The term "about:blank" (aka About Blank) defines nothing more than a blank page on your browser tab, whether you're using Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, or any other type of browser. The page appears with the label “about:blank” both in the address bar and in the title of the tab page. You've probably noticed that blank page popping up every once in a while when you click on a link or open one in a new tab or window.
So what does “about:empty” mean? Is it malware, a bad internet connection, or even a bad link? How can I stop it? An "about:blank" has many reasons to appear on your screen. Generally speaking, blank pages are nothing to worry about. Read on for answers to the most common questions about "about:blank" web pages.
What does about:empty mean?
About:blank pages are part of the about:URL scheme used by browsers to process the internal commands they choose to implement. There are several "about" commands used by most browsers, such as "about about," "about:cache," and "about:plugins." "
An "about:blank" tab or window does not have a web page to load and is not intended to load one. However, these windows are more than just blank pages; these are white 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 is an in-browser command.
What is it: blank used for?
You might wonder why people want to use a blank page. The idea sounds strange, but it has real goals. The most common usage is a home user asking the web browser to open a blank page on launch, or even for a new tab or window in some cases.
Browsers like Chrome and Firefox love to take over when you open their executable file. They start performing all sorts of behind-the-scenes tasks that consume bandwidth and resources.
Although it's hard to stop the "invisible madness" you can control certain elements, such as what opens at launch.
People like the idea of launching their browser to a blank page for many reasons, including:
- Prevent the browser from opening many tabs or windows from the previous session
- Ensuring privacy at launch
- Throttle bandwidth by opening a non-internet browser tab to start their session
- Make the home page empty
- Regulating processes on an older PC
Common Causes of Blank Pages
An "about: blank" page can appear in different ways and for a variety of reasons.
The most common causes of Environ white pages are:
- You click on a download link that opens in a second window or tab, and the browser is forced to display a blank page to initiate the download.
- You type a web address wrongly, so you get the wrong page causing virus or malware security issues, or you get an about:blank page if the browser can't figure out what to do pin up.
- The browser has no idea what to do based on the processed information. Discrepancies in HTML, Java, and other code can force the browser to open a blank page because it can't process anything.
Is it to: dump a virus or even malware?
Many people think that "about:blank" is a computer virus that sneaks into their computer, but it is not. The "about:blank" scenario is just a blank web page displayed when a browser is in a situation where it needs to display a blank page. The page is NOT served to you from an external source, so it is not harmful to your computer. However, malware CAN cause a browser to open a blank page.
How to stop those on empty popups
Stop on: Blank pages depend on why they are displayed in the first place. If you have adjusted your browser settings to open blank pages, simply go back into the browser settings and undo those changes.
If you are getting white pages regularly, you need to stop malware or virus first because they can corrupt the browser, then you can uninstall and reinstall Chrome, Firefox, Safari or whatever you are using. Removing malware from your PC can also lead to missing files and settings in the browser, which were not repaired/replaced after malware removal.
Other than the above two scenarios, you should probably leave the about:blank feature alone. Many anti-virus and anti-malware programs now use blank pages to prevent dangerous URLs from executing code or tricking you into taking action.
How to fix a blank about:homepage
If you changed your homepage to a blank one as mentioned earlier, just go to settings and set your homepage to whatever you want. Most browsers have earlier or pre-included options that can make things easier for you. If you uninstalled and reinstalled your browser, just enter a new URL in the box or section.

If the blank page issue persists, try disabling any extensions you have, close the browser, and reopen it. Add-ons and extensions (including pop-up blockers) can cause problems, so disabling them may solve the problem. Finally, you can restore your settings to the system defaults. This move is an extreme option, but if nothing else works, give it a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is some additional information to better help you understand white pages.
Should I be worried when a web page is routed to about:blank?
Yes and no. By nature, about:blank web pages are not harmful to your computer or device. They are part of the system, so sometimes seeing the page is not a big deal. However, if you often see blank "about:" pages, there is likely an underlying issue.
For example, if your Internet browser is compromised, you may see this page instead of your home page. If this is something you see frequently without user provocation, it's a good idea to run a security scan to be sure.
How can I solve the problem: opening blank when I launch my web browser?
Your best solution to fix this problem is to update your browser homepage. You can update it with Google, a news source, or any other webpage you like. Whether you're using Safari, Firefox, Chrome, or even Edge, configure the homepage to route somewhere else, and you should no longer see the about:blank page when you open your browser.
How can I solve the following problems: empty?
Assuming you're having trouble with every webpage and not just opening your browser or visiting a URL, there are a few things you can do to fix the errors. Start by running a virus scan, as mentioned earlier. You can also clear browser cache and history to remove bugs.