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Previously when I opened a new tab using Ctrl+T shortcut, Chrome would automatically focus on the address bar. Therefore I could start typing and when I pressed enter it would search on Google.

Currently, I have no idea why, when I open a new tab nothing is focused, not the address bar and not the big search bar of Chrome's default new tab page. However if I press Ctrl+L ou F6 it focuses the address bar. What happened? I installed no new extensions or apps. I already reinstalled Chrome to no avail.

My version is 36.0.1985.125 m and I'm using Windows 8.1 x64. (My home computer has the same chrome version bu it's a Win7 x64 and it doesn't have this strange behavior)

As a workaround I installed Replace New Tab Page and had it open www.google.com. It works but I have to wait 2 seconds for google page to load so I can start typing.

Jacer Omri
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dialex
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9 Answers9

7

I have seen this problem and it appears that the "Bookmarks Bar" is the root cause for it. Whenever there is a bookmarks bar, the focus on the address bar is automatic. If you remove the bookmarks bar, the address bar loses focus on a new tab.

Solution: Enable the Bookmarks bar.

Go to Settings->Bookmarks->Show Bookmarks Bar

Windows: Control+Shift+B

OSX: Command+Shift+B

Burgi
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prashant
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3

SOLUTION USING AN EXTENSION:

The following extension will redirect a "new tab" to whatever page you like and place focus on the address bar.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/new-tab-redirect/icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog

NOTE: in the extension options, you must ENABLE "Always update tab, not redirect. (Enable for cursor in the address bar)."

AASH
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2

In my case the problem were some extensions that were installed along with µTorrent app. It also switched default search engine to Yahoo and appearance of a new tab window. Uninstalling them fixed the problem.

Go to Settings->More tools->Extensions. If you have any unfamiliar extensions (usually without an icon) remove or disable them.

Pavel Khattu
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0

In my instance, the issue was the Norton Antivirus chrome extension I installed and activated. Apparently, it was preventing the functionality of allowing me to automatically search Google.com using my browser bar, simply by typing after opening a new tab. Once I deactivated the plugin, the functionality worked again.

Matt Dimock
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0

As a temporary workaround, you can try the keyboard combination SHIFT + TAB. At least in my case, whenever I open a new tab and the focus is not on the address bar, it means it's on the browser's main frame (i.e. the website's body), so the keyboard combination I mentioned should move the focus backwards onto the address bar.

Germanico Baltar
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0

I had a plugin called Momentum. Once I removed that plugin it solved my problem of the new tab not automatically selecting the address bar

Worthwelle
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Jesse Horn
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0

I'm here in (almost)2025 and this problem still persists. If it's due to a plugin, then Chrome should be configurable to disallow plugins from doing this unless specifically granted permission by the user. New-tab + start typing query, is an essential work flow for me. This bug has driven me to Opera.

Myles Prather
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0

I've made an Autohotkey script that fixes this behaviour, works super well

Works when:

You switch back to Chrome You're on a new tab page (title must be "New Tab - Google Chrome") The script should not need to be run as administrator or need any special treatment, tested on Windows 11 and Google Chrome Version 131.0.6778.265 (Official Build) (64-bit) Using the Windows startup folder (run shell:startup) you can have the script launch when you login to the machine.

#NoEnv
SendMode Input
SetTitleMatchMode, 2 ; Match partial titles
#SingleInstance Force

; Track if Chrome was already focused
ChromeWasFocused := false


Loop {
    ; Check if Chrome's New Tab page is active
    if (WinActive("New Tab - Google Chrome ahk_exe chrome.exe")) {
        ; Only trigger if the window JUST regained focus
        if (!ChromeWasFocused) {
            Send, ^l ; Focus omnibox
            ChromeWasFocused := true
        }
    } else {
        ; Reset the tracker when Chrome loses focus
        ChromeWasFocused := false
    }
    Sleep, 50 ; Faster checks, minimal CPU impact
}
Return


; Toggle on/off with Win+Z | Exit with Win+X
#z::Suspend
#x::ExitApp
Christopher Robinson
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There's actually no fix for this, it's a Bug as Reported Here

The only thing i can think of is that Chrome has Automatically updated him self and this lead to the issue, at first, make sure Chrome is update to date, if it's already up to date and still not focusing try installing an earlier version, this must work, it's working mine fine though

OverCoder
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