Some Chrome users have recently reported seeing Facebook notifications pop up in Chrome, even when they don’t have Facebook open in that browser. This unexpected behavior can be confusing and concerning for users who expect notifications to only come from sites they explicitly have open.
There are a few potential reasons why Chrome may be showing Facebook notifications:
You’re logged into Facebook in Chrome
The most likely reason is that you’re logged into Facebook in Chrome. When you login to Facebook in a browser, you allow Facebook to send notifications even when you don’t have the site open. This allows Facebook to notify you of messages, comments, reactions, and other activity on the platform.
So if you’re getting Facebook notifications in Chrome, check to make sure you’re not logged into Facebook in that browser. You can do this by going to facebook.com and looking for your profile picture in the top right corner. If you’re logged in, log out and see if the notifications stop.
You have Facebook notifications enabled in Chrome
Chrome has a notifications setting that allows sites to send you notifications even when you don’t have the site open in a tab. So you may have at some point enabled notifications from Facebook in Chrome.
To check this, go to Settings > Site Settings > Notifications and look for Facebook. If notifications are enabled, turn them off and this should prevent Facebook notifications from popping up.
You have a Facebook extension installed
Some Chrome extensions related to Facebook may create popup notifications even when Facebook isn’t open. Check your installed Chrome extensions and disable or remove any that are associated with Facebook to see if that stops the notifications.
It’s a notification from Facebook Messenger
If you use Facebook Messenger in Chrome, those notifications will show up even if you don’t have Facebook itself open. So some Facebook notifications may actually be from Messenger rather than Facebook itself.
You can disable Messenger notifications in Chrome’s notification settings. Or log out of Messenger in Chrome to prevent notifications.
Facebook Pixel or other tracking
Many websites use Facebook Pixel and other Facebook tools to enable tracking and analytics. It’s possible notifications are being triggered by your interaction with one of these sites if you’re logged into Facebook in Chrome.
Try logging out of Facebook and seeing if notifications still occur when browsing other sites. If they stop, it’s likely due to a Facebook tracking integration on those sites.
Notification spam
In some cases, notifications may be caused by spam or malware that’s sending popup messages disguised as Facebook notifications. Run a malware scan to check for anything suspicious.
You can also try completely resetting notification permissions in Chrome to eliminate any spam sources.
How to stop Facebook notifications in Chrome
If Facebook notifications are popping up unexpectedly in Chrome, here are some steps you can take to stop them:
Log out of Facebook
Log out of Facebook.com in all open Chrome browser windows and tabs. This will immediately sever the connection that allows Facebook to send notifications.
Disable Facebook notifications
In Chrome Settings, go to Site Settings > Notifications and turn off notifications for Facebook.com and Messenger.com if they are enabled.
Disable specific Chrome extensions
Check for any social media or Facebook related extensions in Chrome and disable or remove them. They may be sending unwanted notifications.
Reset notification permissions
Completely reset Chrome’s notification settings by going to Advanced > Site Settings > Notifications and clicking “Reset permissions.” This will block all sites from sending notifications until explicitly allowed again.
Run antivirus scan
Run a scan with antivirus software to check for any malware that may be sending fake Facebook notifications. Remove anything suspicious that is detected.
Use a popup blocker
Many popup blocker extensions for Chrome will also block notification popups. This can help stop unwanted notifications from showing up.
Use Chrome’s Do Not Disturb mode
Chrome’s Do Not Disturb mode blocks all notifications, so turning this on temporarily can help determine if a site is sending unwanted notifications.
Contact Facebook support
If all else fails, contact Facebook support. They may be able to determine if some account or browser setting is enabling unwanted notifications.
Preventing Facebook notifications in Chrome
To avoid unwanted Facebook notifications in the future:
– Log out of Facebook when not actively using it
– Be selective when enabling notification permissions
– Limit social media browser extensions
– Use antivirus/malware tools and keep software updated
– Enable popup blockers and Do Not Disturb modes
– Periodically audit and reset notification settings
Staying logged out of Facebook when not in active use is the best way to ensure Chrome remains notification-free. Only enable notifications from sites you trust and be cautious about granting broad notification access.
Conclusion
Facebook notifications in Chrome when you don’t have Facebook open can be startling, but are usually caused by an extension, setting or accidental login. Logging out, resetting permissions and using built-in Chrome tools can help eliminate most unwanted Facebook notifications. Being proactive about notification security keeps Chrome peaceful and distraction-free.