How to Fix Google Chrome Passwords Not Working After Windows Password Change

If you use Google Chrome to store your passwords locally, you may encounter a problem where they stop working after you change your Windows password. This can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you rely on Chrome to autofill your login credentials for various websites.

In this article, we will explain why this happens and how to fix it.

What Causes Google Chrome Passwords to Stop Working After Windows Password Change?

The reason why Google Chrome passwords stop working after you change your Windows password is because Chrome encrypts your passwords using a key that is derived from your Windows password. This means that when you change your Windows password, the key also changes, and Chrome can no longer decrypt your passwords. This is a security feature that prevents anyone from accessing your passwords if they get hold of your Chrome profile data.

However, this also means that you lose access to your passwords unless you have a backup or a way to recover them. Fortunately, there are some possible solutions that you can try to fix this issue.

How to Fix Google Chrome Passwords Not Working After Windows Password Change?

There are a few methods that you can try to fix Google Chrome passwords not working after you change your Windows password. Here are some of them:

Solution 1: Restore Your Old Windows Password

One of the simplest ways to fix this issue is to restore your old Windows password. This will allow Chrome to use the same key to decrypt your passwords as before. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type netplwiz and press Enter to open the User Accounts window.
3. Select your user account and click Reset Password.
4. Enter your old Windows password and confirm it.
5. Click OK and close the window.
6. Restart your computer and open Chrome. You should be able to access your passwords again.

Note: This method will only work if you remember your old Windows password and if you have not changed it more than once. If you have changed it multiple times, you will need to restore the password that matches the key that Chrome used to encrypt your passwords.

Solution 2: Use a Third-Party Tool to Recover Your Passwords

Another way to fix this issue is to use a third-party tool that can recover your passwords from your Chrome profile data. One such tool is ChromePass, a free utility that can display the passwords and usernames stored by Chrome. To use this tool, follow these steps:

1. Download ChromePass from the official website and extract the ZIP file to a folder of your choice.
2. Run the ChromePass.exe file as administrator.
3. You should see a list of all the passwords and usernames stored by Chrome, along with the corresponding URLs and creation dates.
4. To export the passwords to a file, select the passwords that you want to save and click File > Save Selected Items.
5. Choose a file format (such as TXT, CSV, HTML, or XML) and a file name and location.
6. Click Save and close the tool.
7. You can now open the file and view your passwords. You can also import them to another browser or password manager if you want.

Note: This method will only work if you have not cleared your browsing data or deleted your Chrome profile data. If you have done so, you will not be able to recover your passwords using this tool.

Solution 3: Sync Your Passwords with a Google Account

A more permanent way to fix this issue is to sync your passwords with a Google account. This will allow you to access your passwords from any device or browser that is signed in to your Google account. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
2. Click Settings and then click Sync and Google services.
3. Click Turn on sync and sign in to your Google account.
4. Choose what you want to sync and click OK.
5. Your passwords will be synced with your Google account and stored in the cloud.
6. You can now access your passwords from any device or browser that is signed in to your Google account. You can also manage your passwords from the Google Password Manager website.

Note: This method will only work if you have not lost your passwords yet. If you have already lost your passwords, you will need to use one of the previous methods to recover them first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: How do I change my Windows password?

Answer: To change your Windows password, follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click Change a password.
2. Enter your current password and your new password twice.
3. Click the arrow icon or press Enter to confirm.
4. Your Windows password will be changed.

Question: How do I backup my Chrome passwords?

Answer: To backup your Chrome passwords, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
2. Click Settings and then click Passwords under Autofill.
3. Click the three-dot icon next to Saved Passwords and click Export passwords.
4. Click Export passwords again and enter your Windows password to confirm.
5. Choose a file name and location and click Save.
6. Your passwords will be exported to a CSV file that you can open with any spreadsheet program.

Question: How do I import my Chrome passwords?

Answer: To import your Chrome passwords, follow these steps:

1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon at the top right corner.
2. Click Settings and then click Passwords under Autofill.
3. Click the three-dot icon next to Saved Passwords and click Import.
4. Choose the CSV file that contains your passwords and click Open.
5. Your passwords will be imported to Chrome and stored locally.

Summary

In this article, we have explained why Google Chrome passwords stop working after you change your Windows password and how to fix it. We have also provided some FAQs related to the topic. We hope that this article has helped you solve your problem and access your passwords again.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not responsible for any loss or damage caused by following the instructions or using the tools mentioned in this article. Use them at your own risk and discretion.