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Reset Chrome Settings: What Changes, What Stays, and How to Do It

Reset Chrome settings on a computer to undo selected browser changes. See what the reset affects, what it preserves, and how it differs from deleting browsing data.
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To reset Chrome settings on a computer, open More (⋮) > Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults, then select Reset settings to confirm. This restores selected browser settings; it does not erase your entire Chrome profile. Google says saved bookmarks and passwords are not deleted or changed.

Reset Chrome settings on a computer

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Select More (the three-dot menu), then Settings.
  3. Select Reset settings.
  4. Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Select Reset settings to confirm.

These steps are Google’s instructions for Chrome on a computer. Labels and menu locations can vary by installed version, so use the matching labels shown in your browser. Google Chrome Help: Reset Chrome settings to default.

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What the reset changes—and what it leaves alone

Google lists the default search engine, homepage and tabs, New Tab page, pinned tabs, content settings, cookies and site data, extensions, and themes among the items affected by a settings reset. Some changes may also affect other devices where you are signed in to the same Chrome profile.

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Google says saved bookmarks and passwords will not be deleted or changed. The reset is not a complete browser or profile wipe: some settings, including fonts and accessibility settings, remain. If you want a fresh Chrome profile rather than restored settings, Google’s guidance is to add a new user in Chrome.

Settings reset or browsing-data deletion?

Choose the action that matches what you want to change. Resetting settings restores selected browser preferences; deleting browsing data is a separate operation in which you choose data categories and a time range.

Action What it is for What to expect
Restore Chrome settings Undo unwanted or unexpected changes to selected browser settings. Changes selected preferences and site data; saved bookmarks and passwords are preserved. It is not a full profile wipe.
Delete browsing data Remove chosen browsing-data categories, such as history or cached files. You select the categories and time range in Chrome’s browsing-data controls. This is separate from resetting settings.

To delete browsing data, open Chrome’s browsing-data controls, review the selected categories and time range, and confirm only if they match what you intend to remove. See Google Chrome Help: Delete browsing data in Chrome.

If the reset option is missing or settings change again

Settings will not open

If the Settings menu is missing or will not open, Google’s reset guidance recommends uninstalling Chrome, downloading it again from google.com/chrome, and reinstalling it.

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Unwanted changes return

Apps or extensions can change Chrome settings without your knowledge. Chrome may also check settings at launch and automatically restore selected settings if it detects a problem. If unwanted changes persist, Google advises checking for unwanted software. After resetting, turn on only extensions you trust. See Google Chrome Help: Reset Chrome settings to normal.

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Does this procedure apply to Chrome on phones?

The reset steps above are Google’s computer instructions. They should not be assumed to apply to Chrome on Android or iPhone and iPad; mobile-specific reset steps are not established here.

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