To disable JavaScript in Google Chrome, open Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → JavaScript on a computer and select Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript. On Android, open Settings → Site settings → JavaScript and turn the setting off.
You can also block JavaScript on an individual website without changing the setting for every other site. Chrome DevTools offers a temporary option for developers who want to see how a page behaves without JavaScript.
The instructions below cover desktop Chrome, Android, website-specific blocking, and how to enable JavaScript again.
How to Disable JavaScript in Chrome on a Computer
You can disable JavaScript globally in Chrome on Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. This changes the browser’s default JavaScript permission, affecting websites generally rather than just the page currently open.
Method 1: Disable JavaScript Through Chrome Settings
Follow these steps:
- Open Google Chrome on your computer.
- Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Open Privacy and security.
- Select Site settings.
- Find and open JavaScript under the content or permissions settings.
- Under the default behavior section, select Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript.
Chrome will now block JavaScript by default on websites you visit.
Return to any open website and reload the page to apply the changed permission to its content. Some websites may display a message explaining that JavaScript is required.
Method 2: Open the JavaScript Settings Directly
You do not have to navigate through the Settings menus every time.
- Open Chrome.
- Enter chrome://settings/content/javascript in the address bar.
- Press Enter.
- Select Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript.
This opens Chrome’s JavaScript permission page directly. You can use the same address later to restore the previous setting or manage exceptions.
How to Disable JavaScript for One Website Only
Disabling JavaScript globally can interfere with websites that depend on it. If you only want to block scripts on a particular website, use a site-specific permission instead.
This lets other websites continue using JavaScript normally.
Block JavaScript Through the Website’s Settings
- Open the website in Chrome.
- Click the site information icon to the left of the address bar.
- Select Site settings.
- Find the JavaScript permission.
- Change its setting to Block.
- Return to the website and reload the page.
Chrome saves site permission changes automatically.
Add a Website to the Blocked List
You can also manage individual website permissions from Chrome’s JavaScript settings page.
- Enter chrome://settings/content/javascript in the address bar.
- Find the section for websites that are not allowed to use JavaScript.
- Select the option to add a website.
- Enter the website’s address.
- Save or confirm the exception if Chrome requests it.
The website will then be blocked from running JavaScript, while other sites can continue using the browser’s default permission.
You can use the allowed-sites section to create exceptions when JavaScript is blocked globally but a particular website needs it.
How to Disable JavaScript in Chrome on Android
Chrome for Android also provides a JavaScript setting.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap the three-dot menu.
- Select Settings.
- Open Site settings. Depending on your Chrome version, this option may appear under an Advanced heading.
- Tap JavaScript.
- Turn the JavaScript setting off.
- Return to the website and reload the page.
Chrome will now block JavaScript according to the setting you selected.
How to Block JavaScript for a Specific Website on Android
You can manage permissions for individual websites without changing the browser’s general settings.
- Open the website in Chrome.
- Tap the site information icon to the left of the address bar.
- Select Permissions.
- Find JavaScript if it is available in the site’s permission options.
- Change the permission to block it.
The available controls can vary with Chrome versions and the permissions exposed for a particular site. You can use the main JavaScript setting under Site settings to manage the general behavior.
Can You Disable JavaScript in Chrome on an iPhone or iPad?
Chrome for iPhone and iPad does not provide the same JavaScript control documented for desktop Chrome and Android.
Google’s Chrome help documentation states that JavaScript is enabled by default on iPhone and iPad. It does not provide a Chrome settings path for turning it off.
Be careful not to confuse Chrome’s settings with Safari’s settings. Changing JavaScript in Safari does not change the JavaScript permission in Chrome.
How to Temporarily Disable JavaScript Using Chrome DevTools
Chrome DevTools has a separate JavaScript control designed primarily for developers and website testing.
Unlike the regular browser setting, this method disables JavaScript temporarily in the tab being inspected. It is useful for checking whether a page can display its content without client-side scripts.
Follow these steps:
- Open the website you want to inspect.
- Open Chrome DevTools.
- On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + P. On macOS, press Command + Shift + P.
- The DevTools Command Menu will appear.
- Type javascript.
- Select Disable JavaScript and press Enter.
- Reload the page to examine how it behaves without JavaScript.
Chrome displays an indicator when JavaScript is disabled through DevTools.
JavaScript remains disabled in that tab while DevTools is open. To restore it, open the Command Menu again and run Enable JavaScript, or simply close DevTools.
This method is particularly useful for web developers testing progressive enhancement, page rendering, and how much a website relies on client-side JavaScript.
What Happens When You Disable JavaScript in Chrome?
JavaScript allows websites to respond to user actions, update content dynamically, and provide interactive features. When Chrome blocks it, the browser can still display content that does not depend on JavaScript, but script-dependent functionality may stop working.
The exact result depends on how the website was developed.
| Website feature | Possible effect when JavaScript is disabled |
| Static text and articles | May continue displaying normally |
| Navigation menus | Interactive menus may stop working |
| Search features | Dynamic search may become unavailable |
| Login systems | Script-dependent authentication may fail |
| Shopping carts | Cart updates and checkout interactions may break |
| Video players | Some embedded players may not load |
| Web applications | Some applications may show incomplete or blank screens |
| Forms | Script-dependent validation and submission features may stop working |
For example, a basic article page may still display its text because the content is already present in the HTML. A web application that builds its entire interface using JavaScript may show very little content when scripts are blocked.
YouTube is one example of a service that requires JavaScript for video playback, according to Google’s Chrome troubleshooting documentation.
Why Would Someone Disable JavaScript in Chrome?
There are several situations in which blocking JavaScript can be useful.
Website testing: Developers can check how pages behave when JavaScript is unavailable. This helps identify whether essential information remains accessible and whether the website depends too heavily on client-side scripts.
Troubleshooting: Temporarily blocking scripts can help determine whether a website problem is related to its JavaScript functionality or another part of the browsing experience.
Reducing script execution: Blocking JavaScript prevents websites from executing their normal browser-side JavaScript code. This may be useful when investigating a specific website or testing a restricted browsing configuration.
However, disabling JavaScript is not a complete privacy, security, or advertising-blocking solution. It does not automatically block cookies, every network request, or all forms of tracking. Chrome manages cookies and other site permissions separately.
How to Enable JavaScript Again in Chrome
If a website stops working properly after you disable JavaScript, you can restore the permission.
Enable JavaScript on Desktop
- Open Chrome.
- Enter chrome://settings/content/javascript in the address bar.
- Under the default behavior section, select Sites can use JavaScript.
- Check the blocked and allowed website exceptions if a particular site still does not work.
- Reload the affected website.
Enable JavaScript on Android
- Open Chrome.
- Tap the three-dot menu and select Settings.
- Open Site settings.
- Select JavaScript.
- Turn the setting on.
- Reload the website.
Restore JavaScript for One Website
If you blocked JavaScript only for a particular website, return to its Site settings and change the JavaScript permission from Block to Allow, where available. You can also reset the website’s permissions.
Restore JavaScript After Using DevTools
If you used the temporary DevTools method, run Enable JavaScript from the Command Menu or close DevTools.
Common Problems When Disabling JavaScript in Chrome
The Website Still Shows Some Content
Disabling JavaScript does not prevent Chrome from displaying all website content. HTML and CSS can still render without JavaScript.
A page may therefore continue showing text, images, and basic formatting even when its scripts are blocked.
The Website Stops Working Completely
Some websites rely heavily on JavaScript to generate their interfaces and handle user interactions. Blocking scripts can prevent these pages from loading correctly.
Enable JavaScript again for that website or create a site-specific exception if you want to continue using it.
JavaScript Is Blocked on Some Websites but Not Others
Check the allowed and blocked website lists on Chrome’s JavaScript settings page. Site-specific permissions can take precedence over the default setting.
For example, blocking JavaScript globally while allowing it for one website produces a different result from blocking it only on that website.
The JavaScript Setting Is Locked or Cannot Be Changed
A workplace, school, or other organization may manage Chrome through administrative policies. Administrators can enforce JavaScript permissions and prevent users from changing them.
If Chrome displays a management notice or the JavaScript setting is unavailable, check whether the browser or device is managed. Contact the administrator if the restriction comes from an organizational policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling JavaScript in Chrome affect every website?
Yes, when you change the global default to Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript, Chrome blocks JavaScript across websites generally. You can create allowed-site exceptions for websites that need scripts.
Can I disable JavaScript without using Chrome DevTools?
Yes. Open chrome://settings/content/javascript and select Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript. This is the regular browser setting and does not require Developer Tools.
Can I disable JavaScript for only one website?
Yes. Open the website’s Site settings and block its JavaScript permission. You can also add the website to the blocked list through Chrome’s JavaScript settings page.
Does disabling JavaScript block cookies?
No. JavaScript permissions and cookie settings are separate Chrome controls. Disabling JavaScript does not automatically prevent websites from storing or accessing cookies through other browser mechanisms.
Why does a website ask me to enable JavaScript?
The website probably uses JavaScript for features needed to display content or handle interactions. These might include video playback, dynamic page content, account access, or application functionality. Allowing JavaScript for that website may resolve the issue.
Conclusion
You can disable JavaScript in Chrome through the browser’s Site settings on desktop and Android. Desktop users can block scripts globally or create individual website exceptions, while Android users can change the general JavaScript permission and manage available site-specific permissions.
For temporary testing, Chrome DevTools provides a convenient alternative that disables JavaScript only while DevTools remains open. Choose the method that matches your purpose, and restore JavaScript when a website depends on it for normal operation.
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