Chrome Bookmarks Disappeared? – 4 Simple Fixes!

Jack

By Jack

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Chrome Bookmarks Disappeared

Are you wondering why and how your Chrome bookmarks disappeared? If so, you may go ahead and read the following article to learn how to bring them back.

In other words, this article is composed of explaining how to bring back the disappeared bookmarks on Chromebook.

Overview

You made a note to go back and check out all of the important links that you bookmarked. But when you launch the Chrome browser at this point, you notice that none of the bookmarks exist there. It’s possible that the issue is as simple as you trying to find them in different directories.

With that said, verifying that you’ve looked in the right place is the first step toward solving the problem. In fact, you should do that before proceeding any further. After that, you will be able to recover your valuable bookmarks with the assistance of the fixes provided below.

This is the case even in the event that you delete those bookmarks inadvertently. Also, you can try these solutions if you experience problems with your browser (Chrome) itself.

Besides, Google Chrome Task Manager is a pretty handy utility that gives a good idea about the system’s performance. Here is the full guide about it.

What Are the Reasons for Chrome Bookmarks Disappeared?

There are different reasons for Chrome bookmarks to get disappeared. Mentioned below are the most notable reasons.

  • A recent update took place on your Google Chrome browser.
  • You have bookmarked links on a different browser.
  • You are using a browser other than Chrome.
  • You have turned off synchronizing option when the Chrome profile is in use.
  • The bookmarks are deleted from the system.
  • You have uninstalled Chrome and reinstalled it.
  • You are mistakenly searching for bookmarks on a different profile in Google Chrome.

Also, are you facing this error – this plugin is not supported in Chrome. If yes, here are different ways to fix this error easily & quickly for you.

How to Fix the Chrome Bookmarks Disappeared Issue?

As you have learned, there are many different reasons for your Chrome bookmarks disappeared. That said, we have included several different solutions to address all these situations effectively. So, let’s learn what they are.

Solution 01: Recovering Bookmarks Using Your Hard Disk

This solution is one that is not only more practical but also considerably simpler to implement. In this section, you will retrieve the bookmarks that were stored on your system disk.

Before beginning this process, ensure that all Chrome windows that are now open have been closed. So, Chrome won’t reopen. If you’ve already closed Chrome, you should leave it in this state. That’s because it will delete the previously saved copy of the same backup the next time you launch Chrome.

  • Press Windows and R keys together to open the “Run” utility to proceed.
  • Enter the text;
"C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default"

(Please note that “XXX” should be replaced by your username of the OS to accomplish this task).

  • You will now be able to find two different files called “Bookmarks.bak” and “Bookmarks.” The one that comes with the extension “.bak” is the most recent one. In fact, that is the backup created automatically by Chrome when you opened it last time.
"Bookmarks.bak" and "Bookmarks"
  • Now, you should close every running instance that comes with the name Chrome. You should rename both of those files to proceed.
  • When it comes to renaming, you should change the name of “Bookmarks” to “Bookmarks.old”. Also, the file called “Bookmarks.bak” should be renamed to “Bookmarks.”
change the name of "Bookmarks" to "Bookmarks.old"
  • Now, you will be able to recover bookmarks using the file labeled “Bookmarks.”

Solution 02: Restore It with HTML

Some users tend to export bookmarks in a timely manner as a general habit. If you have done that, that’s good news!

Well, if you fall into that category, all you need is to use that HTML for restoration. That bookmark file can be used to restore those bookmarks back to Chrome without any issues.

Mentioned below are the steps that should be used to restore existing bookmarks with the help of HTML files.

  • First, you should click on the 3-dotted icon that appears on top of the Chrome Window.
  • Then, you should select “Import Bookmarks & Settings.” It appears as a submenu on “Bookmarks.”
  • Now, you should tick that checkbox located in “Favorites/Bookmarks.”
  • You can navigate to the destination of the file and import the respective HTML file.
Import Bookmarks & Settings
  • Now, all you need is to click “Open.”

Solution 03: Restore Your Bookmarks Using a Different Browser

In some cases, some users have stored the exact bookmarks on a different browser. If you are one of those, you have good news; you can simply import them to the Chrome browser.

Simple steps you should follow to do that:

  • First, you should click on the three-dotted icon at the top of the window.
  • After that, you should select “Bookmarks” and then select “Import Bookmarks & Settings” to proceed.
  • Select the checkbox option located on “Favorites/Bookmarks.”
  • As the last step, you should select “Browser,” through which your bookmarks should be imported.
Restore Your Bookmarks Using a Different Browser

So, if your Chrome bookmarks disappear, but those bookmarks are stored in a different browser, try this solution.

Solution 04: Restore Your Bookmarks with the Assistance of the Browsing History

The history of your browser will remain untouched (unless you delete it purposely) even if you close it. In general, the browsing history comprises each and every web page that has been visited during the past period.

In fact, most browsers retain such data in their history for at least several months. So, if you see your Chrome bookmarks disappear, this option would be an ideal one to try.

So, let’s go ahead and learn how to create new bookmarks using the browsing history in Chrome.

  • First, you should open “Chrome.”
  • Then, click on the three-dotted icon that appears toward the top of (the right-hand side) of Chrome.
  • After that, you can click on the option called “History.”
  • Now, you should open the URLs that you wish to save as bookmarks on Chrome. Then, you can bookmark them simply by clicking the icon that appears as a “star.” You can find this icon in the address bar.  
Restore Your Bookmarks with the Assistance of the Browsing History

Please note that this method will not be effective if you have opened all those URLs in incognito mode. Also, you cannot find those URLs if the history is already cleared for some reason.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about this matter.

Q1: Can I recover my bookmarks on a different device? Yes, if you have enabled Chrome sync and your bookmarks are properly synced, you can recover them on any device linked to your Google account.

Q2: Can I recover bookmarks if I didn’t create a backup? In some cases, if your bookmarks have been recently deleted, you may be able to restore them from the “Trash” folder within the Bookmark Manager. However, if the bookmarks were deleted a while ago or if you have emptied the trash, it becomes more challenging to recover them without a backup.

Q3: Are there any third-party tools available for bookmark recovery? Yes, there are third-party tools and extensions available that specialize in bookmark recovery. However, it’s important to research and choose a reliable and trusted tool to avoid potential security risks.

Q4: Can I recover bookmarks if I uninstalled Chrome and reinstalled it? If you have previously synced your bookmarks with your Google account, reinstalling Chrome and signing in should restore your bookmarks automatically.

Q5: How often should I back up my bookmarks? It’s recommended to back up your bookmarks regularly, especially if you frequently add or modify bookmarks. Aim for at least once a month to ensure you have an up-to-date backup.

Conclusion

Chrome bookmarks disappearing is a problem that many users face. It can be a source of frustration, especially when important bookmarks are lost. However, with the methods mentioned above, you can restore your lost bookmarks and prevent their loss in the future.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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