Why your browser blocks cookies and how to turn them back on
Cookies are small files your browser stores on your computer. Websites use them to remember you — your login, your shopping cart, your preferences. Most websites need cookies to work properly. If a site keeps logging you out, won't let you add items to a cart, or shows you the same welcome message every time you visit, cookies are probably turned off.
Modern browsers block third-party cookies by default, which are cookies from advertisers and tracking companies. First-party cookies — the ones the website you're visiting actually needs — usually stay on. But if you've manually turned off all cookies, or if your browser's privacy settings are very strict, you may need to turn them back on for specific sites.
The steps differ between browsers. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have different menus and different names for the same settings. This guide covers the most common browsers and shows you exactly where to find the toggle.
Key Takeaways
- Most websites need first-party cookies to log you in, save your cart, and remember your settings.
- Each browser stores cookie settings in a different menu — Chrome uses Settings > Privacy and Security, Firefox uses Settings > Privacy & Security, Safari uses Preferences > Privacy, and Edge uses Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- You can turn cookies on globally for your whole browser, or allow them only for specific websites you trust.
- If a website still won't work after you turn cookies on, clear your browser cache and try again, or contact the website's support.
Turning cookies on in Google Chrome
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 will see three options. Block all cookies turns cookies off completely. Block third-party cookies in Incognito is the middle ground — it blocks tracking cookies only when you use Incognito mode. Allow all cookies turns them on everywhere. Choose the option that fits what you need. If you want cookies on for most sites but off for a few, select Block third-party cookies in Incognito, then scroll down to Sites that can always use cookies and add the websites you trust.
Turning cookies on in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Under the Cookies and Site Data section, you will see a checkbox that says Cookies and site data. Make sure it is checked.
Below that, you will see options for what type of cookies to allow. Accept cookies and site data from websites is the standard choice. If you want to block tracking cookies but keep login cookies, select Custom and check Cookies while leaving Tracking content unchecked. Click the Manage Exceptions button if you want to block cookies on specific sites while allowing them everywhere else.
Turning cookies on in Apple Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select Preferences. Click the Privacy tab. Look for the section labeled Cookies and website data. You will see a dropdown menu with three choices: Always block, Allow from websites I visit, and Allow from all websites.
Choose Allow from websites I visit for the most common setup — this lets sites you actually navigate to set cookies, but blocks tracking cookies from other sources. If you need cookies on for a site that is not working, try Allow from all websites temporarily, then switch back once the site works. To block cookies on one specific site, click Manage Website Data, find the site in the list, and click Remove.
Turning cookies on 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. Under Cookies and other site data, you will see a toggle switch. Make sure it is turned on.
Below the toggle, you will see options for which cookies to block. Balanced is the default and blocks third-party tracking cookies while allowing first-party cookies. Strict blocks more cookies but may break some websites. Off turns blocking off completely. For most users, Balanced works fine. If a site is not working, try switching to Off temporarily. You can also add specific sites to an allow list by clicking Add under Sites that can always use cookies.
Allowing cookies for one website instead of all websites
If you want to keep cookies mostly off but allow them on one specific site, every browser lets you create an exception. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data > Sites that can always use cookies and type the website address. In Firefox, go to Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Manage Exceptions and type the address. In Safari, you cannot create per-site exceptions in the same way — you have to choose a global setting or clear cookies for sites you do not trust. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and other site data > Sites that can always use cookies and add the address.
When you add a site to the allow list, that site can set cookies even if your global setting is to block them. This is useful if you want tight privacy settings overall but need cookies on for your bank, email, or work portal.
What to do if a website still will not work
If you have turned cookies on but a website still will not let you log in or save your preferences, the problem may be cached data. Your browser stores old information about the site, and sometimes that old data conflicts with the new cookie settings. Clear your browser cache and cookies for that specific site, then try again.
In Chrome, go to Settings > 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. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Manage Data, search for the website name, and click Remove All. In Safari, go to Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data, find the site, and click Remove. In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data and follow the same steps as Chrome. After clearing, close the browser completely and open it again before visiting the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to turn cookies on?
First-party cookies from the website you are visiting are safe. Third-party cookies from advertisers can track you across the internet, which is why browsers block them by default. Turning on first-party cookies will not harm your computer. If you are worried about tracking, keep third-party cookies blocked and only allow first-party cookies on sites you trust.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies come from the website you are visiting and let it remember you. Third-party cookies come from other companies — usually advertisers — and track your activity across many websites. Browsers block third-party cookies by default. You can usually keep third-party cookies blocked while allowing first-party cookies on.
Do I need to turn cookies on for every website?
No. Once you turn cookies on in your browser settings, they stay on for all websites unless you create a specific exception. You only need to adjust settings once, not for each site you visit.
Will clearing my cookies log me out of my accounts?
Yes. Clearing cookies deletes the login information your browser stored, so you will need to log in again. Only clear cookies for a specific site if a website is not working properly. Do not clear all cookies unless you are trying to fix a problem.
Why does a website say cookies are disabled when I turned them on?
Some websites check for cookies by trying to set one and then reading it back. If your browser settings allow cookies but a security extension is blocking them, or if your operating system has privacy settings that interfere, the website may still see them as disabled. Try disabling any privacy extensions temporarily, or contact the website's support team for help.