How to get rid of Google redirects to Bing

If Chrome keeps sending your searches to Bing instead of Google, it doesn’t necessarily mean your browser is infected by malware. In many cases, the issue comes from a changed default search engine, startup page, or browser setting. But if Bing returns even after you switch back to Google, an unwanted extension, program, or browser hijacker could be changing your browser settings.

In this guide, I explain how to stop Chrome from redirecting to Bing and help you work through the most likely causes. You’ll also learn how to check for suspicious extensions or software and when it makes sense to run a full antivirus scan to check for possible malware.

What exactly is this threat, and how can I recognize it?

A Bing redirect can happen for several reasons, including changed browser settings, unwanted extensions, installed software, or a browser hijacker. A browser hijacker is a type of malware that can take over Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and other browsers to make unwanted changes, such as altering your default search engine. However, redirects to Bing aren’t always caused by malware and can also result from changed browser settings, extensions, or installed software. If a browser hijacker is responsible, it may force your searches through a search engine different from the one you originally selected.

Name	Bing redirect browser hijacker
Type	Browser hijacker, adware, PUA (potentially unwanted application)
Targeted devices	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Symptoms	Default search engine (Google) is changed to Bing, redirects to suspicious websites, increased amount of intrusive ads, search results at the top are sponsored or not fully legitimate
Damage	Increased risk of other malware attacks, phishing attempts, deteriorated browsing experience

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How to stop Google Chrome redirects to Bing

There are various steps to eliminate Bing redirects, and the approach depends on how serious your situation is. Sometimes, to stop Bing redirects, it might be enough to uninstall unwanted browser extensions. However, if you have a browser hijacker on your device, you'll need to completely reset your browser settings and run a thorough system scan with antivirus software to fully remove the browser hijacker.

To make things easier, I prepared detailed step-by-step guides for you to effectively remove Microsoft Bing redirects.

1. Check Chrome's startup settings

Before worrying about a hijacker or a malicious reason behind the Bing redirect issue, it’s worth looking into Chrome’s startup settings to rule out a simple change in default options. Here's how to check it:

1. Click the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome and select Settings. Alternatively, type chrome://settings/onStartup into the address bar and jump to step 3.
2. Click On startup in the left-hand menu.
3. If Open a specific page or set of pages is selected, review the listed URLs.
4. Remove any unfamiliar or suspicious pages by clicking the three dots next to them and selecting Remove.
5. Select Open the New Tab page instead if you want to reset this to Chrome's default behavior.

2. Change the default search engine

You can try manually removing Bing redirects by changing your default search engine. Here’s how to do it on Google Chrome:

1. Launch the browser Settings menu from the three vertical dots at the top right corner of your Chrome browser. Alternatively, you can type chrome://settings/ into the address bar.
2. Click Search engine in the left-hand menu and press Change
3. In the dialogue box, select Google and click Set as default
4. Then, in the Manage search engines and site search section, remove Bing by clicking on the three dots and Delete

3. Remove suspicious browser extensions

You can also check whether there are any suspicious extensions installed on your Google Chrome browser and remove them manually:

1. Click on the three dots at the top right of your browser window, then click Extensions and choose Manage Extensions
2. In the My extensions menu, look for suspicious add-ons, and remove them by clicking Remove

4. Uninstall suspicious apps or programs

Browser hijackers aren't always limited to extensions – they can also install themselves as standalone desktop programs. It’s important to check your installed applications for anything you don't recognize, especially if you notice the search engine changes even after resetting the defaults.

Remove apps on Windows:

1. Open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features on older versions of Windows)
2. Sort the list by install date to spot anything installed recently that you don't recognize
3. Click the three dots next to any suspicious program and select Uninstall
4. Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation, then restart your device

Remove apps on Mac:

1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder
2. Look for any unfamiliar apps, particularly ones installed around the time the redirects started
3. Drag the suspicious app to the Trash, or right-click it and select Move to Trash
4. Empty the Trash, then restart your device

Once you've removed any suspicious programs, it's a good idea to also clear your browser's cache and restart it before checking whether the redirects have stopped.

5. Reset browser settings to stop redirects

Since a browser hijacker alters your settings without your consent to cause Google redirects to Bing, it’s best to completely reset your browser if none of the above manual steps helped.

Here’s how to change your default search engine back to Google on Chrome:

1. Click on the three dots iIn the upper right corner and choose Settings
2. On the left, find the Reset settings option

   

3. Click Restore settings to their original defaults
4. Confirm by clicking Reset settings again

   

5. Restart the browser

If you are using a Safari browser, here are the steps for resetting your browser:

1. Open your device settings, scroll down to Apps, and open the Safari browser
2. Click Safari in the top-left corner and then click Clear History
3. Make sure All History is selected
4. Click on Clear History
5. Go back to the Safari menu, click Settings, and click Privacy
6. Open Manage Website Data
7. Select the Remove All option and click Done
8. Finally, restart your Safari browser

The same logic applies to Mozilla Firefox browsers. Try following these steps if you wish to reset browser settings:

1. Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner and select Help
2. Then, select More troubleshooting information
3. Click Refresh Firefox on the right
4. Confirm by clicking Refresh Firefox again
5. Restart Firefox

6. Remove a browser hijacker with an antivirus

Browser hijackers might hide anywhere on your system, and removing all related files manually can be challenging. However, premium antivirus providers have excellent malware detection rates and can easily remove the potentially unwanted program for you.

Here’s how to use an antivirus to get rid of a browser hijacker causing Google redirects to Bing:

1. Choose a reputable antivirus software. TotalAV is great for removing browser hijackers
2. Install the antivirus on your device
3. Run a full system scan
4. Follow the instructions provided by your antivirus to remove any malware from your device

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Why is Bing coming up instead of Google?

If you’ve set your default search engine to Google but notice unwanted redirects to Bing whenever you perform a query, your computer might be infected with a browser hijacker.

There might be a small chance you accidentally reverted the setting for your default search engine, but if you’re confident you set Google as the primary option, it’s highly likely your browser is hijacked by a potentially unwanted program.

Symptoms of a browser hijacker

Identifying a browser hijacker might be confusing if it’s the first time your device has been infected. Here’s a list of symptoms you should look for to identify one:

• Your search queries are redirected to Bing.com. There are several reasons why your search results might be going through Bing, including changes in Chrome’s startup settings, your device’s default search engine settings, or third-party extensions or software. However, if your selected search engine is being replaced even after you have double-checked your settings, then it’s highly likely your browser is affected by a hijacker. You will need to remove it and reset your browser settings to regain control over your search engine.
• There’s a noticeable increase in intrusive ads. You may encounter frequent ads when browsing because this is how online marketing works. However, if various pop-ups and banners start to become annoying and cover the content more than usual, there’s a strong possibility that it’s the browser hijacker’s fault.
• A new tab pops up when you perform a search. Keep an eye out for a new tab that appears when you search for something online. New tabs promoting suspicious websites are another key symptom of a potentially unwanted program at work.
• Different homepage. Perhaps the most noticeable symptom of having a browser hijacker present on your device is a changed homepage. Suppose the default homepage has been altered without your permission, and you find that when you open your browser, it loads an unfamiliar website instead of your usual start page. In that case, chances are your browser has been hijacked by malware.

How can I protect my device against browser hijacking?

Browser hijackers are a common online threat that many users have encountered. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can follow to protect your device:

• Regularly update your OS and browser. Outdated software creates vulnerabilities that hijackers can exploit. Keep your operating system and browser up-to-date to close these security gaps.
• Avoid installing suspicious browser extensions. Hijackers often disguise themselves as regular extensions. Only install extensions from reputable developers and extension stores, like Chrome Web Store, to minimize risk.
• Practice digital hygiene. Hijackers can infect your system through malicious ads or deceptive emails. Before clicking on any ad, you should verify its source. Similarly, you shouldn’t blindly trust emails even from reputable companies like Apple or Microsoft, as the sender can just be impersonating them, trying to get you to download infected attachments.
• Install programs from official websites only. Avoid pirated software, as it often contains malware. Stick to trusted sources for all your downloads.
• Always use reliable antivirus software. A good layer of protection against malware is a reliable antivirus, like Norton. It continuously scans your system in real time to prevent any cyberattacks.

Video tutorial

If you find that following a video is easier for you, you can check out our YouTube tutorial here:

Wrapping up

Redirects to Bing don't always mean your device is infected. Often, the cause is simply a change to the default search engine, an improper startup setting, or a browser extension you installed and forgot about. All of this you can fix yourself in a few minutes without the help of additional tools. It's only when Bing keeps coming back after you've double-checked your settings and removed suspicious extensions that a browser hijacker becomes the likely explanation.

In that case, a reliable antivirus tool like Norton can help identify and remove the hijacker, and its real-time protection adds an extra layer of defense against similar threats going forward. But for most people, the fix is a lot simpler than malware removal, so it's worth ruling out the basic causes first before assuming the worst.

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