What cache is and why clearing it helps

Cache is a folder on your computer where Chrome stores copies of images, scripts, and other pieces of websites you visit. When you return to a site, Chrome loads these stored copies instead of downloading them again — which makes pages load faster. The trade-off is that your cache can grow large, slow down your browser, or hold onto outdated versions of websites that have changed.

Clearing your cache means deleting these stored files. You might do this if a website looks broken or won't load properly, if you want to free up disk space, or if you're concerned about what data Chrome is holding about your browsing. The process takes about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome stores website files in cache to make pages load faster, but clearing it can fix display problems and free up space on your computer.
  • You can clear cache from the last hour, day, week, or all time — choose based on whether you're troubleshooting a recent problem or doing a full cleanup.
  • Clearing cache will log you out of most websites, so have your passwords ready or use a password manager before you start.
  • You can set Chrome to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser if you prefer not to do it manually.

How to clear cache in three steps

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button) and select Settings from the dropdown. On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security, then click Clear browsing data.

A window will pop up with checkboxes for different types of data. Make sure Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are both checked — these are the main cache items. At the top of the window, use the dropdown menu to choose your time range: All time clears everything, Last 7 days clears the past week, Last 24 hours clears the past day, and Last hour clears only the most recent files.

Click the blue Clear data button. Chrome will delete the selected files and close the window. You may notice you're logged out of websites — this is normal and expected, because your login cookies were stored in cache.

When to clear cache and what time range to choose

If a website is displaying incorrectly — text in the wrong place, images not showing, buttons that don't work — try clearing cache from the last 24 hours first. This usually fixes problems caused by outdated files without logging you out of everything.

If you're troubleshooting a specific website that broke recently, clear the last 7 days. If you want a complete cleanup or you're concerned about privacy, clear all time. Be aware that clearing all time will log you out of every website where you have a saved login, so plan accordingly.

If your computer is running slowly or you're low on storage space, clearing cache can help — Chrome cache can grow to several gigabytes over months of browsing. Check how much space it's using by going to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Cookies and other site data, and looking at the storage amount shown at the bottom.

Set Chrome to clear cache automatically

If you prefer not to clear cache manually, you can tell Chrome to do it automatically every time you close the browser. Open Settings, go to Privacy and security, and look for the section called Clear browsing data. Toggle on the switch next to Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome.

With this setting on, Chrome will delete cache, cookies, and site data each time you fully close the browser — not just when you close a tab. This means you'll be logged out of websites each time you restart Chrome, but your browsing history won't be deleted unless you turn on that separate setting.

What gets deleted and what stays

When you clear cache, Chrome removes stored images, scripts, stylesheets, and other website files. It also removes cookies, which are small files that websites use to remember you. Clearing cache will log you out of most sites because your login information is stored in cookies.

Your browsing history is not deleted when you clear cache — that's a separate setting. Your saved passwords are also not deleted unless you specifically check that box in the Clear browsing data window. Your bookmarks and autofill information stay in place.

Troubleshooting if clearing cache doesn't fix the problem

If a website still looks broken after clearing cache, try these steps: first, reload the page by pressing Ctrl+Shift+R (on Windows) or Command+Shift+R (on Mac). This forces Chrome to read a fresh copy of everything instead of using any remaining cached files.

If that doesn't work, try opening the website in an incognito window — press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. Incognito windows don't use cache at all, so if the site works there, the problem is definitely cache-related. If the site is still broken in incognito, the problem is something else, like a browser extension interfering or an issue with the website itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, Chrome removes cookies (which log you out), but your saved passwords stay in place. You can uncheck the "Passwords and other sign-in data" box in the Clear browsing data window to be extra sure.

How much space does cache usually take up?

Cache size varies widely depending on how much you browse and what sites you visit. It can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. Video-heavy sites like YouTube and streaming services use more cache than text-based sites. You can see your cache size in Settings under Privacy and security.

What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing browsing history?

Cache is the stored website files that make pages load faster. Browsing history is the list of websites you've visited. Clearing cache doesn't erase your history — you have to check that box separately in the Clear browsing data window if you want both deleted.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

Not necessarily. Chrome manages cache automatically and won't let it grow indefinitely. Clear it if a website isn't working properly, if you're running low on storage space, or if you want to remove traces of your browsing. Otherwise, leaving it alone is fine.