How to Disable Javascript in Google Chrome

JavaScript is the programming language that powers the modern web. It is responsible for almost every interactive element on a website, from complex web applications and animated graphics to pop-up advertisements and tracking scripts.

While disabling JavaScript will “break” many major websites (like YouTube or Gmail), there are valid reasons to turn it off. Disabling JavaScript can force a highly bloated, ad-heavy news article to load instantly as pure text, prevent annoying pop-up overlays, and significantly enhance your privacy by blocking tracking scripts. If you need a distraction-free reading experience, turning off JavaScript in Google Chrome is a powerful tool.

How to Disable JavaScript Globally

If you want to prevent all websites from running JavaScript (which is generally not recommended for everyday browsing), you can disable it entirely in the Chrome settings.

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. Click on Privacy and security in the left-hand sidebar.
5. Click on Site Settings.
6. Scroll down to the “Content” section and click on JavaScript.
7. Select the option labeled “Don’t allow sites to use JavaScript”.

From now on, Chrome will load the raw HTML of every website you visit, entirely ignoring any JavaScript code.

The Better Approach: Disabling JavaScript for Specific Sites

Because disabling JavaScript globally will ruin your experience on web apps like Google Docs or Spotify, it is much smarter to leave JavaScript enabled by default, and only disable it for specific, annoying websites.

1. Navigate to the website that is bloated with scripts or pop-ups.
2. Click the Site Information icon (it looks like two small sliders or a padlock) located on the far left side of the address bar, directly next to the URL.
3. Click on Site settings in the drop-down menu. A new tab will open.
4. In the new tab, locate JavaScript in the list of permissions.
5. Click the drop-down menu next to JavaScript and change it from “Allow” to Block.
6. Close the Settings tab and return to the website.
7. Refresh the page.

Chrome will now permanently block JavaScript on that specific website every time you visit, while allowing it to run normally everywhere else on the internet.