Claude in Chrome extension not connecting despite being installed and enabled

[blaykeelder1-commits]

Description

The Claude in Chrome browser extension is not connecting to Claude Code CLI. The tabs_context_mcp tool consistently returns "Browser extension is not connected" despite the extension being installed and enabled in Chrome.

Environment

• Platform: Windows
• Tool: Claude Code CLI (Claude in Chrome MCP integration)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install the Claude in Chrome extension
2. Open Chrome with the extension enabled
3. Run Claude Code CLI and attempt to use browser automation tools
4. tabs_context_mcp returns "Browser extension is not connected"

Troubleshooting Attempted

All of the following were tried without success:

• Restarting Chrome (including verifying no chrome.exe processes remained in Task Manager)
• Disabling and re-enabling the extension in chrome://extensions
• Fully uninstalling and reinstalling the extension
• Running the /chrome command in Claude Code CLI
• Multiple connection attempts after each troubleshooting step

Expected Behavior

The extension should connect and tabs_context_mcp should return available tab information.

Actual Behavior

Every call to tabs_context_mcp returns:

Browser extension is not connected. Please ensure the Claude browser extension is installed and running.

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. [Bug] Claude in Chrome MCP bridge fails on Windows - socket discovery doesn't find named pipes #21337
2. [BUG] Chrome extension v1.0.40 does not connect to Claude Code CLI --chrome on Windows #21240
3. Chrome extension not connecting to Claude Code via native messaging on Windows 11 #21363

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[plejsq]

same issue here. downgrading now

[jonalexander]

@plejsq which version should i downgrade to?

[serivas]

Same issue. 4 days ago this wasn't an issue. Not sure if it's Claude Code (v 2.1.19 was fine) or the extension

[cjauvin]

[VincentCassiau]

Same problem on Windows 11 ! No problem on my Mac or Ubuntu.