The fastest way to disable Grammarly depends on where it's running
Grammarly installs as a browser extension, a desktop app, or both. If you want it gone entirely, you uninstall the app and remove the extension from your browser. If you want to keep it installed but turn it off temporarily, you can disable the extension without removing it. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, and whether you're on Windows or Mac.
Most people disable Grammarly because it slows down their browser, conflicts with another tool they use, or they straightforward don't want it running in the background. The good news is that turning it off takes less than a minute, and you can turn it back on the same way if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Disabling the Grammarly extension in your browser stops it from running on websites without uninstalling it completely.
- Uninstalling the Grammarly desktop app removes it from your computer entirely, though the browser extension may still be active.
- The steps to disable Grammarly differ by browser: Chrome and Edge use the Extensions menu, Firefox uses Add-ons, and Safari uses Preferences.
- You can disable Grammarly on specific websites only, letting it run everywhere else, by adjusting the extension's site permissions.
Disable Grammarly in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Extensions, then Manage extensions. Find Grammarly in the list and toggle the blue switch to the off position. The extension is now disabled but still installed — you can turn it back on the same way.
If you want to remove it entirely instead, click the trash icon next to Grammarly's name. Chrome will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Remove and Grammarly is gone from your browser.
To disable Grammarly on only certain websites while keeping it active elsewhere, go to the Grammarly extension page, click Details, scroll to Site permissions, and change the setting from On all sites to On specific sites. Then add or remove individual websites as needed.
Disable Grammarly in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three-line menu (hamburger icon) in the top right. Select Add-ons and themes, then click Extensions on the left side. Find Grammarly in the list and click the three dots next to it. Select Disable to turn it off without removing it.
To uninstall Grammarly completely, click those same three dots and select Remove. Firefox will ask for confirmation before deleting it.
Disable Grammarly in Safari
Open Safari and go to Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click Preferences (or Settings on newer Macs). Select the Extensions tab. Find Grammarly in the list on the left and uncheck the box next to it to disable it.
To remove Grammarly entirely, select it in the Extensions list and click the Uninstall button.
Disable Grammarly in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Extensions, then Manage extensions. Find Grammarly and toggle the switch to off. The extension is disabled but remains installed.
To remove it completely, click the trash icon next to Grammarly's name and confirm the removal.
Uninstall the Grammarly desktop app on Windows
The Grammarly desktop app runs separately from your browser and can slow down your computer even when the browser extension is off. To remove it, open the Control Panel and select Programs and Features (or Add or Remove Programs on newer Windows versions). Find Grammarly in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete the removal.
After uninstalling, restart your computer to make sure all Grammarly processes stop running in the background.
Uninstall the Grammarly desktop app on Mac
Open Applications and find the Grammarly folder. Drag it to the Trash, or right-click it and select Move to Trash. Then empty your Trash to complete the removal.
Some Mac users also need to remove Grammarly from System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Accessibility if it appears there. Find Grammarly in the list and click the minus sign to remove it.
What to do if Grammarly won't turn off
If you've disabled the extension but Grammarly still appears on websites, the desktop app may still be running. Uninstall the desktop app using the steps above, then restart your browser. If it persists after that, restart your entire computer — sometimes browser extensions don't fully disable until you do.
If Grammarly reappears after you've removed it, check whether another program installed it as a dependency. Some software bundles include Grammarly without making it obvious. Run your browser's extension list again to confirm it's gone, and check your installed programs list for any Grammarly-related entries you may have missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling Grammarly speed up my browser?
Yes, disabling the extension removes the background process that checks your typing on every website. The effect is usually small on modern computers, but it can help if your browser feels sluggish. Uninstalling the desktop app has a bigger impact because it stops Grammarly from running even when your browser is closed.
Can I disable Grammarly on just one website?
Yes. In Chrome and Edge, go to the Grammarly extension details page and set it to On specific sites, then add or remove individual websites. In Firefox and Safari, you can't target single sites through the extension settings, but you can disable the extension globally and turn it back on only when you need it.
If I disable Grammarly, can I turn it back on later?
Yes. If you disabled the extension, toggle it back on in your browser's extension menu. If you uninstalled it completely, you'll need to reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Safari Extensions, or Microsoft Edge Add-ons, depending on your browser.
Does disabling the browser extension also disable the desktop app?
No. The desktop app and browser extension are separate programs. Disabling the extension only stops Grammarly from running on websites. The desktop app continues running in the background until you uninstall it separately.