How to Disable JavaScript in Google Chrome

Most modern websites use JavaScript to ensure everything on the site works smoothly while providing the users with all the features and perks that make new websites so convenient, efficient and brilliant. However, many people feel the need to disable JavaScript on their browser, whether it’s to block ads, due to malfunctions and security reasons, or simply to see how bare a website actually looks without JavaScript.

Even though JavaScript is enabled by default on Google Chrome, you can deactivate it quickly and easily, in just a few simple steps. Here’s how to do it:

Disabling JavaScript in Chrome’s settings

The fastest way to access the JavaScript settings in Chrome is to enter the following URL into the Chrome address bar:

chrome://settings/content/javascript

However, you could also do it the old-fashioned way:

  1. Open the Chrome Menu (three vertical dots) and then select Settings.
  2. Under the Privacy and Security section, choose Site Settings.
  3. In the Permissions group, click on JavaScript.
  4. Now, simply click the blue switch located next to Allowed (recommended) in order to disable JavaScript.

Blocking JavaScript on specific websites

You also have the option of only blocking JavaScript on specific websites through the JavaScript settings menu:

  1. Go to chrome://settings/content/javascript
  2. Once the page loads, you will see a “Block” and “Allow” section.
  3. Select the Add box next to Block, in order to disable JavaScript on a specific website.
  4. Now, an “Add a Site” window will appear. Simply enter the URL of the targeted website, and then click the blue Add
  5. Your targeted website will now appear in the “Block” list, which means that JavaScript will be disabled the next time you visit that specific site.

Disabling JavaScript using Chrome DevTools

If you simply want to see how a certain website looks and behaves without JavaScript, you could also do that through DevTools:

  1. Open DevTools while on your target website. You can do this by right-clicking anywhere on the page, and then choosing Inspect.
  2. Once in DevTools, press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac) to open the Command Menu.
  3. Start typing “JavaScript” into the search bar. Select the Disable JavaScript option, and then press Enter to run the command.
  4. JavaScript will now be disabled on the website.

Note: This method should be used for testing purposes only, as JavaScript will be enabled once again when you exit DevTools.