How to Reset Chrome to Default Settings Without Reinstalling

Updated December 8, 2023

If you are having problems with Chrome like errors or stability issues, a good way to fix it is to reset Chrome to default settings.

If you are experiencing problems with Google Chrome, a way to fix it is to reset Chrome to default settings. This restores settings and fixes many stability issues and errors without having to reinstall it.

A Chrome reset restores settings, disables extensions, and clears Chrome’s cache including cookies, browsing history, and other cached data. It only disables extensions; it doesn’t uninstall them. In addition, passwords, bookmarks, and accessibility features are unaffected by the process.

A reset removes individual troubleshooting steps and saves you some guesswork. A reset can fix multiple problems you have with the browser. For example, it can fix an Err_Too_Many_Redirects error or solve a high Google Chrome CPU usage issue. It can also fix other stability and performance issues.

So, when you are having problems loading sites or Chrome just isn’t working right, a reset may be exactly what you need. Here’s how to do it.

How to Reset Google Chrome

You can easily reset Chrome with its built-in reset function using the following steps.

Launch Google Chrome browser on your computer.
Click the three-dot button in the top right corner of the browser and select Settings from the menu.

Click the Reset settings button from the left panel.

Click the Restore settings to their original defaults in the right panel.

When the verification message appears, click the Reset settings button.

Resetting Google Chrome

That’s all there is to reset Chrome to default settings. During the process, settings will be restored to the state when first installed, extensions will be disabled, and cache will be cleared. Once you follow the steps, the problem you were having with the browser should be fixed.

It’s worth noting that restarting Chrome shouldn’t be necessary, but you may want to for good measure. Also, note that while any tabs you have open won’t be closed, you may be signed out of certain sites because it removes cookies and history.

6 Comments

Steve Krause
August 22, 2013 at 8:18 am
Not bad for those who mess around a lot with extensions. Also looks like a quick way to disable all the extensions you might have installed.
I also read somewhere that performance was tweaked again. You see anything on this?
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Brian Burgess
August 22, 2013 at 3:50 pm
I am going to do this. My Chrome has been odd lately. Sigh…not a fan of clearing cache much though… well here goes!
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Ziggy
August 22, 2013 at 7:16 pm
At last I have a version of Google Chrome which allows me to go to your site without freezing my laptop for up to 10 seconds. The reset option has been a godsend. Can’t live without my daily Groovypost hit!
Thanks for the notification of the new feature…Keep up the great work!
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- Brian Burgess
  August 22, 2013 at 8:06 pm
  Thanks Ziggy!
  I have to say I have noticed that it’s more snappy now too. Then when it clogs up again, one click and we’re good — I hope that’s what happens anyway :)
  Reply
  - Ziggy
    August 23, 2013 at 12:03 am
    Summed up very nicely, Brian. That’s exactly what’s happening with me. When it clogs up, one click and all is o.k. Bit of a pain but I’d love to know why Chrome is the only browser that causes my laptop to freeze when accessing your site – regardless of what chrome iteration/flavor that I use. Firefox and IE 10 have no such issue…
    Reply
Groove Visitor
August 24, 2015 at 5:33 am
This doesn’t help in the situation where you want to reset Chrome without actually running Chrome, for example in the case where you were forced to kill Chrome because you had opened a malicious web page. In that case, starting Chrome to get to Settings will re-open the malicious web page.
PS it’s “voila”, not “viola”.
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