Top 10 Ways to Fix Chrome Passwords Not Syncing Issue

Chrome’s built-in password manager may not have the advanced features of dedicated services like 1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane, but it is certainly handy to use. For the most part, it should effortlessly sync your passwords between other Chrome instances on your devices, making the whole process of logging into websites a breeze. But there are also cases where the password manager fails to synchronize passwords. Therefore, this post will focus on how to fix the Chrome password synchronization issue.

There are several reasons why Chrome may not sync your passwords, ranging from buggy versions of Chrome, misconfigured sync settings to corrupt user profiles. Either way, the ten troubleshooting tips below should help you sync and use your Chrome passwords on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Let’s start.

1. Update Chrome

Start by updating Chrome on all your devices. The latest updates often fix known bugs and issues, so it’s worth doing it before diving into the rest of the fixes.

The desktop version of the browser updates automatically, but it is always wise to recheck. Open the Chrome menu, point to Help, then click About Google Chrome. This will force the browser to install all updates, if available, by force.

If you’re using Chrome on the iPhone or Android, go to the App Store or Play Store, search for “ chrome, ” then tap Update (if available).

2. Check Password Manager

It is always best to use Google’s online password manager to make sure your passwords have been uploaded to Google servers. That way, you can focus on the device that needs troubleshooting while going through the various fixes below.

If the password keeper lists your last passwords, you can skip applying Chrome patches on the device that created them first. Otherwise, start with the device that hasn’t downloaded your data yet (like patches # 3-7), then work on the rest of your devices, if necessary.

3. Activate password synchronization

Password synchronization in Chrome is probably disabled. To check your Chrome sync settings on the desktop, go to the Chrome menu> Settings> Sync and Google Services> Manage what you sync. Make sure the switch next to Passwords is on.

The process is quite similar on mobile versions of Chrome: go to the Chrome menu> Settings> Sync and Google services> Manage synchronization and make sure that password synchronization is activated.

4. Turn off the battery saver (Android only)

Some Android devices will prevent Chrome from syncing data (download and upload) if the built-in power saving modes are enabled. If this is the case, you will find the message “ Android system sync off ” under the Sync and Google services option in Chrome settings.

To fix the problem, you need to turn off the power saving mode, which is usually possible by going to the Device Settings> Battery app. Then reopen Chrome to sync your data. Once done, you can re-activate the power saving mode for your device. Remember to turn it off again when you want to sync your Chrome data.

5. Use a correct Google account

Do you have multiple Google accounts? If so, be sure to use the same Google Account on all of your devices so your data syncs seamlessly.

Visiting the Chrome Settings pane on a device will immediately show you the account you’re currently signed in with at the top of the screen.

If you’ve always used a different Google Account, you’ll need to sign in with the correct account. On the desktop, it’s best to create a new profile to avoid losing data related to the current Google Account (scroll down to the Create New Profile section below for more details). On mobile, you can quickly add a new account, and switch to it shortly after.

6. Insert a synchronization password

Are you using a synchronization passphrase? It’s an incredible way to protect your passwords and other Chrome data. But it also means that you have to add it to all your devices.

On the desktop, go to Chrome settings, and you should see a message “ Enter your passphrase to sync your data ” if that’s the case. Click the Enter Passphrase button next to your Google Account to insert the passphrase.

On mobile, go to Chrome Settings> Google and Sync Services> Sync doesn’t work instead. Here’s what you can do if you forgot your synchronization passphrase.

7. Disable / Enable synchronization

Did none of the above corrections apply to you? Try disabling Chrome Sync and then re-enabling it. This can help resolve persistent synchronization issues caused by problems and other malfunctions. The following breakdown should show you how to do this on computer and mobile.

Warning: Do not choose the option to delete your Chrome data stored locally on a device that has not yet downloaded your passwords to Google servers. Check the online password manager to confirm.

Chrome – Office

Step 1: Go to the Chrome menu> Settings. Under You and Google, click Deactivate next to your profile.

2nd step: Check the box next to “Erase bookmarks, history, passwords and more from this device,” then click Disable.

Step 3: Restart your PC or Mac, open Chrome, visit the Settings pane, and then click Turn on sync.

Step 4: Log in with your Google account, then click Yes, I’m logged in to start syncing your data.

Click the Settings button instead if you want to review your synchronization settings before synchronization.

Chrome – Android and iOS

Step 1: Open the Chrome menu, tap Settings, and then tap your Google ID.

2nd step: Press “Log out and deactivate synchronization”. Check the box next to “Erase your data from this device as well”, then tap Continue.

Step 3: Restart your Android or iPhone, open Chrome, go to the Settings pane, then tap “Sign in to Chrome”. Tap Yes, I’m signed in to reconnect to Chrome.

You can review your synchronization settings by going to Sync and Google Services> Manage Sync.

8. Delete connection data (Windows and macOS)

If Chrome doesn’t download your passwords from Google servers, try clearing the local login data cache. Doing so could cause Chrome to properly sync data to your device.

Warning: Do not perform this patch on a device that has not yet uploaded your passwords to Google servers. Check the online password manager to confirm.

Step 1: Quit Google Chrome.

2nd step: Visit the location where Chrome stores your user-specific data:

Windows – press Windows + R to open Run, insert the path to the following folder, then click OK:

%UserProfile%AppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser Data

macOS – press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight search, insert the following folder path, then press Enter:

~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome

Step 3: Open the folder called Default.

Step 4: Delete the files named Login Data and Login Data-journal.

Step 5: Reopen Chrome. The browser must download your passwords from Google servers.

9. Create a new profile (Windows and macOS)

Creating a new profile can also help fix an inflexible instance of Chrome that can’t download your passwords. The following steps should guide you through the process.

Warning: Skip the steps below on devices that have not yet uploaded your passwords to Google servers.

Step 1: Go to the Chrome Settings pane, then turn off Chrome Sync for your current profile.

2nd step: Open the profile drop-down menu (click the profile icon), then click Add.

Step 3: Enter a profile name, then click Add.

Step 4: Open the profile drop-down icon, then click Enable Synchronization.

Step 5: Enter your Google account credentials to log in to the profile.

Step 6: Open the profile drop-down icon, then click the Settings icon.

Step 7: Delete your old profile: click on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner of the profile thumbnail, then click on Delete this person.

Note: If your passwords don’t sync, check the Chrome sync settings.

10. Reset Google Chrome

Try resetting Google Chrome. It should work as a last resort to resolve any persistent password synchronization issues. However, it will completely delete all locally stored data and restore all settings to their default values. See this guide for more details.

Warning: Do not reset Chrome on a device that has not yet uploaded your passwords to Google servers. Otherwise, it will result in permanent data loss.

Step 1: Go to the Chrome Settings pane, expand Advanced, then click “Reset and clean up”. Follow by clicking on “Restore the parameters to their original default values”.

2nd step: Click on Reset settings.

Log in with your Google Account credentials to synchronize your passwords and other browsing data after the reset process.