Cookies in Chrome are turned on by default, but you can change that setting in your browser preferences

When you visit a website in Chrome, that site can store small files called cookies on your computer. These files remember things about you — your login information, items in your shopping cart, your language preference. Chrome allows cookies by default, which is why most websites work the way you expect them to. If you've turned cookies off and now websites aren't working right, or if you want to turn them back on, the process takes about 30 seconds.

The steps are the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You don't need to restart Chrome or clear anything out — the change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome allows cookies automatically, so you only need to change this setting if you've turned them off before.
  • Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data to see your current cookie setting.
  • Choose "Allow all cookies" if you want websites to work normally, or "Block all cookies" if you want maximum privacy at the cost of broken features.
  • You can also allow cookies from some sites but block them from others by adding specific websites to your allow or block list.

Where to find the cookie setting in Chrome

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. You'll see three vertical dots (sometimes called a menu button or hamburger icon). Click those dots, then click "Settings" from the menu that appears.

On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security". Then click "Cookies and other site data". This page shows you what Chrome is currently doing with cookies and lets you change it.

The three main cookie options Chrome offers

Allow all cookies is the default setting. Websites can store cookies on your computer, and Chrome will send those cookies back to the website when you visit again. This is why you stay logged into Gmail, why Amazon remembers your cart, why news sites remember which articles you've read. Most websites need this to work properly.

Block all cookies stops websites from storing any cookies at all. This gives you more privacy — websites can't track you across visits — but many websites will break. You might not be able to log in, your shopping cart might empty, forms might not remember what you typed. This setting is rarely what people actually want.

Block third-party cookies is a middle ground. It allows websites you visit directly to store cookies, but blocks cookies from other companies that are embedded in those websites (like ad networks or analytics services). This stops some tracking while keeping most websites functional. Chrome uses this as a default for some users.

How to allow cookies from specific websites only

If you want to block cookies everywhere except for a few sites you trust, start with "Block all cookies" as your main setting. Then scroll down to "Sites that can always use cookies" and click "Add". Type in the website address (like amazon.com or gmail.com) and click "Add".

The reverse also works: if your main setting is "Allow all cookies" but you want to block cookies from one specific site, scroll down to "Sites that cannot use cookies" and add that website there. This is useful if you want to prevent a particular ad network or tracking service from storing data about you.

What to do if websites aren't working after you changed your cookie setting

If you turned off cookies and now websites are broken — you can't log in, pages look wrong, buttons don't work — the fastest fix is to turn cookies back on. Go back to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and select "Allow all cookies".

If you want to keep cookies off but need one specific website to work, add that website to your allow list instead of switching back to allowing all cookies. This keeps your privacy setting mostly intact while unblocking the site you need.

The difference between cookies and other tracking methods

Cookies are just one way websites track you. Even if you block all cookies, websites can still use other methods like local storage, fingerprinting, or pixel tags to recognize you. Chrome's cookie settings only control cookies — they don't stop all tracking. If privacy is your main concern, you might also want to look at Chrome's "Do Not Track" setting or consider using a different browser that blocks more types of tracking by default.

Some websites also use "session cookies" that disappear when you close Chrome, versus "persistent cookies" that stay on your computer. Chrome's settings control both types the same way — you can't allow one kind and block the other from the main settings page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off cookies make me more private?

Partially. Cookies are one tracking tool, but websites use many others. Turning off cookies stops websites from remembering you across visits, but it doesn't stop them from collecting data about what you do while you're on their site right now. For stronger privacy, you'd also need to block other tracking methods or use a privacy-focused browser.

Do I need to clear my cookies after changing the setting?

No. Changing your cookie setting only affects new cookies going forward. If you want to delete cookies that are already stored, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, check "Cookies and other site data", and click "Clear data". But this is separate from turning cookies on or off.

What if a website says "please enable cookies" but I have them turned on?

This usually means the website is blocked in your allow/block list, or you're using a browser extension that's blocking cookies for that site. Check your allow/block lists in Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data. If the site is in your block list, remove it. If you're using an extension, try temporarily disabling it.

Can I have different cookie settings for different websites?

Yes. You can set a main default (allow all, block all, or block third-party) and then add exceptions. Websites in your "always allow" list will accept cookies even if your default is to block them. Websites in your "never allow" list will be blocked even if your default is to allow them.