How to Disable JavaScript in Google Chrome Developer Tools

Use Chrome DevTools to check how a website or web app behaves with JavaScript disabled

Use Chrome DevTools to check how a website or web app behaves with JavaScript disabled, without installing a browser add-on. You can reach the control in DevTools Settings or find it through the Command Menu. The steps below use the English interface; menu names and locations can vary between Chrome versions. Both methods begin with DevTools open. Use the Settings route to browse the available preferences, or the Command Menu route to search directly for the control.

Disable JavaScript in Chrome Manually From the Settings Panel

The Settings panel contains a checkbox for disabling JavaScript. Open DevTools in the tab where you are inspecting the site, then find and select that checkbox. Afterward, reload the page so it can run again with the setting applied. Compare the result with the same page and test steps while JavaScript is enabled.

Open the Developer Tools Inside the Desired Tab

Open Chrome’s three-dot menu and choose More tools > Developer tools. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+I on Windows or Linux, or Command+Option+I on Mac. F12 is another shortcut on many keyboards. Shortcut behavior depends on the operating system and keyboard settings, so use the three-dot menu if a shortcut does not open DevTools. On some compact keyboards, you may need to hold Fn to send a function key.

Open the Developer Tools Settings Panel

With DevTools open, select the gear icon to open its Settings panel. You can also press F1 while DevTools is focused. If F1 opens Chrome Help, click inside DevTools and try the key again. The gear icon remains an available route when the shortcut is handled differently by your system.

Disable JavaScript by Clicking on the Disable JavaScript Checkbox

In Settings, select the Preferences tab. Scroll to the Debugger section and select Disable JavaScript. If the English labels or their locations differ in your Chrome version, use the Settings search field and search for “JavaScript.” Check that the checkbox is selected before returning to the page, then reload it to compare its behavior. When you finish, clear Disable JavaScript before continuing other tests so JavaScript is available again. Keep your page and test steps consistent between comparisons, and note the differences you observe. This makes it easier to identify changes associated with running the page without JavaScript.

Disable JavaScript in Chrome via the Command Menu

The Command Menu offers a searchable route to the disable control. With DevTools open, press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Linux, or Command+Shift+P on Mac. Type JavaScript in the menu and choose Disable JavaScript from the results. Return to the page and reload it to inspect the result.

If the command does not appear, first confirm that DevTools is open and the Command Menu has focus. Search for JavaScript again, or use the Settings-panel route to locate the checkbox directly. The two routes are alternative ways to find the DevTools control. Menu names, locations, and shortcut behavior can vary by Chrome version and platform, so use the visible interface in your installation when following these steps. For a useful comparison, record the page state before and after disabling JavaScript and keep other test conditions the same.