To auto refresh multiple tabs in Chrome, create one automation for each open tab. Each tab gets its own Repeat wait, **Pause** control, and optional **Bypass cache** setting.

Tab Automation does not provide a switch that reloads an entire window. That separation keeps unrelated tabs out of the schedule.

## Add a recurring timer to each tab

1. Open the tabs you want to keep current.
2. Open the Tab Automation side panel.
3. Click **New Automation** and pick the first tab.
4. Add [Refresh Page](/steps/refresh-page), configure [Repeat](/steps/repeat), and click **Start**.
5. Click **New Automation** again and repeat the setup for the next tab.

Starting another automation does not stop the first one. The side panel keeps them as separate rows under **Automations**.

For the complete setup, cache behavior, permissions, and Chrome-open limit, read [how to auto refresh a tab in Chrome](/blog/auto-refresh-a-tab-in-chrome).

## Recurring refresh is not reload selected tabs once

Chrome can reload a selection of tabs once. Select a range of tabs, open the tab context menu, and choose Reload. That action does not keep repeating.

A recurring setup is different: the support queue can reload every 30 seconds while the status board uses a longer wait. A document you are editing can remain untouched because you never add it.

Tab Automation also does not rotate tabs on a display. It reloads the specific tabs assigned to automations.

## Give each tab its own wait

Each automation stores its own Repeat settings. A new automation defaults to a 30-second **Fixed** wait. Repeat also offers **No wait** and **Random range**, plus unlimited or limited cycle counts.

A short wait can keep a heavy page loading almost continuously. Match each wait to that page instead of copying one interval across every tab. For charts and queues, see [auto refresh a dashboard in Chrome](/blog/auto-refresh-dashboard-chrome).

**Bypass cache** also belongs to each Refresh Page step. Enable it only for the tab that needs a cache-bypassing reload.

## Pause one tab or the whole set

- Use **Pause** and **Resume** on one automation without affecting the others.
- Use **Pause All** or **Resume All** for the full list.
- Use **Restart** to abort one automation's current wait or step and begin it again.
- Use **Remove Automation** for one row. **Remove All** clears every automation, including paused ones.

The toolbar badge is the count of **running** automations, not the length of the list. A paused queue still sits in the panel. It does not count on the badge.

## When a tab closes

If an assigned tab closes, its automation can become parked while the others continue. Click **Restore** to reopen the saved URL and reattach that automation.

Restore is a manual control. It does not detect stale pages or reopen every closed tab.

A tab can keep reloading while it is behind another tab; the [background-tab guide](/blog/auto-refresh-background-tab-chrome) explains why an extension timer works differently from page JavaScript.