Random Auto Refresh Extension for Chrome
Auto Refresh Master is a free Chrome extension that reloads any tab at a random interval. You set a minimum and a maximum — say 8 and 15 seconds — and every reload lands at a different, unpredictable time inside that window instead of firing like a metronome. No sign-up, no paid tier, no data collection.
Quick answer
- 🎲 What it does — refreshes between a min and max you choose, never the same gap twice
- 🆓 Cost — free, with no locked tier and no account
- 🗂️ Multi-tab — each tab can run its own random range at the same time
- ⚡ Pairs with hard refresh — bypass the cache on every reload
- 🔒 Privacy — runs entirely on your device, collects nothing
Why use a random refresh interval instead of a fixed one?
A fixed interval reloads at exactly the same gap every time — 10 seconds, 10 seconds, 10 seconds. A random interval picks a fresh value inside your range on every cycle, so the requests spread out unevenly rather than arriving in lockstep. Three practical reasons people prefer it:
Traffic looks less mechanical
A perfectly regular request every N seconds is an obvious machine pattern. Spreading the gaps out makes the sequence look closer to ordinary browsing.
Gentler on the server
If several tabs all refresh on the same fixed timer they can synchronise into bursts. A random range naturally staggers them.
Better odds on fast-moving pages
On restock or listing pages, a varying interval samples the page at more points in time than a fixed one landing on the same beat.
A note on expectations: random intervals change the timing of your requests, not your identity. They are not a way around a site’s terms of service, and you should still respect the rules of any site you monitor.
How to set a random refresh interval in Chrome
- 1
Install Auto Refresh Master
Add it from the Chrome Web Store. No account or sign-up is required.
- 2
Open the tab you want to refresh
Random intervals apply per tab, so start on the page you actually want reloading.
- 3
Click the extension icon
The popup opens with the interval controls for the current tab.
- 4
Switch on the random interval option
Instead of a single interval you will get two fields: a minimum and a maximum.
- 5
Enter your minimum and maximum
For example 8 and 15 seconds. Every reload picks a new value in that range.
- 6
Optionally enable hard refresh
This bypasses the cache so you get fresh content rather than a stored copy.
- 7
Click Start
The countdown begins. Repeat on other tabs to run different ranges side by side.
Recommended random ranges by use case
Starting points, not rules. Widen the gap between min and max for more variation.
| Use case | Suggested range | Hard refresh? |
|---|---|---|
| Product restocks | 10–20 seconds | Yes |
| Ticket availability | 10–20 seconds | Yes |
| Stock and crypto prices | 5–15 seconds | Yes |
| Live sports scores | 10–30 seconds | Optional |
| Dashboards (Grafana, analytics) | 30–60 seconds | Optional |
| Status and monitoring pages | 1–3 minutes | No |
| News and feeds | 1–5 minutes | No |
Random vs fixed intervals
Use a random interval when
- • You are watching restocks, listings or ticket pages
- • Several tabs are refreshing at once
- • The page is rate-limited or slow to respond
- • You want the request pattern to look less mechanical
Use a fixed interval when
- • You need predictable, evenly spaced data points
- • You are refreshing an internal dashboard you control
- • You are testing something and need repeatability
- • The exact refresh moment matters to you
Looking for “Random Auto Refresher”?
A lot of people searching for random auto refresher or random refresh extension are looking for one specific capability rather than one specific product: refreshing a tab on a varying timer. If that is what brought you here, Auto Refresh Master covers it, and bundles the things people usually end up wanting next:
Random intervals
Set a min and max; every reload lands somewhere different inside it.
Hard refresh
Bypass the cache so you see live content, not a stored copy.
Multi-tab jobs
Different tabs can run different ranges at the same time.
Wildcard URL matching
Apply the same settings to every page matching a pattern.
Persistent jobs
Your refresh jobs survive a browser restart.
No data collection
Everything runs locally. No accounts, no servers, no tracking.
Weighing up the options? See how the main Chrome auto refresh extensions compare , or read more about what Auto Refresh Master does.
Frequently asked questions
What is a random auto refresh extension?
It is a browser extension that reloads a page after a randomly chosen delay inside a range you set, instead of using one fixed interval. If you set 8 to 15 seconds, one reload might come after 9 seconds and the next after 14.
Is random auto refresh free in Auto Refresh Master?
Yes. Random intervals are included at no cost, with no account, no trial and no paid tier. Some other Chrome extensions put this behind a paid plan.
Can I use a random interval on several tabs at once?
Yes. Each tab gets its own job, so you can run 8 to 15 seconds on one tab and 30 to 60 seconds on another simultaneously.
Does a random interval stop me being detected as a bot?
No, and you should not rely on it for that. It varies the timing of your requests, which makes the pattern less mechanical, but it does not change your IP address, browser fingerprint or account. Always follow the terms of service of any site you monitor.
What is a good random range to start with?
For fast-moving pages such as restocks or prices, 8 to 15 seconds is a reasonable start. For dashboards, 30 to 60 seconds is usually plenty. A wider gap between minimum and maximum gives more variation.
Can I combine random intervals with hard refresh?
Yes. Hard refresh is a separate toggle, so you can run a random interval that also bypasses the cache on every reload.
Will the refresh job survive a browser restart?
Yes. Jobs are stored persistently and restored when Chrome starts again.
Start refreshing on a random timer
Free, no account, no tracking. Set a min and max and Auto Refresh Master handles the rest.
Add to Chrome — Free