How to Reset the Google Chrome browser

Google Chrome has the ability to store browsing data and keep the settings intact even after exiting the browser or restarting the system. It helps streamline a great browsing experience.

However, outdated stored data and incorrect configuration may lead to browser malfunctioning and webpage loading issues. Hence, we have no option left other than clearing the data and resetting the browser settings to default (these are advanced troubleshooting steps) to resolve the problems.

The guide will help you to reset the Chrome browser to its original default on computer, Android, and iPhone or iPad devices. In computer devices, reset settings will not delete the stored/saved data. However, you can manually perform the complete data and Chrome app reset if required.

Editor’s Note: Resetting the browser may result in permanent saved and browsing data loss. Please keep a backup and proceed with caution.

Reset Chrome on Computer

The Google Chrome on the computer has a dedicated option to reset the browser settings. However, it will just restore the configuration changes to factory mode without deleting any data. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Launch Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Click on the More menu and select the Settings menu.
   
3. Switch to the Reset settings tab in the left sidebar panel.
4. Click on the Restore settings to their original defaults option.
5. Hit on the Reset settings command button.
   

Alternatively, you can also visit the chrome://settings/reset page to proceed with restoring the original default settings on the browser.

It will reset the Google Chrome browser settings and other configurations to the factor default. However, it will not clear the saved data like bookmarks, history, saved passwords, and addresses.

Note: If you’re resetting the Chrome browser to fix the browser or page loading issue, then it’s also recommended to clear cookies and cache along with browsing history for better results.

After resetting and clearing the data, you will need to sign in with a Google account to set up your Chrome profile.

Reset Chrome on Android

The Chrome for Android browser does not have the explicit option to reset the browser settings and its data in one tap within the browser interface. However, we can clear the app storage from the Android Settings screen to Reset the Chrome app. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open Settings and select the Apps menu on your Android phone.
   
2. Tap the See all apps menu and select the Google Chrome App to open the App info page.
   You can also use the Search icon to find the App.
3. On the App info page, tap to open the Storage & Cache menu.
   
4. Select Manage space settings to open advanced storage options.
   
5. Hit on the CLEAR ALL DATA button to completely reset the Chrome browser on Android.
   

It will clear the browsing entire data used by the Chrome browser, including the stored accounts, bookmarks, and saved settings. It will reset the Chrome browser to the original default as a factory reset app.

It will ask you to sign in with a Google account to sync data and start using Google Chrome on your Android phone. After the reset is completed, you can check for the issue that you were facing earlier.

Reset Chrome on iPhone or iPad

Just like Android, Chrome for iPhone or iPad does not have a built-in option to reset the browser settings or data within the UI. We need to rely on the Clear Browsing Data option under the Settings menu and Reinstall the browser app from App Store. Even clearing the app data from iPhone Storage can help.

However, in most cases, the clear the data option works pretty well for resetting Chrome data. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Launch the Google Chrome app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap on the More menu and select the Clear browsing data menu.
   
3. Switch the Time range to All time from the available options.
4. Select the Browsing history, Cookies, Site Data, Cached Images and Files options.
   
5. Lastly, hit on the Clear Browsing Data command at the bottom.

It will remove entire browsing data stored in your Chrome app. Now check if the underlying issue with the Chrome browser has been resolved. If not, then you need to uninstall the Chrome browser from the iPhone or iPad device and re-install it from the App Store.

Note: Clear browsing data removes the data from the synced devices. Hence, make sure to select only limited options without the saved password and autofill data check marked.

Bottom Line

Resetting Google Chrome helps in resolving browser and page rendering issues due to data or misconfiguration. The computer browser offers the option to reset settings to default. However, no such option is available for Android and iPhone or iPad devices.

The reset settings will only revert back the Chrome settings to the original default. However, we need to clear the saved data if the problem persists manually.

If you are facing any major issues with a web browser or page loading only on the Chrome browser, then it’s a good troubleshooting step to reset the browser. However, you should consider it as a last resort after trying all other basic troubleshooting.

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