# Why Does Yahoo Keep Opening in Chrome After I Delete It? | Fix Chrome Redirect Issue If you’ve ever deleted Yahoo from your Chrome browser but still see it opening as your homepage or default search engine, you’re not alone. Many users face this frustrating issue where Yahoo keeps reappearing despite attempts to remove it. The main reason for this problem is not Yahoo itself, but rather unwanted browser extensions, hidden settings, or malware that redirects your browser traffic without permission. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward fixing it for good. ### 1. Browser Hijackers and Unwanted Extensions One of the most common reasons Yahoo keeps opening in Chrome is the presence of a browser hijacker. A browser hijacker is a type of unwanted software or extension that modifies your browser settings to redirect searches or traffic to specific sites, often for advertising revenue. These hijackers often come bundled with free software downloads, fake updates, or pop-up ads that trick you into installing them. Once inside your system, they change your default search engine, homepage, or new tab page to Yahoo — even if you manually reset it back to Google. ## To check for this issue: Open Chrome and click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner. Go to Extensions. Review all installed extensions carefully. Remove anything you don’t recognize or didn’t install intentionally. If you spot suspicious add-ons like “Search Manager,” “SafeSearch,” or “Browser Assistant,” remove them immediately. ### 2. Changed Default Search Engine Settings Sometimes, Yahoo appears in Chrome because your default search engine has been changed without your consent. Even after deleting Yahoo manually, Chrome may still redirect searches if another extension or software keeps reassigning Yahoo as your search engine. Here’s how to reset it: Open Chrome Settings. Go to Search Engine → Manage Search Engines and Site Search. Under “Default search engines,” look for Yahoo. Click the three dots next to it and select Remove from list. Set your preferred search engine (like Google) as the default. Afterward, restart Chrome to check if the problem persists. ### 3. Modified Homepage and Startup Settings If Yahoo keeps opening whenever you launch Chrome, your startup settings might have been altered. Some hijackers set Yahoo as the homepage so that it loads automatically every time Chrome starts. ## **To fix this:** Go to Settings → On startup. Select Open a specific page or set of pages. Check if Yahoo or any unfamiliar URLs are listed. Click the three dots next to the unwanted page and remove it. Choose Open the New Tab page or set your preferred homepage manually. By resetting your startup configuration, you can stop Chrome from opening Yahoo automatically. ### 4. Malware or Adware Infection Another major cause of unwanted Yahoo redirects is malware or adware on your device. These malicious programs silently modify your browser’s configuration or Windows settings to force Yahoo or other third-party search providers. ### To identify and remove them: Run a full system scan using a trusted antivirus or anti-malware tool such as Windows Defender or Malwarebytes. Delete any detected threats and restart your computer. You may also use Chrome’s built-in Cleanup Tool by going to chrome://settings/cleanup and selecting Find. Malware infections can be subtle, so even if you remove Yahoo from Chrome, the hijacker may restore it after each reboot unless the malware is completely eliminated. ### 5. Syncing Across Devices If your Google account is synced across multiple devices (such as a phone, tablet, or another computer), changes you make on one device can affect all others. If one of your synced devices still has Yahoo set as its default search engine, that setting may keep syncing back to your Chrome browser. ## To resolve this: Go to Chrome Settings → Sync and Google services. Click Manage what you sync. Temporarily turn off sync or choose Customize sync. Uncheck Settings and Extensions. After fixing the Yahoo redirect issue, you can re-enable sync once everything is configured properly. ### 6. Resetting Chrome to Default If none of the above steps work, performing a Chrome reset can fix deep-rooted configuration issues. This restores your browser settings to default without deleting your bookmarks or passwords. ## Here’s how: Go to chrome://settings/reset. Click Restore settings to their original defaults. Confirm by selecting Reset settings. Once completed, restart Chrome. The browser will remove all extensions, clear temporary data, and revert to the original settings, eliminating any hidden redirect rules. ### 7. Preventing Future Yahoo Redirects After fixing the issue, it’s important to take preventive measures to stop Yahoo or similar redirects from returning. Download software only from trusted sources. Avoid clicking random pop-up ads or fake “update” links. Review permissions before installing new browser extensions. Regularly clear your cache and browsing data to remove residual tracking scripts. Keep Chrome updated to the latest version for security patches. Install a reliable ad blocker or security extension to prevent malicious scripts from modifying your browser settings. By being cautious with what you download and install, you can significantly reduce the chances of facing Yahoo or any other unwanted redirect problem in the future. ## 8. When to Seek Professional Help If you’ve tried all the steps above but Yahoo still keeps opening in Chrome, the problem might be more complex — possibly involving system-level malware or corrupted browser profiles. In such cases, it’s wise to consult a professional IT technician. They can use advanced tools to locate and remove hidden files or registry entries that keep forcing the Yahoo redirect. Alternatively, you can create a new user profile in Chrome: Go to Settings → You and Google → Add new user. Create a new profile, sign in, and import only essential bookmarks. This helps you start fresh without bringing back old browser data that may be linked to the Yahoo redirect. ## Conclusion If Yahoo keeps opening in Chrome after you’ve deleted it, the cause usually lies in unwanted extensions, hijacked settings, or hidden malware. The issue can be frustrating, but it’s completely fixable. Start by checking for suspicious extensions, resetting your search engine and startup preferences, scanning your system for malware, and resetting Chrome if necessary. Once the root cause is removed, Chrome will stop redirecting to Yahoo, and your browsing experience will return to normal. Staying alert and maintaining regular browser hygiene can ensure this problem doesn’t return.