There are several reasons why you’d want to disable JavaScript in Google Chrome or any other web browser, but the main one is for security purposes.
JavaScript code can present security risks because your computer executes it, and the entire process can be a source of infection to your computer when compromised.
You can also disable JavaScript if it malfunctions on a website and creates issues with your web browser. When this happens, web pages may not load, or your web browser could even crash.
It is still possible to view content on a page when JavaScript is disabled, but you won’t have extra functionality that it would otherwise provide.
If you have a website, disable JavaScript for troubleshooting purposes like if using WordPress CMS, the code you add or a plugin that contains it may require disabling of JavaScript to find and fix the issue.
How to Disable JavaScript in Google Chrome
To disable JavaScript in Chrome web browser, take the steps below:
- Open Google Chrome browser
- Click Main Menu button in Chrome (three dots aligned vertically) which you can find at the top right side of the browser window
- Select Settings
- Once Settings are displayed in a new window or tab, scroll down the page and click Advanced (or Show advanced settings)
- The page will expand to display several other options
- Go to Privacy and Security
- Click Content Settings
- Click JavaScript
- Next to Allowed (recommended), there’s a switch, click on it if it is gray and it’ll change to blue. Allowed will now change to Blocked
Note: For older Chrome versions, the option may be Do not allow any site to run JavaScript. Click it and click Done to go back to the previous screen and continue browsing.
If you only want to manage or disable JavaScript on specific web pages, you can do it but it will cause lots of functionality issues on websites, some even being rendered unusable.
You can block specific sites, or all JavaScript, and set exceptions for specific websites you define. These settings are also under Chrome settings in the JavaScript section, so check the Block and Allow sections.
Under Block, click Add and specify the URL for the site or page you want to disable JavaScript in Chrome, and set the Block section to enabled.
Under Allow, click Add, and set the site or page you want to allow JavaScript to run. For older Chrome versions, JavaScript has Manage Exceptions which will let you override settings for specific domains or pages.
Elsier is an avid tech writer, who loves mobile apps, games, music, and cars. When she’s not catching up on the latest in tech, she’s binging on reruns of her favorite series.
