Typically, when your search engine changes to another provider, it results from malware. It happens when you download and install free software from the Internet that contains unwanted programs. This type of malicious software can change your homepage and search engine without your permission.
We all have been there before. You sit down at your computer, open up your web browser, and type in a search query only to find that your default search engine has been changed without your knowledge or consent. This can be frustrating, especially if you prefer the old search engine. So, what causes this to happen, and how can you fix it?
In most cases, malware is the root cause of a changed search engine. When you download and install free software from the Internet, you may also be installing unwanted programs along with that. These programs can change your homepage and search engine without your permission.
Fortunately, you can do a few things to fix the problem. Let’s check them out!
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Uninstall the Suspicious Software
The first step is to identify and uninstall the software that you think might be causing the problem. To do this, head to your list of installed programs and look for any suspicious entries, especially those that you recently installed. Once you’ve found the suspicious software, click “Uninstall” and follow the prompts to remove it from your system.
Restore Your Browser Settings
The next step is to restore your browser settings to their default values. This will remove any changes that the malware might have made, such as changing your homepage or search engine. To do so, go to Chrome’s Settings > Reset and clean up. Next, press “Restore settings to their original defaults” and click “Reset settings.”
Scan Your Computer for Malware
Once you’ve uninstalled the suspicious software and reset your browser settings, it’s time to scan your computer for any remaining malware. Else, the problem might come back. To do this, we recommend using a reliable anti-malware program, such as Malwarebytes. Once you’ve installed the software, run a full scan of your system to remove any remaining malware.
Change Your Search Engine Back Manually
If the search engine is still changed after you’ve taken all the steps above, you can try to change it manually. To do this in Chrome, go to Settings > Search engine. Then, under “Search engine used in the address bar,” select your preferred search engine and click “Done.”
Run the Chrome Malware Detector
Sometimes the unwanted software you install adds a redirecting virus that redirects your search to Bing even when you type in Google. So you need to remove the virus to fix this problem. Fortunately, Chrome offers a built-in tool that can help you with this.
Open Chrome, go to Settings > Reset and clean up. Press “Clean up your computer” and then “Find.” Chrome will now scan your computer for malicious software and automatically remove it.
Use an Alternative Browser
You can always use an alternative browser if you don’t want to go through all the hassle of removing the malware and resetting your browser settings. We recommend using a safe and secure browser like Brave browser, which arrives with built-in security features that can protect you from malware and other online threats.
Browsers like Microsoft Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari are also good alternatives. You can try switching between them to see which one works best for you.
Conclusion
These are a few methods that can help you fix the problem of a changed search engine. So, if you find that your default search engine has been changed without your knowledge or consent, try out these methods to fix it. We hope you will be able to fix the problem easily using these methods. Thanks for reading!