Oct 21, 2023

Chrome being redirected to Bing

At my wits end and about to uninstall Chrome and chuck it altogether.  Chrome - and even the Google page - are being redirected to the Bing search engine.  Please spare me the instructions to check the default seach engine in Chrome (it's set to Google), check extensions (I deleted ALL three of them), and malware detection (have installed and run three different anti-virus programs - Windows Defender, TotalAV, and Malwarebytes - nothing found).

I have a desktop and two laptops.  I feel that I was duped by Google to use the SYNC option.  All three systems are having the same problems - Chrome uses Bing and the Google page using Chrome uses Bing.  It's a Chrome problem; the redirect does not happen using Edge.

Help!!
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Oct 23, 2023
The plot thickens...  Out of sheer frustration, I re-imaged one of my systems over the weekend.  I installed Chrome and launched the app, being careful NOT to log in and sync with my Google userid and password.  Everything was normal.  I created a dummy account on Google and logged in - everything still normal.  I logged in with my usual account - redirect to Bing.  This tell me that the problem is in my Google account.  I have double- and triple-checked.  The default search engine is get to Google.  There must be some setting somewhere that is causing this anomily.  Would love to know what it is...
Oct 27, 2023
Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search

Review (by clicking the edit [pencil] icon) anything under Site search that isn't Bookmarks, History, or Tabs. You might see something like: Google, "google.com", "...searchbaron.com...". These additional Site search options are part of the profile.

For me, google.com queries were going to searchbaron.com and then redirecting to bing.com. I'd removed the malware/virus/trojan for searchbaron, but didn't realize it had set up a slew of additional site search settings.
Oct 24, 2023
Hi There,

I understand your frustration with the Chrome redirect issue. It's certainly annoying to have your search queries redirected to a different search engine, especially when you've explicitly set your default to Google.
Since you've already checked the default search engine settings, removed extensions, and scanned for malware, let's explore some other potential solutions:

Check Chrome Policies:
It's possible that some Chrome policies have been modified, causing the redirect. To check this, follow these steps:
  • In Chrome, type "chrome://policy" in the address bar and press Enter.
  • Look for any policies related to search engines or redirects. If you find any suspicious policies, try resetting them to their default values.
Reset Chrome Settings:
If the issue persists, try resetting Chrome settings to their original defaults. This will clear any custom settings or extensions that might be causing the redirect. To reset Chrome settings:
  • Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome and select "Settings."
  • Scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced."
  • Under the "Reset and clean up" section, click "Reset settings."
  • Click "Reset settings" again to confirm.
Check for Suspicious Programs:
Review your installed programs list for any unfamiliar or recently installed applications. Sometimes, third-party programs can interfere with browser settings. If you find anything suspicious, uninstall it and restart your computer.

Disable Chrome Sync:
While Chrome Sync is generally helpful, it might be worth disabling it temporarily to see if it's causing the issue. To disable Chrome Sync:
  • Click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome and select "Settings."
  • Click on "Sync and Google services."
  • Toggle off "Sync everything" or disable syncing for specific items.
Check DNS Settings:
In some cases, DNS settings might be altered, causing redirects. To check your DNS settings:
  • Open Control Panel and go to "Network and Internet" > "Network and Sharing Center."
  • Click on "Change adapter settings."
  • Right-click on your active network connection and select "Properties."
  • Double-click on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)."
  • Make sure "Obtain DNS server address automatically" is selected. If not, select it and click "OK."
Seek Technical Support:
If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting Google Chrome support or seeking assistance from a trusted IT professional. They can help diagnose the root cause and provide more tailored solutions.

Hope This Helps!
MSA!
Oct 24, 2023
Thanks for the very detailed reply.  I went through all of the steps without any luck.  Details below.

Check Chrome Policies:
There are NONE.  This is likely the result of deleting all extensions and performing a reset (numerous times).

Reset Chrome Settings:
Done.

Check for Suspicious Programs:
Have review all installed programs.  There is nothing out of the ordinary on any of the (three) PCs.

Disable Chrome Sync:
Ironically, I am already running (this laptop) with sync turned off.  No effect.

Check DNS Settings:
DNS already set correctly.

Let me reiterate.  This problem is effecting multiple PCs that are using the same Google account and are synced.  I have turned off sync temporarily to isolate this PC from the group.  I do not believe that the problem is with Chrome; rather, it is with my Google account.  I created another Google account and am not experiencing the problem - Google search stays in Google.  I would be curious to understand how I can check my Google account settings to see if there is something that got switched to redirect to Bing.
Last edited Oct 30, 2023
Oct 25, 2023
HI,

Since the issue is affecting multiple PCs that are using the same Google account and are synced, it's likely that the problem is indeed related to your Google account settings. To check your Google account settings for any potential redirection to Bing, follow these steps:
  1. Access Google Account Settings
    Sign in to your Google account and go to the "My Account" page.
  2. Manage Search Settings
    Navigate to the "Search Settings" section. Here, you can review your default search engine settings. Ensure that Google is selected as your default search engine.
  3. Check Search Activity
    Review your recent search activity for any unusual redirections or patterns. If you notice any suspicious activity, you can remove those entries.
  4. Examine Chrome Sync Settings
    If you're syncing your Chrome settings across multiple devices, check the sync settings to ensure that the default search engine preference is not being overridden.
  5. Review Installed Extensions
    Check your installed Chrome extensions on each affected device. If you find any unfamiliar or suspicious extensions, disable or remove them.
  6. Scan for Malware
    Run a thorough malware scan on all affected devices to rule out any potential infections that might be causing the redirection.
If the issue persists after following these steps, consider contacting Google support for further assistance. They can investigate your account and provide more specific guidance.

Hope this helps!
Tx
MSA!
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