Your search engine is changing to Yahoo because something on your computer is redirecting it there
When your browser's search engine switches to Yahoo without your permission, one of three things is usually happening: a browser extension you installed is forcing the change, your browser settings were altered by software you downloaded, or your home page and search settings got hijacked by what's sometimes called a browser hijacker. The good news is that you can fix this yourself by finding what caused it and removing it.
The most common culprit is a seemingly harmless extension or toolbar that promised to do something useful — give you weather, coupons, or faster searching — but actually changed your search engine as a side effect. Less common but more stubborn is software that installed itself when you downloaded something else, buried in the fine print of an installation wizard you clicked through too fast.
This guide walks you through finding what's causing the redirect and removing it. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, so find your browser below and follow those instructions.
Key Takeaways
- Browser extensions are the most common cause — check your installed extensions first and remove anything you don't recognize or remember installing.
- Your search engine settings may have been changed directly in your browser preferences, and you can reset them back to your choice in a few clicks.
- Some software installs itself alongside programs you download and changes your browser without asking — uninstalling that software stops the redirect.
- If Yahoo keeps coming back after you change it, a hijacker extension is probably re-applying the setting each time you restart, and you need to remove the extension itself, not just change the setting.
Check your browser extensions first (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Extensions are the fastest way to accidentally change your search engine, because many bundled extensions slip in alongside something else you wanted. Open your browser and look for the puzzle-piece icon (Chrome and Edge) or the three horizontal lines menu (Firefox) in the top right corner.
In Chrome: Click the puzzle-piece icon, then click the three dots next to any extension and select "Remove from Chrome". Start with anything you don't remember installing, anything with a vague name like "Web Helper" or "Search Enhancer", or anything that appeared around the time Yahoo started showing up. After you remove each one, restart Chrome and check whether your search engine is still Yahoo.
In Firefox: Click the three-line menu, select "Add-ons and themes", then click "Extensions" on the left. Look through the list and click the three dots next to anything suspicious, then select "Remove". Restart Firefox and test your search engine.
In Edge: Click the three-dot menu, select "Extensions", then click "Manage extensions". Remove anything you don't recognize, restart Edge, and check your search engine.
Change your search engine back in browser settings
Even after you remove a hijacking extension, your search engine setting may still be set to Yahoo. You need to change it back to Google, Bing, or whatever you prefer. The steps are different for each browser.
In Chrome: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Settings", then click "Search engine" on the left side. Under "Search engine used in the address bar", click the dropdown and select Google, Bing, or your preferred engine. Chrome will remember this choice.
In Firefox: Click the three-line menu, select "Settings", then click "Search" on the left. Under "Default Search Engine", click the dropdown and choose your preferred search engine. You can also remove Yahoo from the list by clicking the X next to it.
In Safari: Click "Safari" in the top menu bar, select "Settings", click the "Search" tab, and change the dropdown under "Search engine" to Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or your choice.
In Edge: Click the three-dot menu, select "Settings", click "Privacy, search, and services" on the left, scroll down to "Search engine", and click the dropdown to change it.
Look for unwanted software on your computer
If Yahoo keeps coming back even after you change your settings and remove extensions, something on your computer is forcing the change each time you restart. This is usually software that installed itself alongside something you downloaded — a PDF reader, a video player, or a "free" utility.
On Windows: Click the Start button, type "Control Panel", and open it. Click "Programs" or "Programs and Features", then look through the list for anything you don't recognize or anything with a vague name. Pay special attention to anything installed around the time Yahoo started appearing. Right-click it and select "Uninstall". Restart your computer and check your search engine.
On Mac: Open Finder, click "Applications" on the left, and look through the list. Drag anything suspicious to the Trash. Restart your computer and check your search engine. If that doesn't work, open System Preferences, click "General", and check what your homepage is set to — if it's Yahoo or something unfamiliar, change it back.
Common culprits have names like "Search Protect", "WebSearch", "Delta Search", or "Conduit". If you see any of these, uninstall them. You can also search the internet for the exact name plus "hijacker" to confirm whether it's something you should remove.
Reset your browser to factory settings if nothing else works
If you've removed extensions, changed your search engine settings, and uninstalled suspicious software but Yahoo still appears, your browser itself may have been deeply altered. Most browsers have a reset option that puts everything back to the way it was when you first installed it.
In Chrome: Click the three-dot menu, select "Settings", click "Reset and clean up" on the left, then click "Restore settings to their original defaults". Chrome will ask you to confirm. This removes all extensions and resets your search engine, homepage, and startup pages.
In Firefox: Click the three-line menu, click the question mark icon at the bottom, select "Troubleshooting Information", then click "Refresh Firefox". This removes all extensions and resets your settings while keeping your bookmarks and passwords.
In Edge: Click the three-dot menu, select "Settings", click "Reset settings" on the left, then click "Restore settings to their default values". Confirm when asked.
After resetting, restart your browser and check whether your search engine is back to normal. If it is, you've found the problem. If Yahoo appears again, the hijacker is likely installed as system software rather than browser software, and you may need to run a malware scan.
Run a malware scan if the problem persists
If resetting your browser didn't stop Yahoo from reappearing, you may have malware — software designed to hijack your browser and show you ads or redirect your searches. Windows comes with a built-in malware scanner called Windows Defender that you can run for free.
On Windows: Click the Start button, type "Windows Security", and open it. Click "Virus & threat protection" on the left, then click "Scan options". Select "Full scan" and click "Scan now". This will take 15 to 30 minutes. When it finishes, Windows will tell you if it found anything and remove it automatically.
On Mac: Open System Preferences, click "Security & Privacy", click the "General" tab, and look for any suspicious profiles or login items. You can also download Malwarebytes for Mac (free version) and run a scan.
After the scan finishes and removes any threats, restart your computer and check your search engine again. This should stop Yahoo from reappearing.
Prevent this from happening again
Now that you've fixed the problem, you can keep it from happening again by being careful when you install software. When you download anything — a PDF reader, a video player, a browser extension — look for checkboxes that say things like "Install the Yahoo toolbar" or "Set Yahoo as my search engine". Uncheck these boxes before you click "Install" or "Next".
Be especially cautious with free software. If an installer offers you a "custom" or "advanced" installation option, click it instead of "quick" or "standard". This shows you all the extra software the installer wants to add, and you can uncheck the ones you don't want.
Only install browser extensions from the official store for your browser — the Chrome Web Store for Chrome, the Firefox Add-ons site for Firefox, and so on. Extensions from other websites are more likely to hijack your browser. And if an extension suddenly changes your search engine or homepage without asking, remove it immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Yahoo keep coming back even after I change my search engine?
A hijacking extension or malware is re-applying the Yahoo setting every time you restart your browser or computer. Changing the setting alone won't stop it — you have to find and remove the extension or software that's forcing the change. Check your extensions first, then look for suspicious software in your Programs list.
Is Yahoo hijacking my browser a security risk?
Yahoo itself is not dangerous, but the software that forces it onto your browser often is. Hijackers track your searches, show you ads, and sometimes collect other information about your browsing. Removing the hijacker protects your privacy and stops the unwanted redirects.
Can I just use Yahoo if I don't want to fix this?
You can, but the hijacker is likely doing more than just changing your search engine — it may be tracking your searches, showing you extra ads, or collecting data about your browsing. It's worth removing even if you don't mind using Yahoo, because you're removing software that was installed without your permission.
What if I don't recognize any of the extensions or software on my computer?
Search the internet for the exact name of anything suspicious plus the word "hijacker" or "malware". This usually tells you whether it's safe or not. If you're still unsure, you can remove it — if it was something you actually needed, you can always reinstall it later.
Do I need to pay for malware removal software?
No. Windows Defender (built into Windows) and Malwarebytes Free both scan for and remove malware without charging you. Paid versions offer extra features, but the free versions are enough to stop a browser hijacker.