Chrome extensions live in a menu at the top right of your browser window
When you install an extension in Chrome, it does not appear as a separate program on your computer. Instead, Chrome puts a small icon for it in the toolbar at the top right of the browser — the area next to the address bar where you type website names. If you have installed extensions but cannot see them, they are almost certainly there, just hidden behind a menu.
The easiest way to find your extensions is to look for the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome. Click that icon and a dropdown menu appears showing every extension you have installed. From there you can turn extensions on and off, remove them, or change their settings without leaving the page you are reading.
If you do not see the puzzle piece icon, your extensions may have their own icons showing instead. Look at the toolbar to the right of the address bar — any small icons you see there are likely extension icons. Clicking any of them opens that extension's menu or settings.
Key Takeaways
- The puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome opens a menu showing all your installed extensions, whether they are visible or hidden.
- Individual extension icons appear in the toolbar next to the address bar, and you can pin or unpin them to control which ones show all the time.
- Right-clicking any extension icon lets you remove it, change its permissions, or adjust when it runs on websites.
- The Chrome menu (three vertical dots in the top right) has a "More tools" section that shows all extensions in one organized list with on-and-off switches.
Using the puzzle piece menu to see all extensions at once
The puzzle piece icon is the fastest way to view everything you have installed. Click it and Chrome shows a list of every extension, including ones you may have forgotten about. Each extension name appears with a toggle switch next to it — click the switch to turn that extension on or off without removing it.
Below each extension name, you will see a small "Details" link. Click that to open the extension's full settings page, where you can control what websites it runs on, what permissions it has, and other options specific to that extension. Some extensions also show a "Remove" button directly in this menu if you decide you no longer want it.
Pinning and unpinning extension icons in the toolbar
If you have many extensions installed, Chrome hides most of them behind the puzzle piece menu to keep your toolbar clean. You can choose which extension icons show all the time by pinning them. Click the puzzle piece icon, find the extension you want to see constantly, and look for a pin icon next to its name. Click the pin to lock that extension's icon into the toolbar.
Unpinning works the same way — click the puzzle piece, find the extension, and click the pin icon again to hide it. This does not remove the extension, only hides its icon. The extension keeps running in the background if it is turned on. Pinning is useful for extensions you use every day, like a password manager or ad blocker, while unpinning keeps your toolbar from getting too crowded.
Finding extensions through the Chrome menu
If you prefer not to use the puzzle piece icon, you can reach your extensions through Chrome's main menu. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser (to the right of the puzzle piece icon if you can see it). A dropdown menu appears. Look for "More tools" and hover over it — a submenu will open. Click "Extensions" and Chrome opens a full page showing every extension you have installed.
This extensions page is more detailed than the puzzle piece menu. You see each extension's icon, name, version number, and whether it is on or off. Toggle switches let you turn extensions on and off from this page. You can also click "Details" under any extension to see its permissions, what websites it runs on, and other settings. A "Remove" button appears at the bottom of each extension's details if you want to delete it.
Controlling which websites an extension runs on
By default, most extensions run on every website you visit. You can change this by limiting an extension to specific sites. Click the puzzle piece icon, find the extension, and click "Details". On the details page, look for a section called "Site access" or "Allow this extension to". You will see options like "On all sites", "On specific sites", or "On click only".
Choosing "On specific sites" lets you type in the websites where you want the extension to work. This is useful if you have an extension that you only need on one or two websites, or if you want to prevent an extension from running on sensitive sites like your bank. Choosing "On click only" means the extension does nothing until you click its icon — this is the safest option for extensions you do not trust completely.
Removing extensions you no longer use
To delete an extension, click the puzzle piece icon and find the one you want to remove. Click "Details" and scroll down until you see a "Remove" button, usually in red. Click it and Chrome asks you to confirm. Once you confirm, the extension is deleted from your browser and its icon disappears from the toolbar.
You can also remove an extension by right-clicking its icon in the toolbar and selecting "Remove from Chrome". This is faster if you know which icon belongs to the extension you want to delete. Removing an extension does not affect your browsing history or saved passwords — it only deletes the extension itself. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store.
What to do if an extension stops working
Sometimes an extension stops working after a Chrome update or because the website it connects to changed. First, check whether the extension is turned on. Click the puzzle piece icon and look for a toggle switch next to the extension's name. If it is off, click it to turn it back on.
If the extension is on but still not working, try turning it off and back on again. Click the puzzle piece, find the extension, and click its toggle to turn it off. Wait a few seconds, then click the toggle again to turn it back on. If that does not help, click "Details" and check the "Site access" settings — the extension may need permission to run on the website you are visiting. If nothing works, you may need to remove the extension and reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store, or contact the extension's developer for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see a number on the puzzle piece icon?
The number shows how many extensions you have installed that are currently hidden behind the puzzle piece menu. If you see a "3" on the puzzle piece, you have three extensions that do not have their icons pinned to the toolbar. Click the puzzle piece to see them all.
Can I organize my extensions into folders?
Chrome does not have built-in folders for organizing extensions. However, you can control which extension icons show in the toolbar by pinning and unpinning them, which helps keep things organized. You can also rename extensions in your mind or use the search bar on the extensions page to find specific ones quickly.
What does "Allow this extension to read and change your data" mean?
This permission means the extension can see the content of websites you visit and modify what appears on the page. Most extensions need this to work — for example, a grammar checker needs to read your text, and an ad blocker needs to hide ads. You can limit this permission to specific websites on the extension's details page.
If I turn off an extension, does it still use my computer's power?
Turning off an extension stops it from running and using your computer's resources. The extension remains installed, so you can turn it back on anytime without reinstalling it. If you want to completely remove it and free up space, you need to click the "Remove" button instead.
Where do I find extensions to install in the first place?
Extensions come from the Chrome Web Store, which you can reach by clicking the puzzle piece icon and selecting "Open Chrome Web Store" at the bottom of the menu. You can also search for "Chrome Web Store" in Google. Never install extensions from other websites — they may be unsafe or fake versions of real extensions.