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DuckDuckGo Not Working on Chrome? Try This!
Besides outages, faulty settings and interfering apps could cause this issue
5 min. read
Updated onSeptember 20, 2024
updated onSeptember 20, 2024
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DuckDuckGo not working in Chrome leaves those of us who are privacy-conscious with a tough choice -do I go on Google or do I try to fix it?
Well, we suggest you go with the latter because it’s not a difficult thing to do. Fixing interfering cookies, DNS cache issues, and interfering security software usually does the trick.
How do I fix DuckDuckGo if it’s not working?
1. Check if DuckDuckGo is down
Go to theDuckDuckGo DownDetectorwebpage. If there’s mention of a current outage, you’ll just have to wait it out. In the meantime, you can try using anotherprivate search enginesuch as Qwant or Start Page.
2. Clear Chrome’s browser data
3. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall
If this method fixed the issue, there is probably afirewall rule blocking the connection. You’ll need to disable that rule if you turn the firewall back on.
4. Disable any third-party antivirus software
If this fixes the issue, consider switching to anantivirus software optimized for browsing.
5. Reset Google Chrome
6. Flush the DNS cache
7. Install the DuckDuckGo Chrome extension
⚠️ Keep in mind that this is a temporary fix.It won’t address the underlying causes that made the error happen, but if you need to access DuckDuckGo no matter what, it’ is one of the quickest fixes that you can do in about 3 minutes.
8. Use another browser
Ultimately, if all else fails, consider switching to another web browser that won’t interfere with DuckDuckGo.
If you care about privacy, we suggest you take a look at Opera. It has built-in adblockers and a free VPN so it should be right up your alley.
Opera
Why has DuckDuckGo stopped working?
To begin, it’s possible that an issue within DuckDuckGo’s system is preventing its servers from working properly. There is also the possibility that the data stored in your browser or the DNS cache will conflict with the search engine.
It’s also possible that the problem is caused by your antivirus software or the Windows Firewall, both of which have the potential to disrupt the operation of DuckDuckGo.
Is DuckDuckGo better than Google?
If your main concern is privacy, then yes, DuckDuckGo is better than Google. The latter keeps track of your searches but it also uses various trackers to follow you on other websites.
Another advantage lies in results filtering, so even if other search engines remove certain results, you’ll still be able to find them on DuckDuckGo.
Lastly, Google’s search results are filled with ads that tack you, so if you’re not using abrowser with a built-in adblocker, you’re probably going to see them.
Wrapping up
DuckDuckGo is a great privacy-oriented search engine, but as you can see, sometimes you can’t access it. If that happens, we encourage you to try all the solutions from this guide.
In most cases, clearing the cache in the browser helps, but if that fails, make sure that you check your antivirus and firewall settings.
Did you find a solution to this problem on your own? Share it with us in the comments section below.
More about the topics:browser,duckduckgo,Google Chrome Errors
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
