What refreshing your browser does and when you need it
Refreshing your browser reloads the webpage you are looking at, pulling a fresh copy from the website's server instead of showing what your computer has stored in memory. When you refresh, your browser clears temporary data about that page and fetches it again from the beginning.
You need to refresh when a page looks broken, shows outdated information, won't load a button or form, or displays an error message. Refreshing also helps when a page is slow or stuck — it stops whatever was running and starts over. Many website problems disappear after a single refresh because the connection was interrupted or the server had a temporary issue.
Refreshing is different from clearing your entire browser cache or history. A refresh only reloads the current page. It does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history, and it does not close other tabs or windows.
Key Takeaways
- Press F5 on Windows or Command+R on Mac to refresh any webpage when ready.
- A hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows, Command+Shift+R on Mac) forces your browser to read a completely fresh copy instead of using stored versions.
- Use refresh when pages load slowly, show old information, or display broken buttons and forms.
- Refreshing a single page is not the same as clearing your browser cache — it does not delete passwords, bookmarks, or history.
How to refresh on Windows
The fastest way is to press F5 while the webpage is in focus. Your browser will reload the page when ready. If F5 does not work, your keyboard may have a function lock that requires you to hold Fn+F5 instead.
You can also click the refresh button in your browser's toolbar. In Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, it is a circular arrow icon to the left of the address bar. Click it once to refresh. If you click and hold it, some browsers show an option to do a hard refresh.
For a hard refresh — which forces your browser to ignore stored copies and read everything fresh — press Ctrl+Shift+R. Use this when a page still looks wrong after a normal refresh, or when you are testing a website you built and need to see the newest version.
How to refresh on Mac
Press Command+R to refresh the current page. This is the Mac equivalent of F5 on Windows and works the same way.
The refresh button (circular arrow) is also in your browser's toolbar, to the left of the address bar. Click it to reload the page.
For a hard refresh on Mac, press Command+Shift+R. This tells your browser to read a completely fresh copy of the page instead of using any stored versions. Use it when a normal refresh does not fix the problem, or when you need to see the absolute newest version of a page.
Refresh in different browsers
The keyboard shortcuts work the same way in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. F5 or Command+R refreshes on any of them. Ctrl+Shift+R or Command+Shift+R does a hard refresh on any of them.
The refresh button location is slightly different in each browser, but it is always a circular arrow icon near the address bar. In Safari on Mac, it is to the left of the address bar. In Chrome and Edge, it is also on the left. In Firefox, it is on the left as well. If you cannot find it, look for the circular arrow shape.
Some browsers also let you right-click on the page and choose "Reload" or "Refresh" from the menu that appears. This works in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
When a normal refresh is not enough
If refreshing once does not fix the problem, try a hard refresh. A hard refresh tells your browser to ignore any stored copies of the page and read everything fresh from the server. Use Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows or Command+Shift+R on Mac.
If a hard refresh does not work, the problem may be on the website's side, not your browser. Try waiting a few minutes and refreshing again. If the page still does not work, try opening it in a different browser to see if the problem is specific to one browser or affects all of them.
You can also try clearing your browser's cache, which removes all stored copies of webpages. This is more drastic than a refresh and takes longer, but it solves problems that a hard refresh cannot. Most browsers have a "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache" option in the Settings menu.
Refresh and your saved information
Refreshing a page does not delete your passwords, usernames, bookmarks, or browsing history. It only reloads the webpage you are currently viewing. Your browser still remembers everything you have saved.
If you are logged into a website, refreshing keeps you logged in. If you have filled out part of a form, refreshing may clear what you typed, depending on how the website is built. If you are worried about losing form data, copy it to a text file before refreshing.
A hard refresh also does not delete your saved information. It only forces your browser to read a fresh copy of the page instead of using stored versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between refresh and hard refresh?
A normal refresh reloads the page but may use stored copies of images, scripts, and other files your browser has already downloaded. A hard refresh forces your browser to read everything fresh from the server, ignoring all stored copies. Use a hard refresh when a normal refresh does not fix the problem or when you need to see the absolute newest version of a page.
Will refreshing delete my passwords or bookmarks?
No. Refreshing only reloads the webpage you are viewing. It does not touch your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history, or any other saved information. Your browser keeps all of that separate from the pages you visit.
Why does a page still look broken after I refresh?
Try a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows, Command+Shift+R on Mac). If that does not work, the problem may be on the website's server, not your browser. Wait a few minutes and try again, or try opening the page in a different browser to see if the problem is specific to one browser.
Can I refresh multiple tabs at once?
Most browsers do not have a built-in shortcut to refresh all tabs at once. You can refresh each tab individually by clicking on it and pressing F5 or Command+R. Some browsers have extensions that add this feature, but it is not a standard function.
Does refreshing use data on my phone plan?
Yes, refreshing downloads the page again, which uses data. On a mobile phone, refreshing uses the same amount of data as loading the page for the first time. If you are on a limited data plan, avoid refreshing large pages with many images or videos.