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 a long time ago and for some reason, the browsers no longer support a built-in auto-refresh feature.
Although that’s the case, you might be aware of the fact that certain 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 actually a whole different thing compared to how we want auto-refreshing for a specific time interval or so.
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 certainly 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!
If you require browsers capable of auto-refreshing, then I’ll break a sweat to get you through some of my fixes for this issue.
Related: How to Stop Auto-Reload/Refresh in Chrome Browser Tabs?
Through this article, I’ll talk about some selected auto-refresh extensions that will help you to automatically refresh browser tabs. Before we jump in, I want to let you know that we’re gonna use third-party add-ons for the most popular browsers we have today. We have to depend on the auto-refresh chrome extension as of now since the browsers no longer support their in-built auto-refresh features.
With that out of the way, we’ll get right into the process of enabling auto-refresh for different web browsers out there.
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Enable auto-refresh on Google Chrome
For enabling auto-refresh on Google Chrome, I choose to go with the Tab Reloader auto refresh extension. Unlike the other ones, Tab Reloader is a much more safe and reliable add-on for Chrome, with no malware or spyware.
Here are the steps to enable the Tab Reloader auto refresh extension:
- Start by adding the Tab Reloader extension to Google Chrome.
direct link to tab reloader added below. - From the page that opens, click on the Add to Chrome button on the right.
- Next, confirm by clicking on the Add extension button from the pop-up.
- Once the extension is successfully added to your Chrome browser, click on its logo from the extensions menu at the top of your Chrome browser.
this will bring up the extension’s configuration settings.
- Next, adjust your reloading period from the Adjust Reloading Time section.
- Finally, toggle on the Enable Reloader for this tab option at the bottom to get the extension working.
This will activate the Tab Reloader extension for the current tab you’re in. If you wish to auto-refresh another tab, simply head over to that tab and repeat steps 4 to 6.
Enable auto-refresh on Microsoft Edge
For Microsoft Edge, I choose to go with 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.
Follow these steps to enable the Refreshless auto refresh extension:
- Add the Refreshless extension for Microsoft Edge.
direct download link added below. - On the page that opens up, click on the button on the right.
- Hit on Add extension on the pop-up to confirm the installation.
- Click on the Refreshless logo on the extensions menu to open up its configuration settings.
- Then, toggle on the Refresh Automatically option.
- Set your time under the Intervals section for auto-refreshing.
- Turn OFF or ON the Persistent option according to your choice.
- Finally, click on the button to get the extension working according to your preference.
Turning on the Persistent option literally uses the same extension settings for that particular tab. If you need auto-refreshing to work on another tab, you have to head there, configure the extension’s settings, and apply.
Enable Auto-refresh on Mozilla 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. Here’s how you can get it on Mozilla Firefox.
Follow these steps to enable the Tab Reloader extension on Firefox:
- Add the Tab Reloader add-on on Mozilla Firefox.
- Then, click on the Add to Firefox button.
- Click on on the pop-up that appears.
- Click on the Tab Reloader extension’s icon on the extensions menu to open configuration settings.
- Enter your preferred time interval under the Adjust Reloading Time section.
- Toggle ON the Enable Reloader for this tab option at the top and it will now get things working.
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 on the auto-refresh feature for that particular tab as shown above.
Bottom Line: Auto-Refresh the Web Browser
That successfully covers up 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 respective auto-refresh add-ons to compile this article. Based on my experience, I must admit that the extensions of my choice are pretty convenient and they’re not scammy at all.
I did spend quite some time researching and experimenting with these add-ons. The final result I got was satisfying and the above three extensions conquered over the10 others that I tested. These auto-refresh extensions have helped me stay up to date on sites like Etsy and Amazon.
The chrome browser has recently started reloading the tab when we are inactive for a long. This is quite annoying for most users including me who keep multiple tabs open. Hence, I did some research and found few options to disable auto-reloading after inactivity on chrome.
Also, please keep in mind 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 the auto-refreshing the browser tabs? Which one is your favorite from the list above?