A small black rounded box has been appearing on the Google Chrome home and search pages, confusing users.
The box sits atop the Google logo, prompting many to suspect a malware infection, particularly a browser hijacker.
Panic spread across the internet, with users concerned about a potential threat lurking within their systems. However, the real cause is far less concerning at all.
Even our team encountered the same problem while browsing with Google Chrome. The black box always appear repeatedly upon entering the Google search page.
Users all over the world, numbering in the hundreds or even thousands, have reported seeing this strange glitch. The consensus is that this is a bug on Google’s part rather than a major malware infection.
There has been a lot of speculation about where the bug came from. Some users believe it could be due to the popular adblock extension uBlock Origin, which is widely used on Chrome and Edge browsers.
The theory gained traction after Google announced plans to crack down on specific browser extensions.
However, our investigation revealed that the problem persists even in browsers with no adblock extensions installed.
What does it do? Literally nothing.
When a user enters on the search page, a mysterious black box appears. The box disappears when hovered over, but reappears when the page is refreshed.
Claims surfaced that being a member of Chrome’s beta program could be the cause, but the problem also affects users of the stable version of the browser.
The issue is not limited to Chrome’s default white homepage; users report seeing the box with custom backgrounds on Windows and Mac systems.
Investigating the root cause, the source appears to be “view-source:chrome-untrusted://new-tab-page/one-google-bar?paramsencoded=”.
This link refers to one_google_bar.js, a JavaScript file required for Google’s search bar functionality.
Simply put, the problem stems from Google’s end. Users can technically remove the element using the inspect tool, but refreshing the page will cause it to reappear.
Currently, numerous users have reported the problem to Google Chrome’s support team. Those who want to file a report can do so by following simple steps.
Here’s how to file a report to Google Chrome:
1. On your computer, launch Chrome.
2. Click the More button in the top right corner.
3. Click Help. Report an issue.
4. Include details, such as steps, to assist us in recreating the problem you’re experiencing.
5. Choose whether to include additional information in your report, such as a web address, email address, or screenshot.
The good news is that users don’t have to take immediate action. While the black box appears strange and unsettling, there is no reason for concern.
This bug will most likely be fixed in an upcoming Google update, providing relief to users concerned about their browsing experience.