Often you would find Chrome opening new tabs due to a variety of reasons. But getting rid of these problems requires a tweak in the settings & some other additional things alongside it. 

Why Chrome Keeps Opening New Tabs?

There might be several issues that can cause Chrome to keep opening new tabs. The most popular issues include:

Malware

There can be malware attacks that cause your computer or browser to force you to open random tabs. Often this malware can come through the internet or from anything outside that you have entered into the computer. 

Extensions

Often there are different clickbait ads or extensions that you might have gone into unknowingly. These can often result in an extension installed into your Chrome browser. It causes tabs to open. 

Settings 

You might have your search settings open a new tab for every new search or open specific tabs for your home page. 

Corrupted Install 

There might be problems with the installing file or problems inside the program file that causes the browser to act as such. 

How to Fix Chrome From Opening New Tabs

Option 1: Adjust Your Chrome Browser Settings

If a new tab keeps opening for every new search then this should fix your problem. Search anything in the address bar & press enter. At the right top corner, you will find settings & press see all settings. 

Then there you can find a setting called “Where results open”. It’s a checkbox that says “Open each selected result in a new browser window”. Unchecking it would now open each search result in the same tab. 

Option 2: Remove any Malware or Extension

First, go to the control panel & see all the programs. Check if there is any unnecessary software that has been installed without your consent. If you do find one, then uninstall it. 

Now go to the chrome browser & type “chrome://extensions/” in the address bar. This should open all the extensions that are in your browser. If you find anything that is weird or without your consent then remove it from your browser. 

Option 3: Disable Background Apps 

Even if you disable all the extensions there may be some apps running in the background. Disabling this feature will fix this problem. To disable them open google chrome & click the three dots at the top right corner. 

You will find the settings there & then in there, you will find advanced. Look for “system” under the advanced option. There you will find the “Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed” option. Disable this option.  

Option 4: Scan your PC for Malware

One of the most common ways to face this problem is through malware. It can come from the internet or anything you have connected to your PC. There might be other things that indicate that your PC is infected with viruses or malware. 

For this step, you need a good antivirus tool. Use the antivirus to scan your whole PC & eliminate all types of malware. This should solve any virus-related issues that cause the browser to open new tabs. Sometimes these background apps may cause tabs to run automatically. 

Option 5: Checking Malware from Chrome

If the malware is chrome specific then there is an option to check that too. Open Chrome & click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner. From there go to the settings & then go to advanced. 

Go to the “Reset and clean up” section and click on the Cleanup Computer. From there click on find and then this should remove all the malware from your computer. 

Option 6: Reinstall Chrome

If the problem is caused by the malfunction of the browser then the best option is to uninstall the software first & then install it afterward. You get a fresh, cleaned-up browser to set your preferences again. 

Chrome will load all your settings & bookmarks, So don’t worry about that. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Is it possible to reset the chrome browser?

Yes, it is. You have to go to the settings tab and go way down to the advanced portion. There you will find the reset & clean up section. Reset the settings from there. 

Conclusions

Following the above solutions will lead to a solution for sure. But sometimes the best thing to do is to go to default settings. This should solve problems other than the malware problems from your computer.