Google Sync is paused and keeps pausing: Here is the fix

It is an annoying recurring problem for many people when synchronization in Google Chrome keeps getting interrupted.

Let me preface by saying that Chrome sync is interrupted every 30 days by default anyway. You then need to reconnect to your Google account to restart the sync. However, it is annoying if the synchronization is interrupted every time, for example, when starting the Google Chrome browser.

Interrupting Google Chrome synchronization is usually due to problems with cookies and site settings. Blocking cookies somehow can cause you to be logged out for synchronization every time, which is interrupted.

Chrome Sync is a helpful feature that lets you sync your browsing data across multiple devices. When you enable Chrome Sync, you can effortlessly access your bookmarks, history, passwords, and other settings on any Chrome device. It’s all about convenience. Ensure your browsing experience stays consistent no matter which device you’re using.

The perks of Chrome Sync are pretty awesome. Syncing your browsing data saves you the hassle of transferring bookmarks or passwords between devices. It keeps everything connected so you can seamlessly pick up where you left off on one device when switching to another.

On top of that, Chrome Sync is a handy backup system in case something happens to your device or gets lost. Your important data is securely stored in the cloud so you can know that your precious bookmarks and settings are always protected.

Why is Chrome Sync Paused

There are several reasons why Chrome Sync may be paused on your device. Understanding these common causes can help you diagnose and resolve the issue more effectively. Here are a few possible explanations:

1. Sync Paused Manually: One common reason Chrome Sync has paused is that the user has manually paused it. This can happen if you accidentally or intentionally pause the sync process. Checking your settings to ensure that sync is enabled is the first step in troubleshooting this issue.
2. Network Connectivity: Poor or unstable network connectivity can also lead to Chrome Sync being paused. The sync process may be interrupted if your device cannot establish a stable internet connection. Checking your network settings and ensuring a reliable connection can help resolve this problem.
3. Insufficient Storage: If your device runs low on storage space, Chrome Sync may be automatically paused to prevent further data consumption. Clearing unnecessary files and freeing up storage can help resolve this issue and allow the sync process to resume.
4. Sync Error Messages: You may encounter error messages indicating issues with the sync process. These messages can provide valuable information for troubleshooting. Take note of any error messages you receive and search for specific solutions related to those messages.
5. Sync Data Missing: In some cases, you may find that specific data is missing or not syncing correctly across devices. This can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to resolve the issue. Ensure you’re signed in to the same Google account on all devices, check your sync settings, and consider resetting sync if necessary.
6. Sync Conflict: If you make changes to bookmarks, settings, or other synced data on multiple devices, conflicts can occur. Chrome will attempt to resolve these conflicts automatically, but in some cases, manual intervention may be required. Review any sync conflict notifications and follow the prompts to resolve them.

Suppose you have no clue why Chrome keeps pausing sync. Here is how to fix it.

How to fix Google Sync is paused and keeps pausing

Therefore, the first thing we will do to solve this problem is to allow cookies specifically for Google. This will stop the cookies from being blocked in the future and the synchronization from being interrupted. I recommend you follow all the steps in this article, not just the first step.

Allow Google cookies

To begin, open a new Chrome window. Make sure this is not an incognito window. Next, click on the menu icon in the top right corner. In the menu, then click on “Settings.”

In the settings, click “Privacy and Security” on the left and click “Site Settings.” In the site settings, next click on “Cookies and site data.”

In the “customized behavior” settings, click on the “add” button in the “sites that can always use cookies.”. Add an exception for “accounts.google.com.”

First, save this page to your favorites. Press CTRL + D or CMD + D. Now restart the Chrome browser and check if the synchronization problem is solved.

Disable cookies and site data clearing when you close all windows

As I mentioned earlier, blocking cookies from Google is often the problem with constantly disabling Chrome synchronization.

Clearing cookies and site data does the same thing. Even then, the Google cookies are cleared each time with the result that synchronization is interrupted because it needs to be logged in again. I, therefore, recommend disabling the “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows” option.

Open the Chrome browser. In the upper right corner, click on the menu icon and then on “settings” in the menu. In the settings, click “privacy and security” on the left, then “cookies and site data.”

Here, uncheck the “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows” option.

Now restart the Chrome browser and start synchronization again. After this, check again if the synchronization issues are now resolved.

Check browser extensions

If you use a browser extension that blocks or deletes cookies, disable this extension. This will help prevent synchronization problems.

In the address bar, type: chrome://extensions/

Disable any extensions that you suspect may interact with cookies. These include extensions that automatically delete site data, privacy extensions, adblockers, etc.

You can temporarily disable an extension by clicking the blue slider until it turns gray. Below is an example.

Additional checks

Here are a few things to remember if you are experiencing synchronization problems in the Chrome browser.

• Disable your VPN. If you are using a VPN, disable it and check if this solves the problem.
• Are you using computer security software? If so, disable it as well.
• Ensure you are not using any software or settings blocking or deleting cookies.
• Make sure you can connect to Google’s servers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chrome Sync Pause

How long does it take to complete a full resync of all data?

The time it takes to complete a full resync of all your data depends on the amount of information being synchronized. It may take longer to complete the resync process if you have a large amount of data, such as extensive browsing history or numerous bookmarks. It’s essential to be patient and allow Chrome Sync to complete the synchronization in its own time.

Will pausing Chrome Sync affect my saved passwords and autofill data?

When you pause Chrome Sync, your saved passwords and autofill data will not be synchronized across your devices. However, this data will still be available on the device where it was initially saved. Once you un-pause Chrome Sync, your saved passwords and autofill data will be updated and synchronized across your devices.

Are there any risks associated with pausing Chrome Sync?

Pausing Chrome Sync poses no significant risks to your data or devices. However, it’s important to remember that while Chrome Sync is paused, your data will not be synchronized across your devices. If you rely on seamless access to your browsing data on multiple devices, pause Chrome Sync when necessary and resume the sync process as soon as possible.

I hope to have informed you of this. Thanks for reading!

Learn more: 7 BEST security tips for the Google Chrome browser.