Chrome updates most extensions automatically, but you can check for updates yourself or turn off auto-updates for specific extensions
Chrome handles extension updates in the background without asking you. By default, every extension you install checks for updates roughly every few hours, and Chrome installs them automatically when it finds them. You do not need to do anything — the system works on its own.
If you want to check for updates right now instead of waiting, or if you want to control which extensions update and which do not, you can do that through the Extensions page. The steps are the same whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome automatically updates extensions in the background, usually every few hours, without any action from you.
- To manually check for updates immediately, open the Extensions page, turn on Developer Mode, and click "Update".
- You can turn off auto-updates for individual extensions by opening the extension details and toggling "Allow this extension to read and change all your site data".
- Restarting Chrome or closing and reopening your browser can speed up the installation of pending updates.
How to manually check for updates right now
Open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into the address bar, then press Enter. This opens the Extensions page, where you see a list of every extension you have installed.
In the top right corner of the Extensions page, toggle the switch labeled Developer Mode on. A new button labeled Update appears in the top left. Click it. Chrome checks all your extensions for updates and installs any it finds within a few seconds.
If an extension has a pending update, you will see a yellow warning icon next to its name. Restarting Chrome (close the browser completely and open it again) installs these pending updates immediately.
How to turn off auto-updates for a specific extension
Go to chrome://extensions again. Find the extension you want to control and click Details. On the extension's details page, scroll down until you see the toggle for Allow this extension to read and change all your site data. Turn this toggle off.
Turning off this permission does not stop the extension from updating — it only prevents the extension from running on web pages. If you want to stop updates entirely, you would need to uninstall the extension instead. Chrome does not offer a way to pause updates while keeping an extension installed and active.
What happens when an extension updates
When Chrome installs an update, the extension restarts silently in the background. You will not see a notification or a restart prompt. If the extension was running in a tab or window, it continues to work after the update completes.
Some updates add new features or fix bugs. Others are security patches that close vulnerabilities. Chrome prioritizes security updates and installs them faster than feature updates.
Why Chrome updates extensions automatically
Automatic updates protect you from security problems. When a developer discovers a vulnerability in their extension, they release a patch, and Chrome installs it on your computer within hours. If you had to manually update every extension, many people would fall behind and remain exposed to known risks.
Automatic updates also mean you always have the latest features and bug fixes without thinking about it. The trade-off is that you have less control over when updates happen, but you can restart Chrome to delay an update until you are ready.
How to see what changed in an extension update
Go to chrome://extensions and click Details on the extension you want to check. Scroll down to the About section. If the developer included release notes, they appear here and show what changed in the latest version.
Not all developers write release notes, so you may see nothing even after an update. If you want more detail, visit the extension's page in the Chrome Web Store — search for the extension name in Chrome Web Store, open it, and look for a "Release notes" or "What's new" section.
Troubleshooting extensions that will not update
If an extension has not updated in a long time, restart Chrome completely. Close the browser window entirely (not just a tab), wait a few seconds, and open Chrome again. This forces Chrome to check for pending updates and install them.
If the extension still shows an old version number after a restart, the developer may have stopped supporting it. Check the Chrome Web Store page for that extension — if the last update was years ago, the developer is no longer maintaining it. You can uninstall it and search for a newer alternative, or keep it if it still works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop Chrome from updating extensions automatically?
Chrome does not offer a global setting to turn off auto-updates for all extensions. You can uninstall extensions you do not want to update, or you can turn off their permissions so they do not run. If you need an extension to stay at a specific version, you would need to uninstall it and not reinstall it.
How often does Chrome check for extension updates?
Chrome checks for updates roughly every few hours, though the exact timing varies. If you need to update right now, use the manual update button on the Extensions page instead of waiting for the automatic check.
Will updating an extension delete my settings or data?
No. Extension updates preserve your settings, saved data, and preferences. The update only changes the extension's code, not the information it stores about your choices.
What if an extension update breaks something?
If an extension stops working after an update, restart Chrome first — sometimes a restart fixes issues. If the problem continues, uninstall the extension and reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store. If that does not help, the developer may have introduced a bug. Check the extension's support page or leave a review in the Chrome Web Store to report the problem.
Do I need to restart Chrome after an extension updates?
Most updates take effect immediately without a restart. However, restarting Chrome speeds up the installation of pending updates and ensures the new version is fully loaded. If an extension is not working correctly after an update, try restarting Chrome.