5 Easy Ways to Block Page Redirects in a Web Browser

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A user-friendly guide to block page redirects on multiple desktop browsers
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When a page redirect happens on your browser, you're taken from one URL to another. In some cases, this is caused by a spam link, and it's best to avoid these redirects to avoid viruses or malware. Luckily, many browsers have built-in features to protect you from page redirects. This wikiHow will show you how to block a website from redirecting you to another page using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Opera on a PC or Mac computer.

Blocking Page Redirects

  • On Chrome, click "â‹®" → "Settings" → "Privacy and Security" → "Site settings" → "Pop-ups and redirects". Make sure it's toggled on.
  • On Firefox, you'll need to edit about:config to block page redirects.
  • On Microsoft Edge, click "•••" → "Settings" → "Cookies and site permissions" → "Pop-ups and redirects". Toggle on "Block".
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Safari

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  1. There is no option to block page redirects in Safari, but ad blockers like AdGuard do a good job blocking most of them. The free version, AdGuard for Safari, will block most page redirects, but some may still slip through. If you need more protection and are willing to pay a little, consider the full version, AdGuard for Mac, which comes with a "Stealth Mode" that blocks nearly all redirects.
    • You can install AdGuard for Safari (free) from the Mac App Store—just search for AdGuard for Safari , click GET , and follow the on-screen instructions to install. [1]
    • If you want to try the full version of AdGuard for Mac, you can get a free 14-day trial. [2] Go to https://adguard.com/en/adguard-mac/overview.html and click Download to save the installer, then double-click the installer to install the app.
    • If you're seeing the error "Could not open the page, too many redirects" while browsing a particular website, skip to Step 9 .
  2. After installing AdGuard for Safari, you'll need to enable its extensions.
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  3. This menu item will be called Preferences on earlier versions of macOS.
  4. It's the puzzle piece icon at the top of the window.
  5. You'll see many extensions that start with "Adguard" here, and the developers of Adguard recommend enabling all of them. [3]
  6. It's at the top of the window. [4]
  7. AdGuard requires Safari's Content Blockers to be active, so click Content Blockers in the left panel, then select On . Once enabled, AdGuard will begin protecting you against ads, trackers, and, most importantly, page redirects.
    • To ensure AdGuard can block redirects on all websites, turn on "When visiting other websites" as well.
  8. If you're using the paid version of AdGuard, you can enable Stealth Mode for greater protection against page redirects. Open the AdGuard app, click the Stealth Mode tab in the left panel, then toggle on "Stealth Mode."
    • Don't tweak any of the other settings here.
  9. If you're getting this error on a specific website, you can fix it by removing saved data for that site. Here's how:
    • In Safari > Settings , click Privacy and select Cookies and website data .
    • Click Details or Manage Website Data .
    • Search for the site you're having problems with.
    • Select the site and click Remove > Remove Now .
    • Refresh the page to view the site without errors. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using Google Chrome

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  1. By default, Google Chrome will automatically block all pop-ups and page redirects. Use this method to double-check you have the feature turned on. [6] .
  2. You'll find this near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
  3. This will be in the left panel, underneath Autofill .
  4. This will be underneath Security .
  5. A new page will open.
  6. You'll need to restart Google Chrome to apply any changes.
    • If this option is already selected, page redirects are already blocked in Chrome.
    • Blocking redirects in Chrome's settings should get rid of most redirects. However, some page redirects may still slip through. Installing a reputable ad-blocker like uBlock Origin can enhance your redirect protection.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using Mozilla Firefox

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  1. While Firefox used to have a simple menu option to block page redirects, they've removed the feature from their menus. However, you can still block page redirects by editing the browser's advanced configuration file.
    • Editing this file will allow you to choose whether you want to be redirected to a different site when a site attempts to redirect you.
    • Be sure to check for updates and download accordingly.
  2. To get there, just type about:config into the address bar at the top of Firefox, then press Enter or Return .
  3. This opens the advanced configuration editor.
    • Be very careful when editing this file, as you can inadvertently break things.
    • Type Accessibility.blockautorefresh into the Search bar. This filters the settings list to show only two items.
  4. This changes the value to true. Now, any time a website attempts to redirect you to a different page, you'll be asked whether you want to go to that page or stay where you are. [7]
    • This trick should work, but there's also another option you can try—type network.http.redirection-limit into the search bar. When it appears, replace the default value of "20" with 1 .
    • If you're still running into rogue redirects, try installing an add-on like Skip Redirect .
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Microsoft Edge

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  1. You'll see it at the top-right corner of your browser.
  2. It's at the bottom of the menu. A new page will open.
  3. You can find this on the left panel, underneath Share, copy and paste .
    • If you don't see this option, click the three-line menu at the top-left corner of the page.
    • If you need to update Microsoft Edge , click About Microsoft Edge in the left panel.
  4. This will be underneath the All permissions header.
  5. If this option is already selected, page redirects are already being blocked in Microsoft Edge.
    • Disabling redirects in Edge should block most page redirects. If too many are still slipping through, try using a reputable ad-blocking add-on like uBlock Origin .
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using Opera

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  1. This looks like a red o .
  2. The Settings menu will open.
  3. This will be underneath the Advanced header.
  4. You can find this underneath Security .
  5. This will be underneath the Content header.
  6. If this option is already selected, page redirects are already being blocked in Opera.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why, when I open my phone, does Chrome automatically open pages and redirect?
    Community Answer
    On your phone, go to Settings, Apps, Chrome, and Clear App Data. That will clear recently visited pages and bookmarks and should resolve the problem.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://adguard.com/kb/adguard-for-safari/installation/
      2. ↑ https://adguard.com/en/adguard-mac/overview.html
      3. ↑ https://adguard.com/kb/adguard-for-safari/installation/
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987
      5. ↑ https://help.netflix.com/en/node/40124
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
      7. ↑ https://kb.mozillazine.org/Accessibility.blockautorefresh

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Chrome.
      2. Click the menu.
      3. Click Settings .
      4. Click Advanced .
      5. Scroll down to "Privacy and security."
      6. Toggle on "Safe Browsing."
      7. Restart Chrome.

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