If you’ve ever wondered what “about:blank” is, it’s simply nothing but an empty page on your browser tab, whether you’re using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or something else. Once in a while, the label “about:blank” in both the title and the address bar
So what’s it really? Is it a bad link, a slow connection, or malware? How do you get rid of it? Or should you even try and remove it? Read on to find out.
What Does about:blank Mean?
“about:blank” pages are part of the “about:URL” system used by browsers to process the internal commands they want to enforce. There are a few ‘about’ commands used by most browsers, such as “about:about,” “about:cache” and “about:plugins.”
The “about:blank” tab or window does not have a web page to load, or is supposed to load one. These windows, however, are more than just blank pages; they are blank pages with hidden functions used by the browser. The bottom line is that “about:blank” is what it looks like—a blank page that isn’t a URL; it’s a command built into a browser.
What is the Purpose of about:blank?
You may wonder why people want to use a blank page. The theory sounds strange, but it has intended goals. The most frequent usage is a home user instructing a web browser to open a blank page when launched—or, in some situations, a new tab or a new window.
Browsers like Chrome and Firefox love to take over when you open the executable file. They do these all kinds of activities behind the scenes that chew up bandwidth and resources.
Although it’s a struggle to combat this kind of invisibility, you can regulate some of the aspects, such as what opens up at launch.
People like the thought of launching their browser to a blank screen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Preventing the browser from opening several tabs or windows from the previous session
- Ensure privacy upon launch
- Regulating bandwidth by opening a non-internet browser tab to launch your session
- Render the homepage blank
- Monitor processes on an older PC
What Causes about:blank?
The “about:blank” page can take place in different ways and for different reasons.
The most common causes of blank pages are the following:
- You click a download link that will open in the second window or tab, and the browser will be forced to view a blank page to start downloading.
- You mistype a web address, then you get an incorrect page that triggers viruses or malware protection issues, or you get about:blank if the browser doesn’t understand what to display.
- The browser has no idea what to do on the basis of the information being processed. Discrepancies in HTML, Java, and other codes can force the browser to open a blank page because it can’t process anything.
Is about:blank Harmful?
A lot of people believe that “about:blank” is a computer virus that sneaks its way into their computer, but it’s not. The “about:blank” scenario is simply a blank webpage that is shown anytime a browser finds itself in a situation where an empty screen has to be displayed. The website is NOT served to you by an external source, so it is not detrimental to your computer. However, the malware can cause the browser to open a blank page.
How to Remove about:blank
Trying to stop the:blank pages depends on why they are shown in the first place. If you’ve modified the browser settings to open blank pages, you just need to go back to the browser settings and undo those changes.
If you get blank pages on a regular basis, you’d want to prevent malware or viruses first because they can corrupt your browser, and then you can uninstall and reinstall Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or whatever you’re using. Removing malware from your PC can also lead to lost files and browser settings that have not been repaired/replaced after the malware has been deleted.
Apart from the examples listed above, you might want to leave the about:blank functionality alone. Most antivirus and anti-malware applications are now using blank pages to prevent unsafe URLs from running code or tricking you into taking action.
Can You Fix an about:blank Home Page?
If you have changed your home page to a blank one, just go to the settings and set your homepage to whatever you want. Many browsers provide you with past or pre-included options that will make it easy for you. If you have uninstalled and reinstalled your browser, simply type a new URL in the box or section.
If the blank page issue continues, try deleting any extensions you have, shut the browser, and re-open it. Add-ons and plugins can create problems, but removing them may resolve the issue.
Finally, you can restore your settings to the system defaults. This move is a drastic decision, but if nothing else works, try it.
Should You be Worried When a Webpage Routes to about:blank?
Yes, no. Innately, about:blank web pages are not dangerous to your computer or device. They’re part of the system, so sometimes seeing a page isn’t a big deal. However, if you also see “about blank” pages, there’s likely an underlying problem.
For example, if your web browser is infected, you will see this page rather than your homepage. If you always see this without a user provocation, it’s a smart idea to run a security scan to be sure.
How to Fix about:blank Issues?
Assuming you have trouble with every web page, and not just when you open your browser or access a URL, there are certain things you can do to correct the glitches. Start by scanning for virus, as described above. You may also clear the cache and the history of the browser to delete any bugs.