Reset Chrome Settings to Default: Full Guide

Resetting Chrome to its default settings restores the original configuration, removing custom search engines, pinned tabs, startup pages, and extensions while keeping your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. This guide explains exactly what a reset does, when you should do it, and how to perform it on Windows, Mac, and mobile, plus what to do if the reset doesn’t fix your problem.

What a Chrome Reset Actually Does

When you reset Chrome, you’re not reinstalling the browser or deleting your personal data. The reset process returns the browser’s configuration to its out-of-the-box state. Specifically, it:

Disables all extensions, themes, and apps (they are not removed, just turned off)
Clears cookies and other site data (like logins for websites, but not your saved passwords)
Resets the homepage, new tab page, and search engine to Chrome’s defaults
Unpins all tabs and closes any pinned tab groups
Restores content settings (like pop-up blockers and location permissions) to default
Removes site permissions you’ve granted (camera, microphone, notifications)

Your bookmarks, browsing history, saved passwords, and autofill data are not affected. This is a common misconception—people worry they’ll lose everything, but a reset is far less destructive than uninstalling the browser.

Why Would You Need to Reset Chrome?

Chrome usually works fine, but certain problems are best solved with a reset. The most common triggers are:

Hijacked homepage or search engine: A stray extension or a malicious site changes your new tab page or default search to something you didn’t set.
Constant pop-ups or redirects: Even after removing suspicious extensions, some adware leaves behind settings that keep causing pop-ups.
Slow performance or crashes: A misbehaving extension or corrupted setting can make Chrome sluggish or unstable.
Chrome won’t start properly: If the browser gets stuck on a blank screen or crashes on launch, a reset can clear the bad configuration.
Settings are grayed out: Sometimes a policy (from a school or work device) locks settings, but a reset can clear locally applied restrictions.

If you’re experiencing any of these, a reset is a good first step before more drastic measures like uninstalling Chrome.

How to Reset Chrome on Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux)

The reset option is in the same place on all desktop versions of Chrome. Follow these steps:

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Select Settings from the dropdown.
At the bottom of the left sidebar, click Reset settings (or scroll to the bottom of the page on older versions).
Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
A confirmation dialog will appear. Read the summary of what will be reset, then click Reset settings.

Chrome will immediately apply the reset. You’ll need to restart the browser to see the full effect. On some systems, you may be asked to confirm your computer’s login password, especially if Chrome is managed by an administrator.

How to Reset Chrome on Android and iOS

Mobile Chrome doesn’t have a single “reset” button like desktop. Instead, you clear individual data types:

On Android: Go to Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data. Choose “All time” and check Cookies and site data, and Cached images and files. Then, go to Settings → Site settings and tap “Reset permissions” to clear site permissions. To reset the search engine, go to Settings → Search engine and pick Google.
On iOS: Go to Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data. This clears cookies and cache. To reset the search engine, go to Settings → Search Engine and choose Google. There’s no built-in way to disable all extensions on iOS (Chrome doesn’t support extensions there).

These steps don’t disable extensions on Android—you’ll need to manually uninstall or disable them from the browser’s Extensions menu (Android Chrome now supports extensions).

What to Do After a Reset

Once you’ve reset Chrome, you’ll notice it looks like a fresh install. You’ll need to:

Re-enable any extensions you actually want (click the puzzle icon in the toolbar and turn them back on).
Set your preferred search engine (Settings → Search engine).
Set your homepage and startup pages (Settings → On startup).
Sign back in to websites you were logged into—cookies were cleared, so you’ll need to log in again.

If the problem that prompted the reset is gone, great. If not, you may need to take more drastic steps, like creating a new user profile or uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome (which will also keep your bookmarks if you’re signed in).

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a reset will remove viruses or malware. A reset only restores settings—it doesn’t scan or remove malicious files. If you have adware that re-installs itself, you need to remove the source program from your computer first.

Another common issue: after a reset, you can’t find your extensions. They’re not gone—they’re disabled. You’ll see them listed under Extensions in the puzzle icon menu. Simply toggle them back on.

Some users worry that a reset will log them out of Google. It doesn’t—your Google account stays signed in, and your passwords remain saved.

If Chrome is managed by your school or employer, the reset button may be grayed out. In that case, you can’t reset it yourself; contact your IT administrator.

Alternatives to a Full Reset

A full reset is a blunt instrument. For less severe issues, try these first:

Remove suspicious extensions: Go to chrome://extensions and delete anything you don’t recognize.
Clear browsing data: Go to chrome://settings/clearBrowserData and clear cookies and cache for a specific time range.
Reset your homepage and search engine manually: Go to Settings → Search engine and Settings → On startup.
Create a new Chrome profile: Click your avatar → Add → create a new profile. This gives you a clean slate without touching your main profile.
Use Chrome’s built-in cleanup tool: On Windows, go to Settings → Reset and cleanup → Clean up computer. This scans for and removes harmful software.

These targeted fixes are faster and less disruptive than a full reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Chrome delete my bookmarks? No. Bookmarks are stored in your Google account or locally in your profile and are not touched by a reset.

Will I lose my saved passwords? No. Saved passwords are kept, but you may be signed out of websites because cookies are cleared.

Does a reset remove viruses? No. A reset only restores settings. Use Chrome’s clean up tool or a dedicated antivirus to remove malware.

How long does a reset take? Usually a few seconds. The confirmation dialog appears, you click reset, and it’s done.

Can I undo a reset? No, there’s no built-in undo. You’ll need to manually restore your settings, extensions, and permissions.

Why is the reset button grayed out? This usually means Chrome is managed by your organization or an administrator has enforced policies. Contact your IT admin.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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