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

Chrome runs JavaScript automatically when you install it. If a website is not working properly — if buttons do not respond, content does not load, or pages feel broken — JavaScript may have been turned off in your settings. Turning it back on takes about one minute and fixes most of these problems.

JavaScript is a programming language that websites use to make pages interactive. Without it, you cannot submit forms, play videos embedded on pages, use online maps, or see content that loads as you scroll. Most modern websites need JavaScript to work at all.

Key Takeaways

  • JavaScript is enabled in Chrome by default, so you only need to change this setting if you turned it off yourself or if someone else did.
  • You can turn JavaScript on or off in Chrome's Settings under Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then JavaScript.
  • If you turn JavaScript off for all sites, you will see broken pages everywhere; turning it off for specific sites is more useful.
  • After you change the JavaScript setting, refresh the page you were viewing and the change takes effect when ready.

How to turn JavaScript on for all websites

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site Settings.

In the Site Settings menu, scroll down until you see JavaScript and click it. You will see two options: Allowed (recommended) and Blocked. Make sure Allowed (recommended) is selected. Close the Settings tab and go back to the website that was not working. Refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on Mac, or by clicking the refresh arrow next to the address bar.

How to turn JavaScript on for one specific website

If you want JavaScript on for most sites but off for one particular website, you can set an exception. Go to the website and click the lock icon or information icon next to the address bar at the top of the page. Click Site Settings.

Find the JavaScript row and click the dropdown next to it. Select Allow. Close the settings panel and refresh the page. The next time you visit that website, JavaScript will be on for it even if you have JavaScript turned off globally.

How to turn JavaScript off for one specific website

If a website is causing problems — if it is slow, if it is showing ads you cannot close, or if it is behaving strangely — you can turn JavaScript off just for that site. Go to the website, click the lock or information icon next to the address bar, and click Site Settings.

Find the JavaScript row and click the dropdown. Select Block. Refresh the page. The website will load without JavaScript, though some features may not work. You can change this setting back to Allow at any time using the same steps.

What to do if the JavaScript setting is not where you expect it

Chrome updates regularly and the location of settings can shift slightly between versions. If you cannot find JavaScript in Site Settings, try searching for it instead. In the Settings menu, look for the search box at the top and type "JavaScript". Chrome will show you the setting and take you directly to it.

If you are using Chrome on a school or work computer, your administrator may have locked the JavaScript setting so you cannot change it. In that case, you will see a message saying the setting is managed by your organization. You will need to contact your IT department or administrator to change it.

Why websites break when JavaScript is off

Modern websites rely on JavaScript to do almost everything beyond showing plain text and images. When you click a button, JavaScript runs code that tells the page what to do next. When you type in a search box and see suggestions appear, that is JavaScript. When a page loads more posts as you scroll down, that is JavaScript too.

If JavaScript is off, these features straightforward do not work. The page may look fine but feel frozen — buttons do nothing, forms do not submit, and dynamic content does not appear. Turning JavaScript back on fixes this when ready for almost every website you visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning JavaScript on make Chrome slower?

No. JavaScript is designed to run efficiently, and modern computers handle it easily. Turning JavaScript on will not noticeably slow down your browsing. If anything, pages may load faster because they can work the way they were designed to.

Is JavaScript the same as Java?

No. Java and JavaScript are completely different programming languages with different purposes. Java is used for applications and servers. JavaScript runs inside your web browser. You do not need Java installed to run JavaScript.

Can I turn JavaScript off to block ads?

Turning off JavaScript will block some ads, but not all of them. Many ads are images or videos that do not need JavaScript to display. If you want to block ads more effectively, consider using an ad-blocking extension from the Chrome Web Store instead.

What if a website still does not work after I turn JavaScript on?

Try refreshing the page first. If that does not help, the problem may be something else — the website itself could be down, your internet connection could be slow, or the website may have a bug. Try visiting the website on a different device or browser to see if the problem is specific to Chrome.

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

No. The change takes effect when ready. Just refresh the page you are viewing and the new setting will explore. You do not need to close and reopen Chrome.