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How to Disable WebRTC in Any Browser to Prevent IP Leaks

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) is a browser standard that enables direct peer-to-peer audio, video, and data streaming – without the need for plugins or add-ons. It powers web conferencing, file sharing, and live streaming tools by handling all media and networking internally. However, because WebRTC relies on JavaScript APIs such as RTCPeerConnection and STUN, it can bypass VPN or proxy settings and expose your original address to websites and peers. To disable WebRTC is an effective measure to prevent IP leaks and maintain anonymity while browsing. Note that turning off WebRTC may restrict access to certain web features, including video calls and real-time applications. For most users, it is recommended to disable it only when strong privacy is required.

Video: What is WebRTC and how to turn it off and disable it in different browsers

How to Disable WebRTC in Firefox

Follow the steps below to turn off web real-time communication in this browser:

  1. Open Firefox and enter “about:config” in the address bar, then press Enter. It will take you to the advanced configuration page, where settings can be manually modified.

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  2. Accept the risk warning if prompted. Firefox will display a caution message stating that changes here can affect performance. Click the “Accept the Risk and Continue” button to proceed.

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  3. In the search bar at the top, type “media.peerconnection.enabled”. This is the primary configuration that enables or disables peer-to-peer communication in Firefox via this technology.

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  4. Double-click on the entry to change its value from true to false. The action will disable WebRTC in Firefox, preventing the browser from using peer-to-peer communication features that could leak your real address.

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How to Turn Off WebRTC in Chrome Using Browser Extension

If the task is to disable WebRTC in Chrome, it’s possible to do only with specific extension called WebRTC Control:

  1. Open the Chrome Web Store and search for this addon.

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  2. Click “Add to Chrome” and confirm installation when prompted. Once added, the extension’s icon will appear near the address bar.

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  3. Click on the extension icon to enable protection. For example, a blue icon typically indicates that technology is blocked and your real IP is protected, similar to using a proxy in Chrome.

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  4. Access the extension’s settings to configure advanced options. It lets you choose between completely blocking WebRTC or allowing it to operate with only your VPN or proxy-assigned address.

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  5. To test whether it has been effectively disabled, visit a testing site. The absence of local or public addresses confirms proper configuration.

The same method is applicable for the Opera.

How to Disable WebRTC in Microsoft Edge

  1. Open Microsoft Edge and type “edge://flags” into the address bar, then press Enter. This will open the experimental features and flags page for the browser.

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  2. In the search bar at the top, type “Anonymize Local IPs Exposed By WebRTC.” This setting determines whether local IP addresses are exposed during peer-to-peer communication.
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  4. Set the dropdown option from “Default” to “Enabled.” Enabling this feature ensures that only public addresses (such as those from your VPN or proxy) are shared.

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  5. Click the “Restart” button that appears at the bottom of the page to apply the change. Microsoft Edge will relaunch with the updated privacy setting in effect.

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  6. To confirm that the IP is masked correctly, run a leak test. If only the VPN or proxy is visible, the change has worked.

How to Disable WebRTC in Safari

  1. Click “Safari” in the top-left menu bar, then select “Preferences”. It will open the browser’s main settings window. Go to the “Advanced” tab and check the box next to “Show Develop menu in menu bar”. This action enables access to developer tools, including the program options.

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  2. Now, click “Develop” in the top menu bar and hover over the “Experimental Features” submenu. A list of toggleable features will appear. Check the option labeled “Remove Legacy WebRTC.” This disables older implementations that are more likely to leak IP information.

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  3. To ensure the changes are working, visit a test site. If no local IP address is shown, Safari is no longer exposing it through this technology.

Conclusion

To sum up, disabling WebRTC prevents leaks caused by browser APIs. Desktop users can easily do this with extensions. Edge users can enable the flag to block local IP transmission. Safari users can configure their Desktop menu settings to get WebRTC disabled.

Regardless of the browser, validating the changes via reputable leak test tools is essential to ensure that WebRTC-based IP exposure has been fully mitigated. Validate with a leak test site to make sure that no local, public, or fake IP is seen. This should be part of any privacy routine alongside VPNs, proxies, and secure configurations.