Clearing Browser Cache

Overview

Clearing browser cache, which stores website data to speed up loading, can be beneficial for resolving website display issues, improving performance, and enhancing security. It forces the browser to download the latest version of a website, which can resolve conflicts caused by outdated cached data. 

How-To

The instruction below will walk through clearing browser cache for the different browsers and mobile device browsers. 

Instructions

Chrome

  1. Paste chrome://settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar
  2. Select the Advanced tab in the Clear browsing data window
  3. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:
  • Browsing history
  • Download history
  • Cookies and other site data
  • Cached images and files
  1. Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu
  2. Click Clear Data

Firefox

  1. Paste about:preferences#privacy in the address bar and press Enter
  2. Scroll down to the History section and click Clear History
  3. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:
  • Browsing & Download history
  • Cookies
  • Cache
  1. Select Everything from the Time range to clear drop-down menu
  2. Click OK

Microsoft Edge

  1. Paste edge://settings/privacy in the address bar and press Enter
  2. Click Choose what to clear in the Clear browsing data section
  3. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:
  • Browsing history
  • Download history
  • Cookies and other site data
  1. Cached images and files
  2. Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu
  3. Click Clear now

Internet Explorer 

  1. Click the Gear Icon in the top-right corner of the browser window
  2. Navigate to Safety, then click Delete browsing history
  3. Uncheck Preserve Favorites website data
  4. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:
  • Temporary Internet files and website files
  • Cookies and website data
  • History
  1. Click Delete

Opera

  1. Paste settings/clearBrowserData in the address bar and press Enter
  2. Select the following forms of browsing data from the list:
  • Browsing history
  • Download history
  • Cookies and other site data
  • Cached images and files

3. Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu

4. Click Clear Data

Safari

  1. From the drop-down menu, click Clear History and Website Data
  2. Choose a time range
  3. Click Clear History
  4. Quit the browser

CLEARING THE CACHE OF MOBILE DEVICE BROWSERS 

Android

Steps may be different on depending on your phone model and operating system version

  1. Tap Settings
  2. Tap Application Manager
  3. Tap the All tab
  4. Tap your web browser
  5. Tap Clear Data
  6. Tap Clear Cache
  7. Quit the browser

Chrome for Android

  1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings
  2. Tap Privacy
  3. Tap Clear Browsing Data
  4. Tap the Time Range drop-down menu
  5. Tap All Time
  6. Select Cookies and Site data and Cached Images and Files from the list
  7. Tap Clear data

Safari for iOS

  1. Tap Settings
  2. Tap Safari
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data 
  4. Tap confirm
  5. Quit the browser

Chrome for iOS

  1. Tap Chrome menu > Settings
  2. Tap Privacy
  3. Tap Clear Browsing Data
  4. Check the data to clear
  5. Tap Clear Browsing Data

Outcome

Clearing your browser's cache will likely result in a temporary slowdown of website loading times, as your browser will need to re-download website assets (like images and scripts) rather than using cached versions. You may also be logged out of websites and need to re-enter login information. However, this is usually a temporary inconvenience that can lead to a smoother browsing experience overall by ensuring you're seeing the most up-to-date version of websites. 

Still Need Help?

Visit the IT Solutions Center page to view current hours, locations, and contact information.

Print Article