Search Engine And Homepage Keep Changing? Here’s What You Need

If your default search engine and homepage keep changing unexpectedly, it could be due to several reasons, including malware, browser settings, or managed browser environments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you regain control over your browser settings.

Identifying the Cause

Before making any changes, it's crucial to identify why your search engine and homepage are changing. Here are a few common causes:

• Malware: Malicious software can alter your browser settings without your consent. If you suspect malware, you should run a virus scan and consider resetting your browser settings.
• Managed Browser Environment: If you are using a managed Chrome browser at work or school, your network administrator may have set specific default search engines or homepages.
• Browser Settings: Sometimes, settings can be accidentally changed or overridden by extensions or other software.

Changing the Default Search Engine in Chrome

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome: Start by opening the Google Chrome browser.
2. Access Settings: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser window and select Settings.
3. Navigate to Search Engine Settings: On the left-hand side of the settings page, click Search engine.
4. Select a New Search Engine: Next to "Search engine used in the address bar," click the down arrow and select your preferred search engine from the list.

Managing Search Engines

If you want to add, edit, or remove search engines from the list, follow these steps:

1. Access Manage Search Engines: Under the "Search engine used in the address bar" section, click Manage search engines and site search.
2. Add a New Search Engine: To add a new search engine, scroll down to the list of search engines and click the three-dot icon next to the search engine you want to add. You can then fill in the necessary fields, such as the search engine name, shortcut, and URL.
3. Edit or Delete a Search Engine: Use the three-dot icon to edit or delete existing search engines. You can also use the pencil icon to edit the current inputs.

Changing the Homepage

To change your homepage in Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome: Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Access Settings: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Navigate to Appearance Settings: On the left-hand side, click Appearance.
4. Set a New Homepage: Under the "Home page" section, enter the URL of the page you want to set as your homepage or select the option to use the New Tab page.

Removing Malware

If you suspect that malware is causing the changes to your browser settings, here’s what you can do:

1. Run a Virus Scan: Use an antivirus program to scan your computer for malware.
2. Reset Browser Settings: If the issue persists, you may need to reset your Chrome settings. To do this, go to Settings, scroll down to the bottom, and click Advanced. Then, click Reset and clean up Google Chrome and follow the prompts.

Checking for Managed Browser Environments

If you are using a managed Chrome browser, your network administrator may have set specific settings that you cannot change. Here’s how to check:

1. Open Chrome: Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Access Settings: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Check for Managed Settings: Look for a message at the top of the settings page indicating that your browser is managed by your organization. If this is the case, you will need to contact your network administrator to make changes.

By following these steps, you should be able to regain control over your browser settings and ensure that your default search engine and homepage remain as you prefer.