Disable extensions instead of removing them entirely
You can turn off a browser extension without deleting it — the extension stays installed but stops running. Disabling is useful when you want to test whether an extension is slowing your browser down, troubleshoot a conflict between two extensions, or temporarily stop an extension from accessing your data without losing your settings if you turn it back on later.
The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all four browsers let you disable extensions from a single settings page. You can re-enable any extension the same way in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Every major browser has a dedicated extensions page where you can toggle extensions on and off without uninstalling them.
- Disabling an extension stops it from running but keeps your settings and data intact, so you can turn it back on later.
- You can disable all extensions at once in most browsers, which is useful for diagnosing whether an extension is causing a problem.
- Disabling an extension does not remove it from your browser — you must uninstall it separately if you want to delete it completely.
How to disable extensions in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of the browser window. This icon appears next to your profile picture and the three-dot menu. A dropdown menu will show all your installed extensions with a toggle switch next to each one.
Click the toggle switch next to any extension to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and the extension stops running immediately. You can turn it back on by clicking the toggle again — the switch will turn blue and the extension resumes working.
If you do not see the puzzle-piece icon, your extensions may be hidden. Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select Extensions, then click Manage extensions. From this page, you can toggle each extension on or off using the switch in the bottom right corner of each extension's card.
How to disable extensions in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Add-ons and themes from the menu, or press Ctrl+Shift+A on Windows or Command+Shift+A on Mac.
Click Extensions in the left sidebar. You will see a list of all installed extensions. Find the extension you want to disable and click the toggle switch next to it. The switch will turn gray, and the extension is now off. Click it again to re-enable the extension.
How to disable extensions in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Settings (or Preferences on older versions), then click the Extensions tab.
You will see a list of all installed extensions on the left side. Click an extension to select it, then uncheck the box next to Enable this extension on the right side. The extension is now disabled. Check the box again to turn it back on.
How to disable extensions in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Extensions, then click Manage extensions.
You will see all your installed extensions. Find the one you want to disable and click the toggle switch underneath it. The switch will turn gray, and the extension stops running. Click the toggle again to re-enable it.
Disable all extensions at once to test for problems
If your browser is running slowly or crashing, one of your extensions may be the cause. Disabling all extensions at once is a quick way to test whether the problem goes away.
In Chrome, open the extensions page (puzzle-piece icon or Extensions > Manage extensions) and click the toggle in the top right that says Developer mode. Then click the three-dot menu next to each extension and select Remove — but wait, that deletes them. Instead, use the individual toggles to turn each one off, or go to Extensions > Manage extensions, scroll to the bottom, and toggle Developer mode off to disable all extensions temporarily.
In Firefox, open the Add-ons page and click Extensions. Click the three-dot menu in the top right and select Disable all. All extensions will turn off at once. Click the menu again and select Enable all to turn them back on.
In Safari, open Settings and click the Extensions tab. Uncheck Enable this extension for each extension one by one, or close the Settings window and reopen Safari in Safe Mode by holding Shift while launching the browser — Safe Mode disables all extensions automatically.
In Edge, open the extensions page and toggle each extension off individually. There is no "disable all" button, but toggling them one at a time takes less than a minute.
The difference between disabling and uninstalling
Disabling an extension turns it off but leaves it installed on your computer. Your settings, passwords, and any data the extension stored remain in place. If you turn the extension back on, everything works exactly as it did before you disabled it.
Uninstalling an extension removes it completely from your browser. Your settings and data are deleted. If you install the extension again later, you will have to set it up from scratch.
Disable an extension when you want to test it, troubleshoot a problem, or take a break from using it. Uninstall an extension when you no longer want it on your computer at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling an extension speed up my browser?
It may. Extensions use memory and processing power, so disabling several extensions can free up resources. If your browser feels noticeably faster after disabling all extensions, one of them is likely the culprit. Turn them back on one at a time to find which one is slowing things down.
Can I disable an extension just for one website?
Yes, in Chrome and Edge. Open the extensions page, click the extension you want to limit, and select On click or On specific sites. Then add the websites where you want the extension to run. Firefox and Safari do not have this feature — you must disable the extension entirely or leave it on for all websites.
What happens to my passwords if I disable an extension?
Password managers and similar extensions store data separately from the extension itself. Disabling the extension does not delete your passwords. When you re-enable it, your data will still be there. If you uninstall the extension, check whether it has a backup or export option before you remove it.
Do I need to restart my browser after disabling an extension?
No. Most extensions stop running immediately when you toggle them off. A few extensions may require a restart, but your browser will tell you if that is necessary. You can usually re-enable an extension and see it working again without closing and reopening your browser.