Gmail refreshing non-stop and trouble logging in

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@AnimaterCreator

The general idea here, is to a) back up your BB user data, followed by b) clearing away the grime that is gumming up the works.

“BB” - Brave Browser

Back up your ‘User Data’ folder: BB (Windows OS) Profile Path:

  • “C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default”

Export your Bookmarks to a “bookmarks.html” file. Export passwords to a CSV file (if using BB’s password manager).

How to Back Up Passwords that are stored by Brave Browser

Scrolling down the webpage at:

https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018185951-How-do-I-use-the-built-in-password-manager

A note states:

“Export Passwords - Selecting Download file will export all credentials you’ve saved in your browser as a .CSV file onto your system. Note that anyone who has access to your system will be able to open and view this file, so it is recommended that you delete this file once you’ve used the file for its intended purpose.”

Tips on how to encrypt that .CSV file:

Be sure to safely store a copy of that CSV file on an external drive.

How to back up your Bookmarks as an HTML file

Two ways to get to the Bookmarks Manager.

One way:

  1. Launch Brave and open the Main menu: newmenuicon.png
  2. Select Bookmarks --> Bookmarks Manager
  3. Open the More options menu at the top right
  4. Select Export and choose where you want to store the exported file.

Another way:

  1. In a new Brave Browser window, go to: brave://bookmarks
  2. Locate the “Organize” (vertically-arrayed 3-dot) menu button in the upper-right area of the window; click on that
  3. You should get a pop-up menu, in which you click on the “Export bookmarks” selection and choose where you want to store the exported file.

The exported file name: “bookmarks.html”

Be sure to safely store a copy of that HTML file on an external drive.

Next, in a BB New Window, go to: brave://settings/clearBrowserData

Select the Advanced tab. Set “Time range” to “All time”. ENABLE everything EXCEPT:

  • Passwords and other sign-in data
  • Autofill form data

Click on the ‘Clear data’ / ‘Delete data’ button. Exit / Quit everything and restart the computer. Start BB.

In a BB New Window, go to the BB Global Shields settings: brave://settings/shields

  • Set “Trackers & ads blocking” to the most aggressive level
  • Set “Upgrade connections to HTTPS” to the standard level
  • Do not block scripts
  • Block 3rd party cookies
  • Block fingerprinting

Direct access to BB Settings > Site details for Google eco-system

In a BB New Window, go to each of the following, click the ‘Clear Data’ / ‘Delete Data’ button if available, otherwise, click the ‘Reset permissions’ button.

AFTER you have done that for the following list, then Exit / Quit BB. Start BB, and return to the Site details, manually setting JavaScript for each of the following to Allow:

  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgmail.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgoogle.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgooglevideo.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgstatic.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fgoogleapis.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com
  • brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2Fytimg.com

Notice, all of those have a fixed portion:

brave://settings/content/siteDetails?site=https%3A%2F%2F

followed by a domain name or host name.

When finished, Exit / Quit everything and restart the computer. Then, start BB and test.

Tips regarding Brave Shields:

I have more success, with:

  • Brave Shields UP
  • Either Allow All Cookies or Block 3rd Party Cookies, but NOT Blocking All Cookies
  • Allowing JavaScripts from specific sources, but NOT Allowing All JavaScripts
  • Trackers & Ads treatment: Aggressive (at first), and then incrementally relaxing that setting
  • Fingerprinting (aka footprinting) blocking: Strict (at first), and then incrementally relaxing that setting

I almost NEVER use:

  • All of Brave Shields UP
  • All of Brave Shields DOWN

Shields Basics

How do I configure global and site-specific Shields settings?

How do I use Shields while browsing?

ERR_CONNECTION_RESET errors on new Win 11 laptops