Chrome can start searching through Yahoo when a search setting, shortcut, extension, startup page, or unwanted app takes over. The fix is to change the search engine first, then remove anything that keeps switching it back. Start with the quick desktop setting, then move through the deeper fixes only if Yahoo returns.
Change the default search engine on desktop
Open Chrome and select More.
Select Settings.
Select Search engine.
Under Search engine, select Change.
Choose a search engine that is not Yahoo.
Tip: if Yahoo comes back, check extensions, startup pages, unwanted apps, and managed-profile controls next.
Remove a Yahoo site search shortcut
Chrome site search shortcuts are separate from the main default search engine, so Yahoo can still sit there even after you change your normal search provider.
Open More, then Settings, then Search engine, then Manage search engines and site search. Under Site search, find the Yahoo shortcut, select More, then choose Deactivate or Delete.
Some built-in or special entries cannot be deleted. To make a different custom shortcut the default, select More next to that shortcut and choose Make default.
Gemini cannot be edited, deleted, or set as the default.
Fix Yahoo Search on Android, iPhone, or iPad
Use this method when the Chrome app on your phone or tablet sends address bar searches to Yahoo. Chrome for Android supports Android 10 and up, and Chrome for iPhone and iPad supports iOS 17 and up.
On Android, open the Chrome app and tap More.
Tap Settings.
Under Basics, tap Search engine.
Select the search engine you want to use instead of Yahoo.
On iPhone or iPad, open the Chrome app and tap More.
Tap Settings.
Tap Search engine.
Select the search engine you want to use instead of Yahoo.
Remove extensions that force Yahoo
The most common cause of Yahoo returning after you change it is a search-changing extension.
Look to the right of the address bar for the extension icon.
Right-select the icon, then select Remove from Chrome.
If you do not see the icon, open More, select Extensions, then select Manage extensions.
Find the extension that may be changing search.
Use Turn on/off to disable it, or select Remove, then Remove again to uninstall it.
Stop Yahoo from opening at startup or Home
If Yahoo opens as a page instead of only handling searches, fix Chrome's startup and Home button settings.
- 1.Open More, then Settings, then On startup.
- 2.Choose Open the new tab page. Continue where you left off works too, but it re-opens whatever was on screen when you last quit Chrome, so close the Yahoo tab before you quit or it comes straight back.
- 3.If Open a specific page or set of pages is selected, use More next to the Yahoo page and choose Edit or Delete.
- 4.Go to Appearance and turn on Show Home button.
- 5.Under Show Home button, choose New tab page or enter a custom page that is not Yahoo.
Reset Chrome settings
This fixes Chrome settings that keep pushing search, startup, or extension behavior back to Yahoo.
Open More.
Select Settings.
Select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
Select Reset settings.
Your bookmarks and passwords are not deleted, but some settings are reset.
Turn extensions back on only when you trust them.
Remove unwanted apps from the computer
Use this when Yahoo keeps returning after you fix Chrome, or when search, homepage, or startup settings keep changing. An unwanted program on the computer can change Chrome again after you clean up the browser.
On Windows, open the Start menu, then Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps.
Select the unwanted app and choose Uninstall.
On a Mac, open Finder, then Applications.
Right-click unwanted or unrecognized programs and select Move to Trash.
Right-click Trash and select Empty Trash.
Check whether Chrome is managed
Work, school, parent-managed, and organization-managed devices can lock Chrome settings for you.
On desktop, open More and look at the bottom of the menu for Managed by your organisation. You can also enter chrome://management in the address bar.
On Android, enter chrome://policy in the address bar, tap the result, then select Go or Continue. On iPhone or iPad, open Chrome, select More, and look for Managed by your organisation at the bottom of the menu.
If Chrome is managed and policy points search or an extension to Yahoo, the administrator or parent who manages the device must change that policy.
Skip old Chrome Cleanup Tool advice
The most common outdated fix is the old Chrome Cleanup Tool path for Windows.
Older instructions often send you to Settings, then Reset and clean up, then Clean up computer, then Find.
Starting in Chrome 111, users can no longer request a Chrome Cleanup Tool scan through Safety Check or use the old cleanup option in chrome://settings on Windows.
Use Chrome's current Reset settings option, remove suspicious extensions, and uninstall unwanted apps instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome keep switching to Yahoo?
Chrome usually switches back to Yahoo because of a default search setting, a Yahoo site search shortcut, a search-changing extension, unwanted software, or a managed Chrome profile.
Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks and passwords?
No. Chrome reset does not delete bookmarks or passwords, but it resets some settings and may turn extensions off.
Can I remove Yahoo from Chrome on iPhone or iPad?
Yes. Open Chrome, go to More > Settings > Search engine, then choose a search engine other than Yahoo. Chrome for iPhone and iPad supports iOS 17 and up.
What if Yahoo opens only when I launch Chrome?
That is an On startup setting, not just a default search engine problem. Change Chrome's startup option or edit/delete the Yahoo startup page.
