Cookies are on by default in Chrome, but you may need to check your settings if sites aren't working
Google Chrome allows cookies by default, which means most websites will store and use them without you doing anything. However, if you've changed your settings, blocked cookies, or cleared them recently, you may need to turn them back on. The process takes less than a minute and involves only a few clicks in Chrome's settings menu.
Cookies are small files that websites store on your computer to remember information about you — your login status, items in a shopping cart, language preference, or what you've browsed. Without cookies, you'd have to log in to every website fresh each time, and sites wouldn't remember your preferences. Some people block cookies for privacy reasons, but doing so often breaks website features.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome enables cookies automatically, so you only need to change settings if a website stops working or you deliberately blocked them.
- You can allow all cookies, block third-party cookies only, or block all cookies — each choice affects which sites work and how much tracking happens.
- The fastest way to fix a broken website is to check whether cookies are blocked in Chrome's privacy settings.
- You can allow cookies for specific websites while blocking them everywhere else, giving you control over individual sites.
- Clearing your cookies regularly removes stored data, but it also logs you out of websites and erases your browsing history on those sites.
How to turn cookies on in Chrome settings
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Cookies and other site data.
You'll see four options. The first option, Allow all cookies, is the default and means every website can store cookies on your device. If you see a different option selected, click Allow all cookies to turn cookies back on. Close the settings tab, and cookies are now enabled.
If you want more control, you can choose Block third-party cookies instead. This allows websites you visit directly to store cookies, but blocks cookies from advertisers and other companies embedded in those sites. This is a middle ground that keeps most sites working while reducing some tracking.
What to do if a website isn't working after enabling cookies
Some websites require cookies to function. If you've turned cookies on but a site still won't let you log in, save items, or load properly, the site may be blocked in your exceptions list. Go back to Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and scroll down to Sites that can always use cookies. If the website appears there, click the X next to it to remove the block.
You can also check Sites that never can use cookies below that. If the website is listed there, remove it the same way. After removing it from either list, refresh the website in your browser and try again.
If the site still doesn't work, try clearing cookies for just that website. Go to Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked, set the time range to All time, and click Clear data. This removes all stored cookies, so you'll be logged out of every website. Log back in to the site that wasn't working.
Allowing cookies for one website while blocking them elsewhere
You can set different rules for different websites. Go to Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and scroll to Sites that can always use cookies. Click Add and type the website address (for example, amazon.com). That site can now use cookies even if your general setting is to block them.
This approach is useful if you want to block cookies on most sites but need them on a few you trust. You can add as many sites as you want to the allowed list. To remove a site later, click the X next to its name.
Understanding the difference between blocking all cookies and blocking third-party cookies
Allow all cookies means every cookie from every source gets stored. This includes cookies from the website itself and from advertisers, analytics companies, and other third parties embedded in the page. Most websites work perfectly with this setting, but you'll be tracked across more sites.
Block third-party cookies stops advertisers and other companies from tracking you across websites, but the sites you visit directly can still store cookies. This is a good balance for most people — it keeps websites functional while reducing cross-site tracking. Many browsers are moving toward this as the default.
Block all cookies prevents any cookies from being stored. This offers the most privacy but breaks many websites. You'll be logged out constantly, shopping carts won't save, and sites won't remember your preferences. Most people should not use this setting unless they have a specific reason.
What happens when you clear cookies in Chrome
Clearing cookies removes all the stored cookie files from your computer. You'll be logged out of every website, your shopping carts will empty, and sites won't remember your preferences until you visit them again and they create new cookies. This doesn't affect your browsing history or passwords unless you specifically check those boxes too.
To clear cookies, go to Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. A window will pop up. Make sure Cookies and other site data is checked. Choose the time range — All time clears everything, or you can pick Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last 3 months. Click Clear data.
You can also set Chrome to clear cookies automatically when you close the browser. Go to Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data and toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. This means you'll be logged out of everything each time you close the browser.
Why a website might ask you to enable cookies even though they're on
A website may ask you to enable cookies if your browser is set to block third-party cookies and the site uses a third-party service for login or payment. For example, if a store uses a third-party payment processor and you have third-party cookies blocked, the checkout won't work. The site will ask you to enable cookies, meaning you need to either allow all cookies or add that specific site to your exceptions.
Some websites also use cookies to track whether you've seen a cookie notice. If you've blocked all cookies, the site can't store that information and will show the notice every time you visit. Allowing cookies (or at least allowing them for that site) solves this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what cookies a website has stored on my computer?
Yes. Go to Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Manage all cookies and site data. You'll see a list of every website that has stored cookies. Click on any site to see what cookies it has stored. You can delete cookies from individual sites without clearing everything.
Does turning on cookies make my computer less find?
Cookies themselves don't install malware or viruses. However, they do let websites track you, and some advertisers use that data in ways you might not want. Blocking third-party cookies reduces tracking without breaking most websites. If security is your concern, cookies are a privacy issue more than a security one.
What's the difference between cookies and cache?
Cookies are small text files that store information about you. Cache is larger files — images, scripts, and other page elements — that your browser stores to make websites load faster next time. You can clear them separately in Chrome's clear browsing data menu. Clearing cache makes sites load slower temporarily but doesn't log you out.
If I block all cookies, will websites still work?
Most websites will partially work, but you'll run into problems. You won't be able to log in, shopping carts won't save, and sites won't remember your preferences. Some sites won't load at all. Blocking all cookies is too restrictive for normal browsing. Blocking third-party cookies is a better choice if you want privacy.
Do I need to enable cookies for Chrome extensions to work?
Extensions have their own storage system separate from website cookies. Enabling or disabling cookies doesn't affect whether extensions work. However, some extensions that interact with websites may need cookies to be on for those websites to function properly.