How to Clear the Cache and Cookies in Your Web Browser

Why Clear Cache and Cookies?

Clearing the cache and cookies from your web browser is a crucial initial step in troubleshooting internet browsing issues. The cache helps your browser load pages faster by storing files. However, this can sometimes lead to problems when websites are updated, as the cached files may conflict with the new site code. By clearing the cache and cookies, you can ensure that any problems you encounter are due to the website itself, rather than discrepancies caused by different browsers.

Keyboard Shortcut for Most Browsers

If you're using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, you can quickly clear the cache using a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete at the same time to open the necessary window.

IMPORTANT: After clearing the cache and cookies, make sure to close and restart your browser.

Google Chrome
  1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner).
  2. Select History. Google Chrome history menu showing Clear browsing data
  3. Select Clear Browsing Data from the left-hand side. Set the Time Range set to All Time. Check-mark Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files and select Clear Data.
    Opened clear browing data menu with All time, cookeis and other site data, and cached images and files selected
  4. 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
  1. Click on the Tools bar (three bars in the top-right corner).
  2. Click History.
History menu highlighted after choosing Tools menu button in Mozilla Firefox

3. On the menu to the right, select Clear Recent History.

4. In the Clear All History menu, select the time range to Everything.
5. Select the options, Cookies, Cache, Active Logins, Site settings, and Offline website data.

Pop-up box with the Clear All History options. Selected Time range to clear is set to everything.Under History, Active logins, Cookies, and Cache are checked. Under data, Site settings and Offline website data are checked.

6. Click OK.
7. 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.

Safari for MacOS
  1. Click on Safari on the top menu bar.
  2. Click Settings.
    Settings menu highlighted in Safari menu along top of macOS
  3. Click the Privacy tab.
  4. Click Manage Website Data...
    Privacy tab highlighted at the top of the Settings page. Manage Website Data is highlighted on the page.
  5. Click Remove All.
  6. Click Remove Now.
    Prompt to Remove Now after selecting Remove All in Safari Privacy menu in macOS
  7. Go to the Safari menu on the top menu bar.
  8. Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes.
Microsoft Edge for Windows
  1. Click the Tools menu (three dotted lines in the upper-right corner), and open the Settings menu.
    Settings menu highlighted in Settings and more (Alt + F4) menu in Microsoft Edge
  2. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left-side menu.
  3. Under the section Clear browsing data, Click Choose what to clear.
    Clear browsing data menu in Microsoft Edge with Choose what to clear button
  4. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
  5. Click Clear Now.
    Clear browsing dat amenu in Microsoft Edge with All time, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files selected
  6. Close Microsoft Edge completely for your changes to take effect.
Internet Explorer for Windows
  1. Click on the Settings menu in the upper-right corner.
  2. Click Internet options.
    Internet option menu highlighted in Settings in Internet Explorer
  3. Under the General tab on the upper-left-hand side, scroll down to Browsing history.
  4. Select Delete...
    Browsing history section with Delete... button highlighted in Internet Options General tab
  5. Check the Temporary Internet files and website files, Cookies and website data, History, and Download History boxes.
  6. Select Delete.
    Temporary Internet files and website files, Cookies and website data, History, and Download History all checked in Delete Browsing History menu in Internet Explorer
  7. Close Internet Explorer and reopen it for changes to take effect.
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