JavaScript is on by default in Chrome, but you can turn it back on if you disabled it
Chrome runs JavaScript automatically when you visit a website. You do not need to do anything to enable it under normal circumstances. However, if you or someone else disabled JavaScript in your browser settings, you can turn it back on in about 30 seconds.
The steps are the same whether you use Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. If a website tells you that JavaScript is off and you want to use that site, follow the process below.
Key Takeaways
- JavaScript runs in Chrome by default and you only need to change this if you deliberately turned it off.
- Open Chrome's settings, go to Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then JavaScript, and toggle it on.
- If you want JavaScript off for most sites but on for one specific site, you can add that site to an exception list instead of turning it on globally.
- After you change the setting, refresh the webpage you were trying to use and it should work.
How to turn JavaScript on in Chrome settings
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. This opens a menu. Click Settings.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security. Then click Site Settings. A new list of options appears. Scroll down and click JavaScript.
You will see a toggle switch next to "Allowed (recommended)". If the toggle is gray and switched to the left, JavaScript is off. Click the toggle to turn it on. The toggle will turn blue and move to the right. Close the Settings tab and go back to the website you were trying to use. Refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on Mac.
Why a website might say JavaScript is disabled
Most websites need JavaScript to work properly. Without it, buttons do not respond, forms do not submit, and pages do not load new content when you scroll. If you see a message saying "JavaScript is disabled" or "Please enable JavaScript", the site detected that your browser is not running JavaScript code.
This usually means someone turned off JavaScript in Chrome settings on purpose. It could also mean a browser extension is blocking JavaScript on that specific site. If turning on JavaScript in settings does not fix the problem, check whether you have installed any extensions that control what scripts run on websites.
Allowing JavaScript on one site while keeping it off everywhere else
If you want JavaScript off for security or privacy reasons but need it on for one specific website, you can add that site to an exception list. Go to Settings, Privacy and security, Site Settings, JavaScript. Under "Not allowed", you will see a section that says "Add". Click it and type the website address (for example, example.com). Click Add. That site will now run JavaScript even though JavaScript is off globally.
You can also do the opposite: keep JavaScript on everywhere but block it on specific sites. Go to the same JavaScript settings page. Under "Allowed (recommended)", click "Add" and type the website address you want to block. That site will no longer run JavaScript.
What to do if JavaScript is on but a website still does not work
If you turned on JavaScript and the website still does not work, the problem is usually not JavaScript itself. The site might be down, your internet connection might be slow, or the site might have a bug. Try refreshing the page. Wait a few seconds and try again. If it still does not work, try the website on a different browser like Firefox or Edge to see whether the problem is specific to Chrome.
You can also check whether an extension is interfering. Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome (next to the address bar) and look for any extensions you do not recognize. Disable them one at a time and refresh the website after each one. If the site starts working, that extension was the problem.
How to check whether JavaScript is on right now
You do not need to check manually. If JavaScript is on, websites that require it will work. If it is off, you will see an error message or buttons that do not respond. You can also open Chrome's developer tools by pressing F12 or Ctrl+Shift+I on Windows (or Command+Option+I on Mac), click the Console tab, and look at the messages. If you see errors about scripts not loading, JavaScript is likely off or blocked.
The Console tab shows you what JavaScript is doing on the page in real time. Red error messages mean something went wrong. If you see many errors and the page is not working, JavaScript is probably disabled or an extension is blocking it. Refresh the page after you turn JavaScript on, and the errors should disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning on JavaScript make my browser less find?
JavaScript itself is not inherently unsafe. It is a normal part of how modern websites work. However, malicious websites can use JavaScript to cause problems. Chrome has built-in protections against this. If you are concerned about security, keep JavaScript on but use Chrome's Safe Browsing feature, which warns you about dangerous sites before you visit them.
Do I need to restart Chrome after turning on JavaScript?
No. The change takes effect when ready. Just refresh the webpage you were trying to use by pressing Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac), and JavaScript will run on that page.
Can I turn JavaScript off for just one website?
Yes. Go to Settings, Privacy and security, Site Settings, JavaScript. Under "Allowed (recommended)", click "Add" and type the website address. That site will no longer run JavaScript while JavaScript stays on everywhere else.
What if I cannot find the JavaScript setting in Chrome?
Make sure you are in the right place: Settings, then Privacy and security on the left, then Site Settings, then scroll down to JavaScript. If you still cannot find it, you may be using an older version of Chrome. Update Chrome by clicking the three dots, then Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome will check for updates automatically.