What cache and cookies do, and why you might clear them
Cache is a folder your browser stores on your computer to load websites faster. When you visit a page, your browser saves images, scripts, and other files so it does not have to read them again the next time you visit. Cookies are small text files that websites place on your computer to remember information about you — your login status, items in your shopping cart, your preferences, or your browsing history across sites.
Clearing cache frees up disk space and can fix problems where a website looks broken or loads an old version of a page. Clearing cookies logs you out of websites, removes tracking data that follows you across the internet, and deletes saved passwords and form information. Most people clear both together when they want a fresh start with their browser, when a site is not working right, or when they want to remove their browsing footprint before handing off their computer.
You do not need to clear cache and cookies often. Doing it once a month or when you notice a problem is normal. Clearing them too frequently can slow down your browsing because your browser has to re-read everything, and you will have to log back into every site you use.
Key Takeaways
- Cache stores website files to speed up loading; cookies store login information and tracking data — clearing both takes two to three minutes and works the same way in every browser.
- In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you open the settings menu, find the privacy or history section, select the time range, check both boxes, and click clear.
- Clearing cache and cookies logs you out of websites and removes saved passwords, so have your passwords written down or saved in a password manager before you start.
- If a website is broken or showing an old version, clearing cache alone usually fixes it without logging you out.
How to clear cache and cookies in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. At the top, use the dropdown that says Time range and choose how far back you want to clear. Select All time to remove everything, or pick a specific range like Last 24 hours or Last 7 days. Check the boxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Leave everything else unchecked unless you have a specific reason to clear it. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.
Chrome will clear the data in a few seconds. You will be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site, it will take a moment longer to load because your browser is re-downloading the files it just deleted.
How to clear cache and cookies in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the section called Cookies and Site Data. Click the button that says Clear Data.
A small window appears. Make sure both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content are checked. Click Clear. Firefox will remove the data when ready. If you want to clear only data from a specific time period instead of everything, click the menu icon (three lines) again, go to History, and select Clear Recent History instead — that option lets you pick a time range.
How to clear cache and cookies in Safari
Open Safari. At the top of the screen, click Safari in the menu bar, then select Clear History. A dropdown menu appears asking how far back you want to clear. Choose all history to remove everything, or pick a time range. Click Clear History.
This clears your history and cookies at the same time. To also clear the cache (which Safari calls "cached files"), go back to the menu bar, click Safari, then Preferences. Click the Privacy tab. Click Manage Website Data, select All at the bottom, and click Remove. This removes cached data from all websites.
How to clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left, click Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, click the button that says Choose what to clear.
A window opens. At the top, use the dropdown to select your time range — choose All time or a specific period. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Click the blue Clear now button. Edge will remove the data in a few seconds, and you will be logged out of websites.
What to do before you clear cache and cookies
Before you clear cookies, write down or copy any passwords you use regularly, or make sure they are saved in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. Clearing cookies deletes saved passwords, so you will need to type them in again the next time you visit those sites. If you use your browser to save passwords, this is the main inconvenience of clearing cookies.
If you only want to clear cache without logging out of websites, you can clear cache alone. In any browser, uncheck the Cookies box and leave only Cache checked. This fixes most problems where a website looks wrong or loads slowly without forcing you to log back in.
If you want to prevent your browser from storing so much cache and cookies in the future, you can set your browser to clear data automatically when you close it. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome (toggle on). Firefox and Edge have similar options in their settings.
When clearing cache and cookies fixes problems
A broken website — one that shows an error, loads partially, or displays an old version of a page — often works again after you clear cache. This happens because your browser was using an outdated or corrupted file it had saved. Clearing cache forces your browser to read a fresh copy.
If you are having trouble logging into a website, clearing cookies can help. Sometimes a corrupted cookie prevents you from signing in. After you clear cookies, try logging in again. If you still cannot log in, the problem is not your browser.
Clearing cache and cookies also removes tracking cookies that follow you across the internet and show you ads based on your browsing. This is not a complete privacy solution — your internet provider and websites themselves still see what you do — but it does stop some tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache and cookies delete my saved passwords?
Clearing cookies deletes passwords your browser saved in its form-fill feature. Passwords saved in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password are stored separately and will not be affected. If you use your browser's built-in password storage, write down your passwords before clearing cookies, or switch to a password manager first.
How often should I clear my cache and cookies?
Once a month is normal for most people. Clear more often if you share your computer with others and want privacy, or if websites are not loading correctly. Clearing too often slows down your browsing because your browser has to re-read files. You do not need to clear them weekly.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache stores website files like images and scripts to make pages load faster. Cookies store login information, preferences, and tracking data. Clearing cache frees up space and fixes broken websites. Clearing cookies logs you out and removes tracking, but does not affect how fast pages load.
Can I clear cache and cookies for just one website instead of all websites?
Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can right-click on any website and select an option like "Delete cookies for this site" or visit the site's settings in your browser's privacy menu to clear data only for that domain. This is useful if one site is broken but you want to stay logged into others.
Does clearing cache and cookies make my browsing private?
It removes some tracking and deletes your local browsing history, but it does not hide your activity from your internet provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. For real privacy, use your browser's private or incognito mode while browsing, or use a VPN service.