Using Private Browser Sessions to Troubleshoot

A browser's privacy mode (Incognito Mode) opens a new browsing session (a new window) which has no access to cached data, cookies, or history. In addition, it disables all plugins, extensions, and add-ons for the browser. Any accounts you were signed into in your main browser session will not be signed in inside the private session.

Starting a private browsing session can be a useful troubleshooting tool if you are experiencing problems logging into a website, or other strange errors. It is often a good idea to test a website in a private session before clearing your browser's cache. Website errors can occur when your browser's cookies or cached data are corrupted or out of date. If the problem you are experiencing goes away in incognito mode, then the problem is likely due to an issue in your browser cache, and clearing the cache will likely solve the problem. On the other hand, if the problem persists in incognito mode, then the problem is likely from the websiste itself, rather than your browser/computer, and clearing the cache is unlikely to solve the problem.

Private browsing sessions can also be useful if you are signed into a service with one account and you need to temporarily sign into the same service with another account. Using a private session can allow you to sign into the service with your second account while your primary account remains logged in inside your main browsing session.

Use the instructions below to initiate a private browsing session in Chrome, Edge or Firefox.

Last updated 3/3/2025