Jan 12, 2022

I can't delete any default search engines and it keeps changing to yahoo

My search engine keeps changing to yahoo. I've tried to remove the search engines on setting in chrome, but it doesn't work since there is no delete button under the 3 dots. How can I fix this issue? I have also reseted settings and cleared my computer to try to find any malware.

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Setting Up and Using Chrome,Windows,Stable (Default)

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Last edited Jan 12, 2022

Recommended Answer

Justin Donnelly 2028

Jan 14, 2022

Hi, I'm the person that removed the Delete option. I didn't realize that people were using deletion as a workaround as described here. I apologize for the trouble folks are having as a result.

We're looking into whether there's something we can do to address the root issue of people's default search engine being changed when they don't want that. But in the meantime, I'll restore the Delete option in the UI. It should return in either Chrome 98 or 99 (releasing in early Feb and early Mar, respectively).

> it looks like it's deliberate as it was believed that too many people were accidentally deleting their search engines

We don't actually have any reports of this being a common problem. The motivation was simply that if someone deleted a search engine accidentally, there's no way to get it back so it's a potentially very disruptive mistake. I wanted to protect against that even if very few people are affected by it.

Diamond Product Expert Brandon Hatfield recommended this

Helpful?

All Replies (262)

Brandon Hatfield

Diamond Product Expert

I'm just a user like you who helps out where he can.

Jan 12, 2022

Judging by your screenshot, I'd say McAfee is your problem. Try removing it, if you have problems, you should reach out to McAfee support. They should be able to help you remove their Malware from your computer.

User 10282572057571621623

Mar 29, 2022

Please Give me the control to make the changes I want Google as my search enging defalt not yahoo.

User 1014633136793261452

Apr 1, 2022

Are there any updates on this function?!? I cannot remove ecosia as my default search engine, nor am I able to reinstate Goggle Chrome as my default - this is a ridiculous error!

caver_tim

Diamond Product Expert

Apr 1, 2022

User 1014633136793261452

Chrome 99 restored the ability in Chrome to delete default search engines

If you're having problems then you may have malware

what version of chrome do you have?

what happens if you right click Google in the list of search engines ?

P.Jenkins

Apr 1, 2022

When it did the update right after my original post it fixed it. I was able to go in and delete the search engines. Now its searching in yahoo again, but yahoo isn't listed as a search engine. I will scan my pc for viruses (the last 5 scans showed nothing, no malware, no spyware, no viruses and so on) yet again, but my Windows updated again the other night and that's when this started again, so its something connected to Windows and Chrome.

User 15993582779968089931

Apr 1, 2022

Thank you for this, yes we found that function restored.

In general when Tech. facilities upgrade there is a baffling loss of function. It is amazing to see this helpful reversal. Thank you very much.

Graham

User 10282572057571621623

Apr 2, 2022

My version is up to date Version 100.0.4896.60 (Official Build) (64-bit)

I am now able to have control and have changed the default browser back to Chrome. My understanding is that this was a recent change by Google Development after many complaints...

ODD!!!

Thank you for your engagement!

ApacheStar

Apr 2, 2022

All good now, thanks!

User 9572251300236385599

Apr 11, 2022

I was able to delete it, but suddenly it has popped back up, but it's not even listed in my search engines! So I have Yahoo on my computer, but can't find it's source to delete it. Also, I don't have McAfee either.

User 4156774061866283766

Apr 11, 2022

Same problem. It keeps changing to bing instead

caver_tim

Diamond Product Expert

Apr 11, 2022

at the risk of sounding like a broken record;

If something keeps changing your default search engine then it's probably

+ your work / school applying a policy

+ some software on your system (possibly McAfee) changing your default search engine

+ malware changing your default search engine

Barbara Godwin

Apr 11, 2022

As soon as the remove/delete button was reinstated under settings and managing browsers, I was able to get rid of Yahoo. Thanks for revising.

P.Jenkins

Apr 12, 2022

It's a home PC. I don't use McAfee. My PC is clean and it's not actually changing the search engine unless I open a new tab. I found a solution in another forum and fixed it. It was a glitch between chrome and the windows updates like I suspected. It's fixed now, but will happen everytime Windows does an update because of some coding issue on chromes side.