JavaScript plays a strong role in websites today, but many disagree about whether or not they want it running in their browser. As a result, you may be wondering how to disable or enable JavaScript on Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Opera. Today we’re going to show you – but first, a little about whether you need to:
What is JavaScript and do I need it?
JavaScript is the world’s most popular programming language, typically used to deliver animations, features, and interactivity to websites. It’s the only programming language native to your browser and plays a fundamental role in many websites.
Why disable javascript?
So, why disable JavaScript if it’s so useful in modern websites? The truth is that there’s growing concern about the types of things JavaScript is being used for. As well as search boxes, comments, and other features, it’s often utilized by sites to display advertisements, store cookies, and track you across the web. JavaScript can also pose a security risk if you visit a malicious website as has been used in the past to insert malicious code that affects your computer.
Ultimately, it depends on what you value. Perhaps you already have an ad/tracker blocker and avoid malicious sites. Or maybe you’re willing to have the formatting and features of websites act a little strangely for some extra privacy.
Whatever you decide, this tutorial should work for you. Here’s how to disable or enable JavaScript in Chrome, Firefox, and other major browsers:
Contents
How to Disable or JavaScript in Google Chrome
Usually, you have to jump through quite a few sub-menus to disable or enable JavaScript in Chrome, but we’ll be showing you a way around that. By default, JavaScript should be enabled, but it may have been disabled by your admin, an extension, or by you at an earlier date.
- The fast way: paste the JavaScript settings URL into your address bar
The quickest way to enable or disable JavaScript in Chrome is to paste the direct link to the settings page in your address bar. Here it is:
chrome://settings/content/javascriptYou’ll see two options on the page:
1. Sites can use Javascript
2. Don’t allow sites to use JavascriptTick the first option to enable Javascript in Chrome, and the second option to disable Javascript in Chrome. Want to do this for individual websites? Read on.
- Or: open Chrome settings
If pasting the URL isn’t working, you can click the three dots in the top-right corner of your browser and click “Settings”.
- Press “Site Settings” in the “Privacy and security” section
- Click on “JavaScript”
- How to turn JavaScript on and off for all websites
You’ll see two options on the page:
1. Sites can use Javascript
2. Don’t allow sites to use JavascriptTick the first option to enable Javascript in Chrome, and the second option to disable Javascript in Chrome.
- Scroll down to the “Customized behaviors” section to enable or disable Javascript on specific websites
Press the “Add” button next to either “Not allowed to use Javascript” or “Allowed to use Javascript”, depending on your intention.
- Type the URL of the website and press “Add”
- Check the list for your website
In our case, you’ll see that the example website has had JavaScript disabled.
- Disable JavaScript with Chrome dev tools
This will only work temporarily and is primarily meant for testing purposes.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + P and choose “Show JavaScript Profiler” from the list
- Type JavaScript in the search bar and Click “[Debugger] Disable JavaScript
Press Enter to run the disable JavaScript command. JavaScript is now disabled for the site.
- Hover over the warning triangle on the “Sources” tab
It should say “JavaScript is disabled”.
How to Disable JavaScript in Microsoft Edge
As both browsers are based on Chromium, the process to disable or enable JavaScript in Microsoft Edge is very similar to Google Chrome. However, there are some key differences:
- Method 1: Paste the JavaScript settings link into your browser bar
For the uninitiated, that link is:
edge://settings/content/javascriptYou’ll see a toggle that will say either:
1. Allowed (recommended)
Toggle it on or off to suit your preferences.
- Method 2: Navigate to the settings page manually
First, click the three dots in the top-right corner of your browser, then click on “Settings”.
- Press the hamburger menu in the top-right of your settings page (if necessary)
- Click “Cookies and site permissions” in the sidebar
- Click on the “JavaScript” heading
- Toggle “Allowed” on or off
You can also change the settings for individual websites by adding them to the block or allow lists.
- Method 3: Disable or Enable Javascript through the Edge developer console
This will only work temporarily and is primarily meant for testing purposes.
Right-click a webpage and press “Inspect”.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + P and click “Show JavaScript Profiler”
- Search for JavaScript, press “[Debugger] Disable JavaScript” and hit Enter
JavaScript is now disabled for your website.
How to Enable or Disable JavaScript in Firefox
As one of the few browsers that doesn’t use chromium the process to enable or disable JavaScript in Firefox is a little different. Here’s how you can do it:
- Type “about:config” in your address bar and press “Accept the risk”
- Search for “javascript.enabled” and press the arrows to change it to true or false
How to Disable or Enable JavaScript in Opera
Disabling or enabling JavaScript in Opera is quite similar to both Chrome and Microsoft Edge:
- Press the settings icon in your Opera sidebar
- Click on “Site Settings”
- Press “JavaScript”
- Toggle to “Allowed” or “Blocked”
How to Clear Cookies and Site Data or Enable Caret Browsing
Now that you’re done enabling or disabling JavaScript, you may want to make some additional changes to your browser. Feel free to follow our guides on how to clear cookies, cache and site data or turn on caret browsing mode.
