Zoom Block

Name: Zoom Block
Rating: 4.067796610169491 (59 reviews)
Author: Wesley Warnell

Disable zooming by default. Re-enable zooming on a per-tab basis by clicking the Zoom Block icon.

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Zoom Block is a Chrome extension designed to prevent unwanted or accidental zooming by disabling zooming by default. Users can selectively re-enable zoom on a per-tab basis simply by clicking the Zoom Block icon. This extension respects user privacy fully by requiring no permissions and not using any analytics or network requests.

While it cannot lock custom zoom levels due to browser API limitations, users can adjust Chrome's default zoom settings via Settings > Appearance > Page Zoom, and Zoom Block will maintain that level consistently by blocking further zoom changes. The icon grays out on restricted pages where zoom blocking isn't supported, such as internal browser pages. Open-source under GPLv3, Zoom Block encourages contributions and bug reports on its GitHub repository.

Extension Productivity Privacy & Security

By:

Users:

Rating:

Version:

2.0.0 Last updated: 2024-08-11

Creation date:

2018-07-10

Risk:

Permissions:

storage

Size:

37.83K

Email:

we*****@wesleywarnell.com

Full description:

Source:

Chrome Web Store

Updated:

19 hours ago

Ranking

# 7,907 ▲ 44

Other rankings

#435 in Accessibility

#10 in zoom keyword 52 ▼ 3

#27 in block keyword 76 ▼ 2

#27 in prevent keyword 31 ▼ 4

#63 in level keyword 42 ▼ 3

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User reviews

Zoom Block is praised for effectively preventing accidental zooming caused by trackpads and keyboard shortcuts, providing a lightweight and easy solution that benefits accessibility and specific web applications. Several users highlight its importance in improving their browsing experience. However, multiple reviews report that the extension does not work consistently across all sites or browser versions, sometimes requiring manual toggling. It also doesn't function on some Chrome internal pages and may interfere with scroll behavior when holding Ctrl. Ongoing developer support and updates are appreciated.

Pros

Effectively stops accidental zooming caused by touchpads and keyboard shortcuts, improving browsing experience.
Lightweight, easy to install, and works as advertised for many users.
Provides a valuable accessibility feature by disabling pinch-to-zoom, favored by users who find zooming bothersome.
Works well for gaming/web apps like Roll20 to prevent unwanted zooming during use.
The developer is responsive and has updated the extension to comply with newer Chrome extension manifest versions.

Cons

Does not work for some users across multiple sites, browsers (including Chrome and Brave), and versions, leading to frustration.
Fails to work immediately on page load; some users must toggle it off and on manually for it to activate.
Doesn't work on certain Chrome internal pages like settings or the Chrome Web Store page.
Does not remember per-tab zoom disable settings reliably after browser restart or crashes.
Interferes with normal scroll wheel behavior when holding Ctrl key for some users, reducing usability.

Recent reviews

This extension is exactly what I needed. I kept accidentally zooming in and out on websites using the trackpad or keyboard shortcuts, which was super frustrating. Zoom Block completely solved that problem—it stops unwanted zooming without affecting anything else. It’s lightweight, easy to install, and just works. A must-have for anyone tired of sudden page zooms!

Mi*****, 2025-05-06

(Jingle Bells) junk junk junk---junk junk junk---junk junk junk junk junk---junk junk junk, ja ja junk junk junk---ja ja junk junk junk junk junk. You can say that you tested it---until you're blue in the face, but it doesn't change the fact that it does squat for most of your user base.

Ja*****, 2025-01-29

I got this extension, as many others others probably did, to stop the annoying accidental zoom in or out when touching the touchpad wrong. I have a Logitech keyboard, but I'm guessing this issue also happens on laptops with a touchpad. Installing Zoom Block had zero effect on my ability to zoom in or out using the touchpad. Didn't work in Brave or Google Chrome. You can say that you tested it at the time of this review until you are blue in the face, but IT DIDN'T WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ja*****, 2025-01-29

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Extension safety

Risk impact

Zoom Block does not require any sensitive permissions.

Risk impact analysis details

Risk likelihood

Zoom Block has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
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