Disable extensions in Chrome settings in under a minute

You can turn off any Chrome extension without removing it by opening Chrome's extension menu and clicking the toggle next to the extension's name. The extension stops running immediately, but stays installed so you can turn it back on later. This is faster than uninstalling if you think you might use it again.

You have two ways to reach the extension controls: through the extension icon in your toolbar, or through Chrome's main settings menu. Both lead to the same place and take about 30 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling an extension stops it from running but keeps it installed, so you can re-enable it without downloading it again.
  • The fastest method is clicking the extension icon in your toolbar, then toggling off the ones you want to pause.
  • You can also reach extension controls through Chrome menu > More tools > Extensions, which shows all installed extensions at once.
  • Disabled extensions do not slow down Chrome or access your data, but they also do not work until you turn them back on.
  • If you want to remove an extension permanently instead of pausing it, the same menu has a Remove button.

Disable extensions from the toolbar menu

The quickest route is the extension icon already in your Chrome toolbar. Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of your browser window. A dropdown menu appears showing all your installed extensions with a toggle switch next to each one.

Click the toggle next to any extension to turn it off. The toggle grays out, and the extension stops running immediately. You can disable one extension or several at once. To turn an extension back on later, click the same toggle again.

If you do not see the puzzle-piece icon, your extensions may be hidden. Look for a small arrow or chevron icon in the toolbar instead, click it, and you will see the list of extensions. You can then pin the ones you use most often to keep them visible.

Disable extensions through Chrome settings

If you prefer to manage extensions through the main menu, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. Hover over "More tools" and select "Extensions" from the submenu. This opens a page showing every extension you have installed.

Each extension has a toggle switch in the bottom right corner of its card. Click the toggle to disable the extension. The switch turns gray and the extension stops running. You can disable multiple extensions on this page without closing and reopening the menu.

This method also shows you useful information about each extension: when you installed it, how many permissions it has, and whether it can run on all websites or only specific ones. Scroll down to see all your extensions if you have many installed.

What happens when you disable an extension

A disabled extension does not run, does not access your data, and does not slow down Chrome. It takes up a small amount of storage space because the files remain on your computer, but this is usually less than 5 megabytes per extension. The extension stays in your list so you can turn it back on whenever you want.

If an extension was running in the background — for example, a password manager or a notification tool — it stops doing that work as soon as you disable it. Any features it provided in web pages or your browser toolbar become unavailable until you re-enable it.

The difference between disabling and removing an extension

Disabling pauses an extension but keeps it installed. Removing deletes it completely from your computer. Choose disabling if you might use the extension again soon, or if you want to test whether it is causing a problem without losing your settings inside the extension.

Choose removing if you know you will not use the extension again, or if it is taking up space and you want a clean browser. To remove an extension, open the Extensions page (Chrome menu > More tools > Extensions), find the extension, and click the "Remove" button. Chrome asks you to confirm, then deletes the extension and all its data.

Disable extensions that are slowing down Chrome

If Chrome feels slow, an extension might be the cause. You can check which extensions are using the most resources by clicking the three dots, selecting "More tools," then "Task Manager." This shows how much CPU and memory each extension is using.

Look for extensions using high percentages of CPU or memory, especially if they are always running in the background. Disable the heaviest ones first and see if Chrome speeds up. If disabling an extension fixes the slowness, you can decide whether to remove it permanently or keep it disabled and re-enable it only when you need it.

Re-enable extensions you have disabled

To turn a disabled extension back on, click the puzzle-piece icon in your toolbar and toggle the extension back on. Or go to Chrome menu > More tools > Extensions, find the disabled extension, and click its toggle switch. The extension starts running again immediately and returns to working normally.

Your settings inside the extension are still there. If you had configured a password manager, customized a theme, or set up rules in an extension before disabling it, all those settings remain unchanged when you re-enable it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling an extension delete my settings inside it?

No. Your settings, saved data, and preferences inside the extension stay on your computer even when the extension is disabled. When you turn the extension back on, everything is exactly as you left it.

Can I disable an extension on only certain websites?

Yes, but only if the extension supports it. Open the Extensions page (Chrome menu > More tools > Extensions), click "Details" on the extension, and look for a "Site access" section. You can set it to run on all sites, only on sites you choose, or only when you click it.

Does a disabled extension still use battery or data?

No. A disabled extension does not run at all, so it uses no battery, no data, and no processing power. It only takes up a small amount of storage space on your computer.

What if I disable an extension and Chrome still runs slowly?

The slowness may be caused by a different extension, by too many open tabs, or by something else entirely. Try disabling other extensions one at a time and checking if Chrome speeds up. You can also clear your browser cache (Chrome menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data) to see if that helps.

Can I disable all extensions at once?

You can disable them one by one through the Extensions page, but Chrome does not have a single button to disable all extensions at once. However, you can use Incognito mode, which runs Chrome without any extensions by default, if you just need a clean browsing session temporarily.