Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Cloud

Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

By Scott Matteson801 October 10, 2013, 8:32 AM PDT

Image
1
of 17

1_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
1_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Steps to resolve Chrome bookmark synchronization issues

Steps to resolve Chrome bookmark synchronization issues

Thisrngallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.

Greetings from beautiful Las Vegas, where the days are sunny and everyrnnight is Saturday! I came out here for the Dev Connections conference at thernMandalay Bay, which winds up today. Whenever I travel I make sure tornsynchronize all my data to my laptop so I’ll have the resources I need when I’mrnaway from home. This time a snag I’ve been having with bookmark synchronizationrnin Chrome finally came to a boil and I thought I’d share how I addressed thernissue.

rnrn

If you’ve read my columns for a while you might have noticed that synchronizationrnduplicates have been the bane of my existence. I’ve experienced duplicate contactrnproblems in Outlook 2011 as well as duplicate datarnissues in Google Drive – it’s never pretty cleaning up these issues butrnhopefully the advice in this article can be helpful if you find yourselfrnrunning afoul of a duplicate Google Chrome synchronization problem. Note thisrnmight help with bookmarks, extensions, history or anything else you’re havingrnproblems with.

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

a_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
a_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 1

Resolve Chrome sync issues 1

The background of the problem

rnrn

As a background, I use multiple systems (two desktops at work and homernas well as two laptops) and had an add-on called “Xmarks” set up to synchronize my bookmarksrn(which number about 450 total) among Firefox and Chrome using the respectivernadd-ons for each.

rnrn

I had the Google Chrome bookmark sync turned off at this point (I’llrnexplain where to turn this on or off below) so as to not make things toornconfusing; the goal was to let Xmarks handle synchronization on its own.

rnrn

I found Xmarks worked fine with just Firefox in the recipe, but unfortunatelyrnonce I added Chrome into the mix I found a seemingly never-ending parade ofrnduplicate bookmarks piling up on all my systems. Figure A shows what I wouldrngenerally see every time the problem exploded.

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

b_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
b_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 2

Resolve Chrome sync issues 2

Each time I deleted all my bookmarks and restored them from backup. Thenrnthere would be a next time.

rnrnAt first I thought Xmarks was to blame, sincernthe duplicate bookmarks also showed when I logged directly into my Xmarksrnaccount, and even deleting them there didn’t seem to do anything. I removed Xmarksrnfrom my browsers and switched Google Chrome bookmark sync on by accessing chrome://settings in the browser, clicking the “Advancedrnsync settings” button and checking off “Bookmarks.” (Figure B)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

c_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
c_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 3

Resolve Chrome sync issues 3

Unfortunately, this didn’t work either – I kept encountering duplicaternbookmarks, and what was odd was seeing deleted bookmarks – which had been gonernfrom all my computers – mysteriously reappear like a scene from “The SixthrnSense.” 

rnrn

I cleaned out the duplicates, exported my known good set of bookmarks tornan html file and turned off Google Chrome bookmark sync. However, this meant Irnhad to export my bookmarks every time I made a change and reimport them on allrnmy systems. I put up with this for a bit since I had other priorities to wadernthrough. Finally just before leaving on my trip I thought: “This isrnridiculous. Technology is supposed to solve problems, not create them.” Irnknew I’d be adding a lot of links at the conference and wanted one less chorernon my to-do list, so I began digging into the issue to see what I could do.

rnrn

Looking for the fix

rnrn

Based on some quick research, I checked my Chrome Sync settings to seernwhat sort of data was being synchronized from Google’s servers among my variousrncomputers. You can do the same at https://www.google.com/settings/chrome/sync. Here’s what I saw. (FigurernC)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

d_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
d_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 4

Resolve Chrome sync issues 4

Everything looked normal to me – except the “OpenrnTabs” and “Bookmarks” fields – Google thought I had seventeen times as many bookmarks as Irnreally possessed, even after multiple deletions and manual imports on all myrncomputers. I knew I had nowhere near that level of open tabs, beingrnconservative about the ones I use.

rnrn

Clearly it was time to flush everything out and start over.rnI did this by clicking the “Stop and Clear” button in the lower left,rnwhich invoked the prompt shown in Figure D.

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

e_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
e_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 5

Resolve Chrome sync issues 5

I clicked OK. Then to be on the safe side I waited severalrnhours as the box indicated. When I returned to the Google Chrome Sync settings page Irnobserved Figure E.

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

f_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
f_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 6

Resolve Chrome sync issues 6

I signed into Chrome which brought me to the Advanced Syncrnsettings dialog. (Figure F)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

g_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
g_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 7

Resolve Chrome sync issues 7

Once I clicked OK, I checked out the Google Chrome Sync settings page oncernmore and beheld the following. (Figure G)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

h_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
h_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 8

Resolve Chrome sync issues 8

This seemed like a good sign; synchronization had startedrnaccording to that count of “2” in the “Bookmarks” field. Irnwaited a couple of days and checked my various computers, testing the processrnby adding new bookmarks and removing obsolete ones. Everything seemed to workrnsuccessfully and my Chrome Sync settings currently show the appropriate figuresrn(I have added over 60 bookmarks since the problem appeared resolved). (FigurernH)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

i_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
i_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 9

Resolve Chrome sync issues 9

Wow, I guess luck really isrnwith me in Vegas! Maybe it’s time to visit the roulette table.

rnrn

What else can I try if this doesn‘trnwork?

rnrn

If the above steps don’trnhelp you, you might also try forcing synchronization in Chrome.

rnrn

Go to chrome://settings.rn(Figure I)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

j_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
j_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 10

Resolve Chrome sync issues 10

Click “Disconnect your Google account” (if thisrnoption is greyed out it may be due to the fact the setting is enforced by yourrnadministrator, with whom you should discuss this problem); a yellow diamondrnwith what appears to be a black necktie in the middle of it will be shown nextrnto the button. (Figure J)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

k_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
k_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 11

Resolve Chrome sync issues 11

Assuming you can click “Disconnect your GooglernAccount” you’ll see the confirmation box shown in Figure K.

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

l_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
l_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 12

Resolve Chrome sync issues 12

Click “Disconnect account.” The Chrome settingsrnpage will appear as follows. (Figure L)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

m_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
m_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 13

Resolve Chrome sync issues 13

Wait a bit to ensure the changes take effect then restartrnChrome.

rnrn

Access chrome://settings again, thenrnclick “Sign in to Chrome” to connect your account once more.

rnrn

You’ll be prompted to choose what to sync. (Figure M)

Leave the defaults (unless there is a category which yourndo NOT want to sync) and click “OK.”

rnrn

Repeat this process for every system on which you arernsigned into Chrome. Hopefully everything will begin evening out among yourrnbookmarks and/or data.

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

n_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
n_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 14

Resolve Chrome sync issues 14

Android users

rnrn

I also found a good tip for Android users in the Google Chrome forumsrndescribing an issue withrnAndroid phones causing duplicate bookmarks. The poster, JL King, stated:

rnrn

“The Android browser (called “Internet” on Samsungrnphones) has been known to cause duplicates. I recommend the following:

rnrn

Access Android Settings | [accounts] | Google | select your account name

rnrn

Scroll down and uncheck “Sync Internet”

rnrn

This should prevent new duplicates. Then you’ll need to clean up thernexisting duplicates, which might be easier from a desktop:

rnrn

Open Chrome from a computer on which you’re signed into that samernaccount.

rnrn

Type chrome://bookmarks into the Omnibox

rnrn

Find your Mobile Bookmarks folder in the left nav.

rnrn

Select the duplicates and delete.

rnrn

As an alternative to the last four steps, there are several bookmarkrnmanagement extensions in the Chrome Web Store that will automatically find andrndelete duplicates.”

rnrn

I got curious about the extensions mentioned in the post above and foundrnan add-on for Chrome called Bookmark Sentry. I installed itrnin Chrome then accessed chrome://extensions to configure it.rn(Figure N)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

o_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
o_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 15

Resolve Chrome sync issues 15

I clicked “Options” underneath “Bookmark Sentryrn(scanner). (Figure O)

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

p_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
p_smatteson_chrome_sync.png
Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

Resolve Chrome sync issues 16

Resolve Chrome sync issues 16

The extension is ad-supported, but you can turn the ad option offrn(albeit by checking a box that states “I don’t want to support you,”rnwhich seems to be a bit of a tearjerker).

rnrn

You can set the scanning frequency and the options (check for duplicatesrn/ check for bad links / check for duplicates and bad links). I left the defaultrnof “Check for bad links & duplicates” and ran it. The add-on showedrnme some bad links but no duplicates (it does not actually appear to say “Nornduplicates found!” but I tested it by adding a duplicate of my “DeployrnGoogle apps” bookmark and reran the scan). (Figure P)

rnrn

There doesn’t seem to be a way to prevent duplicates from occurring on arnproactive basis, but this add-on can be quite helpful if you’re experiencingrnhassles of this nature and need to comb through various bookmark folders andrneliminate any extras.

rnrn

Other resources

rnrn

Google offers a page discussingrnthe synchronization setup process which is worth reviewing. They also have arnsupport page on troubleshootingrnsynchronization issues. Finally, there is also a Google Chromernforum where problems can be reported and discussed. 

rnrnCredit: Images by Scott Matteson for TechRepublic.

  • Cloud
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues

    Your email has been sent

Share: Screenshots: Resolve Chrome sync issues
Image of Scott Matteson801
By Scott Matteson801
Scott Matteson is a senior systems administrator and freelance technical writer who also performs consulting work for small organizations. He resides in the Greater Boston area with his wife and three children.
  • Account Information

    Contact Scott Matteson801

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Scott's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Best of Confluent Current 2023: The State of Data Streaming

    TechRepublic Premium was at Confluent’s Current 2023 event, held in San Jose, California, September 26-27. Our coverage of the event comprises an analysis of data streaming, interviews, the role of stream governance and a look at Apache Flink. From the download: Confluent used the Current 2023 ‘next generation of Kafka Summit’ event in San Jose ...

    Downloads
    Published:  September 27, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  September 28, 2023, 1:00 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Quick Glossary: Fintech

    Fintech is a fast changing landscape that constantly introduces cutting-edge ideas and developments. TechRepublic Premium presents this quick glossary of fintech terms and concepts to help you understand technological breakthroughs and make educated decisions. From the glossary: DECENTRALIZED FINANCE Often referred to as DeFi, this utilizes emerging technology to remove third parties and central financial ...

    Downloads
    Published:  September 27, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  September 28, 2023, 8:52 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Anti-Money Laundering Policy

    Money laundering poses a detrimental impact on businesses and the economy as a whole. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, the amount of money laundered around the world in a single year is presumed to be 2–5% of global GDP, which is roughly $800 billion to $2 trillion. The purpose of ...

    Downloads
    Published:  September 27, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  September 28, 2023, 9:14 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hiring Kit: Video Game Audio Engineer

    Modern video games rely on a cornucopia of sounds to engage and engross players. Whether it is ambient sound to set the mood, music to invoke a feeling or dialog to tell the story, sound is vital to the immersive experience of a video game. The individual responsible for meshing all those disparate sounds together ...

    Published:  September 27, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  September 28, 2023, 10:00 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium articles

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice