Reset Chrome Browser Settings to Default

Resetting Chrome restores its main settings to their defaults, which can help when unwanted changes, pop-ups, or persistent site problems are getting in the way. It does not normally erase bookmarks or saved passwords, but it disables extensions and clears some temporary or personalized settings. Before you begin, make sure you can sign back in to Chrome if needed and save any work in open tabs.

What You’ll Need

• Chrome installed on a computer. The built-in reset option is available in Chrome for Windows, Mac, and Linux; mobile Chrome does not offer the same desktop reset control.
• A few minutes, plus access to your Google account if you want to check sync settings afterward.
• Optional: a note of any custom startup pages, search engine, or site permissions you may want to restore.

Step-by-Step

1. Save work and close sensitive tabs. A reset does not usually close or erase your bookmarks, but it can change startup behavior and reset settings. Save forms, downloads in progress, and other work before proceeding.
2. Open Chrome settings. On a computer, launch Chrome, select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, then choose Settings. You can also enter chrome://settings in the address bar and press Enter or Return.
3. Go to the reset controls. Select Reset settings in the left-hand menu. If you do not see it, use the Settings search box and search for “reset settings.”
4. Choose the reset option. Select Restore settings to their original defaults. Read the confirmation panel before continuing. This is the reset for Chrome’s settings; it is different from clearing browsing data or uninstalling Chrome.
5. Confirm the reset. Select Reset settings in the dialog. Chrome applies the changes. If a prompt asks whether to send current settings to Google for analysis, choose according to your preference; that choice is optional and is not required for the reset.
6. Check that Chrome behaves normally. Open a new tab and test the address bar, search, and any sites that were affected. If an unwanted change returns, check extensions and installed programs as described under Troubleshooting.
7. Restore only the preferences you need. Re-enable trusted extensions individually, choose your preferred search engine, and set startup behavior or site permissions again if necessary. Avoid restoring every setting at once, since that can make the original problem return.

Common Mistakes

• Expecting a complete wipe. The reset is not the same as deleting all browsing history or removing Chrome from the computer. It changes selected browser settings but does not erase everything stored in your profile.
• Assuming bookmarks and passwords are deleted. They are not normally removed by this reset. However, if you need to remove personal data from a shared computer, review Chrome’s profile and sync controls separately.
• Resetting before checking an extension. A reset disables extensions, which may identify the cause, but reinstalling or re-enabling a problematic extension can bring the symptom back.
• Confusing Chrome settings with device settings. Resetting Chrome does not reset Windows, macOS, Linux, or a phone. It also does not necessarily change settings managed by a workplace or school administrator.
• Changing too many options immediately afterward. If the issue returns, it is harder to identify which preference or extension caused it. Make changes one at a time and test between them.

Tips

• Take note of important custom settings before resetting, especially startup pages, search provider, and site permissions.
• Afterward, re-enable extensions one by one. Test Chrome after each one rather than turning them all back on together.
• Check whether you are using the intended Chrome profile. Each profile has its own extensions, bookmarks, and settings.
• If Chrome is managed by an organization, ask its administrator about settings that are locked or automatically restored. Do not try to bypass management controls.
• Use Chrome’s built-in reset rather than a third-party “cleanup” tool. The built-in option is easier to verify and avoids granting unnecessary access to browser data.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find “Reset settings.” Confirm that you are using Chrome on a computer, not the mobile app or another browser. Open chrome://settings/reset directly. If the page is unavailable or controls are restricted, check whether Chrome is managed by work or school.

The reset option is missing or disabled. An administrator may control Chrome settings, or you may be viewing a restricted profile. On a personal computer, try updating Chrome through its menu under Help > About Google Chrome, then reopen Settings. If the browser is organization-managed, contact the administrator.

The unwanted behavior comes back. Visit chrome://extensions and review enabled extensions. Disable extensions you do not recognize or no longer use, then test Chrome. Also check Settings > Search engine and On startup. If a setting changes back by itself, an installed application, extension, or organization policy may be applying it again. Remove only software you recognize as unwanted, using your computer’s normal uninstall process.

A website still has a problem. Resetting Chrome does not necessarily clear all cookies or site data. Try the site in an Incognito window to see whether the issue is related to profile data or extensions. If needed, clear data for that specific site from Chrome’s privacy and site-data controls; this may sign you out of that website.

Chrome still crashes or will not open. Restart the computer and check for a Chrome update. If Chrome opens only briefly, try launching it with extensions disabled if that option is available in your environment, or use a fresh Chrome profile to check whether the original profile is damaged. Back up important local data before removing or replacing a profile. Reinstalling Chrome is a separate step and should not be treated as a substitute for backing up profile data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks?
No. Chrome’s reset option does not normally delete bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords. If you plan to remove a profile or reinstall Chrome, back up anything important first.

Does the reset remove extensions?
It disables extensions rather than normally deleting them. Review them at chrome://extensions and enable only those you trust and still need.

Will I be signed out of websites?
The reset itself does not normally clear cookies or sign you out of every site. Clearing site data separately can remove sign-in sessions.

Can I reset Chrome on an iPhone or Android phone?
Mobile Chrome does not have the same “Restore settings to their original defaults” control. You can adjust individual settings or clear browsing data in the app; those actions are not the desktop settings reset.

Does resetting Chrome affect other browsers or my computer?
No. It changes selected Chrome settings only. It does not reset your operating system or other browsers.

Can I undo a Chrome reset?
There is no single undo button. You can manually restore preferences such as your search engine and startup pages, then re-enable extensions. Keep a note of custom settings if you may want to put them back.

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