What clearing cache actually does
Cache is the collection of files your browser saves to make websites load faster the next time you visit them. When you clear cache on a Chromebook, you delete those stored files — images, scripts, partial web pages — so your browser has to read them fresh. This frees up storage space and can fix problems where a website looks broken or loads an old version of itself.
Most people clear cache when a website isn't working right, when they're running low on storage, or when they want to remove traces of where they've been browsing. It does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically tell it to.
Key Takeaways
- Clearing cache takes about one minute and removes temporary files your browser stored to speed up websites.
- You can clear cache for just today, the last week, or all time — choose based on how far back the problem goes.
- Clearing cache does not delete your passwords or bookmarks, only temporary website files.
- If a website looks wrong or won't load properly, clearing cache is usually the first thing to try.
How to clear cache in Chrome on your Chromebook
Open Chrome (it's already your default browser on a Chromebook). In the top right corner, click the three vertical dots, then select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.
A window will pop up. At the top, you'll see a dropdown that says All time — click it and choose how far back you want to clear. Pick All time if you're not sure. Make sure the box next to Cached images and files is checked (it usually is by default). Leave everything else unchecked unless you specifically want to delete passwords or history too. Click the blue Clear data button at the bottom right.
Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You won't see a confirmation message — the window just closes. The next time you visit a website, it will load fresh files instead of using the old cached versions.
When to clear cache for just today instead of all time
If a website broke only recently, you don't need to clear everything. In the dropdown at the top of the Clear browsing data window, choose Last 24 hours or Last 7 days. This deletes only the recent cache and leaves older files alone, which can speed up the process.
Use All time if the problem has been happening for a while, if you're trying to free up a lot of storage, or if you're not sure when it started. There's no downside to clearing everything — websites will just take a few extra seconds to load the first time you visit them after clearing.
What to do if clearing cache doesn't fix the problem
If a website still looks wrong after clearing cache, try closing Chrome completely and opening it again. Sometimes a full restart fixes issues that clearing cache alone doesn't solve. You can close Chrome by clicking the X in the top right corner of the window.
If that doesn't work, try opening the website in Incognito mode — a temporary browsing mode that doesn't use cache at all. Click the three dots in the top right, then select New Incognito window. If the website works fine in Incognito mode, the problem is definitely with your cache or browser settings, and clearing cache should have fixed it. If it's still broken in Incognito mode, the problem is with the website itself or your internet connection.
How much storage clearing cache actually frees up
Cache usually takes up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes, depending on how much you browse and how long it's been since you last cleared it. On a Chromebook with 32 or 64 gigabytes of storage, clearing cache won't solve a storage crisis by itself, but it's a quick first step that often helps.
If you're still running low on storage after clearing cache, check your Downloads folder — files you've downloaded sit there and take up space. You can also clear your browsing history (which is separate from cache) by following the same steps above but checking the Browsing history box instead. Uninstalling apps you don't use is usually the fastest way to free up real space on a Chromebook.
The difference between cache and cookies
Cookies are small files that websites use to remember you — your login information, your preferences, items in your shopping cart. Cache is the larger collection of images and code that makes websites load faster. They're stored separately, and clearing one doesn't automatically clear the other.
When you clear browsing data, you can choose to delete cookies, cache, or both. If you clear cache but leave cookies checked, websites will still remember you're logged in. If you clear cookies but not cache, websites will load fast but you'll have to log in again. Most of the time you want to clear cache only, which is why it's the default option in the Clear browsing data window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you open the Clear browsing data window, make sure the Passwords and other sign-in data box is unchecked. If it's unchecked, your passwords stay safe.
Do I need to clear cache regularly?
Not unless you're running low on storage or websites are loading incorrectly. Most people clear cache once every few months. If you browse a lot and have limited storage, clearing it monthly is reasonable.
What if I clear cache by accident?
There's no undo button, but it's not a problem. Websites will straightforward read their files again the next time you visit them. Your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history are unaffected unless you specifically deleted those too.
Can I clear cache for just one website?
Chrome doesn't have a built-in way to clear cache for a single website. You have to clear all cache at once. If you only want to reload one website fresh, try opening it in Incognito mode instead, which doesn't use cache.
Why does my Chromebook feel slow after clearing cache?
It doesn't — it might feel slower for a few minutes because websites have to read their files again instead of using the stored versions. This is temporary and goes away after you've visited your regular websites a few times.