How to auto-pause video when switching tabs in Chrome

Last updated May 4, 20263 min read
Quick answer

Leaving a video playing while you switch tabs wastes your place and your attention. Here is how to make Chrome automatically manage video when you move focus.

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Enable auto-pause on tab leave

    VidBar can pause the video automatically when you switch to a different tab. Re-opening the tab resumes it. This is available on the free plan.

  2. 2
    Step 2

    Lower the volume instead of pausing

    If you want the audio in the background at a reduced level rather than fully paused, VidBar's tab-leave options include a volume reduction mode (Pro).

  3. 3
    Step 3

    Hide the video when the tab is not in focus

    For privacy or distraction reduction, VidBar can hide the video frame when the tab loses focus and restore it when you come back (Pro).

  4. 4
    Step 4

    Auto-resume when you return

    Pair auto-pause with auto-resume (Pro) so you do not have to press play manually every time you switch back to the tab.

  5. 5
    Step 5

    Use PiP as an alternative to pausing

    Keep the video running in a PiP window so it stays visible even when you switch tabs, rather than pausing entirely.

    FeaturePiP
  6. 6
    Step 6

    Set different behavior per site

    Pro lets you configure different tab-leave behavior per site — auto-pause on course sites, lower volume on YouTube, no action on Twitch.

    SiteYouTubeSiteTwitch

Frequently asked questions

  • Does auto-pause work on all sites?

    Yes. Auto-pause applies to any video that VidBar is active on.

  • Is the free auto-pause just a full pause, or can it do more?

    The free version pauses playback on tab leave. Lower volume, hide video, and auto-resume on return are Pro options.

  • Can I disable auto-pause for specific sites?

    Yes. With Pro's per-site settings you can have different behavior on each site.

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