Google is the default search engine on most browsers, but you may need to change it back if another engine took over

When you open a new tab or use your browser's address bar to search, it sends your query to a search engine. That engine is your default search engine. On Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, Google is usually set as the default when you install them, but other programs, extensions, or settings changes can swap it out for Bing, Yahoo, or a lesser-known engine without asking you first.

Getting Google back as your default takes two to five minutes and works the same way on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The steps differ slightly depending on which browser you use, but the setting lives in the same place on all of them: your browser's settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all let you set Google as the default search engine in their settings menu, usually under "Search engine" or "Search".
  • If another search engine is stuck as your default, check your installed extensions first — some add-ons override your search settings without permission.
  • Resetting your browser settings to default will restore Google as your search engine, but it will also clear your homepage, new tab page, and extension choices.
  • On Windows, malware or unwanted programs can change your search engine at the system level, so run a full scan if Google keeps reverting after you change it.

How to set Google as default in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Search engine. You will see a dropdown menu showing your current default search engine.

Click the dropdown and select Google from the list. If Google does not appear in the list, click Manage search engines, find Google in the full list, and click the three dots next to it, then select Make default. Close the settings tab — the change takes effect when ready.

How to set Google as default in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Search. Under the "Default Search Engine" section, click the dropdown menu and select Google.

If you want Google to be your search engine in the search bar at the top of the page as well, scroll down to "Search Shortcuts" and make sure Google is listed there. You can also drag Google to the top of the list if you prefer it to appear first. Close the settings tab when you are done.

How to set Google as default in Edge

Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the "Search engine" section. Click the dropdown under "Search engine used in the address bar" and select Google.

You can also set Google as the search engine for new tabs by clicking the dropdown under "Search engine used in the search box" and selecting Google there as well. Close the settings tab when finished.

Check your extensions if Google keeps disappearing

Some browser extensions change your default search engine without your permission. If you set Google as your default but it keeps switching back to another engine, your extensions are likely the cause. Open your browser's extension menu and look for any you do not recognize or do not remember installing.

In Chrome, click the three dots and select More tools, then Extensions. In Firefox, click the menu button and select Add-ons and themes, then Extensions. In Edge, click the three dots and select Extensions. Remove any extension you do not use or trust, then check your search engine setting again. If the problem stops, you found the culprit.

Reset your browser to restore Google if nothing else works

If you cannot find the extension causing the problem, or if your search engine keeps changing even after you remove extensions, resetting your browser to its default state will restore Google as your search engine. This will also clear your homepage, new tab page, saved passwords, and extension choices, so only do this if you are willing to set those things up again.

In Chrome, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults. In Firefox, go to Settings > General > scroll to the bottom and click Refresh Firefox. In Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values. Confirm the action and your browser will restart.

Remove malware if your search engine changes at the system level

On Windows, some malware and unwanted programs change your search engine by modifying system settings rather than browser settings. If you set Google as your default in your browser but your searches still go to another engine, or if the setting keeps reverting after you change it, run a full malware scan using Windows Defender or a third-party scanner like Malwarebytes.

Open Windows Defender by typing "Windows Security" in the search box at the bottom left of your screen. Click Virus & threat protection, then Scan options. Select Full scan and click Scan now. The scan can take 30 minutes or longer. If malware is found, Windows Defender will remove it automatically. After the scan completes, restart your computer and check your search engine setting again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my search engine change without me doing anything?

An extension you installed, a program you downloaded, or a malware infection can change your search engine without your permission. Extensions are the most common cause on Mac and Linux. On Windows, malware is more likely. Check your extensions first, then run a malware scan if the problem persists.

Will resetting my browser delete my bookmarks?

No. Resetting your browser clears your homepage, new tab page, extensions, and some settings, but it keeps your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. However, you will lose any custom settings you made to those features, so only reset if you are willing to set them up again.

Can I set different search engines for different situations?

Yes. In Firefox, you can add multiple search engines and choose which one to use for each search by clicking the search engine icon in the search bar. Chrome and Edge do not have this feature built in, but some extensions offer it. Your default search engine will still be used when you search from the address bar.

What if Google is not showing up in my search engine list?

This is rare but can happen if your browser is very old or heavily modified. Go to google.com in your browser, then return to your search engine settings. Most browsers will detect Google and add it to the list automatically. If it still does not appear, try updating your browser to the latest version.

Does changing my default search engine affect my Google account or search history?

No. Your default search engine is just where your searches go. If you are signed into your Google account, Google will still save your search history and show you personalized results, regardless of which engine is set as your default. Changing your default search engine does not affect your account.