Where to find your extensions in Chrome
Your Chrome extensions live in the top right corner of your browser window, next to the address bar. Look for a small puzzle-piece icon — that is your extensions menu. Click it and you will see a list of every extension you have installed, along with a button to manage all of them.
If you do not see the puzzle-piece icon, your extensions may be hidden. Chrome hides them by default on newer versions. Click the three vertical dots in the very top right corner of Chrome (called the menu button), then look for "Extensions" in the dropdown. From there, select "Manage extensions" to see your full list.
Once you are in the extensions menu, you can turn individual extensions on or off by clicking the toggle switch next to each one. A blue toggle means the extension is active. A grey toggle means it is turned off but still installed.
Key Takeaways
- The puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome opens your extensions menu in one click.
- If you cannot see the puzzle-piece icon, use the three-dot menu button and select "Extensions" to find your list.
- You can turn extensions on or off using the toggle switch next to each one without uninstalling them.
- The "Manage extensions" page shows you which extensions have permission to read your data and lets you change those permissions.
- Pinning an extension to your toolbar keeps it visible at all times instead of hidden in the menu.
Pinning extensions to your toolbar
By default, most extensions hide in the puzzle-piece menu. If you use an extension often, you can pin it to your toolbar so it stays visible all the time. Open the extensions menu, find the extension you want to pin, and look for the pin icon next to its name. Click the pin and the extension will move to your toolbar.
Pinning is useful for extensions you use every day — like a password manager or a note-taking tool. Extensions you use rarely can stay in the menu to keep your toolbar clean. You can unpin an extension the same way: click the pin icon again and it goes back into the menu.
Accessing the full extensions management page
The extensions menu shows you what is installed, but the full management page gives you more control. Click the three-dot menu button in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "Extensions" and "Manage extensions." This opens a page where you can see every extension, turn them on or off, and change their permissions.
On the management page, each extension shows a toggle switch, a remove button (the trash icon), and a "Details" link. The Details link takes you to a page specific to that extension where you can see what data it can access, what it does, and when it was last updated. This is where you go if an extension is not working the way you expect.
Changing what data extensions can access
Every extension asks for permission to do certain things — read your browsing history, see what you type, access your location, or read your emails. You can see what each extension is allowed to do on the management page. Click "Details" for any extension and scroll down to the "Permissions" section.
If an extension asks for more access than it needs, you can limit it. On the Details page, look for "Site access" and choose whether the extension can see all websites, only the current website, or no websites at all. Some extensions will not work properly if you restrict them too much, but many work fine with limited access. If an extension stops working after you change its permissions, you can always change them back.
Removing extensions you no longer use
If you have an extension installed that you never use, you can remove it in seconds. Open the extensions menu (puzzle-piece icon), find the extension, and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will ask you to confirm, then the extension is gone. You can always reinstall it later from the Chrome Web Store if you change your mind.
Removing extensions you do not use keeps Chrome running faster and reduces the number of programs watching what you do online. If you are not sure whether you need an extension, turn it off first using the toggle switch. Leave it off for a week. If you do not miss it, remove it.
Finding extensions you installed but cannot find
Sometimes you install an extension and then cannot find it anywhere. This usually means it is hidden in the extensions menu. Click the puzzle-piece icon and look through the list. If you still cannot find it, go to the management page: three-dot menu, then "Extensions," then "Manage extensions." Every extension you have ever installed will be listed there, even if it is turned off.
If an extension is turned off (grey toggle), it will not show up in your toolbar or do anything. Turn it back on by clicking the toggle. If you cannot remember what an extension does, click "Details" to read its description and see when you installed it.
Troubleshooting extensions that are not working
If an extension stops working, the first step is to make sure it is turned on. Open the extensions menu and check the toggle switch. If it is already on, go to the management page and click "Details" for that extension. Look at the "Site access" setting — if it is set to "On click" or "On specific sites," the extension might not have permission to work on the page you are visiting.
Try changing the site access to "On all sites" and reload the page you were on. If the extension starts working, you can change it back to a more limited setting if you prefer. If it still does not work, try turning it off and back on again. Close the extension details page, go back to the extensions menu, turn the extension off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what extensions are reading my data?
Yes. Go to the management page (three-dot menu, Extensions, Manage extensions), click Details for any extension, and scroll to the Permissions section. It lists everything that extension can access — your browsing history, your location, your clipboard, or anything else it needs to work.
What happens if I turn off an extension?
The extension stops working immediately, but it stays installed on your computer. You can turn it back on anytime by clicking the toggle switch. Turning an extension off does not delete it or change any of your settings.
Why do some extensions not show up in my toolbar?
Chrome hides most extensions by default to keep your toolbar clean. They are still installed and working — they just live in the puzzle-piece menu. If you want to see an extension all the time, open the extensions menu, find it, and click the pin icon next to its name.
Can I uninstall an extension and then reinstall it later?
Yes. Click the trash icon on the management page to remove it. You can reinstall it anytime from the Chrome Web Store. Your settings for that extension will not be saved, so you may need to set it up again.
What should I do if an extension is slowing down Chrome?
Turn off extensions you do not use regularly. Each extension running in the background uses some of your computer's memory and processing power. If you have many extensions installed, removing the ones you rarely use can make Chrome noticeably faster.