Claude in Chrome extension not connecting despite correct site permissions

Environment: Claude desktop app (Cowork session), Windows.

Issue: The Claude in Chrome extension will not connect to my Cowork session.
Calling tabs_context_mcp consistently returns "Browser extension is not
connected," even after:

• Confirming the extension is installed and "Allow extension" is set as the

default for all sites in Claude in Chrome settings (no blocked sites listed)

• Restarting Chrome
• Retrying the connection multiple times over several minutes

Expected: The session should be able to reach my open Chrome tabs (e.g. to
automate Outlook on the web) once the extension is installed and permitted.

Actual: Connection attempt fails every time with the same "not connected"
message