source of pop-ups.

For Chrome:

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner
  2. Go to Extensions → Manage Extensions
  3. Look for extensions you don't recognize or didn't install
  4. Click Remove for any suspicious extensions
  5. Restart Chrome

For Edge:

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right
  2. Go to Extensions
  3. Click Manage extensions
  4. Remove anything you didn't install yourself
  5. Restart Edge

For Firefox:

  1. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines)
  2. Select Add-ons and themes
  3. Click Extensions in the left sidebar
  4. Remove suspicious extensions
  5. Restart Firefox

Fix 2: Reset Browser Settings to Default

Hijackers often change your homepage, search engine, and new tab page. Resetting fixes this.

For Chrome:

  1. Go to Settings (three dots → Settings)
  2. Click Reset settings in the left sidebar
  3. Click Restore settings to their original defaults
  4. Click Reset settings

For Edge:

  1. Go to Settings (three dots → Settings)
  2. Click Reset settings in the left sidebar
  3. Click Restore settings to their default values
  4. Click Reset

For Firefox:

  1. Click the menu button → Help → More troubleshooting information
  2. Click Refresh Firefox
  3. Click Refresh Firefox again to confirm

Note: This will remove extensions and reset settings but keep your bookmarks and passwords.

Fix 3: Run Malwarebytes to Remove Adware

Browser hijackers often come with companion programs that reinstall themselves. Malwarebytes catches these.

  1. Download Malwarebytes from malwarebytes.com (use the free version)
  2. Install and open it
  3. Click Scan and wait for it to complete (10-20 minutes)
  4. When it finds threats, click Quarantine
  5. Restart your computer when prompted
  6. Open your browser and check if pop-ups are gone

Fix 4: Uninstall Suspicious Programs

Browser hijackers often install companion programs on your computer.

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings
  2. Go to Apps → Installed apps
  3. Look for programs you don't recognize, especially ones installed around the time pop-ups started
  4. Common hijacker names include anything with "PC Optimizer", "Driver Updater", "Search Manager", or random combinations of letters
  5. Click the three dots next to suspicious programs and select Uninstall
  6. Restart your computer

Also check your browser's startup behavior:

  1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
  2. Go to the Startup apps tab
  3. Disable any suspicious browsers or programs set to start automatically

⚠️If Nothing Worked

If pop-ups persist after trying these fixes:

  • Check notification permissions: In Chrome/Edge, go to Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Notifications. Remove any suspicious sites from the "Allowed to send notifications" list.
  • Clear browsing data completely: In browser settings, clear all browsing data including cookies, cache, and site data. This will log you out of sites but might remove persistent hijackers.
  • Check your hosts file: Advanced hijackers modify the Windows hosts file. Press Windows Key + R, type notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts, and press Enter. If you see many website names listed, a hijacker modified it. Delete any lines below the "# localhost" section.
  • Create a new browser profile: In Chrome/Edge settings, add a new profile. If pop-ups don't appear in the new profile, your old profile is corrupted—migrate your bookmarks and use the new one.

đź“žWhen to Call a Pro

If pop-ups continue after cleaning extensions, resetting the browser, running Malwarebytes, and uninstalling suspicious programs, you likely have a more serious malware infection—possibly rootkit-level malware that's harder to remove. If your browser opens tabs to gambling sites, adult content, or fake virus warnings, or if you see ransomware threats, stop troubleshooting and call a professional immediately.

Also, if you notice unusual charges on your credit card, or if your accounts have been accessed without your permission, the hijacker might have stolen credentials—you need professional malware removal and security consultation.

Need Professional Help?

If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.

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Related Topics

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