What site cache is and why you might need to clear it
Site cache is a folder on your computer where your web browser stores copies of images, videos, and other files from websites you visit. The browser keeps these copies so that the next time you visit the same site, it loads faster — instead of downloading everything again, it uses what it already has saved.
Sometimes this backfires. A website might have updated its design or fixed a bug, but your browser keeps showing you the old cached version. You might see broken images, pages that won't load properly, or login problems that shouldn't exist. Clearing the cache tells your browser to forget those old copies and read fresh ones the next time you visit.
You might also clear cache to free up disk space, though on most computers this won't make a dramatic difference. The real reason people clear cache is to fix a website that looks or behaves wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Site cache is stored files your browser saves from websites to make them load faster next time.
- Clearing cache fixes problems like broken images, pages that won't load, or login errors caused by outdated stored files.
- The steps to clear cache are different in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — each browser keeps the option in a different menu.
- You can clear cache for all time or just the last hour, day, or week, depending on how recent the problem is.
- After clearing cache, you may need to close and reopen the browser or refresh the page to see the change.
Clearing cache in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button). A dropdown list will appear. Near the top of that list, click "Settings".
On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security". Then click "Clear browsing data". A box will pop up with several options. At the top, you will see a dropdown that says "All time" — this controls how far back the cache goes. Leave it on "All time" unless you only want to clear recent cache. Make sure the box next to "Cached images and files" is checked. Then click the blue "Clear data" button.
Chrome will clear the cache in a few seconds. You can now close the Settings tab and go back to the website that was giving you trouble. Refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on Mac.
Clearing cache in Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and look at the top right corner. Click the three horizontal lines (the menu button). A dropdown will appear. Click "Settings".
On the left side, click "Privacy & Security". Scroll down until you see the section called "Cookies and Site Data". Click the button that says "Clear Data". A box will pop up. Make sure the box next to "Cached Web Content" is checked. The time range at the top should say "Everything" — leave it there unless you only want to clear recent cache. Click "Clear".
Firefox will clear the cache when ready. Close the Settings tab and go back to the website. Refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on Mac.
Clearing cache in Safari
Open Safari. At the very top of your screen, click "Safari" in the menu bar (not inside the browser window, but at the very top of your Mac). A dropdown menu will appear. Click "Settings".
Click the "Privacy" tab at the top of the Settings window. Look for a button that says "Manage Website Data". A list of websites will appear. To clear all of them at once, click "Remove All" at the bottom right. To remove only one website, find it in the list, click it, and then click "Remove".
After you remove the data, close the Settings window. Go back to the website that was giving you trouble and refresh the page by pressing Command+R.
Clearing cache in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and look at the top right corner. Click the three dots (the menu button). A dropdown will appear. Click "Settings".
On the left side, click "Privacy, search, and services". Under the section called "Clear browsing data", click "Choose what to clear". A box will pop up. At the top, make sure the dropdown says "All time" unless you only want to clear recent cache. Check the box next to "Cached images and files". Then click the blue "Clear now" button.
Edge will clear the cache in a few seconds. Close the Settings tab and go back to the website. Refresh the page by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows.
What to do if clearing cache doesn't fix the problem
If you cleared the cache and the website still looks wrong or won't work, the problem might not be cache. Try closing the browser completely and opening it again — not just opening a new tab, but closing the entire program and starting fresh.
If that does not work, the issue might be with your browser itself. Try visiting the same website in a different browser — if it works fine in Firefox but not Chrome, then the problem is specific to Chrome. You could also try restarting your computer, which fixes many temporary glitches.
If the website still does not work after all of this, the problem is likely on the website's end, not yours. Contact the website's support team or check their social media to see if other people are reporting the same issue.
Clearing cache on your phone or tablet
The steps are similar on phones and tablets, but the exact location varies by device. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap "Safari", then tap "Clear History and Website Data". On an Android phone, open Chrome, tap the three dots at the top right, tap "Settings", then "Privacy", then "Clear browsing data".
After clearing cache on your phone or tablet, close the browser app completely and open it again before visiting the website that was giving you trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords or log me out of websites?
Clearing cache alone will not delete passwords or log you out. Cache only stores images and files. If you want to keep your passwords, make sure the box next to "Cookies and site data" is unchecked when you clear cache. If you accidentally check that box, you may be logged out of some websites.
How often should I clear my cache?
Most people do not need to clear cache regularly. Clear it only when a website looks wrong or will not load properly. If you notice this happening often, you might clear cache once a month, but there is no set rule.
Does clearing cache make my computer faster?
Clearing cache frees up a small amount of disk space, but it will not make your computer noticeably faster. The main reason to clear cache is to fix website problems, not to speed things up.
What is the difference between cache and cookies?
Cache stores images, videos, and files. Cookies store information like your login details and website preferences. They are separate things. You can clear one without clearing the other — most browsers let you choose which one to delete.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of all websites?
Most browsers do not have an straightforward way to clear cache for a single website. Your best option is to clear all cache, or to open the website in a private browsing window (called Incognito in Chrome), which does not use cache at all.