Chrome’s sync function allows you to save your browser settings, saved passwords, bookmarks, history, among others across all the devices signed in with the same Google account. This effectively streamlines the workflow across all the linked devices and is often regarded as among the most useful features of this browser.
So with such a long list of perks attached, there are no points in guessing why it’s always recommended to keep this feature enabled. However, for some, the browser seems to be automatically pausing the sync, without any manual intervention from the users themselves.
It is okay if we need to sign-in chrome once in a month or two, but frequently pausing the sync is often painful.
What is more concerning is the fact that this issue seems to be persistent for close to a year, as is evident from the Google Support Forums as well as this Reddit thread. The fact that this issue seems to behave in a rather arbitrary and unsystematic manner only makes it worse.
Related: How to Sign-in Google Chrome and Manage Sync Data?
With that said, there do exist some handy workarounds that seem to have worked out for quite a lot of affected users. And this guide will make you aware of just that. So without further ado, let’s check out the methods to fix the ‘Sync is paused, Sign in again’ issue in Chrome.
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Disable Identity Consistency
Chrome’s Identity Consistency setting manages the synced accounts, however, as of now, it seems to be behaving in a conflicting manner across various signed-in devices. In this regard, you should consider disabling this feature.
Here are the steps to disable the identity consistency settings in chrome:
- Head over to Chrome’s browser’s address bar and type in chrome://flags in its address bar.
- Now search for the Use Multilogin endpoint flag and change its state from Default to Disabled.
However, if you are using an older build of Chrome (73.0.3683.103 or lower), then the above flag wouldn’t be there. Rather you will have to disable the Identity consistency between browser and cookie jar flag.
Once done, you will be notified to relaunch the browser, do so as instructed. When Chrome restarts, verify if the Sync is paused issue has been rectified or not.
These flags are experimental features, hence you might experience performance and stability issues with the browser. If that happens, then it’s better to revert the chrome flag to its default state and try out the other fixes mentioned below.
Related: 7 Best Google Chrome Flags to Try!
Whitelist Google Account Cookies
Cookies generally store data such as the login info to the sites you visit, your preferences, and your browsing activities so that the offerings are tailored made for you. However, for some users, the data related to Google Accounts are no longer being stored in the cookies.
Hence as there is no data to deal with, Chrome seems to be pausing the sync functionality across all the synced devices. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to deal with this issue by manually adding the Google Accounts Site to the cookies whitelist.
Here are the steps to whitelist Google Account cookies in chrome browser:
- Under Chrome’s Settings page, go to the Privacy and Security section and click on Site Settings.
- Select and open the Cookies and other site data menu tab.
- Scroll to the Sites that can always use cookies option and click on button.
- Enter accounts.google.com in site address field.
- Hit on the command button.
- Restart your browser and check if it fixes Chrome’s Sync is paused issue.
Adding to the above point, make sure that you access this page in a normal window and not in an Incognito tab. This is because the Incognito window will overlap all the existing cookies rule and it wouldn’t allow any site to access the stored cookies, which in turn will then end up re-creating the sync issue.
Update Windows 10
This might arouse a genuine query that how would updating the OS be able to rectify an application-side issue? Well, I was tracking the Chromium Bugs page where I got hold of this exact same issue. While it dates back to a year, the OS giants seem to have finally addressed it.
As per a Microsoft Contributor, this issue has been fixed in the latest Windows 10 insider channel build and is slated for a stable rollout pretty soon. To check if your PC has been blessed with the latest update, proceed with the below steps:
- Use the + shortcut key combinations to bring up the Settings page.
- Open Update and Security and check if there is any pending update or not.
This will check for pending updates and install on Windows OS. - Download pending updates, and install right away.
- Hit on the your PC for the update to be successfully applied.
If the issue is still persistent, then the update with the patch has not yet arrived on your PC. Unfortunately, there’s no specified timeline for the update to go live. But when it does, we will update this post accordingly, so don’t forget to bookmark this page.
Bottom Line: Chrome Sync is Paused Error
With this, we conclude the guide on how to fix the Sync is Paused: Sign in again issue in the Chrome browser. We have shared three different workarounds to rectify this issue.
In my case, instructing the browser to store the accounts.google.com cookies was enough to restore Chrome’s sync functionality. Generally, when we clear the site data and cookies, the signed-in accounts will be automatically logout.
If you are also on the same page, then make sure not to delete the browser’s cookies in the near future (until an official patch is released), otherwise, it will make this fix null and void.
Related: Multiple Google Login for Chrome to Become Productive Champ!
Rounding off, do let us know in the comments which method spelled out successful for you. What has worked to fix the Chrome Sync is Paused, Sign-in again error?
Lastly, here are the recommended web browsers for your computer and mobile phone that you should give a try.
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