How to Disable Flash Player in Chrome

Adobe Flash Player is no longer supported, but if you still have it enabled in Chrome for legacy sites, disabling it removes security risks and stops those annoying “plugin blocked” prompts. This guide shows you how to turn off the Flash plugin entirely in Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You’ll need Chrome installed and, ideally, admin rights to your computer (though not strictly required for the steps).

What You’ll Need

• Google Chrome browser (any recent version)
• Access to Chrome’s settings (no special permissions needed)
• Optional: A list of sites you use that still rely on Flash, to test after disabling

Step-by-Step

1. Open Chrome and access the settings page. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select Settings from the dropdown. Alternatively, type chrome://settings in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Privacy and Security section. In the Settings page, scroll down and click Privacy and security in the left sidebar (or click the hamburger menu if the sidebar is collapsed).
3. Open Site Settings. Under Privacy and security, click Site Settings. This page controls permissions for various features like camera, location, and plugins.
4. Find the Flash section. Scroll down the Site Settings page until you see Flash under the “Permissions” or “Content” section. Click it. (Note: In newer Chrome versions, Flash may already be removed entirely; if you don’t see it, skip to the Troubleshooting section.)
5. Set the toggle to “Block sites from running Flash” (or “Off”). On the Flash settings page, you’ll see a toggle or a dropdown menu. Click it so that it shows Block sites from running Flash (or simply turn the switch off). This disables Flash for all sites by default.
6. Verify the change. The toggle should now be in the “off” position, and the text below will confirm that Flash is blocked. You can also check by visiting a site that previously used Flash—it should no longer prompt you to enable it.
7. Optional: Remove any site exceptions. If you previously allowed Flash on specific sites, those exceptions override the global setting. To remove them, scroll down to the “Allow” list on the Flash settings page, click the three-dot menu next to a site, and select Remove. Repeat for each site.
8. Restart Chrome. Close and reopen Chrome to ensure the settings take effect. Flash should now be completely disabled.

Common Mistakes

• Only disabling for one site: Some users click “Manage exceptions” and add a rule for a single site, thinking that disables Flash everywhere. That only affects that one site—you must change the global toggle.
• Using the old chrome://plugins page: Older guides tell you to go to chrome://plugins and disable Flash there. That page no longer exists in current Chrome versions; the only way is through Site Settings.
• Forgetting to restart Chrome: Changes sometimes don’t apply until you fully close and reopen the browser. Just closing the window may not be enough—make sure no Chrome processes are running in the background.
• Confusing Flash with other plugins: If you see “Shockwave Flash” in chrome://components, that’s the built-in Flash component, but disabling it there isn’t supported. Stick to Site Settings.
• Not clearing site data: If you’ve visited Flash-heavy sites before, they may have stored local shared objects (Flash cookies). Disabling the plugin doesn’t remove those; you may want to clear site data separately.

Tips

• Use the “Ask first” option if you’re not ready to fully disable: If you occasionally need Flash for a legacy internal tool, set the toggle to “Ask first” instead of “Block”. Chrome will then prompt you each time a site wants to use Flash, giving you control.
• Keep Flash updated if you must use it: If you absolutely need Flash for a critical business app, at least ensure it’s always up to date. But note that Adobe stopped supporting Flash after December 2020, so any use is risky.
• Consider removing Flash entirely: On Windows, you can uninstall the standalone Flash Player from the Control Panel. This removes the NPAPI plugin that some browsers (like Firefox) used, though Chrome has its own built-in version.
• Use Chrome’s enterprise policy for managed devices: If you’re an IT admin, you can set the DefaultPluginsSetting policy to 2 (block) via Group Policy or the Chrome management console. This enforces the setting across all users.
• Check for alternative HTML5 versions: Many sites that used Flash now offer HTML5 versions. If a site doesn’t work after disabling Flash, look for an “HTML5” or “Modern” button on the site.

Troubleshooting

• Flash still runs after disabling: First, double-check that you changed the global toggle, not just a per-site exception. Then, go to chrome://settings/content/flash and confirm the toggle is off. If it still runs, restart Chrome completely (check the system tray for lingering Chrome icons).
• The Flash option is missing from Site Settings: In newer Chrome versions (88 and later), Flash support was completely removed. If you don’t see Flash in Site Settings, it means Chrome has already dropped it—there’s nothing to disable. Your browser is automatically safe.
• You see “This plugin is not supported” instead of a prompt: That’s normal—Chrome is telling you Flash is no longer supported, and it won’t run. No action needed.
• After disabling, a site asks to enable Flash: That site is likely showing a message because it detects Flash is blocked. You can either ignore it or use the site’s HTML5 alternative. If you must use Flash on that site, you can add an exception, but that’s not recommended.
• Chrome keeps resetting the setting: If you’re using a managed device (school or work), your admin may have set a policy that forces Flash on. Contact your IT department. On personal machines, check for third-party software that might be modifying Chrome settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Flash Player still supported in Chrome?

No. Adobe ended support for Flash Player on December 31, 2020, and Chrome removed Flash entirely in version 88 (released January 2021). If you have an older Chrome version, it may still have Flash, but it’s unsafe to use.

Can I re-enable Flash after disabling it?

If your Chrome version still has the Flash setting (pre-88), yes—just go back to Site Settings and toggle it to “Ask first” or “Allow”. However, if you’re on Chrome 88 or later, Flash is permanently removed and cannot be re-enabled.

Will disabling Flash affect other plugins like Java or Silverlight?

No. Flash is a separate plugin. Disabling it only affects Flash content. Java and Silverlight have their own settings (though Silverlight is also deprecated).

How do I know if a site is using Flash?

If you see a gray puzzle piece icon in the address bar or a message like “This plugin is not supported,” the site is trying to use Flash. After disabling, you’ll typically see a placeholder or an error message.

What should I do if a critical site still requires Flash?

For security, you should not use Flash. Look for an HTML5 version of the site, or contact the site owner to upgrade. For internal tools, consider using a dedicated legacy browser (like an old Firefox ESR) that is isolated from your main browsing, but be aware of the risks.

Does disabling Flash improve browser performance?

Yes, it can. Flash was known to consume significant CPU and memory, and it often caused browser crashes. Disabling it reduces resource usage and improves stability, especially on pages with embedded Flash ads.

Related

• Do Not Disturb Setup Windows: How to Use It
• How to Check NFC Support on Android Phones
• Background App Refresh Explained