How do I clear my web browser's cache?
To clear the cache in most computer-based web browsers, press Ctrl-Shift-Delete
(Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete
(Mac) to open menus used to clear your cache. If this doesn't work, use the following instructions for the appropriate web browser.
Desktop browsers
Chrome
- From the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window, choose Settings > History > "Clear browsing data..."
- Select the following:
- Browsing history
- Download history
- Cookies and other site and plug-in data
- Cached images and files
From the Obliterate the following items from: drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select the beginning of time.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Firefox
- From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.
- From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, selectEverything.
- Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
- Click Clear Now.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Microsoft Edge
- In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like three horizontal lines).
- Click the History icon, and then select Clear all history.
- Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. ClickClear.
- After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Internet Explorer 9 and higher
- Select Tools (via the Gear Icon) > Safety > Delete browsing history....
If the menu bar is hidden, press
Alt
to make it visible. - Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
- Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
- Cookies or Cookies and website data
- History
- Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Safari
Safari 8
- From the Safari menu, select Clear History and Website Data....
- Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
- Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press
Command-Q
to exit the browser completely.
Safari 7 and below
- From the Safari menu, select Reset Safari....
- Select the items you want to reset, and then click Reset. As of Safari 5.1, Remove all website data includes both cookies and cache.
- 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. However, you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:
- Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
- Swipe to the All tab.
- In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Chrome for Android
- Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
- Touch (Advanced) Privacy.
- Touch Clear browsing data.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Safari (Apple iOS)
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.
Chrome for iOS
- Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
- Touch Privacy.
- Choose the data type you want to clear.
- Touch Clear.
- Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.