JavaScript is on by default in Chrome, but you can turn it back on if you've disabled it

Most websites need JavaScript to work properly — it's the code that makes buttons respond, forms submit, and pages load content without refreshing. Chrome runs JavaScript automatically for every site you visit. If a website isn't working the way it should, JavaScript might be turned off, either globally in your browser settings or just for that one site.

The steps below show you how to turn JavaScript back on in Chrome. If you've disabled it for a specific website, you'll see a small icon in the address bar that lets you re-enable it there. If you've turned it off everywhere, you'll need to change a setting in Chrome's main menu.

Key Takeaways

  • JavaScript is turned on in Chrome by default, so you only need to change this if a website told you to disable it or if you did so yourself.
  • If JavaScript is off for just one website, you'll see a small icon in the address bar that lets you turn it back on for that site only.
  • To turn JavaScript on for all websites, go to Chrome menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > JavaScript and toggle it on.
  • After you change the setting, refresh the webpage by pressing Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac) to see the change take effect.

Turn JavaScript back on for a single website

If a website isn't working but others are fine, JavaScript is probably off for just that site. Look at the address bar — the long field at the top where the website address appears. You should see a small icon that looks like a slash through a circle, or a small puzzle piece, or sometimes a lock with a line through it.

Click that icon. A small menu will pop up. Look for an option that says "JavaScript" or shows a toggle switch next to it. Click the toggle to turn it on. The page will refresh automatically, and the website should now work. If it doesn't, wait a few seconds and try refreshing the page yourself by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on a Mac.

Turn JavaScript on for all websites in Chrome

If you've disabled JavaScript for your entire browser, you'll need to go into Chrome's settings. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome — this is the menu button. A dropdown list will appear.

From that list, click "Settings". A new tab will open. On the left side, you'll see a menu. Click "Privacy and security". Under that section, click "Site settings". A list of different permissions will appear — you're looking for "JavaScript" in that list. Click on it.

You'll see a toggle switch next to "Allowed (recommended)". Make sure that toggle is switched on — it should be blue, not gray. Once it's on, close the Settings tab and go back to the website that wasn't working. Refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac), and the site should now function properly.

Why websites need JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language that runs inside your browser. It handles things like dropdown menus that open when you click them, search boxes that show suggestions as you type, and pages that load new content without making you wait for a full refresh. Without JavaScript, many modern websites look broken or don't respond to your clicks.

Some older security information recommended turning JavaScript off to protect against malicious code, but modern browsers like Chrome have built-in protections that make this unnecessary. Disabling JavaScript causes far more problems than it solves for most people.

What to do if a website still doesn't work

If you've turned JavaScript back on and the website still isn't working, the problem is probably something else. Try these steps: First, refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac). Second, close Chrome completely and open it again. Third, try the website in a different browser like Firefox or Edge to see if the problem is specific to Chrome.

If the website works in a different browser, the issue might be a Chrome extension interfering with the site. Go back to the three-dot menu, click "More tools", then "Extensions". Look for any extension you don't recognize or don't use, and click the toggle to turn it off. Then try the website again.

Check if JavaScript is actually on

If you want to verify that JavaScript is turned on, you can test it with a straightforward page. Open a new tab and go to a major website like Google, Facebook, or YouTube. Try typing in a search box or clicking a button. If those work, JavaScript is on. If nothing responds to your clicks and the page feels frozen, JavaScript might still be disabled.

Another way to check is to look at the address bar on any website. If you see a small icon (usually a circle with a slash, or a puzzle piece), that means JavaScript is off for that specific site. If you don't see any icon, JavaScript is on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to turn JavaScript back on?

Yes. Chrome has built-in protections against malicious code, and turning JavaScript off causes more problems than it prevents. Most websites need JavaScript to function, so keeping it on is the normal and safe way to use the internet.

Will turning JavaScript on slow down my browser?

No. JavaScript runs on websites you visit, not on Chrome itself. Turning it on won't make Chrome slower. If anything, websites may load faster because they can function the way they were designed to.

What if I want JavaScript off for just one website?

Click the icon in the address bar and toggle JavaScript off for that site only. Chrome will remember your choice and keep JavaScript off the next time you visit. You can change it back anytime by clicking that same icon.

Do I need to restart Chrome after changing the JavaScript setting?

No, but you do need to refresh the webpage. Press Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac) to reload the page and see the change take effect. You don't need to close and reopen Chrome.

Why would I ever want to turn JavaScript off?

Most people don't. Some older security guides recommended it, but modern browsers protect you without needing to disable JavaScript. The only reason to turn it off now is if a specific website is misbehaving and you want to test whether JavaScript is the cause.