What cache is and why clearing it helps
Cache is a folder on your computer where your web browser stores copies of images, videos, and code from websites you visit. The next time you go to that site, your browser loads the stored copy instead of downloading it again — this makes pages load faster.
Over time, cache builds up and takes up disk space. More importantly, cached files can become outdated. If a website changed its design or fixed a bug, you might still see the old version because your browser is showing you the stored copy instead of the fresh one. Clearing cache forces your browser to read the current version of everything.
You should clear cache if a website looks broken, if pages are loading slowly, or if you want to free up storage space on your device. You can also clear it before logging into sensitive accounts if you share your computer with others.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is stored website data on your computer that makes pages load faster, but old cached files can prevent you from seeing website updates.
- The steps to clear cache are different in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but all take less than one minute.
- You can clear all cache at once or set your browser to clear it automatically when you close the program.
- Clearing cache will not delete your passwords or saved usernames unless you specifically choose to clear those too.
How to clear cache in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears. On the left side, click "Privacy and security," then click "Clear browsing data."
A window will pop up. Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked — it should be by default. At the top, choose the time range: "All time" clears everything, or pick "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," or "Last 7 days" to clear only recent cache. Click the blue "Clear data" button.
How to clear cache in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Privacy & Security" on the left side. Scroll down to the "Cookies and Site Data" section and click "Clear Data."
A box will appear. Check "Cached Web Content" and leave "Cookies and Site Data" unchecked unless you want to clear those too. Click "Clear." Firefox will also let you set it to clear cache automatically — in the same section, check the box next to "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed."
How to clear cache in Safari
Open Safari and click "Safari" in the menu bar at the very top of your screen. Click "Settings" (or "Preferences" on older Macs). Go to the "Privacy" tab and click "Manage Website Data."
You will see a list of websites. Click "Remove All" to clear all cache at once, or select individual sites and click "Remove" to clear only those. Click "Done" when finished. Safari does not have a built-in option to clear cache on close, but you can use the menu bar shortcut every time you finish browsing.
How to clear cache in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Privacy, search, and services" on the left. Under "Clear browsing data," click "Choose what to clear."
A window will open. Check "Cached images and files" and select your time range at the top — "All time" or a specific period. Click "Clear now." You can also turn on automatic clearing by toggling "Clear browsing data" to on and choosing "Every time you close the browser" from the dropdown menu.
Set your browser to clear cache automatically
Most browsers let you clear cache without doing it by hand each time. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all have settings to clear cache when you close the program. This is useful if you share your computer or want to keep your storage clean without remembering to clear it yourself.
The trade-off is that you lose the speed benefit of cached files — pages will load slightly slower because your browser has to read everything fresh each time. For most people on modern internet connections, the difference is not noticeable. If you use the same websites every day and want them to load as fast as possible, you might skip automatic clearing and do it manually once a month instead.
What clearing cache does and does not do
Clearing cache removes stored images, videos, and code from websites. It does not delete your passwords, usernames, or browsing history unless you specifically check those boxes when clearing. If you only check "Cached images and files," your login information stays saved.
Clearing cache also does not sign you out of websites automatically — you will stay logged in until you manually log out or until the website's session expires on its own. If you want to remove saved passwords or browsing history, you need to check those separate boxes in the same clearing window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, you only remove stored website images and code unless you also check the box for "Cookies" or "Passwords." If you want to keep your passwords but clear cache, leave those boxes unchecked.
Why is my website still showing the old version after I cleared cache?
Your browser cache is cleared, but the website's server might also store a copy. Try holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and pressing F5 to do a "hard refresh," which tells the server to send you the newest version. If that does not work, the website itself may not have updated yet.
How often should I clear my cache?
There is no set schedule. Clear cache when a website looks broken, when you want to free up storage space, or when you notice pages loading slowly. If you share your computer, clearing cache before logging into sensitive accounts is a good habit. Many people set it to clear automatically on close and never think about it.
Does clearing cache make my computer faster?
Clearing cache frees up disk space, which can help if your drive is almost full. However, it will not speed up your overall computer performance. It may actually make browsing slightly slower at first because your browser has to read everything fresh, but pages will return to normal speed after a few visits.
Can I clear cache for just one website?
Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, you can select individual websites from the list and clear only those. In Edge, you can clear all cache for a specific time period, but not for one site alone. If you need to clear one site in Edge, use the browser's private window instead for future visits to that site.