Sketchy programs, malicious extensions, and browser intruders can modify default settings in Google Chrome without your permission. So if you suddenly continue to see search results from Yahoo! Search (or something turned into Yahoo!’s search engine), that’s probably why.
Work your way through the list of fixes and suggestions below, and you should be good to go Yahoo! Search as the default search engine or homepage in Chrome.
The initial solutions will help you quickly revert changes to default search engine and startup page settings. If that fails, follow the next fixes that involve checking your PC or Mac for malware. Only reset or reinstall Chrome if none of them work.
Table of Contents
Change Default Search Engine
You can undo any unauthorized changes to Chrome’s default settings by manually selecting a different search engine.
1. Open Chrome browser (select the icon with three dots at the top right of the window) and select Setting.
2. Select Search Engines on the sidebar.
3. Open the side menu Search engine used in the address bar and choose your preferred search engine — for example: Google or Bing.
Load a new tab and try searching for something.
If you continue to receive results from Yahoo! Search while doing a search through Chrome’s address bar, then continue with the rest of the fixes.
Remove Search Engine
If the default search engine in Chrome reverts to Yahoo! Search, you should try deleting Yahoo! Search from your browser.
1. Open Chrome browser menu and select Setting.
2. Select Search Engines on the sidebar.
3. Select Manage search engines.
4. Select the three dots icon next to Yahoo!
5. Select Delete from list.
Delete Yahoo! Search word Start
If Yahoo! Searches (or some other sketchy-looking site) show up in Chrome on startup or when selecting Home Please check the relevant browser settings and make the changes as follows.
Chrome Startup Settings
1. Open Chrome browser menu and select Setting.
2. Select When starting on the sidebar.
3. Delete Yahoo! Search or any other unusual-looking entry from the list below Open a specific page or a set of pages. Or, choose Open a new page instead to make Chrome launch a new tab on startup.
Chrome Home Settings
1. Open Chrome browser menu and select Setting.
2. Select Appearance on the sidebar.
3. Delete your Yahoo! Search the relevant web address or select New Tab Page right to buy.
Turn off suspicious extensions
Let’s say Chrome keeps showing Yahoo! Search-generated results (or if search engines continue to appear as your startup or homepage). In that case, you must locate and delete any the extension looks suspicious or is side-loaded that you may have added recently.
1. Select Extensions at the top right of the Chrome window.
2. Select Manage extensions right to buy.
3. Review your library of extensions. If you detect any abnormality, disable the extension and use Eliminate to delete it.
Remove suspicious programs
Did you install a program on your PC or Mac recently? For example, if Yahoo! Search starts working as the default search engine right after that, consider removing it from your computer.
You should also take the time to review your list of programs and remove anything unusual. For example, you may have accidentally installed a browser hijacker that came with other software.
Remove programs on Windows
1. Open Begin menu and go to Setting > Application.
2. Scan through your list of programs for anything unusual.
3. Select an application and select Uninstall to remove it from your computer.
Remove Programs on Mac
1. Open seeker application.
2. Select Applications on the sidebar.
3. Drag and drop any suspicious programs in Garbage. Or, hold the control key while clicking and selecting Move to Trash.
Run the Built-in Cleanup Tool (PC Only)
If you continue to have problems changing or removing Yahoo! Searching (or an extension using the instructions above), you can use Chrome’s built-in malware detection to detect and remove any harmful software. Unfortunately, it’s only available on the Chrome for Windows version.
1. Open Chrome browser menu and select Setting.
2. Select Advanced > Reset and clean on the sidebar.
3. Select Clean up your computer.
4. Select Find.
5. Select Eliminate to remove any harmful software that the cleaning tool manages to find.
Scan your computer for malware
While running Chrome’s built-in malware scanner, it’s best to follow up by scanning OS-wide for malicious content with dedicated malware removal utility.
Malwarebytes is a great option, and the free version can help you detect and remove malware from your entire computer. It supports both Windows and macOS.
1. Settings Malwarebytes on your PC or Mac.
2. Launch Malwarebytes.
3. Select Scanner > To scan to perform a quick scan for malware. Or, choose Advanced Scanner > Configure scan to select and scan specific internal storage areas for malicious activity.
In Windows 10 you can also use built-in Windows security app to scan for malware. Just make sure to update it with the latest anti-malware definitions (go to Begin > Setting > Update & Security > Windows Update) before you do it.
Reset Chrome
Try resetting Chrome. That disables all extensions, reverts each browser setting to default, and helps solve serious problems caused by malware. You won’t lose any locally stored bookmarks or passwords during the reset.
1. Open Chrome browser menu and select Setting.
2. Select Advanced > Reset and clean on the sidebar.
3. Select Restore settings to factory defaults.
4. Select Reset settings confirm.
Reinstall Chrome
If you continue to have problems exiting Yahoo! Search, you have no choice but to reinstall Chrome. Do not worried. It won’t take long and you’ll be done in a few minutes.
However, unlike with a browser reset, you will lose all locally stored data during the reinstallation. So sync your bookmarks and passwords with your Google Account before taking the next steps.
Reinstall Chrome on Windows
1. Open Begin menu and go to Setting > Application > Apps and features.
2. Select Google Chrome and use Uninstall to remove it from your computer.
3. Open a Data management program window and copy and paste the two folder paths into the address bar. Then delete all the items below that folder.
- %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome
- C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome
4. Download Google Chrome Installer Diagram and reinstall Chrome.
If Yahoo! Search shows up as your default search engine again, remove Chrome with a dedicated program remover (such as Revo Uninstaller) and try again.
Reinstall Chrome on macOS
1. Open a seeker window and select Applications on the sidebar.
2. Control-click Google Chrome and choose Move to Garbage.
3. Select To go > Go to Folder on the menu bar. Then go to the following folders and move all the items inside into Garbage.
- ~ / Library / Application Support / Google / Chrome
- ~ / Library / Caches / Google / Chrome
4. Download Google Chrome installation package for Mac and use it to reinstall the browser.
Good Riddance!
You finally managed to get rid of Yahoo! Search in Chrome? So great! Limiting downloads of apps from reputable sources, opting not to use additional software while installing apps, and pausing side-loading utilities will reduce the chances of infecting your PC or Mac with a future browser intruders.
Optionally, keeping the malware scanner running in the background can protect your computer from further malicious threats. Learn about the best malware scanners for Windows and Mac.
