Question
How do I reset my web browser to factory default settings?
Answer
Overview
If you are experiencing issues with your web browser, we recommend resetting it to its default settings.
In addition to resolving numerous other problems, resetting your browser to its default settings may help remove:
- Pop-ups
- Toolbars
- Search providers you don't recognize
- Extensions you didn't install.
Please Note: Resetting your browser will remove all of your settings. For example, saved passwords, history, your default home page, and saved website-handling information will be removed. Your bookmarks should not be affected.
Select a browser listed below for instructions on how to reset it:
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Internet Explorer
Microsoft Edge
Safari Browser
How do I reset my Google Chrome browser?
1. Launch Google Chrome.
2. Select the Menu button located in the upper right corner. This menu appears as 3 dots in a vertical line.
a. If you have pending Google Chrome updates, the three vertical dots will be replaced by, a ,, or up arrow.
b. Click the green, orange, or red arrow. Then, from the pop-up menu that appears, select Update Google Chrome. After restarting Google Chrome, continue to step #3.
3. Select the Settings option from this drop-down menu.
4. A new tab will open displaying the settings options. Scroll to the very bottom and select Advanced .
5. After selecting Advanced , scroll to the bottom of the page again.
6. At the bottom of the page, under the Reset and Clean up header, select Restore settings to their original defaults.
7. A pop-up window will display. Select the Reset Settings button. Note: This may take 1–2 minutes to complete.
8. After the reset completes, close and reopen your Chrome browser for the changes to take effect. You have finished resetting your Google Chrome browser.
For additional support with Google Chrome, view the Google Chrome Support page.
How do I reset my Mozilla Firefox browser?
1. Launch Mozilla Firefox.
2. Select the Menu button located in the upper right corner. This menu appears as 3 horizontal lines.
3. Select the Help option from this drop-down menu.
4. Select Troubleshooting Information. After selecting Troubleshooting Information, a new tab will open.
6. From the Troubleshooting Information page, select the Refresh Firefox... button located in the upper right corner.
7. A pop-up message will appear. Select the Refresh Firefox button.
8. Mozilla Firefox will begin resetting to factory default settings. Firefox will close and may display a window depicting the current Refresh status. Note: This may take 1–2 minutes to complete.
9. After the refresh has completed, Firefox will reopen. You have finished resetting your Mozilla Firefox browser.
For additional support with Mozilla Firefox please view the Mozilla Firefox Support page.
How do I reset my Internet Explorer browser?
1. Launch Internet Explorer.
2. Select the Menu button located in the upper right hand corner. This menu appears as a gear symbol.
3. Select Internet Options from the drop-down menu.
4. From the Internet Options menu, select the last tab: Advanced.
5. After selecting the Advanced tab, select the Reset button in the lower right corner of the window.
6. A pop-up window titled Are you sure you want to reset all Internet Explorer settings will appear.
7. Select the Reset button.
8. A small window will appear showing the progress of the Internet Explorer reset. Note: This may take up to 1–2 minutes to complete.
9. You should see three green check marks when the process completes. Click the Close button.
10. Close Internet Explorer and restart the browser. You have finished resetting your Internet Explorer browser.
For additional support with Internet Explorer please view the Microsoft Support page.
How do I reset my Microsoft Edge browser?
1. Launch Microsoft Edge.
2. Select the Menu button located in the upper right corner. Note: This menu appears as 3 horizontal dots.
3. Select the Settings option from the drop-down menu.
4. Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear and then Show more.
5. By default, browsing history, cookies, saved website data, and cached data files are checked. But you may select to clear additional data options on the list. The Show more collapsed menu reveals other options to select.
6. After selecting what you want to clear, click the Clear button.
7. It will display Clearing Data while in progress and then All Clear! when finished.
8. You have finished resetting your Microsoft Edge browser.
For additional support with Microsoft Edge please view the Microsoft Support page.
How do I reset my Safari browser?
1. Launch the Safari browser on your Mac.
2. Clear Safari history.
- Select Safari from the top menu bar located in your upper left next to the .
- Select History and then Clear History from the drop-down menu.
3. Empty caches.
- Select the Safari from the top menu bar located in your upper left next to the .
- Select the Preferences option from the drop-down menu.
- The Preferences window should open. Select the last tab: Advanced. This setting will have the icon.
- At the bottom of the window, you should see a check-box labelled Show Develop menu in menu bar. Click to check this option.
- In the top menu bar you should now see an option for Develop. Select this option, and then choose Empty Caches from the drop-down menu.
4. Check and remove Safari extensions (if necessary)
Note: Extensions are third-party add-ons that provide additional functionality to Safari. However, they can also cause problems and perform unwanted actions such as injecting ads, creating toolbars, and redirecting your search engine.
- Select Safari from the top menu bar located in your upper left next to the .
- Select the Preferences option from the drop-down menu.
- In the Preferences window, select Extensions.
- From here you should see any extensions that you have installed for Safari. If you can't determine what an extension does or don't expect to use it again, we recommend uninstalling it. You may also choose to simply disable the extension by unchecking the extension.
- To uninstall an extension, select the extension name located in the left pane and click the Uninstall button.
- A pop-up window should appear asking if you wish to uninstall this extension. Select Uninstall.
- It may prompt you with the message, "To uninstall this exension, you must remove the extension application." If you receive this message, select the Show in Finder button.
- This should open your Applications folder. Select the Extension Application. You will need to delete this extension from here. To delete the extension you may either drag it to the trash can located on your dock or right click and select Move to Trash.
For additional support with the Safari Browser please view the Safari Support page.
If you are unable to successfully resolve your issue or reset your browser, please record the error message you receive and submit a help request. Or, contact the IT Service Desk at 330-941-1595 or servicedesk@ysu.edu