Enable Auto-Refresh in the Web Browsers using Extensions

Refreshing the browser continuously using the keyboard or clicking on the reload icon is tiresome. Instead, we can automate the auto-refresh using browser extensions. We can install Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers extensions to auto-reload. You can also customize the reload interval time and make the automation perfect.

The auto-refresh feature for a browser might sound like a great idea. This was, in fact, an implemented idea in almost every browser we have today. However, the implementations happened long ago, so the browsers no longer support a built-in auto-refresh feature.

Although that’s the case, you might know that specific tabs constantly get reloaded inconsistently. I’ve experienced this, and it’s nothing but the browser clearing the data for the device to run more smoothly. It’s different from how we want auto-refreshing for a specific time interval.

Most of us want such auto-refresh features for different purposes. In my case, I’m engaged with eBay a lot, so having an auto-refresh feature for a few seconds will undoubtedly help me big time during the auctions there. The same goes for Amazon as well. The auto-refresh feature helps me have early access to deals and grab them faster!

In this article, I’ll talk about some selected auto-refresh extensions that will help you to refresh browser tabs automatically. Before jumping in, I want to let you know that we will use third-party add-ons for the most popular browsers today.

We must depend on the auto-refresh Chrome extension since the browsers no longer support their built-in auto-refresh features.

Auto-refresh on Chrome

I choose the Tab Reloader auto-refresh 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.
   
4. Next, confirm by clicking on the Add Extension button from the pop-up.
   
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.
   
6. Next, adjust your reloading period from the Adjust Reloading Time section.
   
7. Finally, toggle the Enable Reloader for this tab option at the bottom to get the extension working.
   

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-refresh on 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.
   
3. Hit on Add extension on the pop-up to confirm the installation.
   
4. Click the Refreshless logo on the extensions menu to open its configuration settings.
   
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.
   
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-refresh on Firefox

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.
   
3. Click on Add on the pop-up.
   
4. Click the Tab Reloader extension icon on the extensions menu to open configuration settings.
   
5. Enter your preferred time interval under the Adjust Reloading Time section.
   
6. Toggle ON the Enable Reloader for this tab option at the top, and it will work.
   

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

That covers everything you need to know regarding enabling auto-refresh on the web browser.

Although I use Google Chrome as my primary browser, I tested all the above browsers and their auto-refresh add-ons. These auto-refresh extensions have helped me stay updated on sites like Etsy and Amazon.

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 on Chrome.

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.

What do you think about auto-refreshing the browser tabs? Which one is your favorite from the list above?

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