What resetting your browser actually does
Resetting your browser returns it to the state it was in when you first installed it. This clears your homepage, search engine, extensions, and toolbar settings back to what the browser maker set as default. It also wipes out cached data, cookies, and browsing history — though most browsers ask you to confirm what you want deleted before the reset happens.
People reset browsers most often when they've accidentally changed settings they can't find again, when a toolbar or extension won't go away, or when the browser has slowed down and they want a fresh start. A reset is different from clearing your cache alone — it's a more complete return to factory settings.
The steps differ depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Each browser keeps its reset option in a different place, and each one handles what gets deleted slightly differently.
Key Takeaways
- Resetting your browser removes all extensions, clears your homepage and search engine settings, and deletes cached data and cookies.
- Chrome's reset is in Settings under Advanced, then Reset and Clean Up; Firefox's is in Help under Troubleshooting Information.
- Safari and Edge have reset options, but they work differently — Safari focuses on clearing data while Edge resets to default settings like Chrome does.
- Most browsers will ask you to confirm what you want deleted before the reset completes, so you can protect your saved passwords if you want to keep them.
- After a reset, you may need to sign back into websites and reconfigure any settings you want to keep, like your preferred search engine.
Resetting Chrome to default settings
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears. On the left side, click Advanced to expand more options, then look for Reset and clean up.
Click Restore settings to their original defaults. A window will pop up showing what will be removed — your homepage, search engine, pinned tabs, and extensions. Read through this list to make sure you're not losing something you need. Click the blue Reset settings button to confirm. Chrome will restart and your settings will return to default.
If you want to keep your saved passwords and autofill information, uncheck those boxes before you click the reset button. Chrome will preserve them even after the reset completes.
Resetting Firefox to default settings
Click the three horizontal lines (called the hamburger menu) in the top right corner of Firefox. Scroll down and click Help, then select More troubleshooting information. You'll see a section labeled Troubleshooting Information with a button that says Refresh Firefox.
Click that button. Firefox will show you a confirmation window listing what will be removed — extensions, themes, toolbar customizations, and some settings. Your bookmarks, history, passwords, and autofill data will stay. Click Refresh Firefox in the confirmation window. The browser will close and restart with default settings restored.
Firefox calls this a "refresh" rather than a reset, but it does the same job. Your profile folder gets backed up automatically, so if you change your mind, you can recover your old settings within a few days.
Resetting Safari on Mac or iPhone
Safari doesn't have a single "reset to defaults" button like Chrome or Firefox. Instead, you clear specific data and change settings individually. On a Mac, open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings. Go to the General tab and change your homepage back to what you want — usually a blank page or Google.
To clear cached data and cookies, click Safari in the menu bar again and select Clear History. Choose how far back you want to clear — "all history" will remove everything. This clears your browsing history, cookies, and cached files.
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, scroll down and tap Safari, then tap Clear History and Website Data. Choose the time range and confirm. This removes your history, cookies, and cache on your mobile device.
Resetting Microsoft Edge to default settings
Click the three dots in the top right corner of Edge and select Settings. On the left side, click Reset settings. You'll see an option that says Restore settings to their default values — click that.
Edge will show you a confirmation window explaining what will be removed: your homepage, search engine, pinned sites, extensions, and some browsing data. Click the blue Reset button to proceed. Edge will restart and return to default settings.
Like Chrome, Edge lets you choose whether to keep your saved passwords and payment information. Uncheck those options before you reset if you want to preserve them.
What to do after your browser resets
After the reset completes, you'll need to sign back into websites that require login — Gmail, social media, banking sites, and anything else you use regularly. Your passwords may or may not be saved depending on what you chose during the reset, so have a password manager or recovery method ready.
Reconfigure any settings you want different from the default. Set your preferred search engine (most browsers default to Google, but you can change it to Bing, DuckDuckGo, or another option). Set your homepage if you want something other than a blank page. Reinstall any extensions you actually need — but be selective. Many people reset their browser specifically to remove unwanted extensions, so don't just add them all back.
If you notice the browser is still slow or behaving oddly after the reset, the problem may not be browser settings. Check your computer for malware using Windows Defender (on Windows) or Malwarebytes, or restart your computer and see if the issue persists.
When a full reset isn't necessary
Before you reset your entire browser, try clearing just your cache and cookies first. This solves many common problems — slow performance, websites not loading correctly, or login issues — without removing your settings and extensions.
In Chrome, click the three dots, go to Settings, click Privacy and security, then Clear browsing data. Select the time range and make sure Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are checked. Click Clear data. This usually takes just a few seconds and solves the problem without a full reset.
If you only want to remove one problematic extension, go to your browser's extension or add-ons page and delete just that one. If your homepage was changed and you can't find where to change it back, look in Settings under Home or Startup and change it there. These targeted fixes often work without needing a complete reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting my browser delete my bookmarks?
Most browsers preserve your bookmarks during a reset. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all keep bookmarks by default. Safari on Mac keeps bookmarks too. If you're worried, you can export your bookmarks before you reset — in most browsers, this is under Settings or Preferences in a section called "Import and Export" or "Bookmarks".
What if I reset my browser and now I can't remember my passwords?
If you unchecked the "save passwords" option during the reset, your saved passwords were deleted. You'll need to use the "Forgot password" link on each website to reset them. If you checked the box to keep passwords, they should still be there — try signing in to a website and see if your password appears.
Can I undo a browser reset?
Firefox backs up your old profile automatically, so you can recover your settings within a few days by going back to Help and Troubleshooting Information. Chrome and Edge don't have a built-in undo, but if you reset by accident, you can manually reconfigure your settings or reinstall extensions. Safari changes can't be undone, but you can manually change settings back.
Do I need to reset my browser if it's running slowly?
Not always. Try clearing your cache and cookies first, disabling extensions you don't use, and restarting your browser. If it's still slow after those steps, then a reset might help. Slow performance is often caused by too many extensions or a full cache, not by corrupted settings.
Will resetting my browser remove viruses or malware?
A browser reset won't remove malware from your computer. It only removes browser settings, extensions, and cached data. If you think your computer has malware, run a full scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes after you reset your browser.