Why did my new tab page change by itself?

By Mutables, who make Hallway. Updated November 12, 2026

Short answer

Usually because an extension took it over, or the one you use was turned off. Chrome hands the new tab to a new tab extension the moment it’s installed, and when yours is turned off (by the browser, by an update waiting for your OK, or by a click), another page shows instead. Open chrome://extensions to see which new tab extensions are on.

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What changes the new tab

A new tab extension doesn’t wait its turn. As soon as one is installed, Chrome gives it the new tab, even if another one was already there. Chrome may then ask “Change back to Google?”, which is your chance to say no.

It also works the other way. When the extension you use is turned off, the new tab goes to another new tab extension that’s still on, or to Chrome’s own page if none is. Chrome turns an extension off when an update asks for new permissions, and keeps it off until you approve them.

Clues laid out on a carpet in front of a door left ajar: an opened delivery box with a ribbon, a wrench, a puzzle piece and a magnifying glass.

How to find the cause

chrome://extensions lists every extension and whether it’s on.

Chrome
Open chrome://extensions and look for new tab extensions that are on. If more than one is, the one installed last has the new tab; turn the others off to be sure.
Chrome
If you don’t recognise one, or don’t remember installing it, click Remove.
Chrome
If the one you use is off, turn it back on. If it was updated and wants new permissions, Chrome keeps it off until you approve them on that page.
Edge
The same page is at edge://extensions. Edge can also turn new tab extensions off on its own.

With Hallway

If you use Hallway

Open the Hallway popup. It says what happened: a new extension is your new tab now, your pick was turned off, or more than one new tab is on.
A new install: click Back to and the one you had, or Keep it to stay with the new one.
Your pick was turned off: click Turn it back on. If it needs your OK after an update, Hallway links to the extensions page instead.
An extension you took out of your list but left on can still take the new tab. Click Turn it off (Undo puts it back), or Add it back to switch between it and the others again.

Worth knowing

Hallway turns an extension back on only when you click, or when your schedule switches to it. It turns off one outside your list only when you click Turn it off.
If you set a schedule in Hallway, your new tab changes at the times you chose. The status line at the foot of the popup says what comes next.
Hallway can only tell you your new tab was turned off if it knows which one is yours, so pick one in Hallway once.
A small dot on the Hallway button means there’s news: a new one moved in, or yours was turned off.

Questions

Why does my new tab keep changing?

Another new tab extension that’s still on may be taking it, or the one you chose is being turned off. Check chrome://extensions for new tab extensions that are on, and remove any you don’t recognise.

How do I find out which extension controls my new tab?

Open chrome://extensions and look at the new tab extensions that are on. If several are, the one installed last has the new tab. Turn the others off to be sure.

Will Hallway change my new tab without asking?

Only if you set a schedule. Otherwise it switches when you pick one, press its shortcut or use its right-click menu.

Why was my new tab extension turned off?

The browser may have turned it off, an update may be waiting for you to approve new permissions, or it was switched off at the extensions page. Hallway tells you when it happens and offers to turn it back on.