If you allow sites to use plug-ins and Google Chrome detects that you're missing a plug-in for a particular page, it'll prompt you to install the plug-in at the top of webpage.

Click Install plug-in in the message. Some plug-ins begin the installation process by downloading a set-up file to your computer. For those plug-ins, make sure you confirm the download by clicking Save in the downloads bar that appears at the bottom of your browser window. Once the download has finished, restart Google Chrome by closing all open windows to complete the installation process.

Plug-ins not working? See troubleshooting information

Plug-ins are allowed by default. However, since they can occasionally be a security risk, Google Chrome blocks plug-ins that are outdated or those that are not widely used. Examples include Java, RealPlayer, QuickTime, Shockwave, Windows Media Player and Adobe Reader prior to Adobe Reader X. You can use the Content Settings dialog to block all plug-ins. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Chrome menu and select Settings.
2. Click Show advanced settings.
3. In the "Privacy section", click the Content settings button.
4. In the "Plug-ins" section, select the following:
   • Click to play: Chrome will block all plug-ins. However, you can click the plug-in icon to run it this time.
   • Block all: Chrome will prevent any plug-ins from running.

You can customize permissions for specific websites by clicking Manage exceptions.

Using a Chrome device at work or school? Your network administrator might manage plug-ins for you, in which case you can't change this setting yourself. Learn about using a managed Chrome device

• If you chose Click to play, you’ll see gray boxes appearing on the page where plug-ins have been blocked. In the center of the box, click the plug-in icon to run it this time.

• If you chose to Block all plug-ins, you’ll see a plug-in blocked icon in the address bar and gray boxes appearing on the page where plug-ins have been blocked. To adjust plug-in settings for the site, click the plug-in blocked icon:

  • Click Always allow plug-ins in the menu that appears to automatically allow plug-ins to run on this site in the future. An exception will be added for the site.
  • Click Run all plug-ins this time to allow plug-ins to run only this one time. You'll be asked again when you revisit this site.
  • Click Manage plug-in blocking to manage your plug-in settings for the browser.
• To always allow a certain plug-in to run on every site, go to chrome://plugins, find the plug-in and select the Always allowed checkbox.
• Outdated plug-ins are blocked by default. You'll see a message at the top of the page whenever the browser has blocked outdated plug-ins on the page. Click Run this time in the message to let the outdated plug-in run (not recommended).

You can also completely disable specific plug-ins. Unlike blocked plug-ins, you won’t be able to allow the plug-in to run on a given page. When you visit a page with a disabled plug-in, you’ll see the message “Missing plug-in” appear in its place.

To disable plug-ins, visit the Plug-ins page at chrome://plugins/. Find the plug-in you’d like to disable and click Disable. You can also re-enable disabled plug-ins on this page.

You can also reach the Plug-ins page by clicking Disable individual plug-ins in the "Plug-ins" section of the Content Settings dialog.