When you log into Notion, the workspace should open the page you set as your default landing page. Instead, some users see a different page, a random recent page, or the workspace sidebar without any page selected. This happens because Notion uses a combination of browser cache, session state, and workspace settings to determine the first page shown after login. If any of these elements is corrupted or misconfigured, the wrong page loads. This article explains the root causes and provides step-by-step fixes to restore your correct default page.
Key Takeaways: Fixing the Wrong Default Page After Login
- Settings & Members > Settings > General > Default Page: The primary setting that defines which page appears after login.
- Clear browser cache and cookies: Removes stale session data that may override the default page setting.
- Log out and log back in: Resets the session state so Notion reads the default page setting fresh from the server.
Why Notion Opens the Wrong Page After Login
Notion determines the post-login page through a two-step process. First, the workspace setting “Default Page” tells Notion which page to open. Second, the browser stores a session cookie that remembers the last page you visited. When you log in, Notion checks the cookie first. If the cookie contains a page ID that is different from the default page, Notion opens that cached page instead of the default. This behavior is intended to return you to your last working location, but it can conflict with the explicit default setting.
Another cause is a corrupted browser cache. Notion loads its interface from cached JavaScript and CSS files. If these files are outdated or damaged, the page that loads may be incorrect. Similarly, browser extensions that modify page behavior or block scripts can interfere with the redirect logic that Notion uses after authentication.
A less common cause is a workspace-level permission change. If the page you set as default was moved to a different workspace, deleted, or its sharing permissions changed, Notion cannot open it. In that case, Notion falls back to the workspace root or a recently accessed page.
Steps to Set and Force the Correct Default Page
- Open Workspace Settings
Click the workspace name in the top-left corner of the Notion window. Select Settings & Members from the dropdown menu. This opens the workspace settings panel. - Navigate to the Default Page Setting
In the left sidebar of the settings panel, click General. Scroll down to the section labeled Default Page. This setting is a dropdown menu that lists all pages in the workspace. Select the page you want to see after login. - Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Open your browser settings. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu > Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select All time for the time range. Check both Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Click Clear data. This removes any stale session data that may override the default page. - Log Out of Notion
Open Notion in your browser. Click the workspace name in the top-left corner. Select Log out from the dropdown menu. Wait 10 seconds before proceeding. - Log Back Into Notion
Enter your email and password on the Notion login page. After authentication, Notion should now open the page you selected as the default. If it does not, repeat steps 3 and 4, then try a different browser. - Verify the Default Page Is Accessible
Open the page you set as default. Ensure it is not inside a deleted parent page or a page that has been moved to a different workspace. If the page is missing, create a new page and set it as the default in step 2.
If Notion Still Loads the Wrong Page After the Main Fix
Browser Extension Interferes With Login Redirect
Extensions such as ad blockers, privacy tools, or session managers can block the redirect that Notion uses after login. Disable all extensions temporarily. In Chrome, type chrome://extensions in the address bar. Toggle off each extension. Reload Notion and log in. If the default page loads correctly, enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit.
Notion Desktop App Shows Wrong Page
The Notion desktop app stores its own cache separate from the browser. Clear the desktop app cache by closing the app, then pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac while reopening the app. A dialog will appear asking which data to clear. Select Cache and click Clear. Restart the app and log in again.
Workspace Has Multiple Accounts Logged In
If you have multiple Notion accounts (for example, a personal account and a team workspace), the wrong account may be active. Click the workspace name in the top-left corner. At the bottom of the dropdown, you will see Switch workspace or a list of accounts. Ensure the correct account is selected. The default page setting is per workspace, so logging into the wrong workspace will show that workspace’s default page.
Default Page Was Deleted or Moved
If you deleted the page that was set as the default, Notion will open the most recently accessed page instead. To fix this, create a new page. Name it something like “Home” or “Dashboard.” Then go back to Settings & Members > General > Default Page and select the new page.
Notion Default Page Setting vs Browser Session: Key Differences
| Item | Default Page Setting | Browser Session Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Workspace settings, stored on Notion servers | Local browser cookie and cache |
| Purpose | Defines the intended first page after login | Remembers the last page visited for convenience |
| Persistence | Persists across devices and sessions | Cleared when cache is cleared or session expires |
| Priority | Lower priority — overridden by session cache | Higher priority — loaded before default setting |
| Fix method | Change in Settings & Members | Clear browser cache and cookies |
The table above shows why the default page setting alone does not always work. The browser session cache takes priority. To force Notion to use the default page, you must clear the session cache so that Notion reads the server-side setting fresh.
Conclusion
You can now fix the issue where Notion loads the wrong default page after login. Start by verifying the default page setting in Settings & Members > General. Then clear your browser cache and cookies, log out, and log back in. If the problem persists, check for interfering browser extensions or cached data in the Notion desktop app. For a permanent solution, use a dedicated home page and set it as the default. This ensures that even if the session cache is corrupted, the next login will reset to your chosen page.