How to fix Chrome profile sync getting stuck in setup

The problem of Chrome sync stuck can be solved through the following steps: 1. Check the network connection and Google account status to ensure normal access; 2. Log out and log in to the Chrome account again; 3. Clear the synchronized data and restart the browser; 4. Reset Chrome settings; 5. Try the traceless mode or new user profile. Sequentially checking can effectively restore the synchronization function.

Chrome profile sync getting stuck in setup can be frustrating, especially if you rely on syncing bookmarks, passwords, or extensions across devices. The issue usually shows up as a loading spinner that never goes away or a progress bar that gets stuck at a certain percentage. While there's no single cause, the good news is there are several practical steps you can take to resolve it.

1. Check Your Internet Connection and Google Account Status

Sync relies on a stable internet connection and an active Google account. If either is unstable or temporarily blocked, sync will hang.

• Make sure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is working properly.
• Try opening Gmail or Google Search in another tab to confirm your access to Google services.
• If you're using a work or school account, check with your admin — they might have policies blocking sync features.

Also, check if Google Workspace services are down for your organization by visiting Google Workspace Status Dashboard . If there's a service outage, wait until it's resolved before trying again.

2. Sign Out and Back Into Your Chrome Profile

Sometimes, simply re-authenticating your Google account in Chrome can clear up sync issues.

Here's how:

• Click your profile icon in the top-right corner of Chrome.
• Choose “Sign out.”
• Then sign back in with your Google account.

After signing in, give Chrome a few moments to reconnect and resume syncing. Don't rush into other fixes right away — sometimes sync just needs a clean start.

3. Clear Sync Data from Chrome Settings

If sync still isn't moving forward, clearing existing sync data can help reset things without losing everything permanently.

To do this:

• Go to chrome://settings/syncSetup
• Click “Turn off” or “Manage what you sync”
• Then choose “Clear data in Chrome”

⚠️ This won't delete your data from Google's servers — it just clears what's stored locally in the browser. Once done, restart Chrome and go through the sync setup again.

This method often resolves conflicts caused by corrupted sync data or mismatched settings between devices.

4. Reset Chrome Settings (If Other Fixes Fail)

If all else fails, resetting Chrome to its default settings can eliminate deep-seated issues affecting sync.

Steps:

• Go to chrome://settings/reset
• Click “Restore settings to their original defaults”
• Confirm by clicking “Reset settings”

This doesn't remove your bookmarks, history, or saved passwords — but it does disable extensions and reset settings like startup pages or search engines.

After resetting, restart Chrome and try setting up sync again. It's a bit more aggressive, but often effective.

5. Bonus Tip: Try Incognito Mode or Guest Profile

Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, test Chrome in Incognito mode or switch to a guest profile. If sync works there, it could mean an extension or local profile issue is interfering.

You can also create a new Chrome user profile to see if sync behaves normally with a fresh setup. If it does, consider migrating your data to the new profile.

Fixing Chrome sync stuck in setup usually comes down to checking basic connections, re-signing in, or resetting sync data. It's not always obvious what causes the problem, but these methods cover most common scenarios.
Basically, start simple and work your way up — no need to jump straight to full resets unless needed.

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