What clearing your cache does

Cache is temporary storage your browser keeps on your computer — copies of images, scripts, and other files from websites you visit. When you return to a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading them again, which makes pages load faster. Clearing your cache deletes these stored files, forcing your browser to read fresh copies the next time you visit.

You might clear your cache if a website looks broken or won't load properly, if you want to free up disk space, or if you're concerned about privacy. Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose those options during the clearing process.

Key Takeaways

  • Cache is temporary storage of website files that makes pages load faster on repeat visits.
  • Clearing cache removes these stored files but does not delete passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you select those options.
  • The steps to clear cache differ between browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge each have their own menu path.
  • You can set your browser to clear cache automatically when you close it, or clear it manually whenever you choose.
  • If a website displays incorrectly or won't load, clearing cache is often the first troubleshooting step to try.

Clearing cache in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Click those dots, then select "Settings" from the menu that appears. On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security," then click "Clear browsing data."

A window will pop up with several checkboxes. Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked — this is what you want to delete. You can leave the other boxes unchecked unless you want to delete browsing history or cookies as well. At the top of the window, use the dropdown that says "All time" if you want to clear everything, or select a shorter time period like "Last hour" or "Last 7 days." Click the blue "Clear data" button when you're ready.

Clearing cache in Mozilla Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the dropdown. On the left side, click "Privacy & Security." Under the "Cookies and Site Data" section, you'll see a button that says "Clear Data."

Click that button and a small window appears. Make sure "Cached Web Content" is checked. You can leave "Cookies and Site Data" unchecked unless you want to remove those as well. Click the blue "Clear" button. Firefox will clear the cache when ready and the window will close.

Clearing cache in Safari

Open Safari and click "Safari" in the menu bar at the very top of your screen (not inside the browser window). From the dropdown menu, select "Clear History." A window will appear asking how far back you want to clear — choose "all history" to remove all cached files, or select a specific time period.

Click the blue "Clear History" button. Safari clears both history and cache together; you cannot remove one without the other. If you want more control over what gets deleted, you can instead go to Safari menu, select "Preferences," click the "Privacy" tab, and click "Manage Website Data" to see exactly what is stored.

Clearing cache in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu. On the left side, click "Privacy, search, and services." Under "Clear browsing data," click the button that says "Choose what to clear."

A window will open with checkboxes. Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked. At the top, select your time range — "All time" clears everything, or you can pick a shorter window. Click the blue "Clear now" button. If you want Edge to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser, you can instead toggle on "Clear browsing data" under the "Clear browsing data" section and select which items to clear automatically.

Setting your browser to clear cache automatically

Most browsers can be set to clear cache when you close them, so you don't have to remember to do it manually. In Chrome, go to Settings, click "Privacy and security," then toggle on "Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome." In Firefox, go to Settings, click "Privacy & Security," scroll to "Cookies and Site Data," and check the box next to "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed."

In Safari, this option is not available in the same way — Safari stores less cache than other browsers by design. In Edge, go to Settings, click "Privacy, search, and services," and toggle on "Clear browsing data" to choose what deletes automatically. Keep in mind that automatic clearing means you'll lose the speed benefit of cached files on your next visit to a site, since nothing is stored between sessions.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear your cache if a website displays incorrectly, won't load at all, or shows outdated information. This is the most common fix for websites that appear broken. You should also clear cache if you're using a shared computer and want to remove traces of the sites you visited, though this does not delete your browsing history — you need to clear that separately if privacy is your concern.

After clearing cache, the first time you visit a website will be slightly slower because your browser has to read all the files fresh. Subsequent visits will be faster again as new cache builds up. If you clear cache and a website still doesn't work, try a different browser or contact the website's support team, because the problem may be something other than cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, you're only removing temporary copies of website files. If you want to delete saved passwords, you have to select that option separately during the clearing process — most browsers ask you to confirm which items to delete before proceeding.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, scripts, and other files that make websites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like login status and preferences. They're separate things, and you can clear one without the other. Some websites won't remember you're logged in if you clear cookies, but clearing cache alone won't affect that.

How much space does cache take up?

Cache can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes depending on how many sites you visit and how long you've been browsing. On most modern computers with large hard drives, cache takes up a small amount of space. Clearing it occasionally is good maintenance, but it's not usually urgent unless you're running very low on disk space.

Can I clear cache for just one website?

Most browsers don't have a straightforward button to clear cache for a single site. Chrome and Edge let you click on the lock icon next to a website's address and select "Cookies and site data" to see what's stored for that specific site, but clearing all cache at once is faster for most people. Firefox and Safari don't offer per-site clearing in their main settings.

Why does a website still look wrong after I clear cache?

If clearing cache doesn't fix the problem, the issue is likely something else — a problem with the website itself, your internet connection, or your browser. Try visiting the site in a different browser, restart your computer, or wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem persists, contact the website's support team.