Google Search Goes to Bing: How to Fix This Annoying Problem

By Cepy 8/21/2023 Post a Comment

Hi Online Friends,

Have you ever experienced this frustrating situation: you open your browser, type in a search query on Google, and hit enter, only to find yourself redirected to Bing? If yes, then you're not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and it can be very annoying, especially if you prefer Google over Bing as your default search engine.

In this article, I'm going to explain why Google search goes to Bing, how to fix it, and how to prevent it from happening again. I have experience with this problem, and I know how to solve it quickly and easily. So, if you want to get rid of Bing redirects and enjoy a smooth browsing experience on Google, keep reading.

Why Does Google Search Go to Bing?

The Main Culprit: Browser Hijacker

The most common reason why Google search goes to Bing is that your browser has been infected by a browser hijacker. A browser hijacker is a type of malware that changes your browser settings without your permission. It can alter your default homepage, search engine, new tab page, and even your browser shortcuts. It can also display intrusive ads, pop-ups, banners, and coupons on your screen.

A browser hijacker's main goal is to generate revenue for its creators by redirecting you to sponsored websites, such as Bing.com. It can also collect your browsing data, such as your search queries, visited pages, IP address, and location, and share it with third parties for advertising or other purposes.

How Does a Browser Hijacker Get Into Your System?

A browser hijacker can get into your system through various means. Some of the most common ones are:

Downloading and installing freeware or shareware from untrustworthy sources. Some free software may come bundled with unwanted programs, such as browser hijackers, that get installed without your knowledge or consent.
Clicking on malicious links or ads that lead you to fake or compromised websites. These websites may trick you into downloading or installing something that contains malware.
Opening spam emails or attachments that contain malicious code or scripts. These emails may look legitimate, but they are actually designed to infect your system with malware.
Using outdated or pirated software that has security vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by hackers to inject malware into your system.

How to Fix Google Search Going to Bing?

Step 1: Restart Your PC in Safe Mode

The first step to fix Google search going to Bing is to restart your PC in safe mode. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to run your system with only the essential programs and services. This way, you can isolate and remove the browser hijacker more easily.

To restart your PC in safe mode, follow these steps:

Click on the Start menu and select Settings.
Click on Update & Security and then Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, click on Restart now.
After your PC restarts, choose Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
Select Startup Settings and then Restart.
On the Startup Settings screen, press the number key that corresponds to Enable Safe Mode with Networking (usually 5).

Step 2: Remove Unwanted Programs from Your PC

The next step is to remove any unwanted programs from your PC that may be related to the browser hijacker. You can use the built-in uninstaller or a third-party tool like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller.

To remove unwanted programs from your PC using the built-in uninstaller, follow these steps:

Click on the Start menu and select Settings.
Click on Apps and then Apps & features.
Look for any suspicious or unfamiliar programs that you don't remember installing or that have names similar to Bing or other search engines.
Select the program and click on Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
Repeat this process for any other unwanted programs that you find.

Step 3: Reset Your Browser Settings

The final step is to reset your browser settings to their original defaults. This will remove any changes made by the browser hijacker, such as your homepage, search engine, new tab page, extensions, cookies, and cache. You can do this for any browser that you use, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Internet Explorer.

To reset your browser settings, follow these steps:

For Chrome: Click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll down and click on Advanced. Under Reset and clean up, click on Restore settings to their original defaults. Click on Reset settings to confirm.
For Firefox: Click on the three-bar menu at the top right corner and select Help. Click on Troubleshooting Information. Under Give Firefox a tune up, click on Refresh Firefox. Click on Refresh Firefox again to confirm.
For Safari: Click on the Safari menu at the top left corner and select Preferences. Click on the Extensions tab and remove any unwanted extensions that you find. Click on the General tab and change your homepage to your preferred one. Click on the Search tab and change your default search engine to Google. Close the Preferences window and click on the Safari menu again. Select Clear History and choose All History. Click on Clear History to confirm.
For Edge: Click on the three-dot menu at the top right corner and select Settings. Click on Reset settings on the left sidebar. Under Reset settings, click on Restore settings to their default values. Click on Reset to confirm.
For Internet Explorer: Click on the gear icon at the top right corner and select Internet options. Click on the Advanced tab and then click on Reset. Check the box next to Delete personal settings and click on Reset again. Click on Close and then OK.

How to Prevent Google Search from Going to Bing?

Use a Reliable Antivirus Software

One of the best ways to prevent Google search from going to Bing is to use a reliable antivirus software that can protect your system from malware attacks. A good antivirus software can scan your system regularly, detect and remove any threats, and block malicious websites and downloads.

Some of the best antivirus software that you can use are:

TotalAV: TotalAV is a powerful antivirus software that can get rid of Bing redirect virus by performing a full system scan. It identifies the threat and either removes or quarantines it. Plus, with real-time protection, you'll avoid infections in the future.
Norton: Norton is one of the most trusted names in the antivirus industry. It offers comprehensive protection against all kinds of malware, including browser hijackers, ransomware, spyware, and more. It also features a firewall, a password manager, a VPN, and a safe web browser.
Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes is a specialized anti-malware tool that can detect and remove even the most advanced threats that other antivirus software may miss. It can also block malicious websites, ads, and downloads that may contain malware.

Be Careful When Downloading or Installing Software

Another way to prevent Google search from going to Bing is to be careful when downloading or installing software from the internet. You should always download software from official or reputable sources, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or ads that may lead you to fake or compromised websites.

When installing software, you should always read the terms and conditions carefully, and opt for custom or advanced installation options. This way, you can avoid installing any unwanted programs that may come bundled with the software you want.

Keep Your Software Updated

A third way to prevent Google search from going to Bing is to keep your software updated. This includes your operating system, browser, antivirus software, and any other programs that you use regularly. Updating your software can fix any security vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit to inject malware into your system.

You can check for updates manually or enable automatic updates for your software. You should also avoid using outdated or pirated software that may have security flaws or contain malware.

A Detailed Table Breakdown Related to Google Search Going to Bing

Problem	Cause	Solution
Google search goes to Bing	Browser hijacker	Restart PC in safe mode, remove unwanted programs, reset browser settings
Bing redirects to suspicious websites	Browser hijacker	Use a reliable antivirus software, scan your system regularly
Bing displays intrusive ads	Browser hijacker	Use an ad blocker extension, avoid clicking on ads
Bing collects browsing data	Browser hijacker	Clear browserhistory, cookies, and cache, use a VPN or a private browsing mode
Bing changes browser shortcuts	Browser hijacker	Fix browser shortcuts, delete any unwanted ones

FAQ About Google Search Going to Bing

Is Bing a virus?

No, Bing is not a virus. Bing is a legitimate search engine owned by Microsoft. However, there is a malware called Bing redirect virus that can force you to use Bing instead of your preferred search engine.

How do I stop Bing from hijacking my browser?

To stop Bing from hijacking your browser, you need to remove the browser hijacker that is causing the problem. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by using a reliable antivirus software that can detect and remove the threat.

How do I change my default search engine from Bing to Google?

To change your default search engine from Bing to Google, you need to reset your browser settings to their original defaults. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by going to your browser settings and choosing Google as your default search engine.

Why does Bing keep opening on my Mac?

Bing keeps opening on your Mac because your Safari browser has been infected by a browser hijacker. You can fix this by removing any unwanted extensions from Safari, changing your homepage and default search engine to Google, and clearing your browsing history.

How do I get rid of Bing on Windows 10?

To get rid of Bing on Windows 10, you need to remove the browser hijacker that is redirecting you to Bing. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by using a reliable antivirus software that can detect and remove the threat.

How do I get rid of Bing on Chrome?

To get rid of Bing on Chrome, you need to reset your Chrome settings to their original defaults. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by clicking on the three-dot menu at the top right corner of Chrome, selecting Settings, scrolling down and clicking on Advanced, and then clicking on Restore settings to their original defaults.

How do I get rid of Bing on Firefox?

To get rid of Bing on Firefox, you need to refresh your Firefox settings. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by clicking on the three-bar menu at the top right corner of Firefox, selecting Help, clicking on Troubleshooting Information, and then clicking on Refresh Firefox.

How do I get rid of Bing on Edge?

To get rid of Bing on Edge, you need to reset your Edge settings. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by clicking on the three-dot menu at the top right corner of Edge, selecting Settings, clicking on Reset settings on the left sidebar, and then clicking on Restore settings to their default values.

How do I get rid of Bing on Internet Explorer?

To get rid of Bing on Internet Explorer, you need to reset your Internet Explorer settings. You can do this by following the steps in this article, or by clicking on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer, selecting Internet options, clicking on the Advanced tab, and then clicking on Reset.

How do I prevent Google search from going to Bing in the future?

To prevent Google search from going to Bing in the future, you need to protect your system from malware attacks. You can do this by using a reliable antivirus software that can scan your system regularly and block malicious websites and downloads. You also need to be careful when downloading or installing software from the internet, and keep your software updated.

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful and learned how to fix Google search going to Bing. By following these steps, you should be able to remove the browser hijacker that is causing the problem and restore your preferred search engine.

If you want to learn more about SEO best practices and how to rank higher on Google, check out my other articles:

Thanks for reading and happy searching!

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