How to Fix Search Engine Keeps Changing to Yahoo in Chrome?

For most people, Google Chrome is the default option when it comes to choosing a browser for their phone as well as PC. Chrome uses Google as the default search engine, but it allows users to switch to the default search engine. 

Users have complained about the search engine on their Chrome browser changing to Yahoo automatically without their consent. Users find it frustrating to have their search engine changed to Yahoo. But what causes this issue?

One common cause is the hijackers. When you visit some unsecured websites and install some software, hijackers may get into your computer and switch your search engine. This is done to direct users to websites with ads and trackers so that the hijackers can earn revenue. Let’s go through all the troubleshooting steps to fix this issue. 

Fix Search Engine Keeps Changing to Yahoo in Chrome

If you notice unusual behavior of the Chrome browser, like constant switching of the default search engine then probably it’s due to hijackers. Given below are the troubleshooting steps to fix this issue with Chrome browser-

1. Change the Search Engine Again

Try changing the default search engine from Yahoo to Google or some other and see if that fixes the issue. 

1. Click on the three dots at the top right corner of the Chrome browser, and click on Settings. 
2. On the left pane, click Search Engine. 
3. Click on the drop-down menu and then select Google or any other search engine apart from Yahoo.

2. Delete Yahoo From Chrome

If Chrome keeps on switching the default search engine to Yahoo then it’s best to delete Yahoo from the browser. The steps given below will guide you through it-

1. Open Chrome’s menu, and click on the Settings option. 
2. Now, click on Search Engine on the left pane. 
3. After this, click on Manage Search Engines and Site Search. 
4. From the list of search engines, click on the three dots next to Yahoo and click Delete.
5. Confirm deleting the search engine by clicking on Delete. 

3. Reset Chrome Settings

If the issue persists, you can reset the settings. This will delete all the changes you have made and restore them to the default version. 

1. Open Chrome browser and click on the menu icon at the top right corner. 
2. Click on the Reset and Clean Up option on the left pane, and then select Restore Settings to Their Original Defaults.

4. Disable Chrome Extensions

With extensions, you can add extra features to your browser. However, not all extensions are the same, and some may have compatibility issues while some may be maliciously infected and cause such issues with Chrome. Disabling the Chrome’s extensions should most probably fix this issue-

1. Open Chrome’s menu, hover over More Tools and click on Extensions.
2. Turn off the toggle next to the extension to disable it.

Start by disabling the extensions one by one to know which is the real culprit behind the issue. Once you find the faulty extensions, you can delete them by clicking on the Remove button.

5. Remove Harmful Software from PC

Hijackers often install harmful programs on your system that can cause Chrome to automatically switch search engines to Yahoo. To fix it, look for suspicious programs on your system and uninstall them. 

1. Open Settings using the Windows + I key combo. 
2. Head to App on the left pane and select Install Apps. 
3. Look for the suspicious app, click the three dots next to it, and then on Uninstall. 
4. Click on Uninstall to confirm uninstalling the program.

Note- Similarly, uninstall all the Yahoo-related programs installed on your PC. 

6. Run Antivirus Scan

Running the antivirus scan is another option for you to fix this issue. If the issue is being caused by the virus infection, then an antivirus scan can revert the damage caused. You can go ahead with Windows Security if you don’t have any third-party one. Here’s how-

1. From the Start Menu, launch Windows Security. 
2. Click Virus & Threat Protection and then on Scan Options.
3. Select Full Scan from the given options and click Scan Now. 7. Reinstall Chrome

The issue can occur if the Chrome browser’s core files are corrupted. To resolve it, you can reinstall the Chrome browser. 

1. Launch the Settings app. 
2. Click on Apps > Installed Apps. 
3. Click three dots next to Chrome and select Uninstall. Click on Uninstall again. 
4. Head to Chrome’s website on some other browser on your PC. 
5. Click on Download Chrome to download the setup file and install the browser on your PC. 

8. Use Some Other Browser

If you are done with all the other steps mentioned in this guide, then it’s probably time to bid farewell to Chrome and switch to some other browser. There are many good options available in the market. If you are looking for a Chromium-based browser providing the same features as Chrome, then you can go for Microsoft Edge or Brave.