Cookies are turned on by default in Chrome, but you may need to check your settings if websites aren't working right
Google Chrome allows cookies automatically when you first install it. 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, many websites won't work the way they're supposed to.
If a website tells you that cookies are blocked, or if you're having trouble staying logged in, the problem is usually one of three things: your cookie settings got changed, you're in Incognito mode (which blocks cookies by default), or you've blocked cookies for that specific website. This guide walks you through checking and fixing each one.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome turns cookies on for all websites by default, so you only need to change settings if a website stops working.
- Incognito mode blocks cookies automatically — if you need cookies to stay on, use a regular Chrome window instead.
- You can turn cookies back on in three places: all websites at once, for one specific website, or just for the current browsing session.
- If you've blocked cookies for a website by accident, you can unblock just that one site without changing your settings for everywhere else.
Check if cookies are on for all websites
Open Google Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). A dropdown list will appear.
Click Settings from that list. On the left side, you'll see a menu. Click Privacy and security, then click Cookies and other site data.
Look for the section that says "General settings". You should see a radio button (a small circle) next to "Allow all cookies". If that circle is already filled in, cookies are on for all websites. If a different option is selected, click the circle next to "Allow all cookies" to turn them on.
Close the Settings tab. Cookies are now on for every website you visit in Chrome.
Turn cookies back on for one specific website
If most websites work fine but one website is giving you trouble, that website might be blocked. You don't need to change your settings for everywhere — you can unblock just that one site.
Go to the website that isn't working. Look at the left side of the address bar (where the website name is). You'll see a small icon — it might be a lock, a circle with a line through it, or an information symbol. Click that icon.
A popup will appear. Look for a section about cookies or site data. You might see text that says "Cookies blocked" or "Cookies and data cleared on exit". Find the dropdown or toggle next to cookies and change it to "Allow". Refresh the webpage.
That website can now use cookies on your computer. Other websites are not affected by this change.
Enable cookies if you're in Incognito mode
Incognito mode is Chrome's private browsing window. It blocks cookies by default so websites can't track your activity across sessions. If you open a website in Incognito and it says cookies are blocked, that's why.
If you need cookies to work, close the Incognito window and open a regular Chrome window instead. Press Ctrl + N on Windows or Command + N on Mac to open a new regular window. Go back to the website — cookies will work now.
If you want to allow cookies in Incognito mode, you can change that setting. Open Chrome Settings, go to Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data. Look for "Incognito" and click the dropdown next to it. Select "Allow all cookies" instead of the default setting.
What to do if you see a "cookies not enabled" message
Some websites check whether cookies are on before they let you use them. If you see a message saying "Please enable cookies" or "Cookies must be enabled", follow these steps.
First, make sure you're not in Incognito mode. Look at the top of your Chrome window — if you see the word "Incognito" and a spy icon, you're in private mode. Close that window and open a regular one.
If you're in a regular window, go back to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data. Make sure "Allow all cookies" is selected. If it is, and the website still says cookies are blocked, that website might have blocked cookies for itself — use the method in the "Turn cookies back on for one specific website" section above.
Refresh the webpage after you make any changes. Sometimes the website needs to reload before it recognizes that cookies are on.
Clear old cookies if a website isn't working right
Sometimes a website stops working because old cookies got corrupted or out of date. Clearing cookies for just that website often fixes the problem.
Go to the website that isn't working. Click the icon on the left side of the address bar, then look for the option to clear cookies or site data. You might see a button that says "Clear" or "Remove". Click it.
Refresh the webpage. The website will create new cookies as you use it, and usually this fixes login problems or pages that won't load.
If you want to clear cookies for all websites at once, go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data. Make sure "Cookies and other site data" is checked, then click Clear data. This will log you out of every website, so only do this if you're trying to fix a widespread problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome keep asking me to enable cookies if they're already on?
A website might be asking because cookies are blocked just for that site, not because they're off everywhere. Go to that website, click the icon in the address bar, and look for cookie settings. You might also be in Incognito mode — check the top of your window for the Incognito label and spy icon.
If I turn cookies on, can websites track me?
Yes, cookies let websites remember information about you. If you want more privacy, use Incognito mode (which blocks cookies by default) or clear your cookies regularly from Settings. You can also block cookies for specific websites while leaving them on for others.
Do I need to restart Chrome after changing cookie settings?
No. Changes to cookie settings take effect right away. Just refresh the webpage you're on, and the new settings will apply. You don't need to close and reopen Chrome.
What's the difference between clearing cookies and blocking cookies?
Blocking cookies stops websites from creating new ones. Clearing cookies deletes the ones that already exist. If you clear cookies but don't block them, websites can create new cookies the next time you visit. Most people only need to clear cookies if a website stops working.
Can I turn cookies on for some websites but not others?
Yes. Go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data. Scroll down to "Sites that can always use cookies" and add websites you trust. Scroll down further to "Sites that never can use cookies" and add websites you want to block. This way you control cookies site by site.