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How to Fix Enter Key Opening a New Browser Tab Instead of a New Line

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where pressing the Enter key unexpectedly opens a new web browser tab rather than executing a standard carriage return or line break.

Fix Enter Key Opening a New Browser Tab Instead of a New Line

Product: Microsoft Word / Web Browser
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing text in a document or text field and pressing Enter to start a new paragraph.
Observed behavior: Instead of moving the cursor to a new line, pressing the Enter key triggers a system or browser shortcut that launches a new browser tab.

Before you start

Before proceeding, click into a different application (like Notepad) to test if the Enter key behaves normally there. This helps determine whether the problem is system-wide hardware issue or isolated to a specific app like Microsoft Word.

Solution 1Recommended

Start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Use this method if the problem only occurs while typing in the desktop version of Microsoft Word, as faulty add-ins often hijack keyboard shortcuts.

Running Word in Safe Mode temporarily disables all third-party add-ins. If the Enter key works correctly in Safe Mode, an add-in is likely causing the conflict and needs to be permanently disabled.

Launch Word in Safe Mode

Locate the Microsoft Word shortcut on your desktop or Start menu. Press and hold the 'Ctrl' key on your keyboard, then click the Word shortcut to open it. A prompt will appear asking if you want to start in Safe Mode; click 'Yes'.

Test the Enter Key

Open a blank document in Safe Mode and type a few words. Press the Enter key to see if it creates a new line properly. If it does, proceed to the next step.

Access Add-ins Menu

Click on 'File' in the top left corner, select 'Options' at the bottom, and click on 'Add-ins' in the left sidebar of the Word Options dialog box.

Disable Faulty Add-ins

At the bottom of the window next to 'Manage', select 'COM Add-ins' from the dropdown and click 'Go'. Uncheck all add-ins in the list and click 'OK'. Restart Word normally to see if the issue is resolved.

Start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Identify the Culprit: If disabling all add-ins fixes the issue, you can re-enable them one by one to identify exactly which extension is hijacking your Enter key.

Solution 2

Check for Stuck Modifier Keys and Hardware Issues

Apply this solution if pressing Enter opens browser tabs across multiple different applications, which strongly indicates a physical keyboard malfunction.

Solution 3

Reset or Disable Web Browser Extensions

Use this method if the Enter key issue only happens when you are using Word Online or typing within a web browser.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does pressing Enter act like a shortcut key instead of a line break?

This usually happens when a modifier key (like Ctrl, Alt, or the Windows key) is physically stuck pressed down on your keyboard, or if a background software (like a keyboard remapping tool or faulty Word add-in) is intercepting the keystroke and translating it into a shortcut command.

How do I disable COM Add-ins in Microsoft Word?

Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, change the 'Manage' dropdown to 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'. Uncheck the boxes next to any active add-ins and click OK to disable them.

What should I do if my Enter key only opens new tabs in Chrome or Edge?

If the issue is isolated to your web browser, it is highly likely caused by a browser extension. Try opening the browser in Incognito or Private mode. If the Enter key works normally there, go to your browser's extension manager and disable extensions one by one until the issue stops.

Can malware or a virus cause my Enter key to open browser tabs?

While it is possible for adware to hijack keyboard inputs to force open sponsored web pages or tabs, it is much more commonly caused by stuck hardware keys or conflicting legitimate software. However, running a standard antivirus scan is always a safe troubleshooting step.

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