How to Clear Your Internet Browser Cache

Web pages not loading correctly? Do websites look outdated? Clearing your browser cache can easily resolve many issues. 

This guide covers what a browser cache is and how to clear your it in popular browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, on a PC mobile device. 

What You'll Learn 

• Why browser cache matters 
• When and how to clear your browser cache 
• Step-by-step instructions for major browsers 
• Tips for mobile devices and advanced users 

Key Takeaways: Clearing Your Browser Cache

• Clearing your cache is a fast fix for broken pages, weird formatting, or sites showing outdated content because it forces your browser to download fresh files. 
• Cache and cookies are not the same. If you clear cached images and files only, you’ll usually stay logged in. You typically get signed out when you clear cookies and site data. 
• Try a forced refresh first (hard reload). It’s less disruptive than clearing your entire cache and often fixes a single stubborn page. 
• Use “All time” only when needed. If you’re troubleshooting one site, you can often choose a shorter time range or clear data for that one website instead of everything. 
• Expect a temporary slowdown after clearing the cache. The next few sites may load slower because your browser is rebuilding stored files. 
• Mobile Safari is more disruptive. Clearing “History and Website Data” can remove cookies and site data too, which may sign you out of sites. 
• Cache clearing won’t fix everything. If problems continue, check your internet connection, update the browser, disable extensions, and scan for malware. 

What Is a Browser Cache?

A browser cache is a temporary local storage system on your device that saves specific files (like images, HTML, and scripts) from websites you visit. It is so those pages load faster on return visits. 

Why Browser Cache Exists

Caching exists for speed and efficiency: 

• Faster Speeds: Your browser loads saved copies from your computer instead of re-downloading everything from the internet every single time you visit a site.
• Saves Data: Reusing stored data reduces the amount of information sent over the internet, saving bandwidth. 

What’s Saved in Cache (and What Isn’t): Cache vs. Cookies vs. History

It’s easy to mix these up because browsers often let you clear them from the same menu, but they store different things. 

Browser cache (what it saves): 

• Temporary copies of website files like images, page files, and other media/resources so pages load faster next time. 

Cookies and site data (what it saves): 

• Small files a website creates to remember login status, site preferences, and other session info (and sometimes tracking data). 

Browsing history (what it saves): 

• A list of the websites and pages you visited in that browser. 

What the cache typically does not store: 

• Passwords and bookmarks (those are stored separately in your browser and account). 
• Your “account” itself (clearing cache doesn’t delete your email, bank account, etc.). 
• Cookies (which is why clearing cache only usually won’t sign you out. That typically happens when you clear cookies and site data). 

What Happens When the Cache Is Outdated or Corrupted?

While caching usually makes your browser more efficient, issues pop up when cached data is outdated or corrupted.  

You’ll know this is happening when: 

• Websites Look Broken: Outdated files can make websites appear messy, disorganized, or inaccurate. 
• Things Stop Working: Old information can prevent logins from working, buttons from clicking, or other features from loading correctly. 
• Information is Outdated: You might see old news, prices, or pictures because your computer is showing you an older cached version instead of getting the new one from the internet. 

A Note on Privacy: It is important to know that your browser cache stores local copies of everything you view online. This includes pictures, site data, and scripts. Clearing cookies and your browsing history is a normal and smart way to keep your activity private and secure, especially if you share a computer or use a public one. 

When to Clear Your Browser Cache

You should clear your cache when you run into specific problems or have privacy concerns. You can clear it any time you want, but be sure to do so: 

• Websites look broken or aren't loading correctly. 
• The browser is sluggish. 
• After a major browser update. 
• After a privacy or security concern. 
• When using a shared or public computer. 

How Often to Clear Your Cache

The frequency depends on how you use your device: 

• On your personal computer: Clearing the cache every 2 to 3 months is generally a good routine maintenance schedule. 
• On shared or work computers: Clearing it once a month (or every session on a public computer) is recommended for better privacy and security. 

Quick Tips: When to Clear Your Browser Cache

How to Clear Cache in Desktop Browsers

Clearing your cache is a straightforward process across all major desktop browsers. While the exact menu names vary , the core steps involve navigating to your history or privacy settings. 

Clear Browser Cache in Google Chrome (Desktop)

1. Open the settings window:
1. Shortcut: Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac) simultaneously. 
2. Manual: Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right, select More tools, and then choose Clear browsing data. 
2. A window will pop up. At the top, select a Time range. To ensure a complete cleanup that fixes site errors, select All time. 
3. Ensure that only the "Cached images and files" box is checked. You can uncheck Browsing history, Cookies, and other site data if you only want to fix site loading issues and stay logged in to your accounts. 
4. Click the Clear data button. The dialog box will close, and the cache will be deleted. 

Clear Browser Cache in Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the settings window: 
1. Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac), which opens the Clear Recent History window immediately. 
2. Manual: Click the Firefox menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings, and navigate to the Privacy & Security panel. 
2. Choose "Cache" Only: 
1. In the shortcut window, set the Time range to "Everything" and ensure only the Cache box is checked. 
2. In the manual settings, find the Cookies and Site Data section and click the Clear Data button. A smaller window will open, allowing you to check only Cached web content. 
3. Click OK or the Clear button to delete the saved cache files. 

Clear Browser Cache in Microsoft Edge

1. Open the clearing dialog: 
1. Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete for Windows and Linux) or Cmd+Shift+Del for Mac simultaneously to open the "Clear browsing data" pop-up immediately. 
2. Manual: Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right, select Settings, then navigate to the Privacy, search, and services tab on the left sidebar. 
2. Look for the Clear browsing data section at the top and click the Choose what to clear button. 
3. In the pop-up window, select All time from the Time range drop-down menu. Uncheck everything except for Cached images and files. 
4. Click the Clear now button to delete the cache files. 

Clear Browser Cache in Safari (macOS)

1. Click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions). 
2. Go to the Privacy tab. 
3. Click the Manage Website Data button. 
4. Click Remove All at the bottom of the list. 

Note: Clearing data this way helps with both privacy and site functionality but will sign you out of accounts like email and social media. 

For Advanced Users: Using the "Develop" Menu (Cache Only) 

If you want to clear only the temporary cache files without signing out of your accounts, you can use a hidden developer menu: 

1. Go to Safari > Settings > Advanced. 
2. Check the box labeled Show Develop menu in the menu bar. 
3. Click Develop, then select Empty Caches. 

How to Clear Cache on Mobile Devices

Clearing your cache on a mobile device is essential maintenance, especially since over 60% of global web traffic now happens on phones and tablets. 

Chrome (Android / iOS)

Android:

1. Open the Chrome app and tap the three-dot menu. 
2. Go to History, then tap Clear browsing data 
3. Set the Time range to All time 
4. Uncheck everything except Cached images and files. 
5. Tap Clear data 

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Chrome app and tap the three-dot menu. 
2. Tap Settings, then go to Privacy and Security. 
3. Tap Clear Browsing Data 
4. Ensure only Cached images and files are checked 
5. Tap Clear Browsing Data at the bottom and confirm 

Tip: By selecting only Cached images and files, you can fix display issues without losing saved passwords or being signed out of your favorite websites. 

Safari (iPhone / iPad)

1. Open your device's Settings app. 
2. Scroll down and tap Safari. 
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data (this will clear the history, cache, and cookies). 
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window. 

Optional step: To manage specific site data, in Safari's Settings menu, go to Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data. 

Microsoft Edge Mobile (Optional short)

1. Open the Edge app and tap the menu 
2. Go to Settings > Privacy and security (or just Privacy) 
3. Tap Clear browsing data 
4. Ensure only Cached images and files are selected, then clear the data

Advanced Cache Clearing Tips

• Chrome (Desktop): Visit the site, click the padlock icon, then click Site settings > Clear data. 
• Safari (Desktop): Go to Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data. 

Force Refresh: 

• Reload a page without using cached resources using keyboard shortcuts: 
• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + F5 or Shift + F5 
• Mac: Cmd + Shift + R 

Short Warning: Clearing all cache removes all saved site resources. For specific troubleshooting, using the force refresh or site-specific methods is often a safer, less disruptive option. 

What to Expect After Clearing a Browser Cache

Some websites may load a bit slower the first time you visit them after clearing the browser cache. This is normal. Your browser is downloading fresh versions of images, scripts, and other page files instead of using the cached copies on your device. 

You may also notice that a few sites look “reset” at first (missing a theme preference, language setting, or layout choice). If you only cleared cached images and files, you should stay logged in. But if you also cleared cookies or site data, you may be signed out of accounts. 

If a site still looks broken after clearing your cache, try a forced refresh or clear data for that one website only. Sometimes the issue isn’t the cache. 

Troubleshooting — What Clearing Your Cache Won't Fix

Clearing your browser cache addresses issues related to outdated or corrupted temporary data, but it won't resolve underlying technical problems, such as: 

• Poor internet connection or ISP throttling 
• Outdated browser version 
• Malware or heavy browser extensions 

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

If the problems persist, you will want to troubleshoot other issues: 

1. Update your browser: Ensure you are running the latest version of Chrome, Safari, or Edge. 
2. Disable extensions: Temporarily turn off browser extensions to see if one is causing the conflict. 
3. Reboot your device: A simple restart can often clear up system memory issues. 
4. Clear cache as the final step: Use the cache-clearing methods above only after ruling out the more common causes.

Stay Ahead of Slow-Loading Web Pages and Outdated Content

Clearing your browser cache is a decisive troubleshooting step that solves most minor browser glitches, such as sluggishness and slow response time, seeing old versions of web pages, or experiencing unusual formatting errors. 

While not necessary weekly, clearing your cache every few months can help maintain optimal browser performance. The primary benefits are improved privacy, better rendering accuracy of displayed pages, and a smoother browsing experience free from corrupted data. 

Try clearing your cache now using the guides above — and remember to bookmark this guide for the next time you need to clear an internet browser cache from a device!