How To: Clear Browser Cache

Overview/Introduction

Sometimes website problems or site login difficulties can be solved by clearing out the cache, cookies, and history saved in your web browser.  This article discusses how to accomplish this in several common desktop and mobile browsers.

Details

 

Before You Begin

Clearing your web browser’s cache, cookies, and history may remove data such as the following:

• Saved passwords
• Address bar predictions
• Wipe previous approved websites - removing ‘remember me’ access from previous visited sites

While you should clear your web browser’s cache, cookies, and history periodically in order to prevent or resolve performance problems, you may wish to record some of your saved information first. If you are unable to do so, see Troubleshooting alternatives below.

For details about browser cache, cookies, and history, see:

• Web cache
• HTTP cookie
• Web browsing history

Troubleshooting Alternatives

If you need to clear your cache, cookies, and history for troubleshooting purposes, but aren’t yet prepared to lose the content listed above, you may wish to consider using a private browsing window in your preferred browser as a temporary solution:

• Chrome - Browse in private with Incognito mode (Directions for Computer, Android Phone, and iPhone)
• Firefox - Private Browsing
• Edge - Browse InPrivate
• Safari - Browse privately on Mac Computer
• Safari - Private Browsing on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
   

Clearing Cache on Desktop Browsers

Notes:

• For some desktop browsers, to quickly open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history, ensure that the browser is open and selected, and press Ctrl-Shift-Delete (Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete (Mac). If this doesn’t work, follow the appropriate instructions below.
• If the instructions below don’t exactly match what you see, you may need to update your web browser to the latest version.

• If you don’t see instructions below for your specific version or browser, search your browser’s Help menu for “clear cache”. If you’re unsure what browser version you’re using, from the Help menu or your browser’s menu, select About [browser name]. In Internet Explorer and Firefox, if you don’t see the menu bar, press Alt.

• Please call Tech Support with any questions and we can assist.

Chrome

1. In the browser bar, enter:

    chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

2. At the top of the “Clear browsing data” window, click Advanced.
3. Select the following:
   • Browsing history
   • Download history
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files

   From the “Time range” drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select All time.

4. Click CLEAR DATA.
5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

1. From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.

   If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

2. From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
3. Next to “Details”, click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
4. Click Clear Now.
5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Microsoft Edge

1. In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like star with three horizontal lines).
2. Click the History icon (looks like a clock), and then select Clear all history.
3. Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
4. After the “All Clear!” message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Opera

1. From the Opera menu, select Settings, then Privacy & Security, and then Clear browsing data….
2. In the dialog box that opens, from the “Obliterate the following items from:” drop-down menu, select The beginning of time.
3. Select the following:
   • Browsing history
   • Download history
   • Cookies and other site data
   • Cached images and files
4. Click Clear browsing data.
5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari 8 and later

1. From the Safari menu, select Clear History… or Clear History and Website Data….
2. Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

Mobile Browsers

Android

The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your Android device and your preferred browser, but you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:

1. Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
2. Swipe to the All tab.
3. In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for Android

1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
2. Tap (Advanced) Privacy.
3. From the “Time Range” drop-down menu, select All Time.
4. Check Cookies and Site data and Cached Images and Files.
5. Tap Clear data.
6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari for iOS/Apple iPhone, iPad, etc.

1. Open your Settings app.
2. Tap Safari.
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for iOS/Apple iPhone, iPad, etc.

1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings.
2. Tap Privacy.
3. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
4. Choose the data type you want to clear.
5. Tap Clear Browsing Data.
6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

FAQs

 

See Also