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Learn how to fix the issue of Google Chrome only working in Incognito Mode (Private Mode). A strange Google Chrome issue that seems to have recently started affecting a small percentage of Chrome users forcing the use of Incognito Mode.
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Google Chrome is by far the most popular Internet browser available on modern devices and one of the most secure (if used correctly). As secure, stable, and easy to use as it is though, there are still a ton of things that can go wrong with Chrome. We’ve covered dozens of different Chrome errors in the past but this is one of the most unusual and thankfully most harmless. That said, it’s also super bloody annoying.
The issue at hand is Chrome only working in Incognito Mode, aka Private Mode. A special privacy-focused mode most Internet browsers now include as standard, which helps prevent websites and services tracking users as they traverse the wild west that is the Internet.
Although this may sound pretty good, it does have its limitations and can cause some websites to display poorly, not at all or simply block login features, among countless other possibilities. Thankfully, if you do have this issue and can’t get Chrome to work outside of Incognito Mode, this article will guide you through some easy to action troubleshooting steps.
Related: How to View Google Chrome Content in the Windows 10 Timeline. (Officially)
How Do You Fix Google Chrome Only Working in Incognito Mode? (Private Mode)
Before you go ahead and completely uninstall and reinstall Google Chrome, you should try deleting your user profile. This is a quick and easy way to fix Chrome, however, will result in you having to reconfigure some of Chromes setting when you sign back in or create a new user. To delete your user profile click your profile icon in the top right-hand corner of Chrome, then select Manage People.
Here click the three dots, then select Remove this person.
Once the account is gone, close Chrome completely, then navigate to the following location using the Windows File Explorer.
C:\Users\{Your Username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Now simply Delete everything in this location, Restart Chrome, check to see if it is working, then re-create your profile. If this doesn’t work, move onto the next solution.
Reset/Refresh Google Chrome.
If the above method hasn’t helped at all, you can try resetting Google Chrome to factory settings. This is the next best thing to a fresh installation and can be done in a few simple steps. How to Reset/Refresh Google Chrome.
Uninstall Chrome, Clean the Registry & Reinstall Chrome.
If nothing so far has worked, Uninstall Chrome from your computer, Restart your machine, then run Ccleaner to clean out any old registry files. After you have done both, Reinstall Google Chrome on your computer. This will give you the cleanest possible starting point outside of a fresh installation of Windows.
