Why Your Browser's Homepage Keeps Changing on Its Own

Does your computer's homepage keep changing on its own, back to a search page you don't recognize, no matter how many times you fix it? Maybe a new toolbar showed up at the top of your browser, or your searches are suddenly full of ads and strange results. If you didn't make that change yourself, you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. This is one of the most common signs of a browser hijacker, and it's fixable.

In this article, you'll learn what a browser hijacker is, how to tell if you have one, how it most likely got onto your computer, and the steps to remove it from Chrome, Edge, or Safari.

What a Browser Hijacker Is

A browser hijacker means a program that changes your web browser's settings without your permission. It might reset your homepage, switch your default search engine, add a toolbar you never asked for, or redirect your searches through pages full of ads. It isn't usually trying to steal your bank information. Its goal is almost always to make money by forcing your browser through extra ads and sponsored search results. That doesn't make it harmless — it can slow your computer down, make it harder to find what you're actually looking for, and open the door to more serious problems.

Signs Your Browser's Homepage Keeps Changing on Its Own

A browser hijacker usually leaves a few clear clues:

• Your homepage or default search engine changed on its own
• A new toolbar or search bar appeared that you didn't install
• Search results are full of ads, or they lead to unfamiliar websites
• Your browser is slower than usual, or pop-up ads show up more often
• When you try to change your homepage back, it switches back again on its own

If more than one of these sounds familiar, it's worth doing a check, even if your computer still seems to work fine otherwise.

How a Browser Hijacker Gets Onto Your Computer

Browser hijackers almost never arrive on their own. They usually ride along with something else you installed, such as a free program, a game, or a "cleanup" or "optimizer" tool downloaded from outside the Microsoft Store or Apple App Store. During installation, there's often a small, pre-checked box asking if you'd like to add a "recommended" search tool or set a new homepage. Clicking through an installer quickly, without reading each screen, is the most common way this happens. It can also come from clicking a tempting download link in a pop-up ad.

This is why the fix usually involves checking two places: your browser's extensions, and the list of programs installed on your computer.

How to Remove a Browser Hijacker

Work through these steps in order. You don't need to be an expert — just patient.

1. Check your browser's extensions.

• Chrome: Click the puzzle-piece icon near the address bar, or open the three-dot menu in the top right and choose Extensions, then Manage Extensions. Look through the list for anything you don't recognize or don't remember installing, and click Remove next to it.
• Edge: Right-click the extension's icon next to the address bar and choose Remove from Microsoft Edge. You can also open the three-dot menu, choose Extensions, and remove anything unfamiliar from there.
• Safari (Mac): Open the Safari menu at the top of the screen, choose Settings, then click the Extensions tab. Select anything you don't recognize and click Uninstall.

2. Reset your homepage and search engine.

In each browser's Settings, there's a section for your search engine and your homepage. Set the search engine back to the one you want (Google, Bing, or whichever you prefer), and type in the homepage address you want to open to. Some browsers also offer a "Reset settings to their original defaults" option, which is a safe way to undo changes you didn't make yourself.

3. Check your list of installed programs.

On a Windows PC, open Settings, then Apps, and look through the list for anything with an unfamiliar name, especially something installed around the time the trouble started. On a Mac, open your Applications folder the same way. If you don't recognize it and don't remember installing it, remove it.

4. Restart your computer, then check your browser again.

Restarting won't harm your computer. After it restarts, open your browser and confirm your homepage and search engine stayed the way you set them.

What to Do If You're Stuck

If the homepage keeps changing back no matter what you try, or you're not confident about which program to remove, stop and ask for help rather than guessing. Removing the wrong program can cause other problems, and a hijacker that resists these steps may be more stubborn than a typical one.

If you'd rather a person handle it, we can help in your home or remotely. Call (916) 521-0065.

A Quieter Way to Keep This From Happening Again

Because browser hijackers usually sneak in alongside something else you installed, the best long-term fix is having something watching in the background for that moment. PorchswingProtect is made for seniors, works on Windows and Mac, and warns you when an unwanted browser program tries to sneak onto your computer — before it changes anything. It's quiet and simple, backed by real US-based Porchswing people you can reach, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It pairs with the hack and scam cleanup service above; it doesn't replace it.

If you want quiet protection on your Windows or Mac computer — with a real Porchswing person to call — learn about PorchswingProtect. Or call us at (916) 521-0065 and we'll help you set it up.

Common Questions

Is a browser hijacker the same as a virus?

Not exactly. A browser hijacker changes your browser's settings, usually to show you more ads, while a virus is harmful software that can damage files or steal information. The two aren't the same thing, but a computer that picked up a hijacker through a careless download is also at higher risk of picking up worse software the same way.

Will removing a browser hijacker delete my bookmarks or saved passwords?

No. Removing an extension or an unfamiliar program doesn't touch your saved bookmarks or passwords. Those are stored separately from your browser's settings and extensions.

Can a browser hijacker get onto an iPhone or iPad the same way?

It's far less common, because Apple reviews apps before they reach the App Store. The steps in this article are for Windows and Mac computers.