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Enable Auto-Refresh in the Web Browsers using Extensions

Are you interested in enabling page or tab auto-refresh in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers? Learn how to enable auto-refresh functionality using extensions.

It is tiresome to continuously refresh the browser using the keyboard or clicking the reload icon. Instead, you can automate the auto-refresh task using browser extensions.

Within the extensions page, you can customize the reload interval time and repetition and make the automation perfect.

In this guide, we have shared the steps to enable auto-refresh for web pages or browser tabs using extensions.

Auto-refreshing a Page in the Chrome app

I choose the Tab Reloader extension to enable auto-refresh on Google Chrome. Unlike the other ones, Tab Reloader is a safer and more reliable add-on for Chrome, with no malware or spyware. Here are the steps to enable it:

  1. Open the Chrome app on the computer.
  2. Start by adding the Tab Reloader extension.
  3. Click the Add to Chrome button on the right of the open page.
    Tab Reloader (auto-refresh) Add to Chrome Extension
  4. Next, confirm by clicking on the Add Extension button from the pop-up.
    Add Extensions Tab Reloader to Chrome Browser
  5. Once the extension is successfully added to your Chrome browser, click on its logo from the extensions menu.
    This will bring up the extension’s configuration settings.
    Tab Reloader Settings icon in Chrome
  6. Next, adjust your reloading period from the Adjust Reloading Time section.
    Tab Reloader Chrome Extension Adjust Reload Time
  7. Finally, toggle the Enable Reloader for this tab option at the bottom to get the extension working.
    Enable for this tab on Reloader in Chrome

This will activate the Tab Reloader extension for your current tab if you wish to auto-refresh another tab, head over to that tab and repeat steps 4 to 6.

Auto-refreshing a Tab in Microsoft Edge

For Microsoft Edge, I use the Refreshless auto-refresh extension for auto-refreshing. Like the extension for Chrome, the Refreshless extension is the most ideal, non-scammy add-on for Edge.

  1. Open Refreshless extension for Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the Get button on the right of the open page.
    Get Refreshless for Microsoft Edge extension
  3. Hit on Add extension on the pop-up to confirm the installation.
    Refreshless for Microsoft Edge Extension
  4. Click the Refreshless logo on the extensions menu to open its configuration settings.
    Refreshless Microsoft Edge Settings icon
  5. Then, toggle on the Refresh Automatically option.
  6. Set your time under the Intervals section for auto-refreshing.
  7. Turn OFF or ON the Persistent option according to your choice.
    Refreshless Microsoft Edge Extension settings
  8. Finally, click the Apply button to get the extension working according to your preference.

Turning on the Persistent option uses the same extension settings for that particular tab. If you need auto-refreshing to work on another tab, you must head there, configure the extension’s settings, and apply.

Auto-refreshing the Tab in Firefox Browser

The best bet for Mozilla Firefox in case of an auto-refresh extension is the same as Google Chrome’s, the Tab Reloader extension. Follow these steps to enable the Tab Reloader extension on Firefox:

  1. Add the Tab Reloader add-on on Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Then, click on the Add to Firefox button.
    Tab Reloader (page auto refresh) Firefox extension
  3. Click on Add on the pop-up.
    Add Firefox Extension
  4. Click the Tab Reloader extension icon on the extensions menu to open configuration settings.
    Tab Reloader icon in Firefox
  5. Enter your preferred time interval under the Adjust Reloading Time section.
    Adjust Reloading Tab in Tab Reloader Firefox extension
  6. Toggle ON the Enable Reloader for this tab option at the top, and it will work.
    Enable Reloader for this Tab in Firefox

That will now automatically refresh the tab you were in. If you want another tab to auto-refresh, you have to open that tab, input the interval time, and toggle the auto-refresh feature for that particular tab, as shown above.

Bottom Line

The Chrome browser has recently reloaded the tab when we are inactive for a while. This annoys most users, including me, who keep multiple tabs open. Hence, I researched and found a few options to disable auto-reloading after inactivity.

Also, please remember that you’ll have to configure the extension’s settings if you want a newly opened tab to reflect respective effects. In simpler words, the extensions will only work for the tab that they’ve been configured for.

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.

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Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza

Kushal Azza is a Google Certified IT Professional, Digital Content Creator, and Go-To Digital Marketer with Engineering Degree. He has over a decade of experience solving tech problems, troubleshooting, and innovating digital solutions. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

4 comments and feedback

  1. Aman,
    Great article, we are trying to use smart tv’s at our office to display PowerBi information about our jobs..I am trying to not connect a computer to each of the 10 TV’s…I really need the browser on the TV to auto refresh. I have not purchased the TV’s yet…but I can’t get this to work on my current Samsung Smart TV I have at home.
    Thanks,
    Jeff

    1. Hi Jeff, I understand your requirement. Let me help you with this setup.

      You need to have one PC and TVs with HDMI connectivity option (no need to spend money on smart TVs). Your PC will cast the browser on TV with auto-refreshing the job portal. This is simple setup.

      Now to replicate the same in 10 TV’s you can use the HDMI splitters or hub. You can connect all the TVs with HDMI output port and PC at input.

      P.S: I am not sure if the HDMI splitter will have 10 output ports, but you can check in your area or online stores. Or have serial connection if 2 or 3 splitters.

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