How to Clear your Browser Cache

In this article, we’ll go over how to clear your cache in various popular browsers.


Safari

  • Click on the Safari drop-down menu and select 'Settings'.

  • Select the Privacy Tab and click on the Manage Website Data button.

  • Select one or more websites, then click Remove or Remove All.

Removing the data may reduce tracking, but may also log you out of websites or change website behavior.

Firefox

  • Click the menu button and select Settings.
  • Select the Privacy & Security panel.
  • In the Cookies and Site Data section, click 'Clear Data.'
  • On the dropdown next to When, select Everything and make sure that only Temporary cached files and pages are checkmarked.
  • With the Temporary cached files and pages check marked, click the 'Clear' button.

  • Close the settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

Chrome

  • On your computer, open Chrome.
  • Click on the three dots to locate the option to Delete browsing data.

  • Choose a time range, like Last hour or All time.
  • Select the types of information you want to remove.
  • Click Delete data.
    • If you delete cookies while signing in to Chrome, you won't be signed out of your Google Account.
  • Refresh the page.

NOTE: For best results, close and reopen the browser window once completed. 

FAQ: 

Question: What changes should I expect after clearing the cache and cookies?

Answer: After clearing cache and cookies, you may need to sign in again to websites as some settings are deleted. Websites might also load more slowly initially as content, like images, has to be reloaded.

Question: How do I clear the cache in Safari?

Answer: To clear the cache in Safari, click on the Safari drop-down menu and select 'Settings'. Go to the Privacy tab and click on 'Manage Website Data'. Choose the websites you want to remove data from, or select 'Remove All' to clear data from all sites.

Question: What steps should I follow to clear the cache in Firefox?

Answer: In Firefox, click the menu button and select 'Settings'. Go to the Privacy & Security panel and find the Cookies and Site Data section. Click 'Clear Data', ensure that only 'Temporary cached files and pages' are selected, and then click 'Clear'.

Question: How can I clear cache and browsing data in Chrome?

Answer: To clear cache in Chrome, open the browser and click on the three dots (menu) in the top right corner. Select 'Delete browsing data', choose a time range such as 'Last hour' or 'All time', check the types of information you want to remove, and click 'Delete data'.

Question: How often should I clear my cache and cookies?

Answer: The frequency of clearing cache and cookies depends on your browsing habits. If you notice that websites are not loading correctly or you experience slow performance, it may help to clear them. For privacy concerns or when troubleshooting site issues, clearing cache and cookies every few weeks or when needed is a good practice. However, regularly clearing them can also slow down your browsing experience as websites will need to reload images and other content.

Question: Should I close my browser after clearing the cache?

Answer: Yes, for best results, close and reopen your browser after clearing cache and cookies to ensure changes are applied.

Question: Is clearing cache and cookies the same across all browsers?

Answer: The process is similar but menu names and steps vary slightly between browsers like Safari, Firefox, and Chrome

Question: When is the best time to clear my browser cache?

Answer: You should clear your cache if you notice a website is showing outdated information, if images are broken, or if a page is stuck in a "loading loop." It is also a standard first step when a website’s layout looks scrambled or buttons are not responding to clicks.