You can restore a deleted Chrome extension by turning it back on in your Extensions menu, or by reinstalling it from the Chrome Web Store
When you delete a Chrome extension, it does not disappear permanently right away. Chrome keeps a record of extensions you have removed, and you can turn most of them back on within your browser settings. If you cannot find the extension in your history, you can search for it by name on the Chrome Web Store and install it again in seconds.
The method you use depends on whether you disabled the extension recently or deleted it weeks ago, and whether you remember its name. Both routes are faster than you might expect.
Key Takeaways
- Recently disabled extensions appear in your Chrome Extensions menu under "Manage extensions," and you can turn them back on with a single click.
- If you cannot find the extension in your history, search for it by name on the Chrome Web Store and click the "Add to Chrome" button to reinstall it.
- Reinstalling an extension does not restore your saved settings or data inside that extension — you may need to reconfigure it after reinstalling.
- If you do not remember the extension's name, check your browser history or search your email for receipts or notifications from when you first installed it.
Restore an extension from your disabled extensions list
Chrome keeps a list of extensions you have turned off or removed. If you deleted the extension recently, it will still appear in your Extensions menu, and you can restore it by toggling it back on.
Open Chrome and click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of your browser window. This is your Extensions menu. Look for the extension you want to restore — it will show a toggle switch next to its name. If the toggle is gray or off, click it to turn the extension back on. The toggle will turn blue, and the extension will start working immediately.
If you do not see the extension in this menu, click "Manage extensions" at the bottom of the Extensions menu. This opens a full page showing all your extensions, including ones you have disabled. Scroll through the list to find the one you want. When you find it, toggle the switch in the bottom right corner of that extension's card to turn it back on.
Search the Chrome Web Store if you cannot find it in your history
If the extension does not appear in your disabled extensions list, it may have been removed from your browser long enough ago that Chrome no longer shows it in your history. In this case, you will need to reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store.
Go to chromewebstore.google.com in your browser. Use the search box at the top left to search for the extension by name. If you do not remember the exact name, search for what it did — for example, "password manager" or "ad blocker" — and browse the results. When you find the extension you want, click on it to open its page.
On the extension's page, click the blue "Add to Chrome" button in the top right. A popup will appear asking you to confirm that you want to add the extension. Click "Add extension" to finish. Chrome will download and install the extension, and it will appear in your Extensions menu within seconds.
What happens to your settings when you reinstall
When you reinstall an extension, Chrome does not restore the settings or data you had saved inside it before you deleted it. For example, if you had customized the colors in a theme extension or saved passwords in a password manager extension, those will be gone after you reinstall.
Some extensions back up your data to your Google account automatically, so your settings may reappear when you sign in. Check the extension's settings page after you reinstall it to see if there is an option to restore from backup or sync with your account. If the extension has a help page or support site, that is usually the fastest place to find out whether your data can be recovered.
Find an extension you cannot remember by name
If you remember roughly when you installed the extension but not its name, check your Chrome browser history. Open Chrome and press Ctrl + H on Windows or Command + Y on Mac to open your history. Look for pages from the Chrome Web Store around the time you think you installed it — these will often show up as "Add to Chrome" pages or extension names.
Another option is to search your email for receipts or notifications. If you installed the extension while signed into your Google account, Google may have sent you a confirmation email. Search your inbox for "Chrome Web Store" or the name of the extension if you remember any part of it.
You can also ask yourself what problem the extension solved. Did it block ads, manage passwords, take screenshots, or change how your tabs looked? Search the Chrome Web Store for that function, and you will likely find it in the results. Read the descriptions and reviews to confirm it is the one you used before.
Why Chrome removed an extension you did not delete
Sometimes an extension disappears from your browser even though you did not remove it yourself. Chrome automatically disables extensions in a few situations: when an extension is removed from the Chrome Web Store by its developer, when Chrome detects that an extension is malicious or violates its policies, or when an extension has not been updated in a very long time.
If you see a message in your Extensions menu saying an extension was disabled by Chrome, read the message carefully — it will tell you why. If the extension was removed from the Web Store, you cannot reinstall it through normal means. If it was disabled for safety reasons, reinstalling it will not help, because Chrome will disable it again. If it simply has not been updated, you may be able to turn it back on, but Chrome may disable it again in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restore an extension I deleted months ago?
If it was removed from the Chrome Web Store or disabled by Chrome for safety reasons, you cannot restore it through your Extensions menu. You can search the Chrome Web Store by name to see if it is still available for download. If the developer took it down, you will not find it there.
Will my passwords or saved data come back when I reinstall an extension?
Not automatically. Some extensions back up your data to your Google account, so signing in may restore your settings. Check the extension's settings page or help documentation to see if it offers a restore or sync option. Otherwise, you will need to set it up again from scratch.
What if the Chrome Web Store says the extension is not available in my country?
Some extensions are restricted to certain regions for legal or licensing reasons. You cannot install it through normal means if it is not available where you are. Check whether the developer offers the same tool as a standalone program or through a different browser.
Can I restore multiple extensions at once?
No, you must turn each extension back on individually. Open your Extensions menu, click "Manage extensions," and toggle each one on separately. There is no bulk restore option in Chrome.
Why does Chrome keep asking me to remove an extension I just reinstalled?
Chrome may be warning you because the extension was previously disabled for a policy violation or safety concern. If you see repeated warnings, the extension may not be safe to use. Read Chrome's message carefully and consider whether you trust the developer before keeping it installed.