How to Clear Your Browser Cache
Why Clear Cache and Cookies?
Clearing the cache and cookies from your web browser is an essential first step in troubleshooting internet browsing issues. The ‘cache’ is a tool that your browser uses to speed up the page loading process. However, it can sometimes cause problems when websites are updated, as files saved in the cache may conflict with what’s changed on the website. Clearing the cache and cookies ensures that you are viewing the current website, rather than information saved in your browser's cache.
Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers
If you are using Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to close/quit the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies.
Google Chrome
- Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
Select Clear Browsing Data.
Set the Time Range to All Time. Check-mark Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files and select Clear Data.
- If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Chrome to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Chrome menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.
- Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
Select Clear Browsing Data.
Set the Time Range to All Time. Check-mark Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files and select Clear Data.
- If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Chrome to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Chrome menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the Tools menu (three bars in the top-right corner).
Click History.
Select Clear Recent History.
In the Clear All History menu, select the time range to Everything. Select the options, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Site settings, and Offline website data. Click OK.
- If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Firefox to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.
- Click on the Tools menu (three bars in the top-right corner).
Click History.
Select Clear Recent History.
In the Clear All History menu, select the time range to Everything. Select the options, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Site settings, and Offline website data. Click OK.
- If on a Windows computer, close and re-open Firefox to save your changes. If on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect.
Microsoft Edge
- Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
Click History.
Click the trash icon.
Set the time range to All time. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Click Clear now.
- Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.
- Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
Click History.
Click the trash icon.
Set the time range to All time. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Click Clear now.
- Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.
Safari for MacOS
- Click on History on the top menu bar.
Click Clear History.
- Open the Clear drop-down menu and select All History
Click Clear History
- Click Safari in the top menu bar, then click Quit Safari to save your changes.
- Click on History on the top menu bar.
Click Clear History.
- Open the Clear drop-down menu and select All History
Click Clear History
- Click Safari in the top menu bar, then click Quit Safari to save your changes.
Google Chrome for Android
Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
Click History.
Click Clear browsing data...
Set the Time Range to All Time. Check-mark Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Site settings. Select Clear Data.
Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
Click History.
Click Clear browsing data...
Set the Time Range to All Time. Check-mark Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and Site settings. Select Clear Data.
Safari for iOS
In Safari, click the book icon at the bottom of the screen.
Click the clock icon at the top right.
Click the Clear link at the bottom right.
Select your timeframe.
- Click Clear History.
In Safari, click the book icon at the bottom of the screen.
Click the clock icon at the top right.
Click the Clear link at the bottom right.
Select your timeframe.
- Click Clear History.
Last updated December 12, 2023