Quick Answer
Go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services, open “Manage what you sync,” and look for a Reset Sync option, which also appears automatically if Chrome detects a sync error. This clears the synced data stored in your Google account and lets every signed-in device start fresh, without touching local files or requiring a Powerwash.
When to Reset Sync Instead of Powerwashing
If bookmarks, passwords, or open tabs are duplicating, missing, or out of sync across your devices, the problem is usually corrupted synced data sitting in your Google account rather than anything wrong with the Chromebook itself. Resetting sync clears that stored data and forces a clean re-upload from your current devices, which is a much smaller step than a full Powerwash that erases everything local.
Fix Steps
Step 1: Confirm sync is actually the problem
Check Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services for a warning icon or error message. A persistent error here, rather than a one-off glitch, is the clearest sign that resetting sync will help.
Step 2: Open sync management settings
Go to Settings > You and Google > Sync and Google services, then click “Manage what you sync” to see the detailed sync controls and any reset option Chrome is offering.
Step 3: Reset sync
Select the Reset Sync option if it’s shown. This clears the data Google has stored for your account’s sync and effectively starts the sync relationship over.
Step 4: Turn sync back on
After resetting, turn sync back on from the same settings page. Your Chromebook’s current local bookmarks, passwords, and settings will re-upload as the new baseline.
Step 5: Re-sync your other devices
On every other device signed into the same account, sign out of Chrome and back in, or toggle sync off and on, so each one picks up the freshly reset data instead of holding onto the old corrupted state.
Still Not Working?
If sync errors keep coming back right after a reset, clear the browser cache and cookies as a next step, since a corrupted local profile can also interfere with sync. A full Powerwash should only be needed if problems persist after both a sync reset and a cache clear.
FAQ
Will resetting sync delete my bookmarks?
No, it only clears the synced copy stored in your Google account. Your local bookmarks stay on the device and re-upload once you turn sync back on.
Do I need to reset sync on every device, or just one?
You only reset sync once, from any signed-in device, since it clears the shared data in your Google account. You then re-enable sync on each device so they all pick up the fresh copy.
Is resetting sync the same as signing out of my Google account?
No, signing out just stops your Chromebook from syncing until you sign back in; it doesn’t clear or reset the underlying synced data the way Reset Sync does.
