Why Is Chrome Sending Me to Bing? What It Means and How To Fix It

If you’ve gone into your Chrome browser to conduct a Google search and have been mysteriously redirected to Bing.com, you may have accidentally installed a browser hijacker. Google is the default search engine for Chrome, so it’s unusual if it redirects you to Microsoft’s competing search engine.

To stop Chrome from redirecting to Bing, you’ll need a good antivirus and a little time to reconfigure your settings. If you aren’t sure how to do this, we’ll walk you through it.

How to stop Bing redirect

You’ll need to take several steps to remove the browser hijacker that's redirecting you to Bing. Some users have reported stopping it by removing misconfigured settings in Microsoft Edge or disabling an extension. 

But the most common issue is potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or browser-hijacking malware that's causing the redirect. Whatever it is, you’ll need to do a little investigation into your own system to figure out exactly which one is causing you grief. We’ve provided a tutorial below that you can follow.

1. Uninstall suspicious extensions and applications

This is likely going to be the most time-consuming part of the process. If you know the redirect started after you installed a certain extension, disable, uninstall, and delete that extension to see if the problem is solved.

If you don’t know which extension is causing it, you’ll have to disable each one individually and keep retrying until you find the problem.

How to uninstall a Google Chrome extension

1. Open Chrome.
2. In the top-right corner, click More (the three vertical dots).
3. Click Extensions from the drop-down menu.
4. Click Manage Extensions.
5. Toggle the slider under each extension off until you find the problem.
6. Once you’ve found the problem, click Remove.

How to uninstall a Windows application

There are various ways to remove applications in Windows 10 and Windows 11, but removing them from the Control Panel is the easiest. If you want to try another way, you can do a quick internet search for how to remove an application.

1. Type Control Panel into the search bar and click it.
2. From the Control Panel, select Programs.
3. Then select Programs and Features.
4. Right-click or press and hold the program or application you want to remove.
5. Click Uninstall.

How to uninstall a macOS application

1. Click the Finder icon in your Mac's dock (usually in the lower left).
2. From the menu, click Applications.
3. Find the application icon you want to remove.
4. Drag the icon to the trash can in the lower right corner of your dock.
5. If your system requires a password or your fingerprint, input or touch your ID button.

2. Reset Chrome settings

Resetting your Chrome settings will help make sure any changes you’ve made take effect. It’ll also let you restore your homepage and search engine to their default settings. This means you'll go back to the original settings, which won't include the browser hijacker. You can essentially remove the malware by resetting your preferences. 

1. Open your Chrome browser.
2. Click More (the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner).
3. Click Reset settings.
4. Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
5. Click Reset settings.

3. Scan your device with an antivirus

Next, to ensure everything is clean and running smoothly, open your antivirus software and run a system scan. We recommend running a full disk scan rather than a quick one. This way, you can be sure to catch anything that may have hidden in another part of your hard drive. If you use an external hard drive for any reason, scan that too.

If you don’t have an antivirus program, it’s recommendedthat you get one. We’ve tested and reviewed the best antivirus software, and our top recommendations are below. Installing and using antivirus software is one of the easiest ways to prevent malware and viruses.

4. Remove detected malware

If your antivirus scan comes up with malware, a virus, a Trojan, or anything else that shouldn’t be there, you’ll need to follow the instructions from your particular service to quarantine and remove those files.

Downloading extensions from the internet, or even browsing online without a real-time antivirus, can leave you susceptible to all types of nasty stuff. If the redirect you’re experiencing is from malware or a virus, it won’t go away by simply resetting your Chrome browser. You’ll need to get rid of the files, and that’s where an antivirus comes in.

5. Run a second antivirus scan

Once you’ve cleaned all the malware off your hard drive and any external devices like hard drives or USB sticks, you’ll need to run a second scan. This ensures you remove all malicious files and code from your hard drive, external hard drive, and any USB sticks connected to your computer.

If the next scan shows your computer is still infected, make sure you quarantine and clean it, then run another scan. Keep running scans until you get a clean scan with no suspicious activity.

6. Restart your computer

Once you’re sure your device is clear and all your scans come back clean, you can go ahead and restart your computer. This will reset everything back to its proper working state.

If you really want to double down, shut down your computer entirely instead of hitting the restart option. Once it’s powered down, unplug the power cord from your computer. Let it sit for 60 seconds, then plug the power cord back in and boot up your computer. 

Why is Chrome redirecting to Bing?

The Bing redirect might be happening because a hacker has infiltrated your system and installed malware, or you downloaded something suspicious that takes you to Bing search. Usually, you download free software that includes potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), like the Wave Browser, for example. Bad actors will lump malware into free software. 

Why would someone want to redirect your traffic? This is likely to redirect you to spam or scam sites that aim to steal your credentials, money, and other sensitive data. There’s also the possibility of spamming you with endless ads or potentially using this issue to create a vulnerability and install more aggressive malware.

It’s also possible that you downloaded a browser extension with some kind of unwanted redirect or malware. Potentially unwanted programs are annoying but not necessarily malicious. There’s always a chance you just stumbled across a prank from an internet prankster who likes mischief, but that’s becoming less and less the case. 

No matter what, you’ll need to correct the problem so you don’t end up with worse issues down the road.

How to protect your device from browser hijackers

The best way to protect yourself from browser hijacking is to use a security stack that prevents unwanted programs from running on your computer and other devices. A security stack bundles applications together (like antivirus, a VPN, and others) to create a secure wall around your devices. Major companies and corporations use security stacks, and you definitely should too.

• Use Guardio to protect your browser.
• Antivirus is real-time protection that catches malware and viruses as they’re trying to attack you.
• Look for a high-quality VPN with a no-logs policy and a range of security features, including obfuscated servers. Be wary of free VPNs that may sell your data or be full of malware.  
  
• Tracker and ad blockers will keep trackers from following you around the web and block ads and pop-ups, adware or not, from appearing on your computer.
• For the most protection, consider identity theft protection services. If you do get hacked and your identity is compromised, these services can help you restore your finances and good name with both insurance protection and remediation assistance. 
  

Bottom line

If you find yourself experiencing the Bing redirect virus, you need to take the steps to correct it as soon as possible. Removing hijackers, malware, viruses, or Trojans from your computer is entirely possible without damaging your device. As long as you correct the problem early, you shouldn’t have any other problems.

If you aren’t using antivirus software, you need to choose one. We’ve reviewed the best malware removal tools to ensure you get powerful protection. Antivirus and anti-malware tools are your best line of defense against hijackers, hackers, and other malicious programs.

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