How To Use Private or Incognito Mode to Troubleshoot Browser Problems

By | February 1, 2022
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How to Use Private or Incognito Mode to Troubleshoot Browser Problems

Google Chrome

If you are having problems with Chrome, the easiest way to make sure that it’s not a browser extension causing your problem(s) is to open Chrome in Incognito mode. Incognito mode in Google Chrome disables all extensions except ones you have explicitly chosen to allow in Incognito mode. Most of you shouldn’t have to worry about that.

To open Chrome in Incognito mode, right-click on its shortcut and choose “New incognito window”.  Incognito mode disables all extensions automatically*. Try browsing with Chrome in Incognito mode for a few minutes and see if you still have the same problems. If you don’t have any problems while using Chrome in Incognito mode, then chances are good that one of your extensions is causing your problem(s). You can disable each extension, one at a time until you find the culprit that’s causing your problem(s). You can then choose to leave the extension disabled, remove it, or check to see if there’s an updated version

If you’re still having problems, then it’s most likely not a problem caused by a browser extension. In that case, you might want to consider resetting Chrome by following the instructions on this page.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge calls its Incognito mode “InPrivate” mode. To open Edge in InPrivate mode, right-click on its shortcut and choose “New InPrivate window”. InPrivate mode disables all extensions automatically – except the ones you’ve chosen to allow in InPrivate mode.

Try browsing with Edge in InPrivate mode for a few minutes and see if you still have the same problems. If you don’t have any problems while using Edge in InPrivate mode, then chances are that of your extensions is causing your problem(s).

Open Edge in regular mode. Then disable each extension, one at a time until you find the culprit that’s causing your problem(s). You can then choose to leave the extension disabled, remove it, or check to see if there’s an updated version.

If you’re still having problems with Edge, then it’s most likely not a problem caused by a browser extension. In that case, you might want to consider resetting Edge by following the instructions on this page.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox takes a different approach to troubleshooting. Instead of using its Private mode, it has its own Troubleshooting mode. “Troubleshoot Mode” disables all browsers and add-ons and allows you to browse without them. If all works well in Troubleshoot Mode, then you’ll know that an add-on or extension is the culprit.

To open Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode, open Firefox, click on the hamburger icon (3 vertical lines) in the top-right corner of Firefox. In the menu that appears, click “Help” > “Troubleshoot Mode”. 

You’ll see a message dialog asking if you want to open Firefox in Troubleshoot Mode, click “Open”. You can then browse using Firefox without extensions or add-ons and see if doing so eliminates the problems you’ve been having. If so, then you know it is an extension or an add-on causing problems. You can then open Firefox in normal mode and find the problematic extension or add-on and disable or remove it.

Cloudeight InfoAve - Troubleshot Firefox

You can also reset Firefox by following the instructions on this page.

Now, if you have problems with your browser, you’ll know how to troubleshoot and find the problem(s).

 

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