Cookies are turned on by default in most browsers, but you may need to re-enable them if you blocked them earlier
Most web browsers come with cookies already turned on. Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember things about you — your login information, items in your shopping cart, your language preference. Without them, you would have to log in to every website from scratch each time you visit.
If a website tells you that cookies are disabled, or if you turned them off yourself and want to turn them back on, the steps depend on which browser you use. The process takes less than a minute in any of them.
Key Takeaways
- Cookies are enabled by default in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, so you only need to change this setting if you or someone else disabled them.
- In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and site data, then select "Allow all cookies".
- In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data, then select "Allow cookies and site data".
- In Safari on Mac, go to Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and select "Always allow".
- In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and other site data, then select "Allow all cookies".
How to enable cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and Security. Click Cookies and other site data. You will see three options: "Block all cookies", "Block third-party cookies in Incognito", and "Allow all cookies". Select Allow all cookies.
If you want to allow cookies for most sites but block them on specific ones, select "Block third-party cookies in Incognito" instead. This is a middle ground that blocks some tracking but lets most websites work normally. You can also scroll down to "Sites that can always use cookies" and add specific websites to a list if you want to allow them while blocking others.
How to enable cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section called "Cookies and Site Data". You will see a checkbox that says "Allow cookies and site data". Make sure it is checked.
Below that checkbox, you will see options for what to do when Firefox closes. The default is "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed", which means cookies are allowed while you browse but erased when you shut the browser down. If you want cookies to stay on your computer between sessions, uncheck that box.
How to enable cookies in Safari
Open Safari. At the top of the screen, click Safari in the menu bar, then select Preferences (or Settings on newer versions). Click the Privacy tab. Look for the section labeled "Cookies and website data". You will see a dropdown menu that says "Always allow", "Allow from websites I visit", or "Never allow". Select Always allow.
If you choose "Allow from websites I visit", Safari will accept cookies only from sites you navigate to directly, not from ads or other embedded content. This blocks some tracking while still letting websites function. "Never allow" disables all cookies and will break many websites.
How to enable cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to "Cookies and other site data". You will see a dropdown menu. Select Allow all cookies.
Edge also offers "Block third-party cookies" as a middle option, which allows cookies from the website you are visiting but blocks cookies from advertisers and other third parties. This reduces some tracking while keeping most sites functional.
What to do if a website still says cookies are disabled
If you have turned cookies on in your browser settings but a website still says they are disabled, the problem may be with a browser extension. Extensions like privacy tools or ad blockers sometimes block cookies even when your browser settings allow them.
Try visiting the website in an Incognito window (Chrome, Edge) or Private window (Firefox, Safari). These modes do not load most extensions. If the website works in private mode, an extension is the problem. Go back to your browser settings, find the Extensions or Add-ons section, and disable any privacy or security tools temporarily to see which one is blocking cookies. You can then adjust that extension's settings or remove it.
Understanding first-party and third-party cookies
When you see the option to "block third-party cookies", this refers to two different types. First-party cookies come from the website you are visiting — they remember your login or your shopping cart. Third-party cookies come from advertisers, analytics companies, or other services embedded in the page. Third-party cookies are mainly used for tracking your behavior across multiple websites.
Most browsers now block third-party cookies by default, even when you have cookies turned on. This is a reasonable middle ground: websites you visit can still function, but advertisers have a harder time following you around the internet. If you want to block all cookies, you will break many websites. If you want to allow all cookies, you give advertisers more visibility into your browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will enabling cookies make my computer less find?
Cookies themselves are not a security risk — they are just small text files. The real security question is whether you trust the website storing the cookie. A cookie from your bank is safe. A cookie from a malicious website could theoretically be used to track you, but your browser already isolates cookies so one website cannot read another's cookies. The bigger privacy concern is third-party tracking, which is why many people block those.
What is the difference between clearing cookies and disabling them?
Disabling cookies means your browser will not accept or store any new cookies going forward. Clearing cookies means you delete the ones already stored on your computer. If you clear cookies but leave them enabled, websites will create new cookies the next time you visit. If you disable cookies, websites cannot create new ones, but you may have trouble logging in or using shopping carts.
Do I need to enable cookies for every website?
No. When you enable cookies in your browser settings, that applies to all websites at once. You do not need to enable them individually. However, some browsers let you create a list of specific sites where cookies are always allowed or always blocked, which overrides the general setting.
Can I enable cookies for some websites but not others?
Yes. In most browsers, you can click the lock icon or information icon next to the website address in the address bar and adjust cookie settings for that specific site. You can also go to your browser's settings and create a list of sites where cookies are always allowed or always blocked. This gives you fine-grained control without disabling cookies everywhere.
What happens if I leave cookies disabled?
Many websites will not work properly. You will have to log in every time you visit, shopping carts will not remember items, and sites may not display correctly. Some websites will show you a message saying cookies are required. For most people, the inconvenience of disabled cookies outweighs any privacy benefit, since most tracking happens through third-party cookies anyway, which you can block separately.